QUICK FACTS
Created Jan 0001
Status Verified Sarcastic
Type Existential Dread
Keywords
alaska, alaska (disambiguation), alaskan (disambiguation), alaaskaq, inupiaq, alaskaq, central yupik, anĂĄaski, tlingit, alas'kaaq

Alaska

“Alright, let's get this over with. You want Wikipedia, but
 different. More
 *me*. Fine. Don't expect sunshine and...”

Contents
  • 1. Overview
  • 2. Etymology
  • 3. Cultural Impact

Alright, let’s get this over with. You want Wikipedia, but
 different. More
 me. Fine. Don’t expect sunshine and rainbows.

U.S. State

This isn’t about some quaint little state. This is about Alaska . The one that looms, the one that dwarfs. If you’re thinking of anything else, consult Alaska (disambiguation) . And if you insist on calling someone or something “Alaskan,” be specific. There’s a whole other Alaskan (disambiguation) for that.

State in the United States

Alaska

The names themselves whisper of a different tongue, a different history. Alaaskaq  (Inupiaq ) Alaskaq  (Central Yupik ) AnĂĄaski  (Tlingit ) Alas’kaaq  (Alutiiq ) ĐĐ»ŃŃĐșĐ°  (Russian )

It’s a State . Not a playground.

Flag Seal

Nickname: The Last Frontier. So dramatic. Motto: North to the Future. As if anyone is actually going anywhere. Anthem: Alaska’s Flag . A song. How quaint.

Location of Alaska within the United States

Country: United States Pre-statehood: Territory of Alaska Admitted to the Union: January 3, 1959; 66 years ago (1959-01-03) (49th state) Capital: Juneau . Tucked away, like a secret. Largest City: Anchorage . Where the masses congregate. Largest Metro and Urban Areas: Anchorage

Government:

U.S. Senators:

U.S. House Delegation:

Area:

Dimensions:

  • Length: 1,420 mi (2,285 km)
  • Width: 2,261 mi (3,639 km)

Elevation:

  • Average: 1,900 ft (580 m)
  • Highest: Denali (20,310 ft / 6,190.5 m)
  • Lowest: 0 ft (0 m) (sea level)

Population (2024 est.):

Demonym: Alaskan Languages:

Time zones:

USPS abbreviation: AK ISO 3166 code: US-AK Latitude: 51°20’N to 71°50’N Longitude: 130°W to 172°E Website: alaska.gov

Alaska (/əˈlĂŠskə/ ⓘ ə-LASS-kə) is a non-contiguous U.S. state perched on the ragged edge of North America . It’s part of the Western United States region, and if you’re counting states that aren’t physically connected to the rest, it’s one of two, the other being Hawaii . Alaska holds the distinction of being the northernmost, westernmost, and, thanks to the Aleutian Islands dipping into the eastern hemisphere across the 180th meridian , the easternmost state. To its east lies the imposing Canadian territory of Yukon and the province of British Columbia . Across the Bering Strait , Russia’s Chukotka Autonomous Okrug is a mere maritime whisper away. The frigid embrace of the Arctic Ocean , with its Chukchi and Beaufort Seas, defines its northern boundary, while the vast Pacific Ocean lies to its south. It’s a semi-exclave, a piece of the U.S. set apart, and frankly, the largest exclave on the planet.

Alaska is a behemoth in terms of area, a sprawling expanse that eclipses Texas , California , and Montana combined. It’s the seventh-largest subnational division globally. Yet, despite its immense size, it’s a sparsely populated place, ranking third-least populous and most sparsely populated among U.S. states. With a population of 740,133 in 2024, it’s the most populous territory in North America north of the 60th parallel , outnumbering northern Canada and Greenland by a significant margin. [6] Its urban centers are massive, with Anchorage being the largest city, home to nearly half of Alaska’s inhabitants. Even its capital, Juneau , is one of the largest cities in the United States by area.

The Indigenous peoples, the Alaska Natives , have called this land home for millennia. It’s widely accepted that this region was the gateway, the first step for humanity’s journey into North America via the Bering land bridge . The Russian Empire was the first European power to actively impose its presence, establishing Russian America in the 18th century, a vast dominion that stretched across much of the current state and fostered a distinct Alaskan Creole population. [7] The sheer cost and logistical nightmare of maintaining such a distant territory led to its sale to the U.S. in 1867 for a mere $7.2 million – a pittance, even in 2024 dollars ($162 million). After a period of administrative flux, it was finally organized as a territory in May 1912, before grudgingly being admitted as the 49th state in January 1959. [8]

Alaska’s wealth of natural resources—commercial fishing , the relentless extraction of natural gas and oil—have propelled it to one of the highest per capita incomes in the nation, despite its comparatively small economy. Military bases and the relentless influx of tourism also fuel its coffers. More than half of Alaska is federally owned, a vast expanse of national forests , national parks , and wildlife refuges . It’s also a state that largely shuns organized religion, ranking among the most irreligious states , and it was among the first to embrace legal recreational marijuana. The Indigenous population remains significant, the second highest proportion of any U.S. state, after Hawaii, at over 15 percent. [9]

Etymology

The name “Alaska” ( Russian : ĐĐ»ŃÌŃĐșĐ°, transliterated: AljĂĄska ) first appeared during the Russian colonial period , specifically referring to the Alaska Peninsula . Its origin lies in an Aleut-language term, alaxsxaq, meaning “the mainland” or, more poetically, “the object towards which the action of the sea is directed.” [10] [11] [12]

Living insignia:

Inanimate insignia:

Lists of United States state symbols](/Lists_of_United_States_state_symbols)

History

Pre-colonization

For millennia before Europeans cast their shadows across the land, Alaska was home to numerous Indigenous peoples. Evidence gleaned from linguistic studies and DNA analysis points to this region as the primary entry point for the initial settlement of North America, facilitated by the now-vanished Bering land bridge . [13] [14] At the Upward Sun River site in the Tanana Valley , the remains of a six-week-old infant were discovered. This child’s DNA revealed a genetic lineage distinct from other Native groups already present in the New World by the close of the Pleistocene epoch. Ben Potter, the archaeologist from the University of Alaska Fairbanks who led the excavation in 2013, christened this ancestral population the Ancient Beringian . [15]

In what is now Southeast Alaska, extending into British Columbia and the Yukon , the Tlingit people forged a society structured by a matrilineal system of inheritance and descent. The Haida , renowned for their distinctive artistry, also inhabited the Southeast. The Tsimshian people migrated to Alaska from British Columbia in 1887, granted permission by President Grover Cleveland and later the U.S. Congress to establish a settlement on Annette Island and found the town of Metlakatla, Alaska . All three of these groups, alongside other Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast , endured devastating smallpox outbreaks from the late 18th to the mid-19th centuries. The most catastrophic epidemics struck in the 1830s and 1860s, leaving a trail of high fatalities and societal upheaval. [16]

Colonization

Russian settlement of St. Paul’s Harbor, present-day Kodiak town, Kodiak Island, 1814 Miners and prospectors ascend the Chilkoot Trail during the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush .

Some researchers propose that the first Russian settlement in Alaska dates back to the 17th century. [17] This theory posits that in 1648, several koches from Semyon Dezhnyov ’s expedition were driven ashore in Alaska by a storm, leading to the establishment of this settlement. This claim rests on the testimony of the Chukchi geographer Nikolai Daurkin, who visited Alaska between 1764 and 1765 and reported on a village on the Kheuveren River inhabited by “bearded men” who “pray to the icons ”. Some contemporary scholars associate the Kheuveren River with the Koyuk River . [18]

The generally accepted first European vessel to reach Alaska was the St. Gabriel, commanded by surveyor M. S. Gvozdev and navigated by assistant navigator I. Fyodorov on August 21, 1732. This occurred during an expedition led by Siberian Cossack A. F. Shestakov and Russian explorer Dmitry Pavlutsky (1729–1735). [19] Another significant European encounter with Alaska took place in 1741, when Vitus Bering led an expedition for the Russian Navy aboard the St. Peter. Upon the crew’s return to Russia with sea otter pelts described as the finest fur in the world, small groups of fur traders began to sail from Siberia towards the Aleutian Islands. The first permanent European settlement was established in 1784.

Between 1774 and 1800, Spain dispatched several expeditions to Alaska to assert its territorial claims in the Pacific Northwest. In 1789, a Spanish settlement and fort were constructed in Nootka Sound . These Spanish ventures left their mark on the region through place names such as Valdez , Bucareli Sound , and Cordova . Later, the Russian-American Company spearheaded a more extensive colonization effort throughout the early to mid-19th century. Sitka , known as New Archangel from 1804 to 1867, situated on Baranof Island within the Alexander Archipelago of what is now Southeast Alaska , became the capital of Russian America . It maintained this status even after the colony was transferred to the United States. The Russians, however, never fully colonized Alaska, and the colony proved to be perpetually unprofitable. Vestiges of Russian presence persist in place names and church architecture throughout southeastern Alaska. [20]

In 1867, William H. Seward , the United States Secretary of State under President Andrew Johnson , finalized the Alaska Purchase with Russia, a transaction widely derided as “Seward’s Folly.” The sale, for $7.2 million, was orchestrated by Russian emperor Alexander II . [21] [22] The official transfer occurred on March 30, 1867, with the formal ceremony taking place six months later in Sitka. The raising of the U.S. flag at Fort Sitka on October 18, 1867, marked the symbolic transfer. This date is now commemorated as Alaska Day , a legal holiday.

Initially, Alaska was under loose military governance. In 1884, it was organized as a district , with a governor appointed by the U.S. president. A federal district court was established in Sitka. For the first decade of American administration, Sitka was the sole community inhabited by American settlers, who organized what they called “a provisional city government”—Alaska’s first municipal government, though not legally recognized as such. [23] Legislation allowing Alaskan communities to legally incorporate as cities wouldn’t arrive until 1900, and the concept of home rule for cities remained severely restricted, if not entirely absent, until statehood was achieved in 1959.

U.S. territorial incorporation

From the 1890s into the early 1910s, gold rushes in Alaska and the neighboring Yukon Territory drew thousands of prospectors and settlers. Between 1879 and 1920, Alaska yielded over $460,000,000 in mineral production—a sum equivalent to $7,220,166,113 in 2024. [24] In 1912, Alaska was officially incorporated as an organized territory. Its capital, previously in Sitka, was relocated north to Juneau in 1906. The construction of the Alaska Governor’s Mansion commenced that same year. European immigrants, primarily from Norway and Sweden, also established communities in Southeast Alaska, contributing to the fishing and logging industries.

U.S. troops navigate snow and ice during the Battle of Attu in May 1943.

During World War II , the Aleutian Islands Campaign saw intense fighting focused on Attu , Agattu , and Kiska , all of which were occupied by the Empire of Japan . [a] The Japanese occupation resulted in the deaths of one American civilian and two United States Navy personnel. Approximately 50 Aleut civilians and eight sailors were interned in Japan, with nearly half of the Aleuts succumbing during their captivity. [25] Unalaska /Dutch Harbor and Adak emerged as crucial bases for the United States Army , United States Army Air Forces , and the United States Navy. As part of the U.S. Lend-Lease program, American warplanes were flown through Canada to Fairbanks and then to Nome , where Soviet pilots took possession of them for combat against the German invasion of the Soviet Union . The construction of military installations spurred population growth in several Alaskan cities.

Statehood

Bob Bartlett and Ernest Gruening, Alaska’s inaugural U.S. Senators, hold the 49-star U.S. Flag after the admission of Alaska as the 49th state.

The quest for statehood was a persistent ambition for James Wickersham early in his congressional tenure. [26] Decades later, the statehood movement gained significant traction following a territorial referendum in 1946. The Alaska Statehood Committee and Alaska’s Constitutional Convention were subsequently formed. Statehood proponents also navigated considerable political opposition, both within Congress and Alaska itself. Statehood was finally approved by the U.S. Congress on July 7, 1958, and Alaska was officially proclaimed a state on January 3, 1959. [27]

Good Friday earthquake

On March 27, 1964, the catastrophic Good Friday earthquake struck, claiming 133 lives and obliterating several villages and sections of coastal communities, primarily due to the ensuing tsunamis and landslides. It registered as the fourth-most-powerful earthquake in recorded history, with a moment magnitude of 9.2—over a thousand times more potent than the 1989 San Francisco earthquake . [28] The timing of the quake (5:36 pm), its occurrence in spring, and the epicenter’s location were all cited as factors that likely spared thousands of lives, particularly in Anchorage.

The Good Friday earthquake reverberated for 4 minutes and 38 seconds. An immense 600-mile (970 km) rupture along the fault line shifted land by up to 60 feet (18 m), releasing approximately 500 years of accumulated stress. The resulting soil liquefaction , fissures, landslides, and other ground failures inflicted severe structural damage on numerous communities and caused widespread property destruction. Anchorage suffered extensive damage to its housing and infrastructure, especially in landslide-prone areas along Knik Arm . Two hundred miles (320 km) southwest, sections near Kodiak were permanently elevated by 30 feet (9 m). Southeast of Anchorage, areas around the head of Turnagain Arm near Girdwood and Portage subsided by as much as 8 feet (2.4 m), necessitating reconstruction and fill to raise the Seward Highway above the new high tide line. [29]

In Prince William Sound , Port Valdez experienced a massive underwater landslide that resulted in 32 fatalities, stemming from the collapse of the Valdez city harbor and docks, and impacting individuals aboard a docked ship. Nearby, a 27-foot (8.2 m) tsunami obliterated the village of Chenega , killing 23 of its 68 residents; survivors managed to escape to higher ground. Subsequent tsunamis severely impacted Whittier , Seward , Kodiak, and other Alaskan communities, as well as causing damage in British Columbia, Washington , Oregon , and California. [30] Tsunamis also reached Hawaii and Japan. Evidence of ground motion directly attributable to the earthquake was even reported from Florida and Texas .

Alaska had never before faced such a widespread disaster in a densely populated area and possessed minimal resources to manage its aftermath. In Anchorage, at the behest of geologist Lidia Selkregg , the City of Anchorage and the Alaska State Housing Authority assembled a team of 40 scientists—geologists, soil scientists, and engineers—to assess the earthquake’s impact on the city. [31] This group, known as the Engineering and Geological Evaluation Group, was led by Ruth A. M. Schmidt , a geology professor at the University of Alaska Anchorage . The scientific team clashed with local developers and business owners eager to rebuild immediately, as the scientists prioritized identifying future hazards to ensure the safety of rebuilt infrastructure. [32] Their comprehensive report was submitted on May 8, 1964, just over a month after the earthquake. [31] [33]

The U.S. military, with a significant presence in Alaska, mobilized immediately to provide assistance. The U.S. Army swiftly re-established communications with the lower 48 states, deployed troops to aid Anchorage residents, and dispatched a convoy to Valdez. [34] Following recommendations from military and civilian leaders, President Lyndon B. Johnson declared all of Alaska a major disaster area the day after the quake. The U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard deployed vessels to remote coastal communities to address immediate needs. Adverse weather conditions hampered air rescue and observation efforts on the day following the quake, but conditions improved on Sunday the 29th, allowing for the deployment of rescue helicopters and observation aircraft. [34] A massive military airlift commenced, delivering 2,570,000 pounds (1,170,000 kg) of food and essential supplies to Alaska. [35]

Broadcast journalist Genie Chance played a crucial role in recovery and relief efforts, maintaining a steady presence on KENI radio in Anchorage for over 24 consecutive hours, broadcasting calm from her temporary post within the Anchorage Public Safety Building. [36] The city’s police chief effectively designated her as the public safety officer. [36] Chance provided real-time updates on the unfolding catastrophe, serving as the voice of the public safety office. She coordinated response efforts, matched available resources to community needs, disseminated information about shelters and food supplies, relayed messages between loved ones, and facilitated family reunions. [37]

In the longer term, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers spearheaded the reconstruction of roads, debris removal, and the establishment of new town sites for communities completely destroyed, at a cost of $110 million. [35] The West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center was established directly in response to the disaster. Federal disaster relief funds financed reconstruction and provided crucial financial support to Alaska’s devastated government infrastructure, injecting hundreds of millions of dollars that helped maintain the state’s financial stability until the discovery of vast oil reserves at Prudhoe Bay . Under orders from the U.S. Defense Department , the Alaska National Guard created the Alaska Division of Emergency Services to prepare for future disasters. [34]

Oil boom

The discovery of oil at Prudhoe Bay in 1968 and the completion of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System in 1977 triggered a significant oil boom. Royalty revenues from petroleum have sustained substantial state budgets since 1980.

Oil pooled on rocks on the shore of Prince William Sound after the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill.

Oil extraction wasn’t the sole economic driver of Alaska’s land. In the latter half of the 20th century, tourism emerged as a vital revenue stream. This industry gained momentum after World War II, as military personnel stationed in the region returned home, extolling its natural beauty. The Alcan Highway , constructed during the war, and the Alaska Marine Highway System , completed in 1963, significantly improved the state’s accessibility. Tourism has become increasingly pivotal to Alaska’s economy, attracting over 1.4 million visitors annually. [38]

With tourism’s growing economic importance, environmental concerns gained prominence. The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) of 1980 designated an additional 53.7 million acres (217,000 km2) for the National Wildlife Refuge system , incorporated portions of 25 rivers into the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System , added 3.3 million acres (13,000 km2) to National Forest lands , and set aside 43.6 million acres (176,000 km2) as National Park land . Consequently, Alaska now encompasses two-thirds of all American national parklands. Today, the Federal Government owns more than half of Alaska’s land. [39]

In 1989, the Exxon Valdez struck a reef in Prince William Sound, releasing over 11 million gallons (42 megalitres) of crude oil that fouled 1,100 miles (1,800 km) of coastline. The ongoing debate between development and conservation is evident in the contentious discussions surrounding oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the proposed Pebble Mine . [40]

Geography

Situated at the northwesternmost point of North America, Alaska is the northernmost and westernmost state in the United States. Its easternmost longitude is also a peculiarity, due to the Aleutian Islands extending into the Eastern Hemisphere . [41] Alaska stands alone as the only U.S. state not part of the contiguous North American landmass; approximately 500 miles (800 km) of Canadian territory, comprising British Columbia , separates it from Washington . While technically part of continental North America, it’s rarely included in colloquial discussions of the term. Alaska is not part of the contiguous U.S. , often referred to as “the Lower 48 ”. Even its capital, Juneau , though located on the mainland, lacks direct road access to the rest of the North American highway system. The largest lake in Alaska is Lake Illiamna .

Alaska shares borders with Canada’s Yukon and British Columbia to the east (making it the sole state bordered exclusively by a Canadian territory ). The Gulf of Alaska and the Pacific Ocean lie to the south and southwest. To the west, the Bering Sea , Bering Strait , and Chukchi Sea form its boundary, while the Arctic Ocean stretches along its northern edge. Alaska’s territorial waters touch Russia’s in the Bering Strait, with the Russian Big Diomede Island and Alaska’s Little Diomede Island separated by a mere 3 miles (4.8 km). Alaska boasts a coastline longer than all other U.S. states combined. [42]

Alaska’s size compared with the contiguous states (Albers equal-area conic projection )

With a total area of 663,268 square miles (1,717,856 km2), Alaska is by far the largest state in the United States. It is more than twice the size of the second-largest U.S. state, Texas, and surpasses the combined area of Texas, California, and Montana. Alaska ranks as the seventh largest subnational division in the world . If it were an independent nation, it would rank as the 18th largest country globally, comparable in size to Iran . [43]

Alaska’s intricate coastline, including its numerous islands, stretches for nearly 34,000 miles (55,000 km). The Aleutian Islands chain extends westward from the southern tip of the Alaska Peninsula . Many active volcanoes dot the Aleutians and the coastal regions. For instance, Mount Shishaldin on Unimak Island is a perpetually smoldering volcano rising to 10,000 feet (3,000 m) above the North Pacific. This volcanic chain continues to Mount Spurr , located west of Anchorage on the mainland. Geologists categorize Alaska as part of Wrangellia , a vast geological region encompassing multiple states and Canadian provinces in the Pacific Northwest , which is actively undergoing continent building . [44]

One of the world’s most extreme tidal ranges occurs in Turnagain Arm , just south of Anchorage, where tidal fluctuations can exceed 35 feet (10.7 m). [45]

Alaska is home to over 409,000 natural lakes, each at least one hectare in size. [46] Vast expanses of marshlands and wetland permafrost cover 188,320 square miles (487,700 km2), predominantly in the northern, western, and southwestern flatlands. Glacier ice blankets approximately 28,957 square miles (75,000 km2) of Alaska. [47] The Bering Glacier , the largest glacier in North America, alone covers 2,008 square miles (5,200 km2). [48]

Regions

Southcentral

This is Alaska’s most populous region, encompassing Anchorage , the Matanuska-Susitna Valley , and the Kenai Peninsula . It also includes the sparsely populated areas south of the Alaska Range and west of the Wrangell Mountains , as well as the Prince William Sound area and the communities of Cordova and Valdez . [49]

Southeast

Also known as the Panhandle or the Inside Passage , this region is Alaska’s closest point to the contiguous states. Consequently, it was the site of most initial non-indigenous settlement following the Alaska Purchase . The region is characterized by the Alexander Archipelago and the Tongass National Forest , the largest national forest in the United States. It includes the state capital Juneau , the former capital Sitka , and Ketchikan , which was once Alaska’s largest city. [50] The Alaska Marine Highway serves as a critical transportation link throughout the area and to the wider country, as only three communities (Haines , Hyder , and Skagway ) have direct road access to the North American highway system. [51]

Interior

Denali , the highest peak in North America.

The Interior is Alaska’s largest region, much of it remaining untouched wilderness. Fairbanks is the sole major city in this vast area. Denali National Park and Preserve is located here, as is Denali , federally designated as Mount McKinley, the highest mountain on the North American continent.

North Slope

The North Slope is primarily tundra, dotted with small villages. This region is renowned for its extensive crude oil reserves and encompasses both the National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska and the Prudhoe Bay Oil Field . [52] The city of Utqiaġvik , formerly known as Barrow, holds the distinction of being the northernmost city in the United States. The Northwest Arctic area , anchored by Kotzebue and including the Kobuk River valley, is often considered part of this region, though the Inupiat of the North Slope and the Northwest Arctic do not typically identify as a single people. [53]

Southwest

Southwest Alaska is a sparsely populated region extending roughly 500 miles (800 km) inland from the Bering Sea coast. The majority of its population resides along the coastline. Kodiak Island is also situated within Southwest Alaska. This region is home to the expansive Yukon–Kuskokwim Delta , one of the world’s largest river deltas. Portions of the Alaska Peninsula are considered part of the Southwest, and the Aleutian Islands are often, though not always, grouped with this region. [ citation needed ]

Aleutian Islands

Though entirely east of the International Date Line (the peculiar bend in the line was established following the U.S. acquisition of Alaska ), the Aleutian Islands straddle the 180th meridian . This geographical anomaly means they contain both the westernmost (Amatignak ) and the easternmost (Semisopochnoi .) points in the United States.

While typically classified as part of Southwest Alaska for economic purposes, the Aleutian Islands are sometimes considered a distinct geographical entity due to their separation from the mainland. This chain comprises over 300 small volcanic islands, stretching more than 1,200 miles (1,900 km) into the Pacific Ocean. Some of these islands lie within the Eastern Hemisphere, but the International Date Line was drawn to the west of 180° to ensure the entire state, and by extension the North American continent, remained within the same legal day. Two of these islands, Attu and Kiska , were occupied by Japanese forces during World War II. [54]

Land ownership

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As of 2023, the United States Bureau of Land Management oversees 290 million surface and subsurface acres of public land, encompassing numerous national forests , national parks, national wildlife refuges , [55] and federal mineral estate lands. [56] Of this total, the Bureau of Land Management directly manages 87 million acres (35 million hectares), representing 23.8% of the state’s area. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge , managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service , is the largest wildlife refuge in the world, spanning 16 million acres (6.5 million hectares).

The state of Alaska itself owns 101 million acres (41 million hectares), fulfilling its entitlement under the Alaska Statehood Act . Portions of this acreage are periodically transferred to organized boroughs under statutory provisions for newly formed boroughs. Smaller tracts are designated for rural subdivisions and other homesteading opportunities, though these are seldom popular due to their often remote and roadless locations. The University of Alaska , as a land grant university , also holds substantial acreage under its independent management.

An additional 44 million acres (18 million hectares) are owned by 12 regional and numerous local Native corporations, established under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) of 1971. Regional Native corporation Doyon, Limited frequently advertises itself as the largest private landowner in Alaska. While ANCSA provisions initially allowed for the sale of these corporate landholdings on the open market starting in 1991, these provisions were repealed before they could be enacted. Consequently, the corporations retain title, often including subsurface rights—a privilege denied to individual Alaskans—but cannot sell the land. Individual Native allotments, however, are subject to open market sale.

Private interests hold the remaining land, constituting approximately one percent of the state. When Native corporation holdings are excluded, Alaska has by far the smallest percentage of privately owned land among all U.S. states.

Alaska Heritage Resources Survey

The Alaska Heritage Resources Survey (AHRS) is a restricted inventory of all documented historic and prehistoric sites within Alaska. Maintained by the Office of History and Archaeology, its inventory encompasses objects, structures, buildings, sites, districts, and travel ways, generally those over fifty years old. As of January 31, 2012 [update], over 35,000 sites had been reported. [57]

Cities, towns and boroughs

Anchorage is Alaska’s largest city. Fairbanks , Alaska’s second-largest city and by a significant margin the largest city in Alaska’s interior . Juneau , Alaska’s third-largest city and its capital . Bethel , the largest city in the Unorganized Borough and in rural Alaska . Homer , showing (from bottom to top) the edge of downtown, its airport , and the Spit . UtqiaÄĄvik (Eben Hopson Middle School in Browerville neighborhood shown), colloquially known for many years as “Top of the World,” is the northernmost city in the United States. Cordova , established in the early 20th century to support the Kennecott Mines and the Copper River and Northwestern Railway , has persisted as a fishing community since their closure. Main Street in Talkeetna .

Unlike most U.S. states, Alaska is not divided into counties , similar to Louisiana’s [parishes](/List_of_parishes_in_ Louisiana). Instead, it is divided into boroughs . [58] Delegates to the Alaska Constitutional Convention sought to avoid the pitfalls of the traditional county system, opting for a unique model. [59] Sixteen boroughs, functioning similarly to counties in other states, encompass the more densely populated areas of the state. However, unlike county-equivalents elsewhere, these boroughs do not cover the entire state. The unincorporated territory is known as the Unorganized Borough .

The Unorganized Borough lacks its own government. For statistical and reporting purposes, the U.S. Census Bureau , in collaboration with the state, has divided it into 11 census areas . Alaska is further divided into 34 recording districts, each managed centrally by a state recorder . All districts adhere to uniform acceptance criteria and fee schedules for document recording.

While most U.S. states employ a three-tiered governmental structure (state/county/township), Alaska primarily uses a two-tiered system (state/borough). Due to its low population density, most of the land falls within the Unorganized Borough . As its name suggests, this area is administered directly by the state government, without an intermediate borough authority. In 2000, this status applied to 57.71% of Alaska’s land area, encompassing 13.05% of its population. [60]

In 1975, the city of Anchorage merged with the Greater Anchorage Area Borough, forming the Municipality of Anchorage, which includes the city proper and surrounding communities like Eagle River, Chugiak, Peters Creek, Girdwood, Bird, and Indian. Fairbanks operates with a distinct borough, the Fairbanks North Star Borough , and municipality (the City of Fairbanks).

Anchorage remains Alaska’s most populous city, with 291,247 residents as of 2020. [61] The highest per capita income in Alaska is found in Denali , with $42,245. Yakutat , Sitka, Juneau, and Anchorage are recognized as the four largest cities in the U.S. by area .

Cities and census-designated places (by population)

The 2020 United States Census identified 355 incorporated cities and census-designated places (CDPs) within Alaska. [62] This count includes four unified municipalities, essentially functioning as consolidated city–counties . A significant number of these communities are situated in the remote expanse of Alaska known as “The Bush ” and are disconnected from the contiguous North American road network. The table below lists the 100 most populous cities and CDPs in Alaska, ordered by population.

As of the 2020 U.S. Census, 733,391 individuals resided in Alaska, with 16,655 (2.27%) not living within an incorporated city or CDP. [61] Approximately three-quarters of this group resided in urban and suburban areas adjacent to city limits in Ketchikan, Kodiak, Palmer, and Wasilla. CDPs for these specific neighborhoods have not been established by the U.S. Census Bureau since the 1980 United States Census , which designated seven CDPs in the Ketchikan area. The remaining population was dispersed across Alaska, both within organized boroughs and the Unorganized Borough, in largely isolated locales. [ citation needed ]

No.Community nameType2020 Pop. [61]No.Community nameType2020 Pop.
1AnchorageCity291,24751Anchor PointCDP2,105
2FairbanksCity32,51552HoustonCity1,975
3JuneauCity32,25553Point MacKenzieCDP1,852
4Knik-FairviewCDP19,29754Kodiak StationCDP1,673
5BadgerCDP19,03155HainesCDP1,657
6CollegeCDP11,33256AkutanCity1,589
7North LakesCDP9,45057Susitna NorthCDP1,564
8Meadow LakesCDP9,19758Lazy MountainCDP1,506
9WasillaCity9,05459CohoeCDP1,471
10TanainaCDP8,81760MetlakatlaCDP1,454
11KalifornskyCDP8,48761Hooper BayCity1,375
12SitkaCity8,45862Diamond RidgeCDP1,330
13KetchikanCity8,19263Prudhoe BayCDP1,310
14KenaiCity7,42464TokCDP1,243
15Steele CreekCDP6,43765SkagwayCDP1,164
16BethelCity6,32566Funny RiverCDP1,103
17Chena RidgeCDP6,01567SalamatofCDP1,078
18SterlingCDP5,91868TalkeetnaCDP1,055
19PalmerCity5,88869Sutton-AlpineCDP1,038
20GatewayCDP5,74870CraigCity1,036
21KodiakCity5,58171Buffalo SoapstoneCDP1,021
22HomerCity5,52272SalchaCDP977
23South LakesCDP5,22973HealyCDP966
24FishhookCDP5,04874ChevakCity951
25UtqiaÄĄvikCity4,92775HoonahCity931
26Farmers LoopCDP4,70476Delta JunctionCity918
27NikiskiCDP4,45677NinilchikCDP845
28SoldotnaCity4,34278SavoongaCity835
29UnalaskaCity4,25479Point HopeCity830
30Mill BayCDP4,21680EmmonakCity825
31ValdezCity3,98581TogiakCity817
32Big LakeCDP3,83382KwethlukCity812
33NomeCity3,69983SelawikCity809
34ButteCDP3,58984Knik RiverCDP792
35GoldstreamCDP3,29985QuinhagakCity776
36KotzebueCity3,10286UnalakleetCity765
37PetersburgCity3,04387King CoveCity757
38Farm LoopCDP2,74788AlakanukCity756
39SewardCity2,71789Womens BayCDP743
40Eielson AFBCDP2,61090KlawockCity720
41CordovaCity2,60991Happy ValleyCDP713
42EsterCDP2,41692KipnukCDP704
43DeltanaCDP2,35993NoorvikCity694
44DillinghamCity2,24994AkiachakCDP677
45Fritz CreekCDP2,24895Toksook BayCity658
46North PoleCity2,24396YakutatCDP657
47WillowCDP2,19697GustavusCDP655
48RidgewayCDP2,13698KotlikCDP
49Bear CreekCDP2,12999Two RiversCDP650
50WrangellCity2,127100Fox RiverCDP644

Alaska is not structured like other states, eschewing counties for boroughs . This deviation from the norm stems from the foresight of delegates at the Alaska Constitutional Convention , who aimed to bypass the perceived shortcomings of the traditional county system. [59] Sixteen boroughs, akin to counties in function, govern the more populated areas. However, unlike county-equivalents in other states, these boroughs do not encompass the entirety of the state’s landmass. The remaining unincorporated territory is designated as the Unorganized Borough .

The Unorganized Borough operates without its own governmental structure. For statistical and administrative purposes, the U.S. Census Bureau has divided this vast area into 11 census areas . Alaska is further segmented into 34 recording districts, all centrally managed by a state recorder , maintaining uniform standards for document acceptance and fees.

While most U.S. states operate on a three-tiered system of governance (state/county/township), Alaska primarily employs a two-tiered model (state/borough). The majority of Alaska’s land falls under the Unorganized Borough , characterized by its lack of intermediate governmental authority and direct administration by the state. In 2000, this status applied to 57.71% of Alaska’s land area, representing 13.05% of its population. [60]

In 1975, Anchorage unified its city government with the Greater Anchorage Area Borough, creating the Municipality of Anchorage. This consolidated entity includes the city proper and surrounding communities such as Eagle River, Chugiak, Peters Creek, Girdwood, Bird, and Indian. Fairbanks maintains a separate borough, the Fairbanks North Star Borough , and municipality (the City of Fairbanks).

Anchorage stands as Alaska’s most populous city, with 291,247 residents recorded in 2020. [61] The wealthiest locality in Alaska based on per capita income is Denali , with an income of $42,245. Yakutat , Sitka, Juneau, and Anchorage are recognized as the four largest cities in the U.S. by area .

Climate

Alaska holds more federally owned public land than any other state. [63]

Alaska is the coldest state in the United States. [64] The southern and southeastern regions experience a mid-latitude oceanic climate (Köppen climate classification : Cfb ), transitioning to a subarctic oceanic climate (Köppen Cfc ) in the northern areas, characterized by cool summers and relatively mild winters. Southeast Alaska is the wettest and warmest part of the state year-round, with milder winter temperatures and high precipitation. Juneau averages over 50 inches (130 cm) of annual precipitation, while Ketchikan receives over 150 inches (380 cm). [65] This is the only region in Alaska where the average daytime high temperature remains above freezing during the winter months.

Köppen climate areas of Alaska

The climate in Anchorage and Southcentral Alaska is comparatively mild due to its proximity to the coast. While receiving less rainfall than Southeast Alaska, this region experiences more snowfall, and days tend to be clearer. On average, Anchorage receives 16 inches (41 cm) of precipitation annually, accompanied by approximately 75 inches (190 cm) of snow, though some areas within Southcentral receive significantly more snow. Its climate is classified as subarctic (Köppen: Dfc) due to its short, cool summers.

Western Alaska’s climate is largely influenced by the Bering Sea and the Gulf of Alaska . It features a subarctic oceanic climate in the southwest and a continental subarctic climate further north. Temperatures are somewhat moderated considering the latitude. This region exhibits considerable precipitation variability. An area stretching from the northern Seward Peninsula to the Kobuk River valley (around Kotzebue Sound ) is technically a desert , with some locations receiving less than 10 inches (25 cm) of annual precipitation. Conversely, some areas between Dillingham and Bethel average around 100 inches (250 cm) of precipitation. [66]

The interior of Alaska experiences a subarctic climate, a classic example of a continental subarctic climate, except in a few valleys where it approaches a humid continental classification (Köppen: Dfb ). Some of the highest and lowest temperatures recorded in Alaska are found near Fairbanks . Summers are warm, though typically brief, with temperatures occasionally reaching the 90s °F (low to mid-30s °C). Winters are long and extremely cold, with temperatures sometimes plunging below −60 °F (−51 °C). Precipitation is sparse in the Interior, often less than 10 inches (25 cm) annually, but winter snowfall tends to remain on the ground throughout the season.

The extreme temperature records for Alaska are both located in the Interior. The highest recorded temperature is 100 °F (38 °C) in Fort Yukon , situated just 8 miles (13 km) north of the Arctic Circle, on June 27, 1915. [67] [68] This ties Alaska with Hawaii for the state with the lowest maximum recorded temperature. [69] [70] The lowest official temperature in Alaska is −80 °F (−62 °C), recorded at Prospect Creek on January 23, 1971. [67] [68] This is only one degree warmer than the lowest temperature recorded in continental North America (at Snag, Yukon, Canada ). [71]

The climate in the extreme northern reaches of Alaska, north of the Brooks Range , is Arctic (Köppen: ET ), featuring long, intensely cold winters and short, cool summers. Even in July, the average low temperature in Utqiaĥvik hovers around 34 °F (1 °C). [72] Precipitation is minimal in this part of Alaska, with many locations receiving less than 10 inches (25 cm) annually, primarily as snow that remains on the ground for most of the year.

Average daily maximum and minimum temperatures for selected locations in Alaska [73]

LocationJuly (°F)July (°C)January (°F)January (°C)
Anchorage65/5118/1022/11−5/−11
Juneau64/5017/1132/230/−4
Ketchikan64/5117/1138/283/−1
Unalaska57/4614/836/282/−2
Fairbanks72/5322/111/−17−17/−27
Fort Yukon73/5123/10−11/−27−23/−33
Nome58/4614/813/−2−10/−19
Utqiaġvik47/348/1−7/−19−21/−28

Fauna

Demographics

Historical population

CensusPop.Note%±
188033,426—
189032,052−4.1%
190063,59298.4%
191064,3561.2%
192055,036−14.5%
193059,2787.7%
194072,52422.3%
1950128,64377.4%
1960226,16775.8%
1970300,38232.8%
1980401,85133.8%
1990550,04336.9%
2000626,93214.0%
2010710,23113.3%
2020733,3913.3%
2024 (est.)740,1330.9%

Sources: 1910–2020 [75]

The United States Census Bureau reported Alaska’s population at 733,391 as of April 1, 2020, marking a 3.3% increase since the 2010 United States census . [6] In the 2010 census, Alaska’s population stood at 710,231, a 13.3% rise from 626,932 in 2000.

In 2020, Alaska ranked as the 48th most populous state, ahead of only Vermont and Wyoming . [76] It remains the least densely populated state and one of the most sparsely populated regions globally, with a density of 1.2 inhabitants per square mile (0.46/km2). Wyoming, by comparison, has 5.8 inhabitants per square mile (2.2/km2). [77] Despite its vast size, Alaska ranks as the tenth wealthiest state in terms of per capita income. [78] As of 2018 [update], due to its population size, it was one of 14 U.S. states still utilizing a single telephone area code . [79]

According to HUD’s 2022 Annual Homeless Assessment Report , an estimated 2,320 individuals were experiencing homelessness in Alaska. [80] [81]

Race and ethnicity

Alaska racial breakdown of population

Racial composition1970 [82]1990 [82]2000 [83]2010 [84]2020 [85]
White78.8%75.5%69.3%66.7%59.4%
Native16.9%15.6%15.6%14.8%15.2%
Asian0.9%3.6%4.0%5.4%6.0%
Black3.0%4.1%3.5%3.3%3.0%
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander––0.5%1.0%1.7%
Other race0.4%1.2%1.6%1.6%2.5%
Multiracial––5.5%7.3%12.2%

Ethnic origins in Alaska, 2021 A map illustrating the dominant racial/ethnic group by borough. Red signifies Native American, blue represents non-Hispanic white, and green indicates Asian. Darker shades denote higher population proportions.

The 2019 American Community Survey estimated the state’s demographic composition as follows: 60.2% White , 3.7% Black or African American , 15.6% American Indian or Alaska Native , 6.5% Asian , 1.4% Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander , 7.5% identifying with two or more races, and 7.3% Hispanic or Latin American . Among the foreign-born population, the primary origins from 2015 to 2019 included the Philippines , Mexico , Canada, Thailand , and South Korea . [86]

In 2015, the breakdown was: 61.3% White, 3.4% Black or African American, 13.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 6.2% Asian, 0.9% Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander, 0.3% some other race, and 7.7% multiracial. Hispanics and Latin Americans constituted 7% of the state’s population in 2015. [87] Between 2015 and 2019, the largest Hispanic and Latin American groups were Mexican Americans , Puerto Ricans , and Cuban Americans . The predominant Asian groups residing in the state were Filipinos , Korean Americans , and Japanese and Chinese Americans. [88]

In 2010, Alaska’s demographics were: 64.1% White, 14.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 5.4% Asian, 3.3% Black or African American, 1.0% Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander, 1.6% from some other race, and 7.3% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latin Americans comprised 5.5% of the population. [89] As of 2011 [update], 50.7% of Alaska’s population under one year of age belonged to minority groups, defined as not having two parents of White ancestry. [90] In 1960, the U.S. Census Bureau reported Alaska’s population as 77.2% White, 3% Black, and 18.8% American Indian and Alaska Native. [91]

In 2018, the primary countries of origin for immigrants in Alaska were the Philippines , Mexico , Canada, Thailand , and South Korea . [92]

Languages

According to the 2011 American Community Survey, 83.4% of individuals over the age of five spoke only English at home. Approximately 3.5% spoke Spanish at home, 2.2% spoke another Indo-European language , about 4.3% spoke an Asian language (including Tagalog ), [93] and about 5.3% spoke other languages. [94] In 2019, the American Community Survey indicated that 83.7% spoke only English at home, while 16.3% spoke a language other than English. Spanish was the most prevalent non-English European language, spoken by approximately 4.0% of the state’s population. Collectively, Asian and Pacific Islander languages were spoken by 5.6% of Alaskans. [95] Since 2010, 5.2% of Alaskans speak one of the state’s 20 Indigenous languages , locally referred to as “Native languages”.

The Alaska Native Language Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks identifies at least twenty distinct Alaska Native languages , some with multiple dialects. [97] Most of Alaska’s Native languages fall under either the Eskimo–Aleut or Na-Dene language families. Certain languages are considered isolates (e.g., Haida ) or remain unclassified (e.g., Tsimshianic ). [97] By 2014, nearly all of Alaska’s Native languages were classified as threatened, shifting, moribund, nearly extinct, or dormant. [98]

In October 2014, the governor of Alaska signed legislation granting official status to the state’s 20 Indigenous languages. [99] [100] While this bill provided symbolic recognition, these languages have not been formally adopted for government use. In May 2024, an amendment replaced Tanana with Middle Tanana and Lower Tanana, and added CupÊŒig and WetaƂ. The 23 languages now included are:

Religion

St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral in downtown Sitka .

Religious self-identification in Alaska, according to the Public Religion Research Institute ’s 2020 survey: [102]

Multiple surveys consistently place Alaska among the most irreligious states . [103] [104]

ChangePoint in south Anchorage (left) and Anchorage Baptist Temple in east Anchorage are Alaska’s largest churches in terms of attendance and membership.

In 2010, the Association of Religion Data Archives (ARDA) reported that approximately 34% of Alaska residents were members of religious congregations. Of the religiously affiliated population, roughly 4% identified as Mormon, 0.5% as Jewish, 0.5% as Muslim, 1% as Buddhist, 0.2% as BahĂĄÊŒĂ­, and 0.5% as Hindu. [105]

The largest religious denominations in Alaska in 2010 were the Catholic Church with 50,866 adherents, non-denominational Evangelicals with 38,070 adherents, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with 32,170 adherents, and the Southern Baptist Convention with 19,891 adherents. [106] Alaska, along with Washington and Oregon in the Pacific Northwest, has been identified as part of the least religious states in the United States in terms of church membership. [107] [108]

The Pew Research Center reported in 2014 that 62% of the adult population identified with Christianity, with Catholicism being the largest single Christian denomination. When Protestant denominations were aggregated, Protestantism represented the largest Christian tradition, with Evangelicalism being the most prominent movement within it. The unaffiliated population constituted the largest non-Christian religious affiliation at 37%. Atheists comprised 5% of the population, and Buddhism was the largest non-Christian religion. In 2020, the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) found that 57% of adults identified as Christian. [102] By 2022, Christianity’s share had increased to 77% of the population, according to PRRI.

The ARDA study in 2020 indicated that non-/inter-denominational Protestantism was the largest Christian group, with 73,930 adherents. Roman Catholics followed with 40,280 members. Non-denominational Christians exhibited an adherence rate of 100.81 per 1,000 residents, while Catholics had 54.92 per 1,000 residents. [109] The 2014 Pew study suggested that religion was considered very important by 41% of the population, while 29% deemed it somewhat important. [110] In 2018, The Gospel Coalition published an article using Pew data, noting that non-churchgoing Christians nationwide often cited reasons such as practicing their faith in other ways, difficulty finding a suitable place of worship, dislike of sermons, feelings of being unwelcome, and logistical challenges. [111]

The first Russian Orthodox Church was established in Kodiak in 1795. Intermarriage between Russian immigrants and Alaska Natives facilitated integration into society, leading to the gradual establishment of more Russian Orthodox churches throughout Alaska. [112] Alaska also has the highest percentage of Quakers among all U.S. states. [113] In 2009, there were 6,000 Jews in Alaska, for whom observance of halakha could present particular challenges in the polar region. [114]

Alaskan Hindus often share venues and celebrations with members of other Asian religious communities, including Sikhs and Jains . [115] [116] [117] In 2010, Alaskan Hindus established the Sri Ganesha Temple of Alaska , marking the first Hindu Temple in Alaska and the northernmost such temple globally. An estimated 2,000–3,000 Hindus reside in Alaska, predominantly in Anchorage and Fairbanks.

Estimates for the Muslim population in Alaska range from 2,000 to 5,000. [118] [119] [120] ARDA estimated 400 Muslims in the state in 2020. [109] The Islamic Community Center of Anchorage began efforts in the late 1990s to construct a mosque in Anchorage. Ground was broken on a building in South Anchorage in 2010, with completion nearing in late 2014. Upon its opening, it became the state’s first mosque and one of the northernmost in the world. [121] A BahĂĄÊŒĂ­ center also exists, with 690 adherents reported in 2020. [109] Additionally, there were 469 adherents of Hinduism and Yoga combined in 2020, along with a small number of Buddhists .

Economy

An aerial view of infrastructure at the Prudhoe Bay Oil Field

In October 2022, Alaska reported a total employment of 316,900 individuals across 21,077 employer establishments. [9]

The state’s gross state product in 2018 was $55 billion, ranking 48th nationally. Its per capita personal income for 2018 stood at $73,000, placing it 7th in the nation. According to a 2013 study by Phoenix Marketing International, Alaska ranked fifth in the U.S. for millionaires per capita, with a ratio of 6.75 percent. [123] The oil and gas industry is the dominant force in Alaska’s economy, generating over 80% of the state’s revenue from petroleum extraction. Alaska’s primary export, aside from oil and natural gas, is seafood, particularly salmon, cod, pollock, and crab.

Agriculture constitutes a negligible portion of Alaska’s economy. Agricultural production is primarily for domestic consumption and includes nursery stock, dairy products, vegetables, and livestock. Manufacturing is limited, with most food products and general goods imported from outside the state.

Employment is concentrated in government sectors and industries such as natural resource extraction, shipping, and transportation. Military bases represent a significant economic component in the Fairbanks North Star, Anchorage, and Kodiak Island boroughs, as well as Kodiak. Federal subsidies also play a crucial role, enabling the state to maintain low tax rates. Alaska’s industrial outputs include crude petroleum, natural gas, coal, gold, precious metals , [zinc], other mining activities, seafood processing, timber, and wood products. A growing service sector and burgeoning tourism industry also contribute to the economy, with tourists supporting local lodging establishments.

Energy

The Trans-Alaska Pipeline transports oil, Alaska’s most economically significant export, from the North Slope to Valdez . The heat pipes integrated into the column mounts are crucial for dispersing heat upwards, preventing the thawing of permafrost . Alaska’s proven oil reserves peaked in 1973 and have since declined by more than 60%. Alaskan oil production reached its zenith in 1988 and has since decreased by over 75%.

Alaska possesses vast energy resources, although its oil reserves have been significantly depleted. Major oil and gas reserves were discovered in the Alaska North Slope (ANS) and Cook Inlet basins. However, by February 2014, Alaska had fallen to fourth place nationally in crude oil production, trailing Texas, North Dakota , and California, according to the Energy Information Administration . [124] [125]

Prudhoe Bay on Alaska’s North Slope remains the second-highest yielding oil field in the United States, typically producing around 400,000 barrels per day (64,000 m3/d). However, by early 2014, North Dakota’s Bakken Formation was producing over 900,000 barrels per day (140,000 m3/d). [126] Prudhoe Bay was once the largest conventional oil field discovered in North America, though considerably smaller than Canada’s massive Athabasca oil sands field, which by 2014 was producing approximately 1,500,000 barrels per day (240,000 m3/d) of unconventional oil and possessed hundreds of years of reserves at that production rate. [127]

The Trans-Alaska Pipeline has the capacity to transport and pump up to 2.1 million barrels (330,000 m3) of crude oil daily, exceeding the capacity of any other crude oil pipeline in the United States. Furthermore, substantial coal deposits are found within Alaska’s bituminous, sub-bituminous, and lignite coal basins. The United States Geological Survey estimates that undiscovered, technically recoverable natural gas reserves from hydrates on the Alaskan North Slope amount to 85.4 trillion cubic feet (2,420 km3). [128] Alaska also offers considerable hydroelectric power potential, derived from its numerous rivers. Large stretches of the Alaskan coastline present opportunities for wind and geothermal energy generation. [129]

Alaska’s economy is heavily reliant on increasingly expensive diesel fuel for heating, transportation, electricity, and lighting. Despite the abundance of wind and hydroelectric power, proposals for statewide energy systems were deemed economically unviable (as of a 2001 report) due to low fuel prices (less than 50Âą/gal), extensive distances, and low population density. [130] The cost of a gallon of gasoline in urban Alaska typically exceeds the national average by thirty to sixty cents. Prices in rural areas are generally considerably higher, varying based on transportation costs, seasonal demand, proximity to petroleum development infrastructure, and numerous other factors. [131] [132]

Permanent Fund

The Alaska Permanent Fund is a constitutionally mandated appropriation of oil revenues, established by voter initiative in 1976 to manage surplus petroleum revenues, largely in anticipation of the then-under-construction Trans-Alaska Pipeline System . Governor Keith Miller initially proposed the fund on the eve of the 1969 Prudhoe Bay lease sale, fearing the legislature would immediately spend the entire proceeds ($900 million). Later championed by Governor Jay Hammond and Kenai state representative Hugh Malone, the fund has remained a politically attractive prospect, diverting revenues that would otherwise flow into the general fund.

The Alaska Constitution was designed to discourage dedicated appropriations. The Permanent Fund stands as a notable exception, largely due to the prevailing climate of distrust at the time of its creation. From its initial principal of $734,000, the fund has grown to $50 billion through oil royalties and investment programs. [133] The majority of its principal is invested conservatively outside Alaska. This has led to frequent calls from Alaskan politicians for the Fund to invest domestically, though such proposals have never gained significant traction.

Since 1982, annual dividends from the fund’s earnings have been disbursed to eligible Alaskans. These payments have ranged from an initial $1,000 in 1982 (representing three years’ worth of payouts due to a lawsuit) to $3,269 in 2008 (which included a one-time $1,200 “Resource Rebate”). Each year, the state legislature allocates 8% of the earnings: 3% is reinvested into the principal for inflation adjustment, and the remaining 5% is distributed to qualified Alaskans. Eligibility for the Permanent Fund Dividend requires a minimum of 12 months of residency in the state, continuous residency subject to allowable absences, [134] and no disqualifying court judgments or criminal convictions that could lead to civil garnishment of the payment.

The Permanent Fund is widely regarded as a leading example of a basic income policy globally. [135]

Cost of living

The cost of goods in Alaska has historically been higher than in the contiguous 48 states. Federal government employees, particularly those with the United States Postal Service (USPS) and active-duty military personnel, receive a Cost of Living Allowance, typically set at 25% of base pay. While the cost of living has decreased somewhat, it remains among the highest in the nation. [136]

Rural Alaska faces significantly higher prices for food and consumer goods compared to the rest of the country, primarily due to limited transportation infrastructure. [136]

Agriculture and fishing

Halibut , both as a sport fish and commercially, is integral to the state’s economy.

Due to the northern climate and short growing season, agricultural activity in Alaska is limited. Farms are primarily concentrated in the Matanuska Valley , approximately 40 miles (64 km) northeast of Anchorage , and on the Kenai Peninsula , about 60 miles (97 km) southwest of Anchorage. The brief 100-day growing season restricts crop variety, but the extended summer daylight hours foster productive growth. Key crops include potatoes, carrots, lettuce, and cabbage.

The Tanana Valley is another significant agricultural hub, particularly the Delta Junction area, situated about 100 miles (160 km) southeast of Fairbanks. This region hosts a notable concentration of farms cultivating agronomic crops, primarily located north and east of [Fort Greely]. This area was largely developed under a state program initiated by Governor Hammond during his second term. Barley and hay are the dominant crops in the Delta area. West of Fairbanks lies another cluster of small farms supplying restaurants, the hospitality industry, and community-supported agriculture initiatives.

Alaska’s agricultural sector has witnessed a recent surge in market gardeners , small farms, and farmers’ markets . In 2011, the state recorded the nation’s highest percentage increase (46%) in the growth of farmers’ markets, compared to a 17% national average. [137] The peony industry has also flourished, capitalizing on the growing season to fill a niche in the global flower market by supplying peonies during a period of low international availability. [138]

Oversized vegetables on display at the Alaska State Fair (left) and the Tanana Valley State Fair

Lacking county fairs due to its administrative structure, Alaska hosts a variety of state and local fairs, with the Alaska State Fair in Palmer being the largest. These events, primarily held in late summer, are concentrated in communities with historical or current agricultural significance. They feature local farmers exhibiting produce alongside commercial activities like carnival rides and concerts. “Alaska Grown” serves as the official agricultural slogan.

Alaska possesses abundant seafood resources, with primary fisheries located in the Bering Sea and the North Pacific. Seafood is one of the few food items that is often less expensive within the state than elsewhere. Many Alaskans utilize salmon seasons for both subsistence harvesting and sport fishing, employing methods such as hook, net, or wheel . [139]

Subsistence hunting, primarily for caribou , moose , and Dall sheep , remains a significant practice, particularly in remote Bush communities. A traditional native food, Akutaq , or “Eskimo ice cream,” can be prepared with ingredients like reindeer fat, seal oil, dried fish meat, and local berries.

Reindeer herding in Alaska is concentrated on the [Seward Peninsula], where efforts are made to prevent interaction and migration with wild caribou. [140]

The majority of food consumed in Alaska is imported from “Outside” (the other 49 U.S. states), and shipping costs contribute to the relatively high prices in urban areas. In rural communities, subsistence hunting and gathering are vital due to the prohibitive cost of imported food. Despite many small towns and villages being coastal, the expense of transporting food to remote settlements can be substantial due to challenging terrain and road conditions, which are further complicated by fluctuating climate and precipitation. Delivery costs can reach 50Âą per pound ($1.10/kg) or more in certain remote areas during periods of inclement weather or difficult terrain, if these locations are accessible at all. The cost of a gallon (3.8 L) of milk can be around $3.50 in many villages where per capita income may not exceed $20,000. Fuel prices per gallon routinely exceed the contiguous United States average by twenty to thirty cents, with only Hawaii experiencing higher prices. [141] [142]

Culture

Mask Display at Iñupiat Heritage Center in Utqiaĥvik

Alaska hosts several popular annual events, including the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race from Anchorage to Nome, the World Ice Art Championships in Fairbanks, the Blueberry Festival and Alaska Hummingbird Festival in Ketchikan , the Sitka Whale Fest, and the Stikine River Garnet Fest in Wrangell . The Stikine River attracts the world’s largest spring congregation of American bald eagles .

The Alaska Native Heritage Center serves as a repository for the rich heritage of Alaska’s 11 cultural groups, aiming to foster cross-cultural understanding and enhance self-esteem among Native people . The Alaska Native Arts Foundation promotes and markets Native art from across the state through online platforms. [143]

Music

Musical influences in Alaska range from the traditional music of the Alaska Natives to the folk traditions brought by immigrants from Russia and Europe. Notable musicians hailing from Alaska include singer Jewel , traditional Aleut flutist Mary Youngblood , folk singer-songwriter Libby Roderick , Christian music singer-songwriter Lincoln Brewster , the metal/post-hardcore band [36 Crazyfists], and the groups Pamyua and Portugal. The Man .

Alaska hosts numerous established music festivals, such as the Alaska Folk Festival , the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival, the Anchorage Folk Festival, the Athabascan Old-Time Fiddling Festival , the Sitka Jazz Festival, the Sitka Summer Music Festival , and the Anchorage Chamber Music Festival. The state’s most prominent orchestra is the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra , though the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra and Juneau Symphony also hold significance. The Anchorage Opera is currently the state’s sole professional opera company, complemented by several volunteer and semi-professional organizations.

The official state song of Alaska is “Alaska’s Flag ”, adopted in 1955, which pays homage to the flag of Alaska .

Film and television

The 1983 Disney film Never Cry Wolf featured filming in Alaska. The 1991 movie White Fang , adapted from Jack London ’s 1906 novel and starring Ethan Hawke , was shot in and around Haines . Steven Seagal ’s 1994 film On Deadly Ground , featuring Michael Caine , included scenes filmed at the Worthington Glacier near Valdez . [144]

Numerous reality television series are filmed in Alaska. In 2011, the Anchorage Daily News identified ten such programs set in the state. [145]

Sports

A dog team in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, arguably the most popular winter event in Alaska.

The following is a compilation of sporting venues, events, and teams based in Alaska.

Anchorage

Venues

Teams

Events

Fairbanks

Venues

Teams

Events

Elsewhere

Teams

Events

Dog mushing

Public health and safety

The Alaska State Troopers constitute the statewide law enforcement agency. Established officially in 1941, their history predates this formal organization, with earlier law enforcement duties handled by various federal agencies. Larger municipalities maintain their own police departments, while some villages rely on “Public Safety Officers” with police training but without firearms. In much of the state, troopers are the sole law enforcement presence. Beyond enforcing traffic and criminal laws, Wildlife Troopers also enforce hunting and fishing regulations. Given the diverse terrain and extensive responsibilities, troopers utilize a wide array of land, air, and water patrol vehicles.

Numerous rural communities in Alaska are designated as “dry,” prohibiting the importation of alcoholic beverages. [152] Suicide rates are higher among rural residents compared to urban populations. [153]

Domestic abuse and other violent crimes are prevalent in the state, with a partial correlation to alcohol abuse. [154] Alaska exhibits the nation’s highest rate of sexual assault, particularly in rural areas, with the average age of victims being 16 years old. In four out of five cases, the perpetrators are relatives, friends, or acquaintances. [155]

Health insurance

As of 2022 [update], CVS Health and Premera hold market shares of 47% and 46% respectively in private health insurance. [156] Premera and Moda Health offer plans on the federally managed Affordable Care Exchange. [157]

Hospitals

Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage is the state’s largest hospital as of 2021. [158] Anchorage is also home to Alaska Regional Hospital and the Alaska Native Medical Center .

Other major Alaskan cities, including Fairbanks and Juneau, have local hospitals. [159] In Southeast Alaska, the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium operates healthcare facilities across 27 communities as of 2022, including hospitals in Sitka and Wrangell. [160] Although initially serving only Native Americans, the consortium has expanded access and integrated with other local facilities over time. [161] [162]

Education

The Kachemak Bay Campus of the University of Alaska Anchorage, in downtown Homer

The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development oversees numerous school districts throughout Alaska. Additionally, the state operates a boarding school, Mt. Edgecumbe High School in Sitka , and provides partial funding for other boarding schools, including Nenana Student Living Center in Nenana and the Galena Interior Learning Academy in Galena . [163]

Alaska hosts over a dozen colleges and universities . Accredited universities include the University of Alaska Anchorage , University of Alaska Fairbanks , University of Alaska Southeast , and Alaska Pacific University . [164] Alaska is unique among states in that it has no NCAA Division I collegiate athletic programs, although both Alaska-Fairbanks and Alaska-Anchorage maintain single-sport Division I membership for men’s ice hockey .

The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development operates AVTEC, Alaska’s Institute of Technology. [165] Campuses in Seward and Anchorage offer training programs ranging from one week to 11 months in fields such as Information Technology, Welding, Nursing, and Mechanics.

Alaska has grappled with a “brain drain ,” wherein many of its young, academically accomplished residents depart the state after high school and do not return. As of 2013 [update], Alaska lacked both a law school and a medical school. [166] The University of Alaska has attempted to mitigate this issue by offering partial four-year scholarships to the top 10% of Alaska high school graduates through the Alaska Scholars Program. [167]

Since 1998, rural Alaskan schools must maintain a minimum enrollment of ten students to retain state funding, leading to the closure of campuses failing to meet this threshold. This measure was implemented due to declining oil revenues that previously supported smaller rural schools. [168] In 2015, a proposal to raise this minimum to 25 students was put forth, [169] but faced considerable opposition from state legislators. [170]

Transportation

Road

Alaska’s road system is considerably less extensive than that of other U.S. states. The existing network primarily connects major population centers and links to the Alaska Highway , the principal route out of the state through Canada. The state capital, Juneau, is inaccessible by road, reachable only by ferry or air travel. [171] This isolation has fueled decades of debate regarding the relocation of the capital to a road-accessible city or the construction of a road connection from Haines . The western part of Alaska lacks a connected road system linking its communities to the rest of the state.

The Interstate Highways in Alaska encompass a total of 1,082 miles (1,741 km). A unique feature is the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel , an active Alaska Railroad tunnel recently upgraded to provide paved road access to the isolated community of Whittier on Prince William Sound , connecting it to the Seward Highway approximately 50 miles (80 km) southeast of Anchorage at Portage . At 2.5 miles (4.0 km), the tunnel was North America’s longest road tunnel until 2007. [172] It remains the longest combined road and rail tunnel on the continent.

Southwest Alaska, largely coastal and sparsely populated, is disconnected from the main road network. Access to most communities in this region is primarily via air taxi, although larger towns like Kodiak, Bethel, King Salmon, Dillingham, and Dutch Harbor are served by scheduled air carriers. Additionally, some coastal communities can be reached by the Alaska Marine Highway ferry system. [173]

The Sterling Highway, near its intersection with the Seward Highway The Susitna River bridge on the Denali Highway is 1,036 feet (316 m) long. Alaska Interstate Highways Alaska welcome sign on the Klondike Highway

Rail

Constructed around 1915, the Alaska Railroad (ARR) played a pivotal role in Alaska’s development throughout the 20th century. It connects North Pacific shipping lanes with Interior Alaska , with tracks extending from Seward through South Central Alaska , passing through Anchorage , Eklutna , Wasilla , Talkeetna , Denali , and Fairbanks , with branches to Whittier , Palmer , and North Pole . The communities served by ARR tracks are collectively known as “The Railbelt.” In recent years, the continuous improvement of the paved highway system has gradually diminished the railroad’s economic significance in Alaska.

The railroad was instrumental in Alaska’s growth, transporting freight into the state and moving natural resources southward, such as coal from the Usibelli mine near Healy to Seward, and gravel from the Matanuska Valley to Anchorage. It is renowned for its popular summer tour passenger service.

The Alaska Railroad was among the last in North America to utilize cabooses in regular service and continues to use them on some gravel trains. It also offers one of the country’s last flag stop routes. A segment of approximately 60 miles (100 km) north of Talkeetna remains inaccessible by road; the railroad provides the sole means of transportation to residences and cabins in this area. Prior to the construction of the Parks Highway in the 1970s, the railroad was the only land access to most of the region along its entire route.

In northern Southeast Alaska, the White Pass and Yukon Route also extends partially through the state, originating from Skagway and proceeding north into Canada (British Columbia and Yukon Territory ), crossing the border at White Pass Summit. This line is now primarily a tourist attraction, often utilized by cruise ship passengers arriving in Skagway. It was featured in the 1983 BBC television series Great Little Railways .

These two railway systems are not interconnected, nor are they linked to any other railroad network. The nearest connection to the North American railway system is the northwestern terminus of the Canadian National Railway in Prince Rupert, British Columbia , several hundred miles to the southeast. In 2000, the U.S. Congress authorized $6 million for a feasibility study of a rail link connecting Alaska, Canada, and the lower 48 . [174] [175] [176] As of 2021 [update], the Alaska-Alberta Railway Development Corporation is undergoing receivership .

Several private companies offer car float service between Whittier and Seattle .

An Alaska Railroad locomotive crossing a bridge in Girdwood approaching Anchorage (2007) The White Pass and Yukon Route traverses rugged terrain north of Skagway near the Canada–US border.

Sea

Numerous cities, towns, and villages across Alaska lack road or highway access, with air, river, or sea travel being the only available modes of transport.

The MV Tustumena (named after Tustumena Glacier ) is one of the state’s ferries, providing service to the Kenai Peninsula , Kodiak Island , and the Aleutian Chain .

Alaska’s comprehensive state-owned ferry system, the Alaska Marine Highway , serves communities in Southeast Alaska , along the Gulf Coast, and on the Alaska Peninsula. These ferries transport both vehicles and passengers. The system also operates a ferry route from Bellingham, Washington and Prince Rupert, British Columbia , Canada, traversing the Inside Passage to Skagway . The Inter-Island Ferry Authority plays a vital role in connecting communities within the Prince of Wales Island region of Southeast Alaska and coordinates with the Alaska Marine Highway.

In recent years, cruise lines have established a significant summertime tourism market, primarily connecting the Pacific Northwest with Southeast Alaska and, to a lesser extent, towns along Alaska’s gulf coast. For example, the population of Ketchikan can fluctuate dramatically on any given day, with up to four large cruise ships docking simultaneously.

Air

Communities without road, sea, or river access are reachable only by air, foot, dogsled , or snowmachine , underscoring Alaska’s highly developed bush air services—a distinctly Alaskan phenomenon. Anchorage, and to a lesser degree Fairbanks, are served by numerous major airlines. Given the limited highway infrastructure, air travel remains the most efficient means of transport into and out of the state. Anchorage recently completed extensive renovations and expansion at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport to accommodate the surge in tourism; in 2012–2013, Alaska welcomed nearly two million visitors. [177]

Ensuring regular flights to most villages and towns within the state is challenging and heavily subsidized by the federal government through the Essential Air Service program. Alaska Airlines is the sole major airline providing in-state jet service (often utilizing combined cargo