Alaska: AK; State capital: Juneau
It’s a place full of glaciers, mountains, forests, and amazing animals like bears, moose, and whales. In Alaska, during some parts of the year, the sun doesn’t set for a whole day, and in winter, the Northern Lights light up the sky with colorful displays. People in Alaska also love outdoor activities like dog sledding, fishing, and hiking.
History of Alaska
Thousands of years ago, Indigenous peoples, including the Inuit, Tlingit, and Athabaskan, settled in Alaska. They were skilled hunters, fishers, and gatherers who learned to live off the land and sea, creating rich cultures that still thrive today.
In 1741, Russian explorers, led by Vitus Bering, arrived and claimed Alaska for Russia. The Russians set up trading posts to collect animal furs, which were very valuable at the time. Alaska remained a Russian territory for over 100 years, but it wasn’t heavily settled because of its cold climate and remote location.
In 1867, the United States bought Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million, which seemed like a huge sum of money back then. This deal, known as "Seward’s Folly" (after U.S. Secretary of State William Seward), was considered a mistake by many Americans who thought Alaska was just a frozen wasteland. Little did they know, Alaska had a wealth of natural resources.
In the late 1800s, gold was discovered in Alaska, leading to a huge gold rush! Thousands of people traveled to the region hoping to strike it rich. Towns sprang up quickly as people searched for gold in places like Nome and the Klondike. This era brought a lot of excitement and growth to Alaska.
Over the years, Alaska grew in importance because of its natural resources, like fish, timber, and oil. During World War II, Alaska became a key military location due to its proximity to Russia and Asia. Then, in 1959, Alaska officially became the 49th state of the United States.
Today, Alaska is famous for its beautiful wilderness, amazing wildlife, and unique culture. It’s also a major source of fish, oil, and tourism. The Native peoples of Alaska continue to play a vital role in preserving the state’s rich heritage, sharing their traditions, stories, and connection to the land with future generations.
Natural resources and economy
Alaska’s economy is heavily supported by its rich natural resources. One of the most important resources is oil and natural gas, which are extracted from the ground and used to produce energy. Alaska is one of the top oil producers in the U.S., and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline helps transport oil across the state.
Fishing plays a major role as well, especially with the harvest of salmon, crab, halibut, and other seafood. Alaska’s waters are some of the most productive fishing grounds in the world, making commercial fishing a key industry.
Forestry is another important resource, with large areas of forests providing timber for wood products. Although not as large as other industries, it still contributes to the state's economy.
Mining continues to be significant, as Alaska has deposits of gold, silver, copper, and other minerals. Gold mining, which drew people to the state during the Gold Rush, still exists today, along with other valuable metal mining.
Lastly, tourism is a growing part of Alaska’s economy. People from around the world visit Alaska for its stunning natural beauty, including glaciers, wildlife, and national parks. Tourism helps create jobs and brings in money through activities like cruises, hiking, and wildlife tours. All these resources together help Alaska thrive economically.
Landmarks and national parks
Alaska is home to some of the most breathtaking landmarks and national parks in the U.S., showcasing its wild and untamed beauty. One of the most famous is Denali, the highest peak in North America, standing at 20,310 feet. It’s located in Denali National Park, where visitors can explore rugged landscapes and spot wildlife like grizzly bears, moose, and wolves.
Glacier Bay National Park offers a spectacular view of massive glaciers that flow into the sea, creating icy landscapes where you can see humpback whales, sea lions, and puffins. It’s a place where nature’s power is on full display.
Kenai Fjords National Park is known for its deep fjords, formed by glaciers carving out the land over millions of years. Visitors can see glaciers up close and spot wildlife like orcas and sea otters.
In Katmai National Park, one of the main attractions is the brown bears, which gather at Brooks Falls to catch salmon in mid-air. Katmai is also home to the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, an area formed by a massive volcanic eruption.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is the largest national park in the U.S. and includes towering mountains, glaciers, and vast wilderness areas for hiking and exploration. It’s one of the least visited, making it a true wilderness experience.
These landmarks and national parks not only preserve Alaska’s incredible natural beauty but also give people a chance to experience some of the wildest and most dramatic landscapes in the world.
Fun facts about Alaska
Here are 10 fun facts about Alaska:
Biggest state: Alaska is the largest state in the U.S., bigger than Texas, California, and Montana combined!
Few roads: Many parts of Alaska, including its capital Juneau, can’t be reached by car—you need to take a boat or plane!
Midnight sun: In the summer, some parts of Alaska have sunlight for 24 hours a day. In winter, they have days with no sunlight at all.
Northern lights: Alaska is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights, colorful lights that dance in the sky during winter.
Glaciers: Alaska has more than 100,000 glaciers, covering huge areas of land with ice.
Wildlife: Alaska is home to a lot of wildlife, including bald eagles, moose, grizzly bears, wolves, and humpback whales.
Volcanoes: There are over 40 active volcanoes in Alaska, and some still erupt today!
Dog sledding: The famous Iditarod dog sled race, covering over 1,000 miles, takes place in Alaska every year.
Tsunami: Alaska was hit by the largest recorded tsunami in 1958, with waves reaching 1,720 feet high in Lituya Bay.
Gold rush: In the late 1800s, people from all over the world came to Alaska during the Gold Rush to search for gold in the rivers and mountains.
