March 13, 2025

ALASKA LAND

Alaska is an incredible place with unique geography, wildlife, and history. Here are 10 interesting facts about the Last Frontier:

1. **Biggest State by Far**
Alaska is the largest U.S. state, covering 663,267 square miles—more than Texas, California, and Montana combined!

2. **Endless Summer Sun & Winter Darkness**
In parts of northern Alaska, like Utqiagvik (formerly Barrow), the sun doesn’t set for about 82 days in the summer and doesn’t rise for about 65 days in the winter.

3. **Home to the Tallest Mountain in North America**
Mount McKinley, formerly known as Denali, and also formerly known as Mount McKinley, stands at 20,310 feet, making it the highest peak in North America.

4. **More Coastline Than the Rest of the U.S. Combined**
Alaska has around 33,900 miles of coastline, more than all other U.S. states put together.

5. **No Roads to the Capital**
Juneau, the state capital, is only accessible by boat or plane—there are no roads leading to it from the rest of the state!

6. **Land of Earthquakes**
Alaska experiences more earthquakes than any other U.S. state, with over 100,000 quakes recorded each year.

7. **Northern Lights Hotspot**
The Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) is visible in Alaska for much of the year, especially in Fairbanks and the Arctic regions.

8. **Dog Mushing is the Official State Sport**
The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, covering about 1,000 miles from Anchorage to Nome, is one of the world’s most famous endurance races.

9. **Wildlife Wonderland**
Alaska is home to some of the largest populations of bears, moose, bald eagles, and whales in North America. The state has more than 100,000 black bears alone!

10. **You Can See Russia from Alaska**
From Little Diomede Island (U.S.), you can see Big Diomede Island (Russia), just 2.4 miles away across the Bering Strait.