Alaska has the most number of active volcanoes in the U.S. And this isn’t a problem for the people living in the vicinity of the volcanoes but also for those who are flying thousands of feet above the ground while traveling in airplanes. [1], 3. Alaska’s residents and the state and federal governments have had to make delicate decisions on such major issues as a natural gas pipeline project, Native Alaskans’ land claims, the creation of national parks and wildlife refuges, noncommercial whaling by native peoples, and related matters. At the time of European contact by the Russian explorers, the area was populated by Alaska Native groups. Unfortunately, they also brought diseases to which the native people had no immunity. Females are a bit longer than males and these whales (whether male or female) weigh between 25 and 40 tons. Selection of the right seed varieties however, is also an important factor for the size of the plant. This feature helps the bird save itself from predators. That’s 2 cents per acre. 11. 28. The volcanic ash spit by these volcanoes can bring an airplane down in a matter of a few minutes. [22], 10. 31. In the North Pacific, humpback whales spend their summer months feeding off the coast of California to Alaska. In combination with British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest immediately to the south, it encompasses the largest intact temperate rainforest on earth.[35]. Alaska, constituent state of the United States of America. The state’s capital is Juneau. The added amount of sunlight provides for photosynthesis bonus which helps the plants get bigger and sweeter. [28,29] Indeed because the state has a great variety of characteristics and immense area. Native Eskimo and Aleut tribes inhabited the Alaska area before it was discovered by Vitus Bering, a Dane exploring for the Russians, in 1741.Vitus Bering was the first to map the west coast of Alaska. [7], 21. Literally, it means object to which the action of the sea is directed. Alaska Facts: Alaska boasts the northernmost (Point Barrow), the easternmost (Pochnoi Point on Semisopochnoi Island in the Aleutians), and the westernmost (Amatignak Island in the Aleutians) points in the United States. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. The forget-me-not is the state flower of Alaska. Alaska is the only state that does not collect state sales tax or levy an individual income tax (some cities have sales tax, however). Updates? It has no land bordering states. Alaska is home to the largest remaining population of gray wolves in the United States. Kodiak Island in Alaska is home to the largest subspecies of brown bear – the Kodiak bear (also known as the Alaskan brown bear). In 1741 a Dane called Vitus Bering led a Russian expedition to Alaska. There are more than 70 potentially active volcanoes in Alaska. Alaska is one of the five states that do not have a sales tax. [2], 29. The Alaska Marine Highway gained federal recognition in 2002, when it was named a National Scenic Byway for its scenic, cultural, and archaeological qualities. Rimming the state on the south is one of Earth’s most-active earthquake belts, the circum-Pacific seismic belt. As you check out Anchorage Alaska Facts - Back in the early 1990s (or there about) Anchor town decided to remember and celebrate it's humble beginnings.. A new, temporary tent city was constructed near Ship Creek where visitors walked over sawdust covered "streets" and shopped at their favorite stores, which were set up in tents and other fun looking temporary structures. They discovered there was great wealth in Alaska in the form of animal furs. The lower sea levels caused this land to be exposed, but today it is under water. Wolves have never been threatened or endangered in Alaska.[32,33]. In fact, mainland Russia and mainland Alaska is approximately 55 miles apart. Several have erupted in recent times. The race has gained increased media attention and now the corporate are also sponsoring the event. [4], 9. Due to the passing of the 180th meridian through the state, AK technically lies in both the Eastern and the Western Hemisphere. Alaska Airlines history The Alaska Spirit is born For over 85 years, Alaska Airlines and the people who make us who we are, have been guided by integrity, caring, ingenuity, professionalism, and a unique spirit—a spirit that has grown out of our geographical roots. 15. The name Alaska means “mainland” or “great land”. The world population is about 5 million. They weigh up to 1,500 pounds.[10,17]. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. It is also the only non-contiguous U.S. state on continental North America. It was derived from an Aleut-language idiom, which figuratively refers to the mainland. About half of the state’s inhabitants live in the Greater Anchorage–Kenai Peninsula area. Europeans arrived in the area in the 18th century. To make it earthquake resilient, the pipeline was build in a zigzag pattern. The Yukon River is the longest river in Yukon and Alaska. 12. Alaska (nicknamed: Great Land, Land of the Midnight Sun, The Last Frontier, Mainland State, 49th State, Sourdough State, North Star State, Up Over, Seward’s Ice Box, Seward’s Folly) has 27 counties. This means "the mainland" or "the object towards which the action of the sea is directed." The other four are Delaware, Montana, Oregon, and New Hampshire. The name Alaska comes from the Aleut word alaxsaq. This helps create jobs in the state, and 30.60% of … 25. Alaska Export Facts. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Emeritus Professor of Geography, Fairbanks. Russia gained a monopoly on the American fur trade and created the Russian-American Company. Alaska hosts 13 national … As with the Klondike gold rush earlier in Alaska’s history, oil shaped the economy of Alaska shortly after statehood. Alaska’s Kodiak bears can grow to 1,500 pounds and 10 feet tall standing on their hind legs. [5], 20. Denali (Mt. Because the 180th meridian passes through the state’s Aleutian Islands, Alaska’s westernmost portion is in the Eastern Hemisphere. To give you some estimate, the residents were paid around $1,600 each in 2018. Alaska is the largest state in the U.S. and it was the 49th state to be admitted into the Union. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership. Because of its distance from the lower 48 states, Alaska has been called “America’s Last Frontier”. Did you know that AK ranks first in acres of forested land? Because of the availability of more than 20 hours of sunshine per day, fruits and vegetable in Alaska grow larger than usual. [1], 2. Alaska and Russia are very close by. McKinley), south-central Alaska, U.S. Koyukuk River flowing through Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge, central Alaska, U.S. Workers steaming blast rocks covered in crude oil leaking from the. Did you know that the 49th state pays its residents to live there permanently? Juneau's the place to go for midnight sun. Male bears are called boars, females are sows, and youngsters are cubs. Did you know that the humpback whales travel 3,100 miles (with little to no rest) during their annual migration? The population near the coast of Alaska migrates to Hawaii and the population in California migrates to Mexico and Costa Rica. People followed the herds of animal they hunted. [2], 7. And for comparison, that of Hawaii is 72.95 degrees Fahrenheit. Russians, and northern forests of North America 32,33 ] European contact by the byway each have their own and. Tacit tolerance of unintentional airspace violations, which figuratively refers to the Aleutian Islands, is... 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