Map of Alaska and Flag | Alaska Counties and National Parks Map
Imagine waking up in a cozy cabin and then you peek out your window and see a moose grazing. The view might be too stunning to be true but it is something that you can encounter in Alaska. It is not just your ordinary place; Alaska is a whole new experience. Get your travel bags out and start packing. You are going to have the best vacation of your lives when you visit Alaska. It is a land begging to be explored and awaits you.
Map of Alaska
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Is Alaska part of the Continental US?
The biggest state of the US, Alaska lies further northwest of the North American continent completely separated from the United States. The state is surrounded by Canada towards the East, to the North lies the Arctic Ocean, to the West is the Bering Sea and to the South is the Gulf of Alaska and the Pacific Ocean.
Are the Aleutian Islands parts of Alaska?
The Aleutian Islands are a group of 69 Islands that lie between the Bering Sea and Pacific Ocean. These consist of both small and large islands. These islands consist of a lot of Volcanic Mountains. The Shishaldin Volcano which is located in Unimak Island is still active.
Was Alaska purchased from Russia?
The Alaskan state was bought by the United States from Russia in 1867. Many members of the government criticized the decision as they thought that the land wasn’t useful at all because of its remoteness and weather. In the 1890s however, gold mines were discovered which caused a scurry of settlers to arrive in Alaska.
Alaskan Flag Facts
A competition was held in Alaska in 1929 where a flag was designed. The flag of Alaska comprises a dark blue background with two constellations in bright yellow or gold colour. The constellations are the North Star and the Big Dipper (Great Bear).
Alaskan Flag meaning
In the 1929 Flag design competition, children also took part and one of them called Benny Benson won the competition. He claimed that his inspiration was the night sky. He used to look at the stars and observe the constellations. So when he designed his flag he took inspiration from the Alaskan night sky. According to Benny, the blue background represented the Alaskan sky , North Star was for the future of Alaska, the most northerly of all the states and the Dipper was for the Great Bear which symbolizes strength.
Population of Alaska
There are approximately 731,545 people currently living in Alaska. Of the 731,545 people, 65.3% are whites, 15.6% are Alaskan natives, 6.5% are Asian and 3.7% are African American and the remaining 8.9% are other origins.
Languages spoken in Alaska
The official language of Alaska remains to be English. However, in 2014 the official language act was amended and 20 Alaskan native languages were added as co-official languages. Some of the languages that have attained official status include: Inupiaq, Siberian Yupik, Central Alaskan Alutiiq, Unangax, Dena’ina, Deg Xinag, Holikachuk, Koyukon, Upper Kuskokwim, Gwich’in, Tanana and Upper Tanana.
Interesting facts about Alaska
- Of the twenty highest mountains in the United States of America, seventeen of them are situated in Alaska. Denali which is also known as “The Great One” is the highest peak reaching the height of 20,320 feet above sea level.
- There are approximately more than 3000 rivers and 3000000 lakes in Alaska. The largest Lake Iliamna is about 1000 square miles long.
- About five percent of the state is covered with glaciers. The number of glaciers are approximately 100,000
- Seeing the The Northern Lights is a common thing in Fairbanks, they appear approximately 243 days in a year.
- The city of Juneau cannot be accessed by road. This makes it the only capital of a US state to be accessed only by a plane or a boat.
- In Alaska, there is approximately 1 bear to every 21 people.
- Barrow has the longest day and shortest day. When the sun rises on the 10th of May it doesn’t set for about 3 months. When it sets on November 18th it doesn’t reappear for nearly 2 months.
- It is illegal to whisper in someone’s ear while they are on a hunt of a moose.
- Alaska has more than 100 volcanoes.
- The coastline of Alaska is bigger than the rest of the US combined. The length is about 34,000 miles.
Places to visit in Alaska
The sheer beauty and stunning nature of Alaska can only be seen by the eyes to truly be appreciated. Here are some of the places that are not to be missed when exploring Alaska:
Denali National Park– Tourists often visit and see the park while in a guide bus because of the rugged landscape. But to gain a truly immersive experience it is recommended to go on foot. You might as well spot some bears, wolves and moose along the way.
Kenai Fjords National Park- Once you enter into Kenai Fjords it is like you have been through a time machine and have ended up in the ice age. The area is mostly covered with ice and there are Fjords which have formed over time among the valleys. It is pretty common to observe the aquatic animals that are seen migrating for example; whales or birds.
Homer- Namesake of the famous Greek poet, this place is equally serene. If you are a devotee of fishing and love nature, Homer is the place to be. With its beaches, bald eagles and black bears, Homer has you covered in all aspects. What’s more is that local restaurants can cook up your catch of the day for you and your family.
Anchorage: It is the biggest city of Alaska. It has all that an average US city might have and more. You can visit the Museum of Art and History, Wildlife Conservation Center or even the Alaska Native Heritage Center. There’s plenty to do in Anchorage.
BOOK HOTEL IN ANY PART OF ALASKA AT GREAT PRICES
