Alaska (USA)

The U.S. Senate approved the purchase of Alaska from the Russian Empire on March 30, 1867, for $7.2 million at 2 cents per acre($111 million in today's dollars). On January 3, 1959, Alaska become the 49th state of the U.S.A.Alaska is the largest of the 50 states, with a total area of 1,530,699 sq km and a population of 686,293 (in 2008). Juneau, Alaska's capital city, has no roads connecting to the North American highway

Location

Alaska is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait.

Geography

Most of Alaska is surrounded by water. To the north is the Arctic Ocean, (the Beaufort Sea and the Chukchi Sea). To the south is the Gulf of Alaska and Pacific Ocean. To the west is the Bering Sea. Alaska's land borders Canada to the east and south. Highest point on Alaska is Mount McKinley (6193 m). Alaska is one of two U.S. states not bordered by another state, Hawaii being the other. Alaska has more than 3 million lakes.

Capital

Juneau

Population

626,930

Climatic zones

Alaska has Arctic climate with long, very cold winters and short, cool summers. In winter temperature will be around -52 °C. In July the temperature in Barrow will be around 1 °C.

Language

English 89.7%

Monetary Unit

US Dollar

Largest Cities

Sitka, Juneau,Anchorage, St.John's, College

Places to Visit

Anchorage, Juneau, Fairbanks

Principal rivers

Yukon River (Longest river in Alaska; 1,875 miles), Kuskokwim River, Colville River, Copper River (Oxus)

Air Ports

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, Anchorage Merrill Field Airport. Alaska Airlines is the only major airline offering flight service from Anchorage and Fairbanks to regional hubs like Bethel, Nome, Kotzebue, Dillingham, Kodiak.

Alaska Railroad was operational in 1915 and tracks run from Seward to Interior Alaska, passing through Anchorage, Eklutna, Wasilla, Talkeetna, Denali, and Fairbanks, with spurs to Whittier, Palmer and North Pole. The 4 km long Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel connects Anchorage to remote areas. Alaska Highway is the main road route. Dogsled and snowmobiles are used to access remote areas.