Alaska Facts

Alaska

1. Nearly one-third of Alaska lies within the Arctic Circle.
2. The Alaska Highway was originally built as a military supply road during World War II.
3. The state boasts the lowest population density in the nation.
4. The discovery of gold in the Yukon began a gold rush in 1898. Later gold was discovered at Nome and Fairbanks.
5. Alaska is a geographical marvel. When a scale map of Alaska is superimposed on a map of the 48 lower states, Alaska extends from coast to coast.
6. The state's coastline extends over 6,600 miles.
7. Alaska is the United State's largest state and is over twice the size of Texas. Measuring from north to south the state is approximately 1,400 miles long and measuring from east to west it is 2,700 miles wide.
8. Agattu, Attu, and Kiska are the only parts of North America occupied by Japanese troops during World War II.
9. Oil is the state's most valuable natural resource. The area includes what is thought to be the largest oil field in North America.
10. In 1986 Mount Augustine erupted near Anchorage.