Alaska, US

Alaska: one of fifty states that make up the United States of America.

About

Alaska became the 49th state admitted to the Union on January 3, 1959. It is the largest and most sparsely populated state, known for its rugged natural beauty.

Geography and Climate

Alaska covers 663,268 square miles of varied terrain including glaciers, mountains, tundras, and forests. It shares an eastern border with Canada and is surrounded by waters such as the Bering Sea, Arctic Ocean and Pacific Ocean.

The climate is mostly subarctic with long cold winters and short mild summers. Significant precipitation in the southeast creates the Tongass National Forest, the largest in the U.S.

Economy and Industry

Key industries include oil and gas production, fishing, timber and mining. The Trans-Alaska Pipeline transports crude oil. Commercial fishing of salmon, cod and crab is important. Major companies headquartered in Alaska include Donlin Gold and ConocoPhillips Alaska.

Tourism also thrives in summer with attractions like Denali National Park, Glacier Bay and cruises to spot natural wildlife like polar bears.

Culture and Demographics

Alaska has about 730,000 residents. The largest ethnic group is white at 63%, followed by Alaska Natives and American Indians at 15%. It has a vibrant Native culture with influences from Alaskan Natives, Russians and Americans.

Government and Politics

The state capital and largest city is Juneau located in the Inside Passage region. The current governor is Mike Dunleavy, Republican. Alaska is a solidly Republican state in presidential elections.

Conclusion

In summary, Alaska is the largest and northernmost U.S. state filled with natural wonders. It has an independent pioneering spirit along with Native Alaskan and Russian influences. Abundant wilderness, natural resources and scenic beauty continue to draw adventurous residents and travelers.

Alaska locator map
Location of Alaska

State Snapshot

Alaska at a glance

Alaska currently has 172 quality-checked populated place pages and 24 county pages linked on MapSof.

Browse state cities

Mapped cities & towns

172

These counts use a stricter populated-place filter so the main lists stay focused on real city and town pages.

Quick Facts about Alaska

Population 731,545
Country United States of America
Different from Alaska, Alaska
Area 1717856 km2
Water as percent of area 14.24%
Land as percent of area 85.76%
Easternmost point Point(179.770555555 51.958888888), Point(-129.974194444 55.281944444)
Northernmost point Point(-156.4746 71.387)
Latitude & Longitude 64.0003,-150.0003
Legislative body Alaska Legislature
Official language English, Gwich’in, Hän, Dena'ina, Upper Kuskokwim, Koyukon, Tanacross, Alutiiq, Ahtna, Aleut, Tsimshian, Tlingit, Inupiat, Yupik languages, Haida, Eyak, Deg Xinag, Tanana languages, Holikachuk
Altitude 1,903 feet / 580 meters
Capital Juneau
Establishment January 03, 1959 (67 years ago)
Time Zone Hawaii–Aleutian Time Zone, America/Anchorage, UTC−09:00, UTC+14:00
Local time 14:00:07 (22nd April 2026)
Weather 10℉ Chance Light Snow 7-days weather
Anchorage from Earthquake Park image
Anchorage from Earthquake Park image

Geography

Alaska is located at 64°0'1"N 150°0'1"W (64.0002800, -150.0002800). It has 3 neighbors: Chukotskiy Avtonomnyy Okrug, British Columbia and Yukon.

Alaska map

Click "full screen" full screen map icon to open full mode. View satellite images

The largest city of Alaska is Fairbanks with a population of 30,696. Other cities include, Eagle River population 24,793, Wasilla population 11,099, Ketchikan population 8,187 and Kenai population 7,890. See all Alaska cities & populated places.

Largest Cities in Alaska (more)

Cities, Towns, Villages, Neighborhoods & Other Populated Places in Alaska.

City Name County Population
Fairbanks Fairbanks North Star Borough 30,696
Eagle River Anchorage Municipality 24,793
Badger Fairbanks North Star Borough 19,482
College Fairbanks North Star Borough 12,964
Wasilla Matanuska-Susitna Borough 11,099
Tanaina Matanuska-Susitna Borough 8,197
Ketchikan Ketchikan Gateway Borough 8,187
Kenai Kenai Peninsula Borough 7,890
Kalifornsky Kenai Peninsula Borough 7,850
Palmer Matanuska-Susitna Borough 7,766
Meadow Lakes Matanuska-Susitna Borough 7,570
Bethel Bethel Census Area 6,658
Homer Kenai Peninsula Borough 6,034
Kodiak Kodiak Island Borough 5,808
Farmers Loop Fairbanks North Star Borough 4,853
Soldotna Kenai Peninsula Borough 4,790

Show more Alaska cities and populated places

Weather

10°F
Chance Light Snow
5 to 10 mph SW Tuesday Night

A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 10. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

7-Day Forecast

Official website of Alaska

Official Website
  • Lake and Peninsula Borough
  • Anchorage Municipality
  • Haines Borough
  • Wrangell
  • Ketchikan Gateway Borough
  • Fairbanks North Star Borough
  • Sitka
  • Matanuska-Susitna Borough
  • Juneau
  • Bristol Bay Borough
  • North Slope Borough
  • Kenai Peninsula Borough
  • Yakutat
  • Petersburg
  • Denali Borough
  • Aleutians East Borough
  • Skagway
  • Unorganized Borough
  • Northwest Arctic Borough
  • Kodiak Island Borough

Demographics

Year Population % Change Method
1960 226,167 - census
1970 300,382 24.71% census
1980 401,851 25.25% census
1990 550,043 26.94% census
2000 626,932 12.26% census
2010 710,231 11.73% census
2011 722,128 1.65% estimation process
2012 730,443 1.14% estimation process
2013 737,068 0.9% estimation process
2014 736,283 -0.11% estimation process
2015 737,498 0.16% estimation process
2016 741,456 0.53% estimation process
2017 739,700 -0.24% estimation process
2018 735,139 -0.62% estimation process
2019 731,545 -0.49% estimation process
'Alaka, A-la-su-ka, AK, Alaeksa, Alakskak, Alaksu, Alasca, Alaschka, Alaska suyu, Alasko, Alaszka, Aleska, Aliaksa, Aliaska, Aljask, Aljaska, Aljaskae, Aljaske, Aljaška, Alyaska, Alyaska Shitati, Alýaska, Anian, Aļaska, Ałasca, Estado de Alaska, Gamaland, Hakʼaz Dineʼé Bikéyah Hahoodzo, Lalaskaen, Lalaskän, Land of the Midnight Sun, New Albion, Sewards Folly, Shtat Aljaska, State of Alaska, Territory of Alaska, a la si jia, a la si jia zhou, alasaka, alaska ayalty, allaeseuka ju, arasuka zhou, yەlaska, Àláskà, Αλάσκα, Аляск, Аляскæ, Аляска, Аляске, Алјаска, Аљаска, Штат Аляска, Ալյասկա, אלאסקע, אלסקה, آلاسکا, آلاسکا ایالتی, ألاسكا, ئەلاسکا, الاسكا, الاسکا, ܐܠܐܣܟܐ, अलास्का, अलास्‍का, আলাস্কা, ਅਲਾਸਕਾ, ଆଲାସ୍କା, அலாஸ்கா, అలాస్కా, ಅಲಾಸ್ಕ, അലാസ്ക, ඇලස්කාව, รัฐอะแลสกา, အလက်စကာပြည်နယ်, ალასკა, አላስካ, ᐊᓛᓯᑲ, ‘Ālaka, アラスカ州, 阿拉斯加, 阿拉斯加州, 알래스카 주

People born in Alaska (59)

People born in Alaska, including film director Mark A.Z. Dippé, fictional character in Star Trek William Riker, strength athlete Jesse Marunde, .

More notable people

  • Hope Summers (character from Marvel Comics)
  • Reuben Langdon (American stunt man and voice actor) he was born in 19/07/1975
  • Andrew Lynch (American singer-songwriter) he was born in 01/01/1953
  • Barrett Willoughby (American writer) she was born in 01/01/1886
  • Christine Hume (American writer) she was born in 01/01/1968
  • Das Williams (Member of California State Assembly) he was born in 29/06/1974
  • David Salmon (American politician) he was born in 01/01/1912
  • Jennifer Jolly (Journalist and Broadcaster) she was born in 22/02/1971
  • Kirsten Gum (Sportscaster, reality show host, raw chef) she was born in 08/12/1972
  • Lenne Hardt (American actress)
  • Rebecca Rotzler (American politician) she was born in 19/03/1962
  • Richard A. Scott (comics artist) he was born in 19/02/1964
  • Sue Henry (writer) she was born in 19/01/1940
  • Sonihat he was born in 01/01/1855
  • Ed Iten (musher) he was born in 01/01/1953
  • Robert T. Fletcher III he was born in 27/11/1963
  • Sinrock Mary (Reindeer herder) she was born in 01/01/1870
  • Takashi Ohno (American politician)

Alaska Counties (more)

Anchorage Municipality

Matanuska-Susitna Borough

Fairbanks North Star Borough

County Name Population
Anchorage Municipality 287,095
Matanuska-Susitna Borough 110,213
Fairbanks North Star Borough 95,651
Kenai Peninsula Borough 59,414
Juneau City and Borough 31,849
Bethel Census Area 18,437
Ketchikan Gateway Borough 13,747
Kodiak Island Borough 12,992
Nome Census Area 9,909
North Slope Borough 9,294
Valdez-Cordova Census Area 9,202
Sitka City and Borough 8,405
Northwest Arctic Borough 7,644
Southeast Fairbanks Census Area 6,957
Aleutians West Census Area 5,680
Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area 5,077

Show more Alaska counties

Map & Images (more maps)

Alaska Regions Map
Alaska Regions Map
3008 x 1697 - 394,638k - png
Alaska Area Compared To Conterminous Us
Alaska Area Compared To Conterminous Us
2000 x 1311 - 102,235k - png
Alaska Map
Alaska Map
1344 x 854 - 154,086k - jpg
Alaska Flag Map
Alaska Flag Map
1378 x 800 - 22,450k - png
Attu Alaska Relief Map
Attu Alaska Relief Map
2400 x 1586 - 520,835k - jpg
Historical Map Alaska
Historical Map Alaska
1130 x 935 - 133,509k - jpg
Historical Map Southern Alaska
Historical Map Southern Alaska
829 x 1334 - 179,252k - jpg
Where Is Alaska Located
Where Is Alaska Located
1476 x 1002 - 135,914k - png
Alaska Counties And Cities
Alaska Counties And Cities
2457 x 2064 - 185,142k - PNG
Alaska County Map
Alaska County Map
2463 x 2070 - 165,915k - PNG
Alaska Reference Map
Alaska Reference Map
2463 x 2073 - 375,444k - PNG
Alaska Rivers And Lakes
Alaska Rivers And Lakes
2454 x 2064 - 187,426k - PNG
Alaska Location Map
Alaska Location Map
983 x 687 - 49,412k - PNG
Alaska Plant Hardiness Zone Map
Alaska Plant Hardiness Zone Map
2994 x 2247 - 223,630k - PNG