ShareThisU.S. State Spotlight
What's Alaska like? Of the 20 highest peaks in the U.S., 17 are in Alaska. The Yukon River, the third longest river in the U.S. is located in the state of Alaska. More than 70 potential volcanoes exist in the state. Alaska is a state with over 100,000 glaciers and 6,640 miles of coastline.
With so much natural beauty, it's easy to see why the state name 'Alaska' is derived from an Aleut word, "Alyeska," which means "great land."
Alaska's State Animals
Most every state has a state bird, and Alaska is no exception. The Willow Ptarmigan is Alaska's state bird. A pheasant-like bird, this state bird changes color from light brown in summer to snow white in winter. But Alaska didn't stop with a state bird. A state with many creatures, Alaska has honored a variety of wildlife with official state recognition. The moose is the state land mammal. The Bowhead whale is the state marine animal. The 100+ pound giant king salmon is the state fish. The dragonfly is the state insect. Alaska even has a state fossil--the Wooly Mammoth.
Alaska's State Symbols
Alaska's flag looks like a cloth clipped from the night sky, with a dark blue background contrasting with eight gold stars, which form the Big Dipper. The state seal illustrates a spectacular seaside mountain scene with rays representing the northern lights shooting out above the mountain. The state seal includes a forest, a smelter, a train, a few ships, a farmer, some seals, and fish, symbolizing the state's natural wealth.
Alaska is one-fifth the size of the lower 48 states--making it two and a half times larger than the state of Texas. The state has been inhabited by humans for over 10,000 years. Today about 643,892 people live in Alaska, and they live in a truly great land.
