State Name: Alabama

State Abbreviation: AL

State Abbreviation: AK

Capital: Juneau

Name Origin: Alaska’s name comes from the native Aleut word Alyeska, or Aláxsxaq, which roughly means “great land.”

Nickname: The state is commonly called “The Last Frontier" or “Land of the Midnight Sun"

Statehood: January 3, 1959 (49th State)

State Motto: North to the Future

State Motto: "Audemus jura nostra defendere," which is Latin for "We dare defend our rights."

In 1741, Vitus Bering, a Danish explorer working for the Russians, along with Alexei Chirikov, made a significant discovery, reaching the Alaskan mainland and exploring the Aleutian Islands. By 1867, Alaska, a vast landmass equivalent to one-fifth of the continental U.S., remained largely unexplored. However, Secretary of State William Seward orchestrated its purchase from Russia for $7,200,000. On October 18, 1867, the transfer of the territory to the United States took place. Despite being acquired at an average rate of about two cents an acre, the purchase was widely mocked as "Seward's Folly." The initial official census in 1880 recorded a total population of 33,426 Alaskans, with all but 430 of them being of indigenous ancestry. The Gold Rush of 1898 triggered a massive influx of over 30,000 people, and since then, Alaska has contributed billions of dollars' worth of products to the U.S. economy.

In 1968, an extensive oil and gas reservoir near Prudhoe Bay on the Arctic Coast was discovered. The Prudhoe Bay reservoir, estimated to contain 10 billion barrels of recoverable oil and 27 trillion cubic feet of gas, is the largest oil field in North America. The Trans-Alaska pipeline, completed in 1977 at a cost of $7.7 billion, stretches 800 miles from Prudhoe Bay to the port of Valdez, facilitating the flow of oil.

Fisheries, wood and wood products, furs, and tourism are other significant industries in Alaska.

Denali National Park and Mendenhall Glacier in the North Tongass National Forest are notable attractions, as is the extensive totem pole collection at Sitka National Historical Park. Katmai National Park encompasses the "Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes," an area dotted with active volcanoes.

The Alaska Native population comprises Eskimos, Native Americans, and Aleuts. Eskimos are the largest group, representing about half of all Alaska Natives. Inupiat and Yupik are the primary Eskimo groups, distinguished by their language and geographical regions. Inupiat reside in the northern and northwestern parts of Alaska, speaking Inupiaq, while Yupik inhabit the southern and southwestern areas, speaking Yupik.

Approximately one-third of Alaska Natives are Native Americans, with major tribes such as the Alaskan Athabaskan located in the central part of the state, and the Tlingit, Tsimshian, and Haida residing in the southeast.

The Aleuts, native to the Aleutian Islands, Kodiak Island, the lower Alaska and Kenai Peninsulas, and Prince William Sound, are both physically and culturally connected to the Eskimos. Aleuts comprise about 15% of the Alaska Native population.

On March 24, 1989, the oil tanker Exxon Valdez struck a reef in Prince William Sound, causing a catastrophic spill of 11 million gallons of crude oil, affecting 1,500 miles of coastline. The extensive cleanup effort lasted over three years.

During the 2008 presidential elections, Sarah Palin, Alaska's first female governor, was selected as Republican candidate John McCain's running mate, becoming the GOP's first female candidate for vice president. However, Palin and McCain were defeated by the Democratic ticket of Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

In August 2015, President Barack Obama restored the native Alaskan name "Denali" to Mount McKinley, honoring the local heritage.

• The temperature in northern Alaska dropped to -80ºF in 1971, marking the coldest temperature ever recorded in the United States.
• Alaska is called the Land of the Midnight Sun because for over two months in the summer, in the northernmost part of the state, the sun doesn’t set at all!
• The aurora borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, are bands of brightly colored light that dance across the night sky. They’re caused by electrically charged particles from the sun that collide with gases in our atmosphere.
• Try a bite of aqutak, or Eskimo ice cream—a mix of seal oil, animal fat, snow, and wild Alaskan berries."

1. Explore Denali National Park: Visit the iconic Denali National Park and Preserve, home to the highest peak in North America, Mount McKinley (Denali). Take a guided tour or hike along the park's scenic trails, spot wildlife like grizzly bears and moose, and enjoy breathtaking views of the Alaska Range.
2. Cruise the Inside Passage: Embark on a memorable cruise along Alaska's Inside Passage, a stunning coastal route lined with fjords, glaciers, and picturesque towns. Sail through Glacier Bay National Park or Tracy Arm Fjord, where you can witness calving glaciers and spot whales, sea lions, and eagles.
3. Experience the Northern Lights: Venture into the dark night skies of Alaska to witness the awe-inspiring spectacle of the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). Head to places like Fairbanks or Anchorage during the winter months for a chance to see this mesmerizing natural phenomenon dance across the sky.
4. Visit the Mendenhall Glacier: Located near Juneau, the Mendenhall Glacier is a must-see attraction. Take a hike to get up close to this magnificent glacier, or take a boat tour to admire its icy beauty from the water. Don't forget to visit the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center to learn more about this impressive natural wonder.
5. Explore the Kenai Fjords National Park: Discover the stunning coastal landscapes of Kenai Fjords National Park, located near Seward. Take a boat tour to witness towering glaciers, spot marine wildlife like whales and sea otters, and marvel at the rugged beauty of the fjords. You can also go kayaking, fishing, or hiking to fully immerse yourself in this pristine wilderness.