Welcome to Alaska
"Land of the Midnight Sun" By far the largest in area of any U.S. state, Alaska is named for an Aleut word meaning "great land." It's not difficult to understand why: ranked only 47th in total population, the state features nearly 700,000 square miles of unspoiled, rugged terrain. In fact, Alaska's geography so dominates that it virtually defines what it means tobean Alaskan. Alaskans typically view themselves as rugged individualists, and much of the state's major industry (fishing, oil production) involves living off the land. A Republican stronghold since the 1970s, the state government often adopts a "live and let live" libertarian attitude. Alaska is the only state where possession of one ounce of marijuana is legal under state law, and it is one of only two states with no sales tax and no state income tax. Perhaps surprisingly, along with Washington and Oregon, Alaska is cited as the least religious state in the U.S. While the state is rich in oil profits (which represent a staggering 80 percent of overall revenue), its cost of living is one of the highest in the country. Alaska may be the home of maverick individualism, but that doesn't stop its government from accepting federal subsidies to help keep its economy up and its taxes low. State Name: Alaska State Nickname: "Land of the Midnight Sun" State Motto: "North to the Future" Name for Residents: Alaskans Abbreviation: AK Time Zones:    Alaska (east of 169º30'), GMT/UTC -9 / -8 (Daylight Savings Time)    Hawaii-Aleutian (west of 169º30'), GMT/UTC -10 / -9 (DST) Capital City: Juneau Date of Statehood: January 3, 1959 Statehood Rank: 49th State Area: 663,268 square miles (1,717,854 km²) Area Rank: 1 of 50 Number of Boroughs (County Equivalent): 18 State Population: 686,293 (2008 estimate) Largest Cities:     Anchorage - 279,243 (2008)     Fairbanks - 35,132 (2008)     Juneau - 30,988 (2008) Major Rivers:     Yukon River  - Length: 1,980 mi (3,190 km)     Colville - Length: 350 mi (560 km)     Awana River - Length: 200 mi (320 km) Highest Point: Mount McKinley/Denali, 20,320 ft (6,193 m) Lowest Point: Pacific Ocean (sea level) Bordering States and Countries:     Canada (East) Record High Temperature:     100°F (38°C)     June 27, 1915 at Fort Yukon Record Low Temperature:     -80°F (-62°C)     January 23, 1971 at Prospect Creek
	Alaska State Flag Alaska State Seal Alaska Location Map Alaska
	Author: World Trade Press