Map of Alaska

The state of Alaska is the largest state in the United States, located in the northwest extremity of North America. Alaska borders Canada's Yukon Territory and British Columbia to the east, and shares a maritime border with Russia to the west across the Bering Strait.

About the map:

This map of Alaska State shows the state borders, states, state capital, borough borders, census area borders, boroughs, census areas, borough seats and important cities.

County seats are indicated by a red circle, white circles indicate cities, and the capital of Alaska is indicated by a star in the red circle. The larger the city in terms of population, the larger the circle on the map and the larger the font of the city name.

---

Google Map
Bing Maps
USGS National Map
OpenStreetMap

Key Facts:

The Great Seal of the State of Alaska	Flag of Alaska
Capital:	Juneau
Largest city:	Anchorage
Largest metropolitan area:	Anchorage
Largest borough by population:	Anchorage
Largest borough by area:	North Slope Borough
Largest Census Area by population:	Bethel Census Area
Largest Census Area by area:	Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area
Area:	665,384 sq mi (1,723,337 km2)
Population (2024):	740,133[1]
Density:	1.1/sq mi (0.42/km2)
Dimensions:	Length 1,420 mi (2,285 km) Width 2,261 mi (3,639 km)
Latitude:	51°20'N to 71°50'N
Longitude:	130°W to 172°E
Elevation:	Highest elevation (Denali) - 20,310 ft (6,190.5 m) Lowest elevation (sea level) - 0 ft (0 m)
Official language:	Ahtna, Alutiiq, Dena'ina, Cup'ig, Deg Xinag, English, Eyak, Gwich'in, Haida, Hän, Holikachuk, Inupiaq, Koyukon, Lower Tanana, Middle Tanana, St. Lawrence Island Yupik, Tanacross, Tlingit, Tsimshian, Unangax̂, Upper Kuskokwim, Upper Tanana, Yup'ik, Wetał
Religion (2020):[2]	36% - Protestantism 14% - Catholicism 4% - Eastern Orthodox 2% - Mormonism 1% - Jehovah's Witness 37% - Unaffiliated 6% - other religions
Racial/ethnic groups (2024):[1]	59% White 7.5% Hispanic or Latino 3.7% Black or African American 8.1% Two or more races 6.8% Asian 15.6% Native American or Alaska Native 1.7% Pacific Islander
Median household income (2023):	$89,336[1]
USPS abbreviation:	AK
ISO 3166 code:	US-AK
Time zone:	East of 169°30': UTC–09:00 (AKST) Summer (DST) UTC–08:00 (AKDT) West of 169°30': UTC–10:00 (HST) Summer (DST) UTC–09:00 (HDT)
The Official Website of the State of Alaska:	alaska.gov

About the State of Alaska

Alaska is the largest state in the United States, located in the northwest extremity of North America. The state covers an area of 665,384 square miles (1,723,337 square kilometers), making it more than twice the size of Texas, the second-largest state.

Alaska borders Canada's Yukon Territory and British Columbia to the east, and shares a maritime border with Russia to the west across the Bering Strait. The state's capital is Juneau, while Anchorage serves as its largest city with approximately 291,247 residents.

Where is the state of Alaska in the United States of America?

As of 2024, Alaska has a population of 740,133 people, making it one of the least densely populated states in the U.S. Major cities include Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau. The state maintains a strong economic focus on natural resource extraction, particularly oil, natural gas, and fishing industries. The Trans-Alaska Pipeline System remains crucial to the state's petroleum industry.

The economy relies heavily on oil revenues, fishing, mining, and tourism. Alaska produces approximately 25% of U.S. domestic oil production and maintains one of the world's largest seafood export industries. The state also benefits from significant federal government spending and military presence.

Tourism represents a major economic sector, with over 2 million visitors annually. Major attractions include Denali National Park, home to North America's highest peak; Glacier Bay National Park; and Kenai Fjords National Park. The state offers unique opportunities for wildlife viewing, including bears, moose, and whales. The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) attract numerous visitors during winter months.

Alaska's transportation infrastructure includes major airports in Anchorage and Fairbanks, the Alaska Railroad, and the Alaska Marine Highway System, which serves as a vital transportation link for coastal communities. The state's unique geography necessitates significant use of aviation for transportation and supplies delivery to remote areas.

The state maintains a diverse wildlife population and contains vast wilderness areas, with approximately 60% of the land managed by the federal government. Alaska features 17 of the 20 highest peaks in the United States and more than 3 million lakes.

The climate varies significantly by region, from a temperate rainforest in the southeast to arctic conditions in the north. This diversity supports various recreational activities, including skiing, hiking, fishing, and hunting, contributing to both the tourism industry and local lifestyle.

Brief History

Alaska's history spans thousands of years, beginning with the migration of Indigenous peoples across the Bering Land Bridge approximately 20,000 years ago. The Inuit, Yupik, Aleut, and various Athabascan tribes established distinct cultures and communities throughout the region, developing sophisticated hunting techniques and trading networks.

Russian exploration of Alaska commenced in 1741 when Vitus Bering led an expedition to the region. Russian fur traders subsequently established settlements and trading posts, particularly focusing on the lucrative sea otter trade. The Russian-American Company maintained control over Alaska until 1867, when the United States purchased the territory for $7.2 million, in what became known as "Seward's Folly," named after Secretary of State William H. Seward.

The discovery of gold in the late 1890s triggered significant demographic changes, as thousands of prospectors rushed to the Klondike and Nome regions. This influx of settlers accelerated the development of transportation infrastructure and permanent settlements. The early 20th century brought increased military significance to Alaska, particularly during World War II, when Japanese forces occupied parts of the Aleutian Islands.

Alaska achieved statehood on January 3, 1959, becoming the 49th U.S. state. The discovery of oil at Prudhoe Bay in 1968 transformed Alaska's economy, leading to the construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System and establishing the state's prominent role in U.S. energy production. Today, Alaska maintains a diverse economy based on natural resources, tourism, and strategic military installations.

Major cities in Alaska

• Anchorage
• Fairbanks
• Juneau
• Wasilla
• Sitka

• Ketchikan
• Kenai
• Bethel
• Palmer
• Kodiak

• Homer
• Utqiaġvik
• Soldotna
• Unalaska
• Valdez

• Nome
• Kotzebue
• Seward
• Cordova
• Dillingham

Boroughs and Census Areas in Alaska

There are 19 organized boroughs and 11 census areas in the U.S. state of Alaska.

List of Boroughs and Census Areas in Alaska

Alaska Borough Map

Geography of Alaska

Alaska, the largest state in the United States, occupies 665,384 square miles of territory in the northwestern extremity of North America. It borders Canada's Yukon Territory and British Columbia to the east, while the Arctic Ocean defines its northern boundary and the Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea establish its southern and western limits.

The state's topography encompasses diverse geographical features, including the highest peak in North America, Denali (formerly Mount McKinley), which reaches 20,310 feet. The Alaska Range, Brooks Range, and Coast Mountains represent major mountain systems that significantly influence the state's climate and ecosystems. Approximately 100,000 glaciers cover 28,800 square miles of Alaska's surface, accounting for 3.1% of the state's total area.

Alaska's climate varies considerably by region. The southern coastal areas, including the Alaska Panhandle, experience a maritime climate with mild winters, cool summers, and heavy precipitation. Interior Alaska exhibits a subarctic continental climate characterized by extreme temperature variations, with winter lows reaching -60°F and summer highs exceeding 90°F. The North Slope region maintains an arctic climate with long, severe winters and brief, cool summers. Annual precipitation ranges from 200 inches in the southern coastal areas to less than 10 inches in the Arctic regions.

The state contains more than 3,000 rivers and three million lakes, with the Yukon River serving as the primary waterway. Permafrost underlies approximately 80% of Alaska's land area, significantly influencing construction, agriculture, and ecosystem development. The state's coastline extends 6,640 miles, expanding to 33,904 miles when including islands.

Alaska's geographical position results in unique phenomena, including the midnight sun in summer and extended periods of darkness in winter at locations above the Arctic Circle. These conditions, combined with the state's diverse terrain and climate zones, create distinct ecosystems that support varied wildlife populations and vegetation patterns.

National Parks in Alaska

Alaska hosts eight major national parks, which encompass vast wilderness areas and diverse ecosystems. These parks protect millions of acres of pristine landscapes, including glaciers, mountains, tundra, and forests.

Denali National Park and Preserve, established in 1917, spans 6 million acres and features North America's tallest peak, Denali (20,310 feet). The park houses diverse wildlife, including grizzly bears, wolves, moose, and Dall sheep. A single 92-mile road provides access through the park's wilderness.

Kenai Fjords National Park near Seward showcases the Harding Icefield and numerous tidewater glaciers. Marine wildlife, including whales, sea lions, and puffins, inhabit its coastal waters. The park covers 669,984 acres and receives visitors primarily during summer months.

Katmai National Park and Preserve gained fame for its brown bear population, particularly at Brooks Falls, where bears gather to catch salmon. The park also contains the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, formed by the 1912 Novarupta volcanic eruption. Gates of the Arctic National Park, the northernmost national park in the United States, encompasses 8.4 million acres of remote Arctic wilderness without roads or trails.

Glacier Bay National Park features massive tidewater glaciers, fjords, and marine ecosystems. The park spans 3.3 million acres and serves as a crucial site for studying glacier retreat. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, America's largest national park at 13.2 million acres, contains four major mountain ranges and numerous glaciers. The park includes the abandoned Kennecott Copper Mine, a National Historic Landmark.

Lake Clark National Park protects the watershed of Lake Clark, active volcanoes, and diverse wildlife habitats. Kobuk Valley National Park, located above the Arctic Circle, features unique sand dunes and serves as a migration route for caribou. These parks remain largely undeveloped and require specialized transportation methods, typically small aircraft, for access.

Below you will find a list of the largest lakes, the longest rivers, and the highest mountains in Alaska.

Major Rivers in Alaska

Major Lakes in Alaska

The Highest Mountains in Alaska

---

Page Navigation

---

References

1. ^ QuickFacts Alaska. U.S. Census Bureau.
2. ^ "American Values Atlas: Religious Tradition in Alaska". Public Religion Research Institute.