Alaska is the largest state in the U.S., of course, but land isn’t the only thing extra about the great land. There are other claims to fame that may surprise you. Behold the awesomeness that is Alaska and the many things it has more of than anywhere else. You’ll be amazed what the 49th state has to offer.
- Active volcanoes
Peter Kozlowski | Flickr According to the Alaska Volcano Observatory, over three-quarters of the active volcanoes in the U.S. are in Alaska. Of the 130 volcanoes in the state, 50 have been active since the 1700’s. Alaska is seriously lit, all the time. More about volcanoes here.
- Giant lakes
Robert Montgomery | Flickr Heard of the land of 10,000 lakes? That’s nothing! Alaska has over 3 million lakes over 20 acres large. That’s a lot of places to land a float plane or go for a swim on a hot summer day.
- Bald eagles
Andy Morffew | Flickr Alaska has more American Bald Eagles than all other states combined. I’m pretty sure, since the national bird loves Alaska the most, that means it’s the most patriotic state as well.
- Shoreline
Joseph | Flickr Including mainland Alaska and all the islands, the state has over 33,000 miles of shoreline. That’s more than all other state combined.
- Glaciers
Paxson Woelber | Flickr Over 10,000 glaciers lie within the state. That is more than half the world’s glaciers!
- Freezing days
JLS Photography - Alaska | Flickr Being the farthest north in the U.S., there is the least amount of sunlight and the most cold days. Even though there are many other parts of the U.S. with serious winter, Alaska takes the cake for longest, with the farthest north towns never really warming up to room temperature in the summer.
- Wolves
JLS Photography - Alaska | Flickr Alaska has more gray wolves (Canis lupus arctos), also called the Polar wolf, than any other state. According to the US Fish & Wildlife Service, populations are estimated at around 10,000 in Alaska, and only 5000 in all other states combined. Learn more here.
- Small planes
Gord McKenna | Flickr The major mode of transportation in the rest of the U.S. is the automobile, while in Alaska small planes rule. According to the FAA, over 9000 planes are registered in Alaska, definitely the most per capita in the U.S. More here.
- Snowfall
Total Heliski | Flickr Although there are other places with lots of snow, Alaska had the heaviest snowfall in recorded history December 2017 when 15 inches fell in 90 minutes, and 40 inches in 12 hours! Snowfall info here.
- Reach
Island Conservation | Flickr The state has the most northern point (Point Barrow) and the most western point (Cape Wrangell) in the U.S. That means the Aleutian Island chain stretches further West than Hawaii!
- Highest mountains
AnetteWho | Flickr Alaska has 17 of the 20 tallest peaks in North America, including Denali, the tallest peak on the continent.
- Oceans
Laura Pontiggia | Flickr Alaska is the only state to touch more than one ocean. The state borders both the Pacific and the Arctic.
- Legislative staffers
Roger W | Flickr According to a study released on January 17, 2018, Alaska has the most legislative staff members per elected official of any state. Whether that is good or bad, we’re number 1! Read more here.
More facts about Alaska here!
Peter Kozlowski | Flickr
According to the Alaska Volcano Observatory, over three-quarters of the active volcanoes in the U.S. are in Alaska. Of the 130 volcanoes in the state, 50 have been active since the 1700’s. Alaska is seriously lit, all the time. More about volcanoes here.
Robert Montgomery | Flickr
Heard of the land of 10,000 lakes? That’s nothing! Alaska has over 3 million lakes over 20 acres large. That’s a lot of places to land a float plane or go for a swim on a hot summer day.
Andy Morffew | Flickr
Alaska has more American Bald Eagles than all other states combined. I’m pretty sure, since the national bird loves Alaska the most, that means it’s the most patriotic state as well.
Joseph | Flickr
Including mainland Alaska and all the islands, the state has over 33,000 miles of shoreline. That’s more than all other state combined.
Paxson Woelber | Flickr
Over 10,000 glaciers lie within the state. That is more than half the world’s glaciers!
JLS Photography - Alaska | Flickr
Being the farthest north in the U.S., there is the least amount of sunlight and the most cold days. Even though there are many other parts of the U.S. with serious winter, Alaska takes the cake for longest, with the farthest north towns never really warming up to room temperature in the summer.
Alaska has more gray wolves (Canis lupus arctos), also called the Polar wolf, than any other state. According to the US Fish & Wildlife Service, populations are estimated at around 10,000 in Alaska, and only 5000 in all other states combined. Learn more here.
Gord McKenna | Flickr
The major mode of transportation in the rest of the U.S. is the automobile, while in Alaska small planes rule. According to the FAA, over 9000 planes are registered in Alaska, definitely the most per capita in the U.S. More here.
Total Heliski | Flickr
Although there are other places with lots of snow, Alaska had the heaviest snowfall in recorded history December 2017 when 15 inches fell in 90 minutes, and 40 inches in 12 hours! Snowfall info here.
Island Conservation | Flickr
The state has the most northern point (Point Barrow) and the most western point (Cape Wrangell) in the U.S. That means the Aleutian Island chain stretches further West than Hawaii!
AnetteWho | Flickr
Alaska has 17 of the 20 tallest peaks in North America, including Denali, the tallest peak on the continent.
Laura Pontiggia | Flickr
Alaska is the only state to touch more than one ocean. The state borders both the Pacific and the Arctic.
Roger W | Flickr
According to a study released on January 17, 2018, Alaska has the most legislative staff members per elected official of any state. Whether that is good or bad, we’re number 1! Read more here.
Love the water? Try These 10 Gorgeous Lakes In Alaska Are Demanding Your Attention. You may also like This Might Just Be The Most Beautiful Campground In All Of Alaska.
Do you know anything else Alaska has the most of? Tell us about it in the comments below.
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