Friday Fun Facts About Alaska

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Alaska is our largest state. One of my books has been used as a textbook for a marketing class at the University of Alaska.

You probably already knew the state bird is the Willow Ptarmigan.

Here are some fun facts you might not know about our 49^th state.

Fun Facts About Alaska

Russia was kind enough to sell Alaska to the US for $7.2 million dollars in 1867. I bet Canada was happy about that during the cold war. (Source)
Seventy-five New Jersey’s would fit comfortably in Alaska. (Source)
The Office of Mayor of Talkeetna, Alaska, has been held by a cat for the past 15 years. (Source)
The largest county in the US is in Alaska and is about the size of Germany. (Source)
It’s not always easy to get around someplace as large as Alaska. I guess that’s why there’s a pizza place that will deliver your pizza by plane. Delivery in 30 minutes or less? Oh, cost is about $30.00 depending on toppings. (Source)
The most powerful earthquake in the U.S. measured a magnitude 9.2 located in Prince William Sound in 1964. (Source)
Yes even Alaska has deserts. Some of the sand dunes are over 150 feet high. (Source)
Each year Alaska residents receive an “oil royalty check” for their share of revenue from Alaskan oil. How much you ask? $1,884 per resident this year. (Source)
Alaska has the highest percentage of people who walk to work. (Source)
An abandoned ship seen off the coast of Alaska in 1931 was seen still floating strong in the Arctic in 1969. Obviously not the work of the Titanic folks. (Source)
A man with the legal name of ‘Santa Claus’ was elected to the North Pole, Alaska City Council (Source)
If Manhattan Island had the same population density of Alaska, there would only be 28 people living there. (Source)
Alaska made marijuana legal for personal use in 1975 and is still legal there today. (Source)

Some Final Thoughts

One other amazing fact. During WW2, the Japanese invaded Alaska, and more Americans were killed or wounded defending Alaska than at Pearl Harbor.

I always thought that Alaska was Montana of steroids. Same low population and similar scenery — just way bigger and taller.

Have you been there?

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