Alaska's Unique Phenomena

Alaska flag contains eight gold stars in the shape of the big dipper and north star with a blue background.

Alaska.gov

The Alaska State Flag

There are many unusual phenomena that can be enjoyed in Alaska! It makes sense that such an exceptional state should have such exceptional qualities. Here are some interesting phenomena to look for during your visit:

Interesting Facts About Alaska:

Alaska is 596,412 sq. miles...that's 1/5 the size of the rest of the United States.
Alaska's flag consists of eight gold stars (The Big Dipper and the North Star) on a field of blue. It was designed by a seventh grade student named Benny Benson in 1926
Alaska has the highest mountain in North America (Mt. McKinley - 20,320 ft.)
Alaska has more coastline than the rest of the United States combined (33,904 miles)
Alaska has the longest salmon run in the world...2,000 miles up the Yukon River.
Alaska's state bird is the willow ptarmigan. Its feathers turn from brown in the summer to white in the winter.
Alaska has the only state capital not accessible by road (Juneau).
Alaska's official state sport is dog mushing.
Alaska has the largest concentration of bald eagles in the world...more than 3,500 bald eagles come to the Chilkat River, north of Haines, in the fall and winter to feed on the late salmon runs.
Alaska's state flower is the forget-me-not.
Many animals that are endangered elsewhere live in abundance in Alaska, such as the bald eagle, grizzly bear, humpback whale, wolf, and more!
Alaska has northern lights, 40 foot tides, active volcanoes, frequent earthquakes, 3 million lakes, half the world's glaciers, tundra, rain forests, mukluks, totems, potlatches, migratory whales, fish wheels, and 33 species of mosquitoes!
Alaska had the largest oil strike U.S. history (Prudhoe Bay).
Alaska's state motto is "North to the Future."