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Which state could fit 22 of the smallest U.S. states within its borders? If you guessed Alaska, you’d be right. So, just how many acres is Alaska? The number may astound you. Over half of the acreage is public lands, and over an eighth of the state is designated wilderness.
It’s one of the last frontiers in the world where wildlife roam freely, and the landscape remains in its natural condition. Let’s learn more about this beautiful state!
Pro Tip: Want to take advantage of the amazing fishing in Alaska but don’t know where to start? Check out What Fishing License do You Need to Fish in Alaska!
What Is the Largest State In the U.S?
Alaska is by far the largest state in the U.S. At 665,000 square miles, it’s larger than the following three states (Texas, California, and Montana) combined. Texas, the second-largest state, could fit inside Alaska 2.5 times. Rhode Island could fit in Alaska 425 times!
How Many Acres Is Alaska?
We look solely at the land area when considering how many acres Alaska is. This massive state is over 425 million acres. This is approximately one-fifth of the contiguous U.S. Compared to other countries, Alaska would rank in the top 50 in land area worldwide if it were its own country.
What Is Alaska Known For?
Known for its stunning beauty, Alaska is home to unique landscapes. Approximately two million people visit the Last Frontier State annually, over half arrive via cruise ship. The views are spectacular, from massive glaciers to towering mountain peaks to lush forests.
The state is also known for its abundant wildlife. Tourists often book whale-watching tours along the coastline or bear-watching tours near the salmon runs. You’ll likely see bald eagles, sea otters, moose, Dall sheep, caribou, and wolves while visiting Alaska.
Besides its natural beauty, many people think about Alaska’s rich cultural history of native tribes still thriving off the land. There’s also the Klondike Gold Rush history, the Iditarod dog sled races, the Northern Lights, and other things that come to mind when you think of this magnificent state.
How Many People Live In Alaska?
Although Alaska covers almost 572,000 square miles of land, few people call this place home. There’s more wildlife than humans living in the Last Frontier State. As of the 2020 U.S. Census, approximately 736,000 people live in Alaska. That’s about 1.25 people per square mile. Alaska ranks 48th in population and 50th in population density. Only Vermont and Wyoming have fewer residents.
What Are the Most Populous Cities In Alaska?
Most of Alaska’s residents live in just a few metropolitan areas. Anchorage is the most populous city, with over 291,000 people. Fairbanks is Alaska’s second most populous city, with about 32,500 residents. Juneau, the state capital, is third with 32,200 people. The largest city by size is Yakutat. It’s six times the size of Rhode Island but only has about 660 residents.
How Much Of Alaska Is Public Land?
More public land exists in Alaska than in any other state. Public lands make up 60-65% of the land area of Alaska. This includes national forests, national parks, wildlife refuges, military reservations, and more. The Bureau of Land Management manages approximately 70 million surface acres, more than any other state with BLM-managed lands.
How Much Of Alaska Is Wilderness?
Of Alaska’s 222 million acres of federal lands, about 57.5 million acres are designated wilderness. Another 16.5 million acres are proposed wilderness areas. About 95% of the National Park Service land in Alaska has some wilderness protection.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Forest Service manage more than 57 million acres of designated wilderness in Alaska. It’s no wonder that the Last Frontier State is home to so much wildlife that can roam freely!
The Last Frontier: Truly Unimaginable In Size
Alaska is home to breathtaking scenery, abundant wildlife, and native cultures. It’s a tourist’s paradise, a bucket list item for many Americans. But the number of people who visit this magnificent state outnumber those who live there. New York City, with 193,700 acres, has over ten times more residents than the entire state of Alaska.
But when you think about the size of Alaska, it truly is mind-boggling. Just how much is 665,000 square miles or 425 million acres? Enough for Texas, California, and Montana to squeeze inside with room to spare!
Have you ever thought about the grandeur of the Last Frontier State?
