Alaska is the largest state in the United States of America, with an area of 9,717,412 square miles (24,606,000 square kilometers). It is the 49th largest and the least populous of the 50 United States. The state’s largest city is Anchorage, with a population of 269,939. Alaska is bordered by Canada to the east and south, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west.
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Alaska Surface Area
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area, with a total land surface area of 663,268 square miles. It is nearly twice the size of Texas and is bigger than the combined land area of the 22 smallest states. Alaska is bordered to the west by the Bering Sea, to the east by the Arctic Ocean, to the north by the Chukchi and Beaufort seas, and to the south by the Gulf of Alaska. Its coastline is nearly 33,000 miles long, which is greater than the combined coastline of all other U.S. states and territories. Alaska also has over 3 million lakes and 3,000 rivers, making it the most water-rich state in the nation.
Detailed breakdown of Alaska’s land and water area size
Alaska is the largest state in the United States, measuring approximately 663,268 square miles in land and water area size. To put this into perspective, Alaska is roughly one-fifth the size of the entire contiguous United States. What’s more, Alaska is over twice as big as Texas, the second-largest state in the country.
Breaking down the state’s surface area further, Alaska is composed of 570,641 square miles of land and 92,627 square miles of water. This means that of the total 663,268 square miles of surface area, 87.3% is land, and 12.7% is water. This ratio is much different than the rest of the United States, where water makes up about 30.1% of the total surface area.
The vast majority of Alaska’s surface area is made up of mainland Alaska. This mainland region accounts for 541,420 square miles of land, or 94.2% of all the land in the state. The remaining 29,221 square miles of land are made up of hundreds of islands, the most famous of which is the Aleutian Islands chain.
Alaska also contains thousands of small lakes and ponds, as well as larger bodies of water like the Beaufort Sea, Bering Sea, and the Gulf of Alaska. The largest of these bodies of water is the Bering Sea, which covers an area of over 500,000 square miles. It is estimated that Alaska has over 3 million lakes that range in size from one acre to more than 200,000 acres.
Overall, Alaska is a vast state with a large surface area that is significant in comparison to the rest of the United States. With its multitude of lakes, ponds, islands, and mainland areas, Alaska is a wonderland of natural beauty and an outdoor enthusiast’s dream.
Comparison of Alaska’s land and water area size to the other states in the US
When it comes to size, Alaska is in a class of its own. It is the largest state in the United States, with more land and water area than all the other states combined. In fact, Alaska’s land and water area is more than double that of the second-largest state, Texas.
At 663,300 square miles, Alaska is the largest state in the United States by far. It has more land area than all the other states combined, with 586,412 square miles of land and 76,887 square miles of water. This is over twice the size of the second-largest state, Texas, which has 268,581 square miles of land and 8,798 square miles of water.
Alaska’s immense size is due to its geography. It is home to many large mountain ranges, including the Brooks Range, the Wrangell Mountains and the Alaska Range, with the highest peak in the United States, Mount McKinley, standing at 20,320 feet. Alaska also features numerous large rivers, lakes and glaciers. The largest lake in the United States, Lake Iliamna, is located in Alaska.
In comparison to the other states, Alaska’s land and water area size is truly remarkable. The other states combined have a total area of 3,531,905 square miles, with 3,119,090 square miles of land and 412,815 square miles of water. Alaska’s land and water area is almost 20% of the total land and water area of all the states combined.
Alaska’s size is a testament to its rugged beauty and natural splendor. With vast stretches of untouched wilderness, towering mountains, and crystal clear lakes and rivers, it is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. It is a place that must be seen to be believed.
Description of the features of Alaska that contribute to its expansive surface area
Alaska, the largest state in the United States, is renowned for its expansive surface area. Spanning 663,267 square miles, Alaska is home to many diverse geographic features that contribute to its impressive size. From its rugged snow-capped mountain ranges to its breathtaking coastal forests and plains, Alaska’s landscape is as varied and captivating as it is vast.
One of the primary features of Alaska that contribute to its expansive surface area is its mountain ranges. Alaska is home to the rugged and snow-capped Alaska Range, Aleutian Range, and Chugach Mountains, among others. These mountain ranges, and the glaciers that accompany them, stretch for hundreds of miles, creating a stunning backdrop for the state’s stunning landscapes.
Another feature of Alaska that contributes to its expansive surface area is its vast coastal forests and plains. The coastal forests of Alaska are home to a variety of native species, including Sitka spruce, western hemlock, and red alder. These forests are dotted with numerous inlets, bays, and estuaries, and are often blanketed with fog or rain. The coastal plains of Alaska are also home to many species, including bald eagles and moose, and provide habitat for a variety of migratory birds.
In addition to its mountain ranges and coastal forests and plains, Alaska also boasts an impressive network of rivers and lakes. Alaska’s rivers, including the Yukon and Kuskokwim, provide a crucial source of transportation and water to the state’s inhabitants. Alaska’s numerous lakes, including Lake Clark and Lake Iliamna, provide a unique setting for fishing, hunting, and other outdoor activities.
Lastly, Alaska’s expansive glaciers add to its surface area. The glaciers of Alaska are home to a variety of wildlife species, including beluga whales and seals. The glaciers of Alaska also provide an important source of freshwater to many of the state’s inhabitants.
All of these features of Alaska contribute to its impressive surface area and make it one of the most unique and captivating states in the United States. From its rugged mountain ranges to its expansive coastal forests and plains, and its vast network of rivers and lakes, Alaska is a destination unlike any other.
Conclusion
The Alaska surface area is immense, encompassing an area of 663,268 square miles. This makes Alaska the largest state in the United States, larger even than Texas. Despite this, the population of Alaska is relatively small, with only 731,545 people according to the 2018 US Census Bureau. The vastness of Alaska is a testament to its untouched beauty, with vast forests, snow-capped mountains, and stunning beaches. It is a place of great natural beauty, with a variety of wildlife and diverse ecosystems. Alaska’s surface area is an important part of what makes it such a unique and beautiful place, and its size is a reminder of the wonders of nature.
