About Alaska

Although Alaska's statehood is relatively brief, the state's history is long and colorful.
Alaska Natives, who make up 15 percent of the state's population, maintain many traditions, such as whaling, subsistence hunting and fishing, and old ways of making crafts and art. Native heritage history and culture can be found in such diverse places as Ketchikan, Anchorage and Kotzebue, as well as in hundreds of villages where people live in traditional ways.

But while Native culture, as a whole, may define much of Alaska's appearance, the state contains a broad mixture of cultures.

Anchorage, the state's biggest city, has many Alaska influences but is also sometimes called Los Anchorage for its Lower 48-style architecture and mannerisms. Most residents of Alaska were born outside the state, and when they came to Alaska they brought their own traditions and desires.

There are European influences as well. Petersburg, in the Inside Passage, has a strong Scandinavian heritage. Cordova and Valdez bear names bestowed by a Spanish explorer; Cook Inlet is named for a British explorer; Russians left a legacy of the Orthodox Church in much of the state.

How big is Alaska?

Alaska covers 570,373 square miles of land, plus an additional 45,000 square miles of water. According to the 2000 census, Alaska’s population is 626,932 people.

It's the biggest state in the country. Alaska is 2.3 times the size of Texas, 10 times the size of Georgia or Florida; and 500 times the size of frequent comparison victim Rhode Island. Alaska covers 20 percent of the total U.S. area.

What language do Alaskans speak?

Almost all Alaska residents speak English, but there are many languages here. For example, there are 21 Native languages spoken around the state.
Perched on the top of the Pacific Rim, Alaska also has a strong international flavor. In Anchorage, the school district reported that its student body speaks a total of 83 languages.

What's the summer weather like in Alaska?

The Southcentral climate (Anchorage, Seward, Homer, and the surrounding area) boasts relatively mild summers (highs near 70).

In late spring and early summer (close to the solstice in mid-June), the days are the longest. Early summer has less rain than late summer and fall.

Why Are We There?

Hunger in Anchorage, Alaska

• 9% of the Anchorage population lives at or below the poverty level; 11.5% of the population isn’t sure where the next meal will come from according to USDA statistics
• The food distribution system currently meets the food needs of 12,578 hungry Anchorage residents.
• 10,821 more people will still be left not being sure when they will next eat.
• The charitable food system in Anchorage must supply 5,475,600 pounds of food to completely meet the need.
• FBA and partners expect to distribute 2,943,294 pounds of food in Anchorage.
• 2,532,306 additional pounds are needed.
• To combat the hunger need in Anchorage, the cost is $8,213,400