Some interesting facts about Alaska...

As I have been looking forward to my upcoming trip, here is some information about the state.  I found most of this information at the state website for Alaska.  (http://www.alaska.gov/kids/)

State Name:  "Alaska" is derived from the Aleut word "Alyeska," meaning "great land."

State Nick Name:  "The Last Frontier"

State Motto:  "North to the Future" - This motto was chosen in 1967 during the Alaska Purchase Centennial and was created by Juneau newsman Richard Peter. The motto is meant to represent Alaska as a land of promise.

State Capital:  Juneau, located in the southeast region of Alaska, has a population of 30,684.  

State Flag:  

The blue field is for the sky and the forget-me-not, the state flower. The North Star is for the future of the state of Alaska, the most northerly of the Union. The dipper is for the Great Bear, symbolizing strength.

State Flower:  The forget-me-not, which grows well throughout Alaska, is the State flower.  

Common Misconceptions About Alaska

Bad Weather:  During the summer, average daytime temperatures throughout the state range from the 60s to the 90s.

Bad Road Conditions:  Almost the entire length of the Alaska Highway is asphalt-surfaced, and approximately half of the roads in the state’s highway system are paved.

Secretary of State William H. Seward arranged for the United States to purchase Alaska from Russia in 1867 for 7.2 million dollars, or 2 cents per acre. Check out this link from the National Archives, it shows the actual cancelled check for the purchase!
http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=41  

Favorite Sport:  Dog Mushing is the state sport. It was once a primary form of transportation in many areas of Alaska. 7:34 AM  TODAY!  3/8/2013 Sunrise in Anchorage, AK  (the time is from today...but the photo is not!) State Land Animal: Moose

State Insect: The four spot skimmer dragonfly

State Marine Mammal:  Bowhead Whale  size comparison to the whole USA