How Big Is Alaska? Defying Expectations in America’s Largest Frontier

Spanning over 665,000 square miles, Alaska stretches across more land than any U.S. state except Texas—yet its vastness often defies public imagination. With dimensions that rival entire countries, this northern territory occupies a place in both geography and myth unlike any other.

At 660,000 square miles, Alaska accounts for roughly 17% of the total area of the entire United States, a staggering proportion that underscores its role as the country’s continental anchor and global frontier. But how exactly does Alaska’s size compare—both in sheer miles and meaningful terms?

Size Overview: Alaska’s Massive Footprint Across Continents

Alaska’s landmass exceeds that of many sovereign nations.

National Geographic confirms it spans 575,000 square miles over land and ice, with coastal waters adding nearly 90,000 square miles to its effective influence. To grasp its scale: - Alaska is larger than枢纽 European countries such as Germany (83,000 sq mi), France (643,000 sq mi globally, but mainland France at 550,000 sq mi is dwarfed), and even the United Kingdom’s combined land area of 94,000 sq mi. - Its area surpasses the combined size of 17 U.S.

states, including California (163,696 sq mi), Montana (147,040 sq mi), and Texas (268,596 sq mi) together—though tepidly. - Geographically, Alaska spans latitudes from 131°W to 168°W and longitudes from 130°E to 170°W, stretching over 1,700 miles from east to west. In U.S.

measurements, Alaska covers 1.5 times the land area of Texas, the nation’s second-largest state.

Physical Dimensions: A State of Contrasting Extremes

Alaska’s geography is defined by extremes of terrain. Its longest north-south reach extends about 1,800 miles, while east-west spans roughly 1,400 miles.

The Alaska Range, home to Denali—the highest peak in North America at 20,310 feet—dominates the south-central region, cutting a dramatic spine through the landscape. Climate and topography influence its enormous footprint: - Coastal rainforests in the Petersburg and Juneau areas receive over 100 inches of rain annually. - Interior boreal forests and vast tundra dominate the “DNA” of interior Alaska.

- Glacial fields, including the 6,000-square-mile Malaspina Glacier, carve deep into the land. - Over 3 million lakes fill the landscape, more than any other state, contributing to its hydrological complexity. This ecological diversity, spread across immense space, shapes both human settlement patterns and economic activity.

Alaska’s Status as the “Greatest State” by Area

Alaska holds the distinction of being the largest U.S. state by area, a fact supported by official records and geographic consensus. Yet its classification invites nuance: unlike Texas or California, which benefit from dense urban corridors and population centers, Alaska’s settlements are sparse, with less than 730,000 residents scattered across its vastness.

The population density—just 1.3 people per square mile—is among the lowest in the world. This emptiness defines Alaska’s identity: - Routes through the state often traverse miles without a house within tens of miles. - Transportation relies heavily on air travel and seasonal ice roads.

- Economic activities, from oil extraction in Prudhoe Bay to commercial fishing and mining, are concentrated in isolated hubs. This paradox—immense land but minimal population—