How Big is Alaska? Mind Blowing dimensions and Comparisons

Alaska is the largest state of the United States, yet these dimensions seem mostly unnoticed by all. It is easy for many people to underestimate its sheer scale, assuming that it’s slightly larger than Texas or California. The truth? it is way bigger than Texas or California.

This guide shows you Alaska’s measurements like never before and all from showing states and country sizes to overlaying them for potential comparison with its land area.

Understanding Alaska

Alaska covers nearly one fifth of the entire U.S. landmass, making it by far the largest state in the country. It is so vast that you could fit Texas, California, and Montana inside it and still have room to spare. To grasp just how large it is, let us break it down by measurements:

• Total Land Area: 663,267 square miles
• Water Area: 94,743 square miles
• Total Area: 737,390 square miles (land + water)
• Alaska’s Length: 1,420 miles (north to south)
• Alaska’s Width: 2,261 miles (east to west)

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Alaska Compared to the United States

To put it in the proper perspective, here is an account of how many times different states could fit into the 663,267 square miles of land area in Alaska:

• It is 2.47 times the size of Texas, the second largest state.
• It is 4.05 times larger than California in terms of land area.
• It is roughly the size of the 22 smallest U.S. states combined.

State	Land Area (sq mi)	How Many Fit Inside Alaska?
Texas	268,596	2.47 times
California	163,696	4.05 times
Montana	147,040	4.5 times
New York	54,556	12.16 times
Florida	65,758	10.08 times

It is a state that feels more like a country, with its vast wilderness and unmatched scale. No other state even comes close to matching Alaska’s sheer size. If placed over a to scale U.S. map, Alaska would stretch from Georgia to California.

Alaska as a country

If Alaska were independent, it would not just be a large state, it would be one of the largest nations on Earth. In fact, it would rank among the top 20 biggest countries by land area.
Here is how Alaska compares to major countries and regions around the world:

Country/Region	Land Area (sq mi)	Bigger or Smaller than Alaska?
France	248,573	Smaller
Germany	137,988	Much smaller
Japan	145,925	Smaller
United Kingdom	93,628	Much smaller
Spain	195,364	Smaller
Ukraine	233,062	Smaller
South Africa	471,445	Smaller
Greenland	836,330	Larger

That is right, it is larger than France, Germany, and Spain combined. In fact, its sheer land area outmatches many of the world’s most influential countries, making it a true geographic giant.

How Alaska Compares to Major Cities

Alaska’s land area is so vast that many of the world’s biggest cities would fit inside it multiple times, sometimes thousands of times over. Even the most sprawling urban centers barely compare to the sheer size of this massive state.

Here is how some of the largest cities stack up:

City	Land Area (sq mi)	How Many Fit Inside Alaska?
New York City	302.6 sq mi	2,193 times
Los Angeles	503 sq mi	1,320 times
Tokyo	845 sq mi	785 times

To put this into perspective, you could fit New York City into Alaska thousands of times and still have room left for multiple countries. Even entire nations with vast urban centers look minuscule next to Alaska:

Nation	Land Area (sq mi)	How Many Fit Inside Alaska?
South Korea	38,691 sq mi	14.7 times
Portugal	35,603 sq mi	16 times

Alaska’s land area is so overwhelming that most cities, even those with millions of residents would be nothing more than a small dot on its massive landscape. It is a state that could easily swallow entire countries and still have endless wilderness left untouched.

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Geographic Comparisons

Below are the following comparisons of Alaska’s vast size in relation to U.S. regions, continents, and famous landmarks.

Alaska vs. U.S. Regions

Alaska’s land area does not just dwarf individual states but it surpasses entire regions of the United States as well. To put it in perspective:

• It is larger than the entire U.S. Southeast, which includes states like Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina.
• It is more than 3.6 times the size of the entire Northeast, including states like New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.

Alaska vs. Continents

Alaska’s land area is so immense that it compares to entire continents and regions. Here is how it stacks up:

• Alaska is 25% the size of Australia, which is the world’s sixth largest continent.
• It is more than twice the size of the entire Scandinavian Peninsula, which includes countries like Norway, Sweden, and Finland.

These comparisons show how it is truly a global giant in terms of geographic scale.

Alaska vs. Famous Landmarks

In front of it, even the most famous landmarks in the world would seem tiny in comparison. Here is how some well known landmarks measure up:

• The Grand Canyon (1,904 sq mi) could fit 387 times inside Alaska.
• The Great Wall of China, stretching over 13,000 miles, could nearly stretch across Alaska six times.

The Grand Canyon is one of the most iconic natural landmarks on Earth, it’s dwarfed by the sheer size of Alaska’s wilderness. Similarly, even the Great Wall of China, a marvel of human engineering, pales in comparison to the vast stretches of land that make up Alaska.

Natural Wonders

Below are the following natural wonders and geographical features that showcase Alaska’s immense scale.

Largest National Parks of U.S.

Alaska is not just large in land area; it’s also home to some of the largest national parks in the entire United States. In fact, Alaska is home to 7 of the 10 largest national parks in the U.S.

National Park	Size (sq mi)	Located in Alaska?
Wrangell-St. Elias	13,175	Yes
Gates of the Arctic	8,472	Yes
Denali	7,408	Yes
Yellowstone	3,468	No

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Alaska’s Coastline

Alaska’s coastline is another testament to its immense size. With a staggering 33,904 miles, it is the longest coastline of any state in the U.S.

In fact, Alaska’s coastline is so vast that it outstrips the combined total of the coastline for the rest of the United States, which stands at 31,122 miles. This means that Alaska alone has more coastline than all other U.S. states combined.

Biggest Lakes in Alaska

It has some of the largest lakes in the United States, many of which are larger than the biggest cities. Here is a look at some of the largest lakes in the state:

• Iliamna Lake (1,012 sq mi): It is almost the size of Los Angeles (503 sq mi) and New York City (302.6 sq mi) combined.
• Becharof Lake (453 sq mi): It is bigger than the New York City.

Iliamna Lake alone is larger than two major U.S. cities, making it a remarkable natural feature in this already expansive state.

Surprising Facts About Alaska

Alaska, where everything from time zones to natural wonders seems to stretch beyond the ordinary. Here are some surprising facts that highlight the scale of this remarkable state:

• Alaska has its own time zone, Alaska Standard Time (AKST, UTC -9). During daylight saving time, it follows Alaska Daylight Time (AKDT, UTC -8).
• Alaska has over 3 million lakes, but only about 3,197 have official names.
• More than 27,000 glaciers cover around 29,000 square miles, about 5% of the state’s land area.
• Denali, the tallest mountain in North America(Alaska), stands at 20,310 feet (6,190 meters).

Alaska’s size is not just about land area, it is a state of extremes. It continually pushes the boundaries of scale and natural beauty.

Alaska’s Size in Daily Life

Alaska’s massive size affects everyday life in unique ways, especially when it comes to travel and connectivity. Its travel times can often surprise people. Here is a look at how Alaska’s size influences travel:

By Car:

• Anchorage to Fairbanks: It takes approximately 6.5 hours (360 miles) along the scenic Parks Highway (AK-3).
• Anchorage to Juneau? Not possible by car. Juneau has no road connection to the rest of Alaska. Travelers must fly or take a ferry.
• Driving across Alaska? Roads do not reach many remote areas. For example, Utqiaġvik (Barrow) is only accessible by plane or boat.

Driving across Alaska can be difficult due to the limited road access. Many remote areas are inaccessible by car.

By Air:

Flying is often the most efficient way to travel between cities, especially when road connections are sparse or nonexistent. Here are some surprising travel times that show just how large the state really is:

• Juneau to Fairbanks: It takes about 2 to 2.5 hours by plane (1,110 miles), longer than a flight from New York to Chicago.
• Anchorage to Utqiaġvik (Barrow): It takes about 2 hours by plane, driving is not even an option.

Alaska’s size means flying is often faster than driving. Many places, including the capital city, Juneau, are not connected by road.

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Historical Growth & Expansion

Below are key milestones in Alaska’s historical growth and expansion, which shaped its current status as a vital state in the U.S.

The U.S. Purchase of Alaska (1867)

In 1867, the United States purchased Alaska from Russia for just $7.2 million (about 2 cents per acre). At the time, many criticized the deal, calling it “Seward’s Folly”, after Secretary of State William H. Seward, who negotiated the purchase. People thought Alaska was a barren and worthless land.

However, the discovery of gold, oil, and other valuable resources in the coming decades turned Alaska into a major asset for the United States, proving that the purchase was anything but folly.

Statehood (1959)

Alaska officially became the 49th state of the United States on January 3, 1959, marking a significant moment in its history. The discovery of oil at Prudhoe Bay in the 1960s played a crucial role in Alaska’s economic growth.

The oil discovery sparked an economic boom, bringing jobs, wealth, and infrastructure to Alaska. Prudhoe Bay, one of North America’s largest oil fields, and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, continue to play a key role in its economy, shaping the state’s modern development.

Conclusion

Alaska’s vast size and scale are truly mind blowing. From its vast territory to its unmatchable natural marvels, this state stands out as an exception to the rest of the U.S. landscape, dwarfing most of the countries and cities worldwide.

With its coastline, national parks, and comparisons to other monuments around the world, the scale of the state makes it almost remarkable. In all these ways, Alaska is truly one of the most extraordinary places on Earth.

FAQs About Alaska

1. What is the state flower of Alaska?
The state flower of Alaska is the forget-me-not, which symbolizes the state’s resilience and beauty despite its harsh climate.

2. What are some of Alaska’s most famous wildlife species?
Alaska is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including grizzly bears, moose, bald eagles, and the iconic Alaskan salmon.

3. Does Alaska have any active volcanoes?
Yes, Alaska is home to more than 130 active volcanoes, the most of any state in the U.S. Many of these volcanoes are part of the Pacific “Ring of Fire.”

quiz about alaska

1. What is the total land area of Alaska?
a) 663,267 square miles
b) 737,390 square miles
c) 500,000 square miles
d) 1,000,000 square miles

2. How many times could Alaska fit inside Texas?
a) 1.5 times
b) 2.47 times
c) 4 times
d) 10 times

3. Which country has a larger land area than Alaska?
a) France
b) Canada
c) Germany
d) Japan

4. What is the state flower of Alaska?
a) Rose
b) Violet
c) Forget-me-not
d) Daisy

5. How many national parks in Alaska are among the 10 largest in the U.S.?
a) 3
b) 7
c) 5
d) 10

Answers:

1. a) 663,267 square miles
2. b) 2.47 times
3. b) Canada
4. c) Forget-me-not
5. b) 7

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