ALASKA 

“North to the Future” 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Haley Trinh 
Mr. Pham’s Class, C7 
April 18, 2018 
   
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
State Introduction 2 
 
State History 3 
 
State Facts 4 
 
State Geography 5 
 
State Economy 6 
 
Famous People 7 
 
Closing 9 
 
Bibliography 10 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
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STATE INTRODUCTION 
 
Hello, my name is Haley and the state I have chosen is Alaska. Alaska is the 

largest state in the United States and it has a cold climate. Alaska is surrounded by 

Canada and it’s located in the northwest extremity of North America. Its two 

nicknames are “The Last Frontier” and “Land of the Midnight Sun”, Alaska got its 

nickname “The Last Frontier” because of its opportunities and many lightly settled 

regions. “The Land of the Midnight Sun” got its nickname because the sun shines 

nearly around the clock during Alaskan summers. 

 
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STATE HISTORY 
 
Alaska was added to the union as the 49th state on January 3, 1959. In 1741, 

the Russian Discovery of Alaska caused European settlers to travel to this 

unforgiving climate. The 19th century brought many explorers and traders to 

Alaska, explorers came from many different countries 

like Russia, the United States, and England. Later in 1867, 

Russia sold Alaska to the United States for $7.2 million, a 

sale known as “Seward’s Folly”. In 1880, there was a major 

gold rush near Juneau which caused a stampede of 

prospectors and settlers.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
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STATE FACTS 
 

● The area of Alaska is 663,300 square miles 

● Alaska’s capital is Juneau and it is surrounded by Canada and located in 

the northwest extremity of North America 

● Alaska’s current population has over 738,068 people 

● Alaska’s top 2 universities are the University of Alaska Fairbanks and 

the University of Alaska Anchorage 

● Alaska is known as the largest state in the United States and for their 

cold weather 

● One of Alaska’s tourist attractions is Anchorage Museum and Art. You 

can see artifacts and art from ancient to modern. Another is Denali 

National Park which has the highest mountain peak in all of North 

America, you can learn about Alaska’s culture and to visit 

animal species of moose, bear, and more. There are many 

more tourist attractions. 

   
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STATE GEOGRAPHY 
 
Alaska forms on the top rim of the famous “Ring of Fire”, making it known for 

their active earthquakes. Alaska is home to a polar region in the far north and a 

rainforest in the far south. In between are most of the biggest mountains of North 

America. It also has more rivers, more lakes, and more wild animals. Alaska’s major 

river is the Yukon River, it lies from Alaska to British Columbia and it was used as 

transportation during the Klondike Gold Rush. Yukon River is the fourth largest 

river in North America. A major lake in Alaska is Lake Iliamna located in southwest 

Alaska. The largest lake in Alaska, it is the third largest lake in the United States. 

Alaska’s climate in the summer can reach up to 90 degrees fahrenheit. While in the 

winter, the temperature can fall below 50 degrees. Northern Alaska is the coldest 

region in all of Alaska and southeast Alaska is the warmest region. 

   
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STATE ECONOMY 
 
Alaska’s natural resources include dairy, fish, forestry, fur, greenhouse 

products, hay, potatoes, reindeer, platinum, shrimp, and vegetables. Cabbage, 

carrots, beef, pork, and nursery items are Alaska’s agricultural products. Their main 

manufactured good are seafood, mainly salmon, cod, pollock, and crab. More 

manufactured goods include nursery stock, dairy products, vegetables, and 

livestock. 

 
   
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FAMOUS PEOPLE 
 
 
Jewel 
 
Jewel Kilcher was born on May 23, 1974 in Payson, Utah and 

was raised in Homer, Alaska. At age 15, at a dance studio, she was 

referred by the studio instructor to Interlochen Arts Academy. She 

is now known as a famous singer-songwriter, musician, producer, 

actress, author, and poet. Some of her songs are “Who Will Save 

Your Soul”, “You Were Meant for Me”, and “Foolish Games”. Jewel wrote a book 

“Never Broken” based on her life and challenges. She is currently 43 years old and is 

living in Payson, Utah. 

 
 
 
Curt Schilling 
 
Curtis Montague Schilling was born on November 14, 1966 in Anchorage, 

Alaska. He is a former Major League Baseball right hand 

pitcher, a former video game developer, and a former 

baseball color analyst. Schilling helped lead the 

Philadelphia Phillies to the World Series in 1993 and won 

championships with the Arizona Diamondbacks with 

Boston Red Sox. After his retirement in baseball, he found 

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Green Monster Studios which eventually got laid off due to bankruptcy. He is 

currently 51 years old. 

 
 
 
Archie Van Winkle 
 
Archie Van Winkle was born on May 22, 1925 in Juneau, Alaska. He was a 

great athlete as a child and he was to study physical education, but he left to join 

the Marine Corps Reserve. Van Winkle was a United States Marine who received 

the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Korean War. In the Korean War, 

Archie was shot in the chest by a hand grenade and he refused to be evacuated. He 

continued to shout orders and encouragement to his men while lying on the 

ground. He was awarded the Medal of Honor due to his leadership skills. Van 

Winkle died and he was remembered as a great hero and Alaska’s only Medal of 

Honor Recipient.  

 
 
   
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CLOSING 
 
I like Alaska for their cold climate and scenic views. Their cold climate is way 

cooler than California summers and their views are stunning with glaciers and 

mountains. Alaska also stands out because it is the only state with northern lights 

and I think it’s very colorful and pretty. I would like to go to Alaska someday to visit 

the northern lights and hike. I probably would go to the universities in Alaska 

because some of them are famous like the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the 

University of Alaska Anchorage. An interesting thing I learned about my state is that 

Alaska is the largest state in the United States. Another is that Denali mountain in 

Alaska is the highest mountain peak in all of North America. 

 
 

   
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BIBLIOGRAPHY 
 
1. http://www.teachersfirst.com/share/states/ 
2. https://www.history.com/topics/us-states/alaskahttps://www.history.com/topics/us 
3. www.google.com 
4. https://www.wikipedia.org/ 
5. http://www.alaskakids.org/index.cfm/Know-Alaska