What is the largest state in the United States?

Why This Matters

Alaska is the largest state in the United States by a very wide margin. It covers about 665,000 square miles, making it more than twice the size of Texas, which is the second-largest state. Alaska is so big that if you placed it on top of the lower 48 states, it would stretch from the East Coast to the West Coast. Understanding this basic geographic fact shows you know about the physical makeup of the country.

Alaska became the 49th state on January 3, 1959, just months before Hawaii became the 50th state. Before statehood, Alaska was a U.S. territory that had been purchased from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million, a deal that was mocked at the time as "Seward's Folly," named after Secretary of State William Seward who arranged the purchase. Today, that decision is seen as one of the smartest land deals in American history.

Despite its enormous size, Alaska has one of the smallest populations of any state, with fewer than 750,000 residents. The state is known for its dramatic landscapes, including glaciers, mountains, forests, and coastline. It is also rich in natural resources like oil, fish, and timber. Alaska's size and unique character make it an important and memorable part of American geography.

Key Facts

• Alaska is about 665,000 square miles, more than twice the size of Texas
• It became the 49th state in 1959
• The U.S. purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million
• Alaska has the smallest population density of any state
• Mount Denali in Alaska is the tallest mountain in North America at 20,310 feet

Common Mistakes

• Saying Texas is the largest state, Texas is the largest state in the lower 48, but Alaska is much bigger
• Confusing Alaska's status, it is a full state, not a territory
• Thinking Alaska is close to the other states, it is separated from the lower 48 by Canada

Study Tip

This is a simple, one-word answer: Alaska. To help it stick, remember that Alaska starts with "A" just like "the A-number-one biggest state." Or picture a map, Alaska is always shown in a separate box because it is so far away and so large it does not fit neatly with the rest.