TEN TRIVIAL FACTS ABOUT ALASKA
- There is more than three million lakes in Alaska.
- In America Alaska is also called the 'Lower 48'.
- Dog mushing is the official state sport. The Alaska Legislature adopted it in 1972.
- Alaska's name is based on the Eskimo word Alakshak meaning great lands or peninsula.
- Three groups of natives lived in Alaska: Eskimos, Aleuts, and Indians.
- Aurora Borealis [northern lights] can be seen an average of 243 days a year in FairBanks. The northern lights are produced by charged electrons and protons striking the earth's upper atmosphere.
- Alaska has 29 volcanoes.
- Giant vegetables are common in Alaska due to the extremely long days in summer which account for a record cabbage weighing in at 94 pounds.
- In general, two supspecies of Brown Bear are recognized in Alaska, the coastal brown bear and the inland grizzly. Depending on the availability of food, adult 'Brownies' can range between 350lbs and 1,500lbs.
- To dispel a myth, porcupines don’t actually throw their quills, although when they shake their tails the quills easily come loose. The quills are prized by Alaskan Natives for jewelry and decoration on clothing.
