Thus, I intend to educate the residents of New Jersey about Alaska. These facts about Alaska are in response to the most common questions that I have been asked by the people of New Jersey.
1. Alaska IS a state. It became the 49th state of the United States of America in 1959. (That's right - Alaska's almost 50!)
2. Alaska is NOT an island. It is NOT located under California. Alaska is located on the top left corner of North America, and is connected to the left side of Canada. To be completely accurate, though, Alaska does consist of many small islands in addition to the mainland.
3. There ARE black people in Alaska. This is one of the most frequent questions I am asked. Alaska, in fact, is a very diverse state. Anchorage, the largest city in Alaska, is one of the most diverse cities in America. There are African-Americans, Hawaiians, Filipinos, Somoans, Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Africans, Chinese, Koreans, Japanese, Indians (from India), Alaska Natives and pretty much any other ethnicity that you can think of. I graduated from East Anchorage High School, where whites were the minority. There were 25% white and 75% "minorities."
4. YES, it is COLD in Alaska. Duh.
5. NO, people don't live in IGLOOS in Alaska. It is true that the Alaska Native peoples lived in Igloos many years ago, yet it is VERY rare for an Alaskan to currently live in an Igloo. To be completely factual, it is a common survival technique among hikers and ice climbers to build Igloos in an emergency situation.
6. Alaska IS bigger than Texas. In fact, Texas is roughy 1/3 the size of Alaska. Also, Alaska is 1/5 the size of the Lower 48, as Alaskans call the Continental US.
7. There ARE Eskimos in Alaska. Yet that is one of MANY Native Alaskan tribes that still live in villages in Alaska.
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