Alaskan

Alaskan is an English demonym and adjective referring to Alaska, a U.S. state located in the far northwest of North America. As a noun, an Alaskan is a resident or native of Alaska. The term is used to describe people, places, and things associated with the state, such as Alaskan culture, Alaskan wildlife, or Alaskan politics.

The name Alaska derives from the Aleut word Alyeska, meaning “great land.” The English demonym Alaskan developed from Alaska’s name and is used in both formal and informal contexts.

Alaska covers about 663,000 square miles (1.72 million square kilometers), making it the largest U.S. state by area. It lies separated from the contiguous United States and spans diverse environments—from Arctic tundra to temperate rainforests—plus extensive coastlines and numerous islands. The state has a small population relative to its size, with urban centers such as Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau and many Indigenous communities.

Alaska’s economy relies on fishing, oil and gas, tourism, and government services. The state has a rich Indigenous heritage with languages and cultures including Inupiaq, Yupik, Athabaskan, and Aleut peoples. The region has a long history of Russian contact, sale to the United States in 1867, and ongoing Arctic exploration. In everyday usage, Alaskan can also describe products, media, or brands tied to Alaska.