Alaska Physical Map

Alaska is known for its rugged and diverse physical features, covering over 663,000 square miles and making it the largest U.S. state. Its landscape includes the Alaska Range, home to Denali, North America's tallest peak at 20,310 feet. Alaska also contains vast river systems like the Yukon and extensive coastlines of over 6,600 miles along the Arctic and Pacific Oceans. The state’s numerous glaciers, such as the Mendenhall Glacier, cover around 29,000 square miles, contributing to Alaska's distinct and dynamic environment.

About Alaska Physical Map

Explore physical map of Alaska state of United States showing geographical / physical features with rivers, landforms, mountains, plateau, peaks, lakes, etc.

Geography Facts About Alaska

Fact	Details
Total Area	663,267 square miles, making Alaska the largest U.S. state by area, accounting for about 17% of the total U.S. land area
Coastline Length	6,640 miles, the longest coastline of any U.S. state, bordering the Arctic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and the Bering Sea
Highest Point	Denali, at 20,310 feet, is the tallest peak in North America and is located in the Alaska Range
Lowest Point	Sea level along the Pacific Ocean and Arctic Ocean coastlines
Largest Lake	Lake Iliamna, covering approximately 1,012 square miles, is the largest lake in Alaska
Longest River	The Yukon River, spanning 1,980 miles, flows from Canada through Alaska and into the Bering Sea
Number of Glaciers	Over 100,000 glaciers, covering about 29,000 square miles of Alaska
Climate Zones	Varied climate zones, including maritime (southeastern Alaska), polar (northern Alaska), and continental (interior Alaska)
Volcanoes	Approximately 130 active volcanoes, primarily located in the Aleutian Islands and along the Alaska Peninsula
National Parks	Alaska has 8 national parks, including Denali, Glacier Bay, and Kenai Fjords, covering a total area of over 54 million acres
Population	Approximately 733,391 residents as of 2020, making it one of the least densely populated states in the U.S.
Major Natural Resources	Oil, natural gas, coal, minerals, fish, and timber; the Prudhoe Bay Oil Field is one of the largest oil fields in North America
Time Zones	Two main time zones: Alaska Time Zone (UTC-9) and Hawaii-Aleutian Time Zone (UTC-10)
Notable Wildlife	Grizzly bears, caribou, bald eagles, wolves, moose, and marine life including whales, seals, and sea otters

Alaska Geography

Alaska is the largest U.S. state by area, covering over 663,000 square miles. Located in the northwestern corner of North America, it is bordered by Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the south and west. Alaska’s unique geographic position gives it diverse climates, ecosystems, and physical features, making it one of the most geographically varied states in the U.S.

Mountain Ranges

The Alaska Range

The Alaska Range is home to Denali, North America's highest peak at 20,310 feet. This range stretches about 600 miles across south-central Alaska, forming a rugged landscape that includes glaciers, steep peaks, and valleys. The range experiences extreme conditions, with subzero temperatures and frequent snowfall, contributing to its extensive glacial coverage.

Brooks Range

The Brooks Range runs across northern Alaska, extending over 700 miles from west to east. This mountain range forms part of the Arctic ecosystem and supports a variety of wildlife, including caribou and Arctic foxes. It separates Alaska’s Arctic coastal plain from the interior regions and is crucial to the state’s ecosystem.

Rivers and Lakes

Yukon River

The Yukon River is Alaska’s longest river, flowing for approximately 1,980 miles from Canada through Alaska before emptying into the Bering Sea. It plays a significant role in Alaskan ecosystems and provides essential transportation routes for remote communities.

Kuskokwim River

The Kuskokwim River, spanning around 702 miles, is the second-longest river in the state. Flowing southwest into the Bering Sea, it serves as an essential resource for indigenous communities, supporting subsistence fishing and transportation.

Major Lakes

Alaska has over 3 million lakes, with Lake Iliamna being the largest at around 1,012 square miles. These lakes are vital to Alaska’s freshwater supply, biodiversity, and recreational activities. Many of these lakes, including Lake Clark, are glacially fed, contributing to their cool, clear waters.

Coastlines and Islands

Alaska's Coastline

Alaska has the longest coastline of any U.S. state, stretching over 6,600 miles. This coastline borders the Arctic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, and the Bering Sea, contributing to Alaska’s maritime climate and abundant marine ecosystems. The Gulf of Alaska, part of the Pacific Ocean, is known for its rich fisheries and rugged coastal landscapes.

Notable Islands

Alaska’s islands include the Alexander Archipelago, located in southeastern Alaska, and the Aleutian Islands, which stretch toward Russia. These islands play significant roles in Alaska's cultural history and biodiversity. The Aleutians are volcanic, with several active volcanoes, while the Alexander Archipelago supports temperate rainforests and rich marine life.

Glaciers and Icefields

Glaciers

Alaska is home to over 100,000 glaciers, covering around 29,000 square miles. Major glaciers include the Mendenhall Glacier, near Juneau, and the Columbia Glacier, in Prince William Sound. These glaciers are both scenic attractions and important sources of freshwater, although many have receded in recent decades due to warming temperatures.

Icefields

The Harding Icefield in the Kenai Mountains is one of Alaska’s largest icefields, spanning over 700 square miles. Icefields feed glaciers that flow down into valleys, shaping the landscape and influencing local ecosystems. They are vital indicators of climate change, with many showing signs of retreat.

Climate Zones

Alaska’s vast size and geographical diversity result in a variety of climate zones, from maritime to polar.

Maritime Climate

The southern and southeastern parts of Alaska, including areas along the Gulf of Alaska, experience a maritime climate. This zone has moderate temperatures and high precipitation, especially in the temperate rainforests of the Alexander Archipelago.

Arctic Climate

The northernmost part of Alaska, along the Arctic Ocean, has a polar climate characterized by extremely cold temperatures, particularly in winter. This region includes permafrost and tundra ecosystems, which are adapted to long winters and short, cool summers.

Interior Climate

The central part of Alaska has an interior climate, with cold winters and warm summers. This area sees extreme temperature variations, with summer highs reaching up to 90°F and winter lows dropping below -50°F. The interior climate supports boreal forests, home to moose, bears, and other wildlife.

Flora and Fauna

Forests

Alaska has extensive forests, with the largest being the boreal forest or taiga, which covers much of the interior. The Tongass National Forest in the southeast is the largest temperate rainforest in the U.S., spanning 16.7 million acres and supporting diverse species, including Sitka spruce and hemlock trees.

Wildlife

Alaska is known for its rich biodiversity, hosting species such as grizzly bears, caribou, bald eagles, and wolves. The state’s waters are home to a variety of marine animals, including whales, sea otters, and seals, particularly in areas like the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea.

Geological Features

Volcanoes

Alaska contains around 130 active volcanoes, many of which are located in the Aleutian Islands. The state experiences frequent volcanic activity, with eruptions that shape the landscape and create unique geological formations.

Earthquakes

Located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, Alaska is one of the most seismically active regions in the world. It experiences thousands of earthquakes annually, with some reaching significant magnitudes. The 1964 Good Friday Earthquake, with a magnitude of 9.2, was the second-largest earthquake ever recorded globally.

List of Major Rivers in Alaska

River	Length (Miles)	Average Discharge (cubic feet per second)	Notable Fish Species	Communities Served	Additional Notes
Yukon River	1,980	225,000	Pacific salmon, northern pike, grayling, sheefish	Eagle, Circle, Tanana, Galena, Emmonak	One of North America's longest rivers, flowing from Canada to the Bering Sea
Kuskokwim River	702	67,000	Chinook, chum, sockeye, and coho salmon	McGrath, Bethel, Aniak, Napaskiak	Second longest river in Alaska, crucial for transportation and subsistence fishing
Copper River	290	55,000	Sockeye, king, and coho salmon	Cordova, Glennallen	Known for its high-quality Copper River salmon, a major source of commercial fishing
Noatak River	425	N/A	Arctic grayling, Dolly Varden	Noatak, Kotzebue	One of North America's longest undammed rivers, located in the Noatak National Preserve
Tanana River	584	41,000	Northern pike, burbot, grayling	Fairbanks, Tanana, Nenana	Flows into the Yukon River; popular for subsistence and recreational fishing
Susitna River	313	11,000	King, sockeye, pink, and chum salmon	Talkeetna, Anchorage (near mouth)	Famous for scenic views, fishing, and rafting; significant for tourism
Colville River	350	10,000	Arctic char, burbot	Umiat, Nuiqsut	Important for the North Slope region, supporting Arctic wildlife
Chena River	100	N/A	Arctic grayling, northern pike	Fairbanks	Flows through Fairbanks; popular for recreational activities and fishing
Kenai River	82	5,400	King, sockeye, silver, and pink salmon	Kenai, Soldotna	Known for exceptional salmon fishing; attracts numerous tourists annually
Kobuk River	280	N/A	Sheefish, chum salmon, northern pike	Kobuk, Kotzebue	Flows through Kobuk Valley National Park; remains undammed, supporting rich fish habitat

List of Major Mountains in Alaska

Mountain	Elevation (Feet)	Location	Mountain Range	Notable Features
Denali	20,310	South-Central Alaska	Alaska Range	Highest peak in North America; popular for mountaineering
Mount Foraker	17,400	South-Central Alaska	Alaska Range	Second highest peak in the Alaska Range; known as "Sultana"
Mount Saint Elias	18,008	Southeast Alaska (near Canada)	Saint Elias Mountains	Second highest peak in both the U.S. and Canada; highly glaciated
Mount Hunter	14,573	South-Central Alaska	Alaska Range	Known for challenging climbing routes and rugged terrain
Mount Iliamna	10,016	Southwest Alaska	Chigmit Mountains	Active stratovolcano; part of the Aleutian volcanic arc
Mount Redoubt	10,197	Southwest Alaska	Chigmit Mountains	Active volcano; erupted multiple times in recent history
Mount Spurr	11,070	Southwest Alaska	Tordrillo Mountains	Active stratovolcano with significant eruptions recorded
Mount Bona	16,550	Eastern Alaska	Saint Elias Mountains	One of the highest volcanoes in the United States; heavily glaciated
Mount Fairweather	15,325	Southeast Alaska	Saint Elias Mountains	Known for extreme weather; lies on the Alaska-Canada border
Mount Hayes	13,832	Eastern Alaska	Alaska Range	Noted for its rugged peaks and isolated location