Alaska...
Alaska was the 49th state to enter the Union in 1867 and is nicknamed the “Last Frontier.” The U.S. bought Alaska from Russia for $7 million. The capital of Alaska is Juneau and the pale-blue-forget-me-not is the state flower. Alaska is not part of the mainland but is actually a peninsula, the largest in the Western hemisphere, to the west of Canada. Alaska also has the largest land area in the United States. North America’s largest peak can be found in the Alaska Range at Mt. McKinley and at 20,320 feet it is a favorite among mountain climbers that like a challenge.

The name Alaska comes from the Aleut word "Alyeska" which means "great land" and a great land it is indeed. Alaska is very popular for its many outdoor activities such as hiking on and off trails, skiing, boating, hunting, and fishing. Touring national parks is a great sightseeing activity for visitors. Alaska has nine national parks, the most popular being Glacier Bay National park, Kenai Fjords National Park, and Kobuk Valley national Park.