Alaska is still a massive state
Everyone knows that Alaska is massive. At 663,300 square miles, Alaska is by far the largest state in the United States, nearly two and a half times as large as Texas. But when you look at most two dimensional maps, Alaska actually looks much larger than that. In the case of many map projections, Alaska appears to be more than half the size of the lower 48 states, when in reality the continental US is 4.7 times as large. This is because most map projections, like the Mercator projection used by Google maps, sacrifice an accurate representation of size in order to better-preserve shape and presentation. These size distortions become more pronounced as you move towards the poles, meaning bodies like Alaska and Greenland are portrayed as much larger than they really are in comparison to land nearer to the equator. In order to get around these distortions and give you a better idea of Alaska’s true size, we used special mapping software that allowed us to move an outline of Alaska around a 2D map, adjusting the size and shape of the outline to compensate for the distortions. We think you may be surprised by Alaska’s true size.
As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of cartography and geography, I can confidently affirm the intricacies involved in portraying accurate representations of landmass on maps. My expertise extends to the flaws inherent in widely used projections, such as the Mercator projection employed by Google Maps, which distorts the true size of geographical features.
The evidence supporting my assertions lies in the fundamental principles of map projections. The Mercator projection, developed by Gerardus Mercator in the 16th century, is a cylindrical map projection that preserves angles and shapes but significantly distorts sizes, especially as you move towards the poles. This distortion is a well-documented aspect of cartography, and its effects on perceptions of landmass size are exemplified by the discrepancies in how Alaska is portrayed on two-dimensional maps.
Alaska's vastness is a well-established fact, encompassing 663,300 square miles, making it the largest state in the United States. To put it into perspective, Alaska is almost two and a half times larger than Texas. However, the visual representation of Alaska on common two-dimensional maps can be misleading. The article accurately points out that Alaska appears to be more than half the size of the contiguous 48 states on many map projections, despite the continental U.S. being 4.7 times larger.
To mitigate these size distortions and provide a more accurate depiction, the article mentions the use of special mapping software. This software allows for the adjustment of the size and shape of Alaska's outline on a 2D map, compensating for the distortions inherent in certain projections. This approach aligns with the principles of cartographic techniques that prioritize an accurate representation of size over shape.
In conclusion, the article sheds light on the nuanced world of map projections, exposing how common representations can skew our perceptions of geographical realities. Alaska's true size, when depicted accurately using specialized mapping tools, challenges the visual distortions perpetuated by conventional projections and underscores the importance of considering different cartographic techniques for a more faithful representation of our world.
FAQs
At 663,268 square miles (1,717,856 km2) in total area, Alaska is by far the largest state in the United States. Alaska is more than twice the size of the second-largest U.S. state (Texas), and it is larger than the next three largest states (Texas, California, and Montana) combined.
What is Alaska's size ranking? ›
What's the largest U.S. state by area?
| U.S. state | total square miles | total square km |
|---|
| Source: U.S. Census Bureau website. |
| 1. Alaska | 665,384 | 1,723,337 |
| 2. Texas | 268,596 | 695,662 |
| 3. California | 163,695 | 423,967 |
47 more rowsMar 7, 2024
Alaska contains 586,000 square miles of land. It is one-fifth the size of the lower 48 states, 488 times larger than Rhode Island, two and a half times larger than Texas, and larger than the next three largest states in the U.S. combined.
What is Alaska twice the size of? ›
Alaska Is Big!
You could fit Texas into Alaska 2 times! One-fifth the size of the Lower 48, Alaska is bigger than Texas, California, and Montana combined! Alaska is also far-flung: 3.1 times wider (east to west) and 1.9 times taller (north to south) than Texas.
Who is bigger Alaska or Texas? ›
Here are the states from largest to smallest, based on square miles of land: Alaska: 586,000 square miles. Texas: 261,232 square miles. California: 155,959 square miles.
Is Alaska bigger than California? ›
Alaska Is Big!
You could fit California into Alaska 4 times! One-fifth the size of the Lower 48, Alaska is bigger than Texas, California, and Montana combined! Alaska is also far-flung: 4.3 times wider (east to west) and 2.1 times taller (north to south) than California.
Is Alaska as big as Mexico? ›
Alaska has an area of 663,300 mi², while Mexico has an area of 761,600 mi².
Is Alaska as big as Ukraine? ›
Alaska is twice as big. The Ukraine is actually a bit smaller than the second largest US state, Texas. This is not to say that the Ukraine is a small country in terms of land mass.
Is Alaska bigger than US? ›
But when you look at most two dimensional maps, Alaska actually looks much larger than that. In the case of many map projections, Alaska appears to be more than half the size of the lower 48 states, when in reality the continental US is 4.7 times as large.
How big is Alaska vs Texas? ›
Texas is 268,597 square miles in area. Alaska is 663,300 square miles. That's 2.46 times the size of Texas or, with rounding, 2 1/2 times the size of Texas. Alaska is huge but much of it is uninhabited.
Rhode Island is the smallest state in size in the United States. It covers an area of 1,214 square miles. Its distances North to South are 48 miles and East to West 37 miles. Rhode Island was the last of the original thirteen colonies to become a state.
How big is the US without Alaska? ›
Together, the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia occupy a combined area of 3,119,884.69 square miles (8,080,464.3 km²).
Is California or Texas bigger? ›
Texas (Total area: 268,596 square miles) California (Total area: 163,696 square miles) Montana (Total area: 147,040 square miles)
Which is bigger Alaska or Nigeria? ›
Nigeria is about half the size of Alaska in area. Alaska has an area of 1,717,856 square kilometers/663,268 square miles. Nigeria has an area of 923,768 sq km/356,669 sq mi. Nigeria has a lot more people 185,989,640 as compared to Alaska at 741,849 and most of them live in the Anchorage area.
What is the least populated state? ›
Wyoming is ranked the lowest in the population, with only 576,851 residents. In terms of total area, Wyoming stands at number 40, with an area of 97,813 square miles.
What state is closest in size to Alaska? ›
Its land area is approximately that of Maine and is made up of several large islands and literally thousands of smaller ones, as well as a thin strip of rugged mainland bordering Canada. Juneau, the capital of Alaska, is found in Southeast and has a population of approximately 30,000.
How many US states can fit in Alaska? ›
In total, a maximum of 19 other states can fit inside the state of Alaska.
How many Texas fit in Alaska? ›
Texas is 268,597 square miles in area. Alaska is 663,300 square miles. That's 2.46 times the size of Texas or, with rounding, 2 1/2 times the size of Texas.
What country is Alaska the same size as? ›
The “country of Alaska” would fall between Nigeria and Venezuela in size. The three biggest states after Alaska are Texas, California, and Montana.
