1. Geographical Spread:
- Alaska's northernmost point, Point Barrow, is located at approximately 71 degrees north latitude, while the southernmost point in the lower 48 states, Key West, Florida, is at around 24 degrees north latitude. This means that Alaska extends much farther north than any part of the lower 48 states.
- Alaska's westernmost point, Cape Wrangell, is located at approximately 168 degrees west longitude, while the easternmost point in the lower 48 states, Eastport, Maine, is at around 67 degrees west longitude. Therefore, Alaska is considerably farther west than any location within the lower 48 states.
2. Size Comparison:
- Alaska's total land area is approximately 665,384 square miles (1,723,337 square kilometers), making it the largest state in the United States.
- The lower 48 states combined have a land area of about 3,082,144 square miles (7,983,332 square kilometers).
- Superimposing Alaska over the lower 48 states shows that Alaska is roughly twice the size of Texas, which is the second largest state in the US.
3. Distant Locations:
- Some notable cities and landmarks that would fit within superimposed Alaska include:
- New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C would all fit within the boundaries of Alaska.
- The entire length of the Mississippi River would be covered, stretching from Minnesota to Louisiana.
- Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Tetons, and most of the western national parks would also be within Alaska's superimposed area.
4. Climate Differences:
- Alaska has a much colder climate compared to most parts of the lower 48 states due to its high latitude and proximity to the Arctic.
- The Aleutian Islands, located south of Alaska's mainland, are known for their stormy and unpredictable weather conditions.
Remember, this comparison is based on geography and size, and doesn't take into account other factors such as population distribution, infrastructure, and cultural differences between Alaska and the lower 48 states.
