The United States of America, known for its vast and diverse landscape, covers a large part of North America. However, the inclusion of Alaska, the nation’s largest state, dramatically increased its total size. To understand the scale of the US without this large state, it is necessary to look at the figures that define the continental United States.
Continental United States without Alaska
Alaska, often referred to as “The Last Frontier,” has an impressive 663,268 square miles, representing approximately 17% of the total land area of the United States. If we exclude Alaska from the equation, we are left with an area of approximately 3,119,885 square miles. This calculation clearly emphasizes the great size of Alaska and its contribution to the total area of the country.
Implications of losing Alaska
Without Alaska, the United States would rank fourth in the world in terms of land, after Russia, Canada and China. The contiguous United States, also known as the “Lower 48 States,” continues to have a wide range of climates and topographies, from arid deserts in the southwest to dense forests in the northeast.
Frequently asked questions:
Q: What is the total area of the United States in Alaska?
A: The total area of the United States, including Alaska, is approximately 3,796,742 square miles.
Q: How does Alaska compare to the rest of the United States?
A: Alaska represents approximately 17% of the total land area of the United States.
Q: What are the “Lower 48 States”?
“Lower 48 States” refers to the contiguous United States, excluding Alaska and Hawaii.
