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Alaska is a state in the United States of America, located in the extreme northwest portion of the North American continent. Alaska is the largest U.S. state in terms of area (by a substantial margin), along with being one of the wealthiest and most racially diverse.
The area that became Alaska was purchased from Russian interests on October 18, 1867, with the territory becoming the 49th state of the U.S. on January 3, 1959. The name "Alaska" is derived from the Aleut Alaskax, alternately spelled Alyeska, meaning "Land that is not an island."
President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Alaska Statehood Act into United States law on 7 July 1958, which paved the way for Alaska's admission into the Union on January 3, 1959. Juneau, the territorial capital, continued as state capital, and William A. Egan was sworn in as the first governor.
There are more than a dozen colleges and universities in Alaska. Accredited universities in Alaska include the University of Alaska Anchorage, University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Alaska Southeast, Sheldon Jackson College and Alaska Pacific University. 43% of the population attends or attended college.
There are many established music festivals in Alaska, including the Alaska Folk Festival, the Fairbanks Winter Music Fest the Anchorage Folk Festival, the Athabascan Old-Time Fiddling Festival, and the Sitka Summer Music Festival. The most prominent symphony in Alaska is the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra, though the Juneau Symphony is also notable. The Anchorage Opera is currently the state's only professional opera company, though there are several volunteer and semi-professional organizations in the state as well.
The official state song of Alaska is "Alaska's Flag", which was adopted in 1955; it celebrates the flag of Alaska.
