On March 30, 1867, America bought Alaska from the Russian Empire for 2 cents an acre. Russia at first tried to create a bidding war between Canada and the United States for the land, but when interest proved to be negligible, they made a deal with America worth about $7.2 million for land that now produces $32 billion annually from petroleum extraction. Russia’s “seller’s remorse” over the deal is said to have increased the level of bitterness between the two rival super powers during the cold war of the 20th Century.
The Alaskan economy is powered largely by the aforementioned petroleum extraction, which results in Alaska’s having the 7th highest per-capita GSP at $43,748. Alaska is an exporter of seafood including salmon, cod and crab, and derives revenues from federal subsidies as well as from the presence of military bases in Fairbanks and Anchorage. The state’s agricultural production includes dairy, vegetables and livestock, though these products are consumed primarily within Alaska.
Roads
Interstate A-1: This interstate encompasses several Alaskan highways including the Glenn Highway, the Richardson Highway, the Tok Cut-Off, and the Alaska Highway between Tok and the Canadian border.
Interstate A-2: A-2 consists of the combined lengths of portions of the Alaska Highway between Tok and Delta Junction and the section of the Richardson Highway that spans Delta Junction to Fairbanks.
Interstate A-3: The section of the Seward Highway from Anchorage to Tern Lake and the Sterling Highway from Tern Lake to Soldotna comprises the Alaskan Interstate A-3.
Interstate A-4: A-4, or the Parks Highway, runs from Palmer to Fairbanks.