Alaska State Maps
These maps show Alaska State's Counties (Boroughs and Census Areas), Cities, Federal Areas, Physiographic, and Ecoregions.

The Counties (Boroughs and Census Areas) of Alaska and Their Name Origins
Alaska's political divisions consist of boroughs and census areas rather than counties. The state's borough system is unique, with several "unorganized" areas falling directly under state jurisdiction. Alaska has 19 organized boroughs, functioning similarly to counties in other U.S. states, and 11 census areas that cover the unorganized boroughs. Some of these areas are named after natural features or historical figures, while others honor Native Alaskan culture and heritage.
- Anchorage Borough: Named for the city of Anchorage, Alaska's largest city and major economic hub.
- Juneau City and Borough: Named after gold prospector Joe Juneau, the borough includes Alaska's state capital.
- Fairbanks North Star Borough: Named for the city of Fairbanks, an important center for mining and education.
- North Slope Borough: Named for its location on Alaska's Arctic slope, this borough is known for oil production.
- Kodiak Island Borough: Named after Kodiak Island, the largest island in Alaska, known for its fishing and wildlife.
- Matanuska-Susitna Borough: Named after the Matanuska and Susitna rivers, this region is known for agriculture and outdoor recreation.
- Kenai Peninsula Borough: Named after the Kenai Peninsula, a region known for fishing, tourism, and natural beauty.
- Bethel Census Area: Named after the city of Bethel, the largest community in western Alaska and a hub for transportation and trade in the region.
- Nome Census Area: Named after the city of Nome, historically significant for the Gold Rush era and still important for its remote location and heritage.
- Southeast Fairbanks Census Area: This census area covers a large part of eastern Alaska, named for its proximity to Fairbanks, and is mostly rural.
- Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area: Named after the Yukon and Koyukuk rivers, this area is one of the most remote and largest census areas, known for its wilderness and small communities.
- Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area: Named after Prince of Wales Island and the community of Hyder, this region includes numerous islands and is known for its fishing industry and rich indigenous history.
- Haines Borough: Named after the city of Haines, this borough is a gateway to the interior and known for outdoor activities like hiking and fishing.
- Wrangell City and Borough: Named for the nearby Wrangell Mountains, the city is known for its logging, fishing, and scenic surroundings.
- Yakutat City and Borough: Named after the indigenous Yakutat people, this remote area is known for its wild landscapes and large tidewater glaciers.
- Petersburg Borough: Named for the town of Petersburg, which has strong ties to fishing and Norwegian heritage.
- Ketchikan Gateway Borough: Named after the city of Ketchikan, a historic fishing and logging town now known for its tourism and as a gateway to Alaska’s Inside Passage.
- Dillingham Census Area: Named after the city of Dillingham, an important center for the fishing industry in the Bristol Bay region.
- Lake and Peninsula Borough: Named for the numerous lakes and rivers in the region, including Lake Clark and Iliamna Lake, this borough is known for its remote wilderness and fishing.

Alaska State County Sizes Map
Smallest County in Alaska State
Skagway City Borough: 434 sq miles.
Largest County in Alaska State
Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area: 146,099 sq miles.
Mean and Median Area of Counties in Alaska State
Mean Area: Approximately 28,551 sq miles. Alaska's large land area and relatively few political subdivisions mean that the average size of its boroughs is much larger than in other states.
Median Area: 6,837 sq miles. The median size reflects the diversity in the sizes of the boroughs and census areas, with several extremely large areas and a few much smaller ones.

Major Cities of Alaska State and Their Locations
Alaska’s major cities are spread across its vast and rugged terrain, often located along coastlines or near natural resources. The largest city, Anchorage, is the state's economic center, while the capital, Juneau, is accessible only by air or sea. Fairbanks serves as a gateway to the state's interior, providing services to industries like mining, tourism, and the military.
- Anchorage: Located in south-central Alaska, Anchorage is the largest city and a hub for commerce, tourism, and air travel.
- Juneau: Alaska’s state capital, located in the southeast along the Gastineau Channel. Juneau is known for its scenic beauty and access to outdoor recreation.
- Fairbanks: Positioned in the interior, Fairbanks is an important center for education, military activity, and tourism, particularly as a northern lights viewing destination.


Topographic Tour of Alaska
Alaska’s topography is among the most diverse and dramatic in the United States, featuring everything from towering mountains to flat tundra and vast river systems. The Alaska Range, home to Denali, North America's highest peak, dominates the interior, while the Brooks Range stretches across the northern part of the state. Coastal areas feature fjords, glaciers, and temperate rainforests, particularly in the southeast.
- Alaska Range: A massive mountain range that includes Denali, the tallest mountain in North America.
- Brooks Range: An Arctic mountain range known for its rugged, remote terrain and wildlife, including caribou and grizzly bears.
- Coastal Regions: Featuring fjords, glaciers, and islands, Alaska's coastline is some of the most geologically active and scenic in the world.

Notable Federal Lands: Some of the Largest and Most Fascinating Destinations in Alaska
List of federal land locations in Alaska including Denali National Park, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, and more.

Ecoregions of Alaska
Ahklun Mountains Section
The Ahklun Mountains are located in the southwestern part of Alaska. This section is characterized by rugged terrain, glaciers, and alpine tundra. The climate is generally cold and wet, supporting a variety of wildlife such as bears, caribou, and migratory birds.
Alaska Mountains Section
The Alaska Mountains Section includes part of the Alaska Range, home to North America’s tallest peak, Denali. This section features glaciated peaks, deep valleys, and diverse wildlife. It has a colder climate due to its high elevation.
Alaska Peninsula Section
This section consists of volcanic landscapes and coastal areas along the Alaska Peninsula. The region supports unique ecosystems due to its combination of volcanic soils, coastal climate, and diverse wildlife, including brown bears and sea otters.
Aleutian Islands Section
The Aleutian Islands stretch westward from the Alaska Peninsula. These volcanic islands are known for their maritime climate, harsh winds, and diverse birdlife, including puffins and other seabirds. The islands are sparsely populated and provide important breeding grounds for marine wildlife.
Boundary Range Section
This ecoregion lies along the southeastern border of Alaska, where rugged mountains meet coastal rainforests. The area is heavily glaciated and receives a large amount of rainfall, creating a rich habitat for diverse flora and fauna.
Bristol Bay Lowlands Section
The Bristol Bay Lowlands consist of expansive wetlands and tundra surrounding Bristol Bay. This area is critical for salmon spawning and supports large populations of waterfowl, making it an important region for fisheries and wildlife conservation.
Chugach-St. Elias Mountains Section
The Chugach and St. Elias Mountains are a part of one of the world’s largest mountain ranges, with numerous glaciers and fjords. The coastal temperate rainforest thrives in the lower elevations, while higher elevations are home to glaciers and rugged peaks.
Coastal Plain Section
This section encompasses the Arctic Coastal Plain, characterized by flat tundra and permafrost. It is a sensitive environment with fragile ecosystems, supporting migratory birds, polar bears, and caribou.
Cook Inlet Lowlands Section
The Cook Inlet Lowlands are situated around the Cook Inlet, near Anchorage. This region has a milder climate compared to other parts of Alaska, with mixed forests and wetlands supporting agriculture, wildlife, and fisheries.
Cooper River Basin Section
The Copper River Basin is known for its braided river systems and surrounding mountains. It is an important region for salmon fisheries and provides habitat for a variety of wildlife, including moose and bears.
Foothills Section
The Foothills Section includes the lower elevations of the Brooks Range. It is characterized by rolling hills, tundra, and rivers, offering a transitional zone between the Arctic Coastal Plain and the higher mountains of the Brooks Range.
Kuskokwim Mountains Section
The Kuskokwim Mountains are located in western Alaska and consist of rolling hills and low mountains. The region supports wildlife such as moose and wolves and is sparsely populated.
Kotzebue Sound Lowlands Section
The Kotzebue Sound Lowlands consist of wetlands and tundra along the Kotzebue Sound. This area is known for its rich wildlife and importance to indigenous communities for subsistence activities like hunting and fishing.
Lynn Canal Section
This region lies along the Lynn Canal, one of the deepest fjords in North America. It is characterized by steep cliffs, glaciers, and rich marine ecosystems, providing habitat for whales and seabirds.
Mountains Section
This section includes various mountainous regions across Alaska, from the Brooks Range to the Chugach Mountains, characterized by alpine tundra, glaciers, and dense coniferous forests at lower elevations.
Northern Alexander Archipelago Section
The Northern Alexander Archipelago is made up of coastal islands in southeastern Alaska. This region has temperate rainforests and provides habitat for a wide range of wildlife, including bald eagles, brown bears, and Sitka deer.
Northern Gulf Section
This section encompasses the Gulf of Alaska’s coastal regions, where maritime influences create temperate rainforests. The area is a major fishing hub and supports rich biodiversity.
Nulato Hills Section
The Nulato Hills are a low, rolling mountain range in western Alaska. The region is known for its subarctic climate and supports species like caribou and wolves, with tundra and spruce forests covering much of the landscape.
Nushagak-Lime Hills Section
This section is a mixture of rugged mountains and low-lying tundra. It is part of the greater Bristol Bay region and is known for its fisheries and wildlife, including salmon and bears.
Seward Mountains Section
The Seward Mountains are located in the northwestern part of Alaska. This area is largely tundra and serves as important habitat for migratory birds and caribou.
Southern Alexander Archipelago Section
Similar to the Northern Archipelago, the Southern Alexander Archipelago features temperate rainforests and a coastal maritime climate. It is home to unique wildlife and plant species due to the isolation of its islands.
Upper Kobuk Valley Section
The Upper Kobuk Valley is a subarctic region with tundra and boreal forest ecosystems. The Kobuk River runs through the valley, providing habitat for fish, waterfowl, and other wildlife.
Upper Yukon Flats Section
This section includes the floodplains and wetlands of the Yukon River. The area is known for its biodiversity, including moose, migratory birds, and beavers.
Upper Yukon Highlands Section
The Upper Yukon Highlands consist of rugged hills and boreal forests. This region experiences extreme cold and supports species adapted to these harsh conditions, including wolves and lynx.
West Kodiak Island Section
West Kodiak Island is characterized by rugged terrain, with a mix of forests, tundra, and coastal environments. The island is home to the famous Kodiak brown bear and supports rich marine life, including salmon and halibut.
Wrangell Mountains Section
The Wrangell Mountains include some of Alaska’s highest and most glaciated peaks. This volcanic range offers dramatic landscapes, from glaciers to alpine meadows, and supports a range of wildlife, including Dall sheep and mountain goats.
Yukon-Koskokwim Bottoms Section
The Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta is a vast wetland and river delta in western Alaska. This region is critical for migratory birds and supports large populations of waterfowl, salmon, and other fish species.
Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Section
Similar to the Bottoms section, this area is a low-lying wetland region providing critical habitat for birds, fish, and other wildlife. It is sparsely populated, with local communities relying on fishing and subsistence hunting.