The correct answer is Alaska.Alaska is by far the largest state in the United States by land area. It was purchased from the Russian Empire in 1867 and officially became the 49th state of the Union on January 3, 1959.
Massive Scale:
To understand just how large Alaska is, consider these geographic facts:
- Total Area: Approximately 1,723,337 square kilometers (665,384 square miles).
- Comparison: Alaska is more than twice the size of Texas, which is the second-largest state.
- Coastline: It has more coastline than all the other 49 U.S. states combined.
Unique Geography:
Despite its massive size, Alaska is the least densely populated state. It is home to:
- Denali: The highest mountain peak in North America.
- Glaciers: It contains an estimated 100,000 glaciers.
- Volcanoes: It is part of the "Ring of Fire" and has over 130 volcanoes.
Comparison of the Options:
- Alaska: The correct answer, accounting for nearly 18% of the total land area of the United States.
- New Jersey: One of the smallest states (ranked 47th), though it is the most densely populated.
- New York: Ranked 27th in size; while it is a global economic hub, it is significantly smaller than the Western states.
- Hawaii: The 43rd largest state; it is an archipelago and the only state located outside of North America.
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