In the Eskimo-Aleut language, Alaska means “The Great Land”. With about 20% of the total area of ​​the United States, Alaska is the largest state in the USA in terms of area. Alaska was once Russia’s only overseas colony, but it was very difficult to reach due to the Arctic Ocean. After the population of fur animals had dwindled and the native Indians were causing more and more difficulties for the Russians, Tsar Alexander II agreed to a contract with the USA in 1872, after which the country was sold to the United States of America for $7. 2 million. At 0. 0004 cents per square metre, this was the cheapest land purchase ever. Alaska was administered by the US Army, the Treasury Department and the Navy, among others. Before it was admitted to the USA on January 3, 1959 as the 49th state after an eventful history. With a gold rush, oil discoveries and the Exxon-Valdez tanker accident in 1989, Alaska made a name for itself. Check topschoolsoflaw.com for brief history of the state of Alaska.