ALASKA is a state within North America that borders the Canadian province of British Columbia.
The territory was granted statehood in January 1959, and now many want to know who owned it prior to this time.
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Alaska became a state in 1959 Credit: Getty Was Alaska part of Russia?
Alaska contains over 580,000 square miles of land and is known as the largest state within the United States.
According to The Library of Congress, before the United States, Alaska was owned by Russia, but on March 30, 1867, they reached an agreement to purchase Alaska from Russia for $7.2million.
The deal, called the Alaska Purchase, was made between Secretary of State William Seward and Russian Minister to the United States Edouard de Stoeckl.
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The land was reportedly sold because the country was afraid it would be easily captured during battle, and they needed the money after losing the Crimean War.
Despite being purchased in 1867, the land was not recognized as a state until 1959, the same year that Hawaii was made the 50th state.
Does Russia want Alaska back?
In March 2022, Russian officials asked the United States to return Alaska to them, among other areas.
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However, lawmakers have since stated that their request will be denied.
Russian parliament member Oleg Matveychev made the request during an appearance on Sunday Evening with Vladimir Solovyov, adding that Fort Ross, which was built by the Russian-American Fur Company in 1812, and Antarctica should be returned as well.
“The harm these sanctions caused us cost money. Return of possessions, including possessions of the Russian Empire, Soviet Union and even parts of Russia that are now occupied by the United States,” Matveychev said, according to the Anchorage Daily News.
“...We actually discovered it, so it rightfully belongs to us.”
Following Matveychev's remarks, a number of politicians took to social media where they shot down his request.
“That will never, ever, ever happen!” Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski wrote on Twitter.
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy added: “Good luck with that! Not if we have something to say about it. We have hundreds of thousands of armed Alaskans and military members that will see it differently."
The request comes after heavy sanctions that have hurt their economy were imposed on Russia, following President Vladimir Putin's decision to invade Ukraine in February 2022.
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After Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Russian citizens asked for Alaska to be returned Credit: EPA How many people live in Alaska?
Alaska may be one of the biggest states in the US, but in terms of population, it is one of the lowest.
The US Census Bureau estimates that as of July 2021, the state has a population of 732,633, while smaller states such as Texas reportedly have a population of over 29million.
Smaller places such as New York City, which only measures 300 square meters, also have a larger population.
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As of April 1, 2020, NYC was estimated to have a population of almost 9million.
Over the years, more and more people have left the state due to their high unemployment rate, Juneau Empire reports.
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