Alaska adopted the flag for official state use in 1959. The blue field represents the sky, the sea, and mountain lakes, as well as Alaska's wildflowers. Emblazoned on the flag are eight gold stars: seven in the constellation Ursa Major, or the Big Dipper. The eighth being the North Star, representing the northern most state

Population, 2006 estimate 670,053, White persons 70.5%, Black persons 3.7%, American Indian and Alaska Native persons 16.0%, Asian persons 4.6%, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander .06%, Persons reporting two or more races 4.7%, Persons of Hispanic or Latino origin 5.1%.