Alaska is by far the largest U.S. state by area, comprising more total area than the next three largest states Texas, California, and Montana combined. William H. Seward, the 24th United States Secretary of State, negotiated the Alaska Purchase (also known as Seward's Folly) with the Russians in 1867 for $7.2 million. Alaska was officially proclaimed a state on January 3, 1959. So go North to Alaska, go north, the rush is on, in this 24"x 30" 1000 piece puzzle.