A TikTok video has gone viral after a woman expressed her shock at discovering that Alaska is not actually an island and can be reached by driving. The woman, Sabriena Abrre, made the revelation during a conversation with her Canadian boyfriend. In the video, Abrre acknowledged her mistake and asked viewers not to label her as a “stupid American”. She admitted that she had previously believed Alaska to be an isolated island due to its representation on US maps. Abrre also confessed that she had underestimated the size of Alaska and mistakenly thought that Texas was larger.
Alaska, the largest state in the US, shares a border with Canada’s westernmost province, British Columbia. This geographical proximity often leads to the misconception that Alaska is disconnected from the rest of the US. On many maps, Alaska is shown separately in a box at the bottom, further fueling the assumption that it is not part of the same land mass. Abrre attributed her confusion to this misleading representation and called for a revision of the curriculum to address such misconceptions.
The TikTok video has garnered over 819,000 views, with many Canadian viewers expressing their surprise at Abrre’s revelation. Several American viewers also admitted to making the same mistake. One comment from Haley Hopkins demonstrated the impact of the video, as she realized for the first time that Alaska is not an island and expressed her embarrassment. A self-proclaimed teacher also chimed in, stating that they had encountered this misconception among adults and took it upon themselves to clarify the matter with their students.
Misconceptions about Alaska are not uncommon, as the state’s portrayal in popular culture often exaggerates its extreme conditions. TV shows like “Ice Road Truckers” and “The Deadliest Catch” contribute to the belief that Alaska is always freezing cold, covered in snow, and populated by polar bears. However, the reality is quite different, with summer temperatures reaching up to 70 degrees Fahrenheit and polar bears being predominantly found along the state’s arctic coastlines.
While Abrre’s TikTok video shed light on a common misunderstanding about Alaska, it also highlighted the importance of accurate education and representation.
