Final answer:
Alaska has one representative in the House because of its low population density. The House has 435 seats, which are assigned based on population. Alaska's large land area does not influence the number of representatives.
Step-by-step explanation:
The number of representatives in the House for each state is determined by the state's population, not its land area. Since Alaska has a low population, it is allotted only one representative. This is because the House of Representatives has a fixed number of 435 seats, which are apportioned among the states based on population, with each state getting at least one representative. States with lower populations, such as Alaska, Delaware, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming, do not have enough people to warrant more than one seat.
Considering a congressional district consists of approximately 700,000 citizens, regions with smaller populations would not fill multiple districts. The Apportionment Act of 1911 capped the number of representatives at 435 to avoid an excessively large and unwieldy Congress. Thus, Alaska's vast land size is irrelevant; it is the population that dictates the number of representatives.
Therefore, the final answer in a two-line explanation: Alaska has only one representative in the House due to its low population density, not its large land area. Representation is based on population figures, and Alaska's does not justify additional seats under the current apportionment system.