Alaska is the largest state of the United States by area; it is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait. The rising sea waters have displaced more than half of its residents and forced the state government to relocate to Fairbanks. Due to disatisfaction with the federal government's response to the Deluge, the Alaskan Independence Party has gained control of the state government. Some analysts feel it is only a matter of time before the state will hold a referendum on whether to remain in the United States.