Alaska ? Nearly every Alaskan will soon receive a check for $1,654, their share of the state’s oil riches, Gov. Sarah Palin announced Wednesday.

The dividend checks are derived from the state’s oil royalty investment program and distributed each year to eligible residents – just for living here for a full calendar year.

Slightly more than 600,000 men, women and children in 248 communities will receive the dividend this year, according to the Revenue Department. The state’s estimated population is just over 670,000 people.

Anyone who has lived in Alaska for a full calendar year can apply for the money – including children. Of those receiving checks this year, about 41 percent – or 244,695 of the state’s residents – were born in Alaska.