By Yereth Rosen

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Reuters) - Sarah Palin, Republican John McCain's surprise choice for vice president, has a distinctively Alaskan pedigree that served her well in an improbable rise from small town mayor to one of the most beloved governors in the state's history.

In 21 months as governor, Palin has spoken out against corruption in her own party, battled the state's major oil producers and convinced the legislature to give a $1,200 "energy rebate" to nearly every Alaskan. Her approval rating in the state stands at 80 percent.

Alaska's first women governor and the state's youngest chief executive, the 44-year-old Palin gained statewide fame as a whistle-blower calling attention to ethical violations of high-ranking Republican officials, including the chairman of the state Republican Party.

She was elected governor in 2006 after trouncing incumbent Gov. Frank Murkowski in the Republican primary and defeating two-time Democratic Gov. Tony Knowles in the general election.

A self-described "hockey mom" with five children, Palin is a former "Miss Wasilla" who was elected the town's mayor at age 32. Her experience in Wasilla -- a fast-growing bedroom community of nearly 10,000 people outside Anchorage -- was seen by skeptics as insufficient to qualify her to be governor.

"She has an extraordinary talent when it comes to communicating personally with people. It's as simple as that," said Ivan Moore, an Anchorage-based pollster and political consultant who usually works for Democrats. "That obviously propelled her into the governor's mansion in Alaska."

'AMERICA'S HOTTEST GOVERNOR'

Palin's Alaskan background helps her connect with her constituency. She has also been dubbed America's "hottest governor" by both the satirical Web site Wonkette and the more staid Alaska Magazine.