Who Is Sarah Palin?

Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images

So, what do we really know about Sarah Palin?

Well, first off, her middle name is Heath.

She's originally from Idaho.

Her family moved to Alaska when she was a child.

She studied journalism at the University of Idaho.

Other things you should know:

Palin, 44, will be the first woman nominated to the ticket by the Republican Party, and is a surprise choice after McCain considered more experienced politicians, including several of his former rivals for the GOP nomination.

Until two years ago she was mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, population 6,715.

She is a favorite of conservatives, who say she brings a reform-minded agenda and is what one called a "feminist for life.'' She is the mother of five; her youngest child, born in April, has Down syndrome.

Palin had been mentioned before as a dark-horse candidate for the pick, but speculation in recent days had focused on McCain's primary rival Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, and on Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

From AARP Bulletin Today staff, wire reports