The USA is a member state consisting of 50 partially sovereign individual states. The first states of the United States were created in 1776 from what were then thirteen colonies. Over time, through westward expansion, the Louisiana Purchase, and other historical events, more and more states were added to the United States until the current number was reached.
The individual states make up the territory of the USA, with the powers of the individual states and the state as a whole being strictly separated. Each state has its own political system with its own constitution and directly elected governor, as well as its own judiciary, administration, and legislature, which are structured like the US government as a whole. In addition, the individual states each have their own police force. In terms of their rights and obligations, the federal states of the United States of America are therefore more comparable to the member states of the European Union than to the German federal states.
Landscape structure and states of the USA
In addition to being divided along its defined borders, as can be seen on maps of the USA, the mainland of the USA can also be divided according to landscape.
The United States can be divided into nine major regions or landscapes: Northeast, Midwest/Great Lakes Region, Southeast, Rocky Mountains, Great Plains, Southwest, Pacific Coast, Alaska, and Hawaii.
The individual states are assigned to the corresponding areas on USATipps.de: Mid-Atlantic, Midwest</span>. You can also find the individual states there. West Coast and Southwest, Southern States, New England, Mountain States,
The founding states of the United States of America
On July 4, 1776, the day of the Declaration of Independence, the 13 American colonies that had previously been under the control of England declared their independence and established the United States of America as a federal state in the northeast. The Constitution came into effect later than the Declaration of Independence. It was not until 1789—13 years after the Declaration of Independence—that the constitution came into effect.
Rhode Island was the last founding state among the states to ratify the Constitution in 1790. In 1791, the state of Vermont was divided into an area between New York, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts over which there was no agreement.
Note: On the US flag, the founding states and the federal states as a whole are depicted in symbolic form. The thirteen stripes on the flag represent the founding states, and the fifty stars on the flag represent all current states.
The addition of additional states and expansion towards the west
As a result, the area of the USA expanded from the northeast further and further west, and over the years more and more people and more and more states were added to the American mainland. The first new states were Kentucky (1792), Tennessee (1796), Ohio (1803), Louisiana (1812), and Massachusetts, which was formed in 1820 in northeastern Maine (1819). Alabama (1818), Illinois (1817), Mississippi (1816), and Indiana joined in 1821.
Arkansas (1836) and Michigan (1837) were subsequently admitted as states in 1845 < /span> (1861) to the confederation of states on the American continent. Kansas (1859) and OregonMinnesota (California) followed in 1850. Finally, the state of California. Wisconsin in 1848, Iowa in 1848, and Texas and Florida in 1846.
Northern States vs. Southern States
This was followed by the American Civil War (1861–1865), which divided the United States for some time. After Abraham Lincoln (Republican) was elected President of the USA in 1861, eleven southern states left the Union and founded their own, the “Confederate States of America.”. Republic because the people living there opposed the proposed abolition of slavery, which was common practice in the southern states. The result was the American Civil War, which ultimately ended in 1865 with the surrender of the southern states and the return of the breakaway states to the Union.
Abraham Lincoln abolished slavery. During the Civil War, the states of Virginia (1863) and Nevada (1864).
After the American Civil War to the present
Numerous other states in the West followed between 1867 and 1890. These included Nebraska (1867), Colorado (1876), Montana (1889), North Dakota (1889), South Dakota (1889), and Washington, which were the last states to become members of the Union in the New World in 1959. Hawaii and Alaska (1912) followed. New Mexico (1912), Arizona (1907), and Oklahoma were incorporated in 1896. Utah (1890). Wyoming (1890) and Idaho (1889),
Tip: The individual borders of the states can be easily seen on a corresponding map of North America. Dealing with the individual states, abbreviations, landscapes, cities, and sights is excellent preparation for any geography quiz. A table makes it easier to learn abbreviations and other data.
The individual states of the USA in detail
Below, you will find an overview and essential data about the individual states.
Alabama (AL)
- Area: 135,765 km²
- Populations: 5,024,279
- Capital of Alabama: Montgomery
- Nickname of Alabama: The Heart of Dixie, The Yellowhammer State, The Cotton State
- Highlights: Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site, Alabama Civil Rights Trail, Gulf State Park, Russell Cave National Monument, Birmingham Museum of Art, Gaines, andines, the city of Montgomery
Alaska (AK)
- Area: 1,717,854 km²
- Populations: 733,391
- Capital of Alaska: Juneau
- The largest city in Alaska: Anchorage (approx. 290,000 inhabitants)
- Nickname of Alaska: Last Frontier
- Highlights: Denali National Park, the city of Anchorage, Top of the World Highway in Alaska, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, McCarthRd, Anchor Point, Kenai Fjords National Park, Gates of the Arctic National Park, Glacier Bay National Park, Katmai National Park, Kobuk Valley National Park, Lake Clark National Park
Arizona (AZ)
- Area: 295,254 km²
- Number of inhabitants: 7,151,502
- Capital of Arizona: Phoenix (approx. 1.6 million inhabitants)
- The largest city in Arizona is Phoenix
- Nickname of Arizona: Grand Canyon State
- Highlights: Wave (Coyote Buttes), White Pocket, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Grand Canyon, Route 66, Monument Valley
Arkansas (AR)
- Area: 137,732 km²
- Populations: 3,011,524
- Capital of Arkansas: Little Rock
- The largest city in Arkansas is Little Rock (approximately 200,000 inhabitants)
- Nickname of Arkansas: Natural State
- Highlights: Hot Springs National Park, Simmons Tower, MacArthur Park Historic District, Central High Museum in Little Rock, The Old Mill, Old State House Museum, Arkansas Post, Southeast Arkansas Arts and Science Center
Colorado (CO)
Area: 269,601 km²
Populations: 5,773,714
Capital of Colorado: Denver
The largest city in Colorado is Denver
Nickname of Colorado: Centennial State
Highlights: City of Denver, Colorado Springs, Garden of the Gods, Colorado National Monument, Rocky Mountain National Park, Royal Gorge, Pikes Peak, Cherry Creek, and Red Rocks
Connecticut (CT)
- Area: 14,357 km²
- Number of inhabitants: 3,605,944
- Capital of Connecticut: Hartford
- The largest city in Connecticut is Bridgeport
- Nickname of Connecticut: Constitution State
- Highlights: Yale University, The Mark Twain House & Museum, Mystic Seaport in Stonington, Barnum Museum in Bridgeport, Essex Steam Train, and Riverboat, Peabody Museum of Natural History
Delaware (DE)
- Area: 6,447 km²
- Populations: 989,948
- Capital of Delaware: Dover
- The largest city in Delaware is Wilmington (approx. 70,000 inhabitants)
- Nickname of Delaware: First State
- Highlights: Air Mobility Command Museum, Fort Delaware State Park, Cape Henlopen State Park, Delaware Seashore State Park, Winterthur Museum
Florida (FL)
- To the detailed subpage: Florida
- Area: 170,304 km2
- Populations: 21,538,187
- Capital of Florida: Tallahassee
- The largest city in Florida is Jacksonville
- The nickname of Florida: Sunshine State
- Highlights: Apalachicola, the city of Miami, Everglades National Park, Key West, Disney World, Kennedy Space Center, Amelia Island
Georgia (GA)
- Area: 153,909 km²
- Populations: 10,711,908
- Capital of Georgia: Atlanta
- The largest city in Georgia is Atlanta
- Georgia nickname: Peach State
- Highlights: Providence Canyon State Park, the city of Atlanta, Driftwood Beach, Georgia Aquarium, Jimmy Carter National Historical Park, AmicaloFalls, and ls, Wormsloe State Historic Site
Hawaii (HI)
- Area: 28,311 (of which 16,625 are land area) km²
- Number of inhabitants: 1,455,271
- Capital of Hawaii: Honolulu
- The largest city in the Hawaiian island chain is Honolulu (approximately 350,000 inhabitants)
- Nickname of Hawaii: Aloha State
- Highlights: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Haleakala National Park, Waimea Canyon, Pearl Harbor, Puuhonua o Honaunau, Makena Beach, Kalaupapa National Historical Park, the city of Honolulu
Idaho (ID)
- Area: 216,446 km²
- Populations: 1,839,106
- Capital of Idaho: Boise
- The largest city in Idaho: Boise (approx. 235,000 inhabitants)
- Idaho’s nickname: Gem State
- Highlights: Craters Of The Moon National Monument and Preserve, Snake River, Sun Valley, Silverwood Theme Park, Hell’s Canyon, Shoshone Falls, City of Rocks, Bruneau Dunes State Park
Illinois
- Area: 149,998 km²
- Populations: 12,812,508
- Capital of Illinois: Springfield
- The largest city in Illinois is Chicago (approximately 2.7 million inhabitants)
- Illinois nickname: Prairie State
- Highlights: Anderson Japanese Gardens, Champaign Urbana, Shawnee National Forest, Starved Rock State Park, city of Galena, the city of Chicago, and the city of Springfield.
Indiana (IN)
- Area: 94,321 km²
- Populations: 6,785,528
- Capital of Indiana: Indianapolis
- The largest city in Indiana is Indianapolis (approx. 830,000 inhabitants)
- The nickname of Indiana: Hoosier State
- Highlights: Fort Wayne, the city of Indianapolis; Indian Dunes National Park; the city of Bend, the city of Bloomington, George Rogers Clark National Historical Park, Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial
Iowa (IA)
- Area: 145,743 km²
- Number of inhabitants: 3,155,070
- Capital of Iowa: Des Moine
- The Largest city in Iowa: Des Moines (approx. 200,000 inhabitants)
- Iowa’s nickname: Hawkeye State
- Highlights: National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, Maquoketa Caves State Park, Amana Colonies, Grotto of the Redemption, Iowa State Capitol, Greater Des Moines Botanical Center, Pikes Peak State Park, and Buffalo Bill Museum.
California (CA)
- Area: 423,970 km2
- Populations: 39,538,223
- Capital of California: Sacramento
- Largest city in California: Los Angeles (approx. 3.9 million inhabitants)
- Nickname of California: Golden State
- Highlights: Yosemite National Park, the city of Los Angeles, the city < an i=4>San Francisco, Disneyland California, Death Valley National Park, Lake Tahoe, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Redwood National and State Parks, Joshua Tree National Park, Universal Studios Hollywood, Hearst Castle, Santa Catalina Island, Channel Islands National Park, Griffith Observatory
Kansas (KS)
- Populations: 2,937,880
- Capital of Kansas: Topeka
- The Largest city in Kansas: Wichita (approx. 380,000 inhabitants)
- Nickname of Kansas: Sunflower State
- Highlights: Botanica Wichita Gardens, the city of Topeka,Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, Boot Hill in Dodge City, El Knievel Museum in Topeka, Monument Rocks, and Fort Larned National Historic Site
Kentucky (KY)
- Area: 104,659 km²
- Populations: 4,505,836
- Capital of Kentucky: Frankfort
- The Largest city in Kentucky: Louisville (approx. 630,000 inhabitants)
- The Nickname of Kentucky: Bluegrass State
- Highlights: Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky Derby, Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, Daniel Boone National Forest, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Park, Kentucky Horse Park, Muhammad Ali Center, Lost River Cave, Louisville Mega Cavern, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort
Louisiana (LA)
- Area: 134,264 km²
- Populations: 4,657,757
- Capital of Louisiana: Baton Rouge
- The largest city in Louisiana is New Orleans (approximately 380,000 inhabitants)
- Louisiana nickname: Pelican State, Bayou State
- Highlights: French Quarter in New Orleans, National WWII Museum in New Orleans, Melrose Plantation, Mardi Gras, Tours through the swamps, Laura Plantation, Vernonville, Rosedown Plantation and Gardens
Maine (ME)
- Area: 91,646 km²
- Number of inhabitants: 1,362,359
- Capital of Maine: Augusta
- The largest city in Maine is Portland (approx. 70,000 inhabitants)
- The Nickname of Maine: The Pine Tree State
- Highlights: Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island, the city of Portland, Pemaquid Point Light, Old Orchard Beach, Baxter State Park, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Maine Maritime Museum, Kennebunkport
Maryland (MD)
- Area: 32,133 km²
- Populations: 6,177,224
- Capital of Maryland: Annapolis
- The largest city in Maryland is Baltimore (approximately 580,000 inhabitants)
- Maryland’s nickname: Old Line State, Free State, and Chesapeake State
- Highlights: Fort McHenry National Monument, National Aquarium, the city of Baltimore, Assateague State Park, American Visionary Art Museum, Antietam National Battlefield, Deep Creek Lake, Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, Maryland State House in Annapolis
Massachusetts (MA)
- Area: 27,336 km²
- Populations: 7,029,917
- Capital of Massachusetts: Boston
- The largest city in Massachusetts is Boston (approximately 680,000 inhabitants)
- Nickname of Massachusetts: Bay State
- Highlights: Cape Cod Beaches, the city of Boston, Harvard Square and Museums, Mayflower II and Plymouth Patuxet Museum, the city of Salem, Old Sturbridge Village,USConstitution, and Bunkerer Hill Monument
Michigan (MI)
- Area: 250,494 km2 (land = 147,121, water = 103,372)
- Populations: 10,077,331
- Capital of Michigan: Lansing
- The largest city in Michigan is Detroit (approximately 640,000 inhabitants)
- Nickname of Michigan: Great Lakes State, Wolverine State, Mitten State, Water Winter Wonderland
- Highlights: Mackinac Island, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Lake Michigan, the city of Detroit, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, Isle Royale National Park, Fort Mackinac, Windmill Island
Minnesota (MN)
- Area: 225,171 km²
- Populations: 5,706,494
- Capital of Minnesota: Saint Paul
- The largest city in Minnesota is Minneapolis (approx. 430,000 inhabitants)
- Minnesota nickname: North Star State, The Gopher State
- Highlights: Superior National Forest, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, North Shore Scenic Drive, Voyageurs National Park, the city of Minneapolis, Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge
Mississippi (MS)
- Area: 125,443 km²
- Number of inhabitants: 2,961,279
- Capital of Mississippi: Jackson
- The largest city in Mississippi is Jackson (approximately 150,000 inhabitants)
- Mississippi’s nickname: Magnolia State
- Highlights: Gulf Islands National Seashore, Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, Elvis Presley Birthplace & museum, Grammy Museum Mississippi, Natchez Trace Parkway, Ocean Springs, Mississippi Petrified Forest
Missouri (MO)
- Area: 180,533 km²
- Populations: 6,154,913
- Capital of Missouri: Jefferson City
- The Largest city in Missouri: Kansas City (approx. 500,000 inhabitants)
- Missouri nickname: Show Me State
- Highlights: St. Louis Gateway Arch, the city Branson, Silver Dollar City, St Louis Zoo, Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum, Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum, Lake of the Ozarks, National World War I Museum and Memorial, Jefferson City
Montana (MT)
- Area: 380,838 km²
- Populations: 1,084,225
- Capital of Montana: Helena
- The Largest city in Montana: Billings (approx. 100,000 inhabitants)
- Montana’s nickname: Treasure State
- Highlights: Glacier National Park, Big Sky Resort, Museum of the Rockies, Yellowstone National Park, the city Butte, Flathead Lake, Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park, Beartooth Highway, Moss Mansion Historic House Museum, Ross Creek Cedars Scenic Area, Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
Nebraska (NE)
- Area: 200,520 km²
- Populations: 1,961,504
- Capital of Nebraska: Lincoln
- The largest city in Nebraska is Omaha (approx. 400,000 inhabitants)
- Nebraska’s nickname: Cornhusker State
- Highlights: Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, Old Market in Omaha, Strategic Air and Space Museum in Ashland, Chimney Rock National Historic Site, Haymarket District in Lincoln, Scott’s Bluff National Monument, Indian Cave State Park, Carhenge, Cowboy Trail, The Archway
Nevada (NV)
- Area: 286,351 km²
- Number of inhabitants: 3,108,462
- Capital of Nevada: Carson City
- The Largest city in Nevada: Las Vegas (approx. 550,000 inhabitants)
- Nevada nicknames: Battle Born State, Sagebrush State, Silver State
- Highlights: Hoover Dam, the city of Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Valley of Fire State Park, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, the city, Great Basin National Park, Burning Man, Lamoille Canyon, Mount Charleston
New Hampshire (NH)
- Area: 24,216 km²
- Populations: 1,377,529
- Capital of New Hampshire: Concord
- The largest city in Hampshire is Manchester (approx. 115,000 inhabitants)
- The nickname of New Hampshire: The Granite State
- Highlights: Mount Washington Cog Railway, Franconia Notch State Park, Kancamagus Highway, White Mountain National Forest, Strawberry Banks, Conway Scenic Railroad, the city Portsmouth, Hampton Beach, Mount Monadnock, Story Land, Clark’s Bears, Lake Winnipesaukee, Polar Caves, Santa’s Village, Lost River Gorge
(N.J) New Jersey
- Area: 22,588 km²
- Populations: 9,288,994
- Capital of New Jersey: Trenton
- The largest city in N.J : Newark (approx. 310,000 inhabitants)
- The nickname of New Jersey: The Garden State
- Highlights: Cape May, the city Atlantic City, Liberty State Park, Hudson River Waterfront Walkway, Island Beach State Park, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Princeton Battlefield State Park, Battleship New Jersey, Adventure Aquarium, Cape May County Park & zoo, Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Morey’s Piers, Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
New Mexico (NM)
- Area: 314,915 km²
- Populations: 2,117,522
- Capital of New Mexico: Santa Fe
- The largest city in New Mexico is Albuquerque (approximately 560,000 inhabitants)
- Nickname of New Mexico: Land of Enchantment, Tierra de Encanto
- Highlights: Carlsbad Caverns National Park, White Sands National Monument, Bandelier National Monument, Petroglyph National Monument, Taos Pueblo, Cumbres-Toltec Scenic Railway, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, Pecos National Historical Park, Chaco Culture National Historical Park, Billy the Kid Museum
New York (NY)
- Area: 141,299 km²
- Populations: 20,215,751
- Capital of New York: Albany
- The largest city in New York: New York City (approx. 8.8 million inhabitants)
- The Nickname of New York: Empire State
- Highlights: Hudson Valley, Niagara Falls, the city of Albany, the city of New York City, Watkins Glen State Park, Letchworth State Park, Bear Mountain State Park, and Robert H Treman State Park
North Carolina (NC)
- Area: 139,389 km²
- Populations: 10,439,388
- Capital of North Carolina: Raleigh
- The largest city in North Carolina is Charlotte (approximately 870,000 inhabitants)
- The Nickname of North Carolina: Tar Heel State, Old North State
- Highlights: Blue Ridge Parkway, Biltmore Estate in Asheville, Battleship North Carolina, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, North Carolina Aquarium, North Carolina Zoo, Cape Hatteras, Chimney Rock State Park
North Dakota
- Area: 183,112 km²
- Number of inhabitants: 779,094
- Capital of North Dakota: Bismarck
- The largest city in North Dakota: Fargo (approx. 125,000 inhabitants)
- The nicknames of North Dakota are Peace Garden State, Sioux State, Flickertail State
- Highlights: Theodore Roosevelt National Park, National Buffalo Museum, Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site, North Dakota Heritage Center, Plains Art Museum, Scandinavian Heritage Park, Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, Lake Sakakawea, Maah Daah Hey Trail
Ohio (OH)
- Area: 116,096 km²
- Populations: 11,799,448
- Capital of Ohio: Columbus
- The largest city in Ohio is Columbus (approximately 780,000 inhabitants)
- Ohio’s nickname: Buckeye State
- Highlights: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the city of Columbus, the city of Cleveland, the city of Cincinnati, the city Toledo, National Museum of the US Air Force, Cedar Point Amusement Park, Hocking Hills State Park, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Cincinnati Museum Center, Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, The Cleveland Museum of Art, Kings Island, Pro Football Hall of Fame
Oklahoma (OK)
- Area: 181,035 km²
- Populations: 3,959,353
- Capital of Oklahoma: Oklahoma City
- The largest city in Oklahoma: Oklahoma City (approx. 640,000 inhabitants)
- Oklahoma’s nickname: The Sooner State
- Highlights: Route 66, Philbrook Museum of Art, Oklahoma Science Museum, the city of Tulsa, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City Zoo, Oklahoma City National Memorial, Marland Estate Mansion, Museum of the Great Plains in Lawton, Cherokee Heritage Center, Oklahoma Aquarium, Woolaroc Museum & Wildlife Preserve
Oregon (OR)
- Area: 254,805 km²
- Populations: 4,237,256
- Capital of Oregon: Salem
- The largest city in Oregon is Portland (approximately 650,000 inhabitants)
- Oregon nickname: Beaver State
- Highlights: Crater Lake National Park, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Cannon Beach, Washington Park in Portland, Mount Hood National Forest, the city and, the city Astoria,Hood River, Smith Rock State Park, the city Newport, the citySisters, Silver Falls State Park, Depoe Bay, Newberry National Volcanic Monument, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve
South Carolina (Pennsylvania (PA)
- Area: 119,283 km²
- Number of inhabitants: 13,002,700
- Capital of Pennsylvania: Harrisburg
- The largest city Pennsylvania is: Philadelphia (approx. 1.6 million inhabitants)
- Nickname of Pennsylvania: Keystone State
- Highlights: Hershey Park, Gettysburg National Military Park, the city of Philadelphia, the city of Pittsburgh, Presque Isle State Park, Fallingwater, Phipps Conservatory, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, the city of Strasburg, Valley Forge and Valley Forge National Historical Park, Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, and the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg
Rhode Island (RI)
- Area: 3,144 km²
- Populations: 1,097,379
- Capital of Rhode Island: Providence
- The largest city in RhIsland isand: Providence (approx. 190,000 inhabitants)
- Rhode Island nickname: The Ocean State, Little Rhody
- Highlights: Narragansett Bay Beaches, the city port, the city provision, Colt State Park, Block IslandandMohegan Bluffs, Blithewold, and Herreshoff Marine Museum
South Carolina (SC)
- Area: 82,932 km²
- Populations: 5,118,425
- Capital of South Carolina: Columbia
- The largest city in South Carolina is Columbia (approximately 130,000 inhabitants)
- Nickname of South Carolina: Palmetto State
- Highlights: Myrtle Beach, the city of Charleston, Magnolia Plantation Gardens, Hilton Head Island, Fort Sumter, USS Yorktown, Patriots Point, Congaree National Park, Huntington Beach State Park, South Carolina State Museum,Brookgreen Gardens, Riverside Zoo and Garden, Caesars Head State Park
South Dakota (SD)
- Area: 199,731 km²
- Populations: 886,667
- Capital of South Dakota: Pierre
- Largest city in South Dakota: Sioux Falls (approx. 150,000 inhabitants)
- Nickname of South Dakota: The Mount Rushmore State, Coyote State
- Highlights: Mount Rushmore National Monument, Badlands National Park, Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Memorial, Wind Cave National Park, Mammoth site,Deadwood, Spearfish Canyon, National Music Museum, Good Earth State Park, Sertoma Butterfly House and Marine Cove, Old Courthouse Museum
Tennessee (TN)
- Area: 109,151 km²
- Populations: 6,916,897
- Capital of Tennessee: Nashville
- The largest city in Tennessee is Nashville (approximately 690,000 inhabitants)
- Nickname of Tennessee: Volunteer State
- Highlights: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Graceland, the city of Memphis, Dollywood, the city of Nashville, Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee Aquarium, Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage, Lookout Mountain, the city Knoxville,American Museum of Science and Energy, The Museum of Appalachia
Texas (TX)
- Area: 695,621 km²
- Populations: 29,145,505
- Capital of Texas: Austin
- The largest city in Texas is Houston (approximately 2.3 million inhabitants)
- Nickname of Texas: Lone Star State
- Highlights: The Alamo, the city of San Antonio, Space Center Houston, the city of Dallas, Big Bend National Park, Padre Island National Seashore, the city of Austin, Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas, the city of Fort Worth, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, the city Galveston, the city El Paso, USS Lexington in Corpus Christi, Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, the city Arlington, Natural Bridge Caverns, National Museum of the PacifiWar, and the r, Texas State Aquarium
Utah
- Area: 219,887 km²
- Number of inhabitants: 3,271,616
- Capital of Utah: Salt Lake City
- The Largest city in Utah: Salt Lake City (approx. 200,000 inhabitants)
- Nickname of Utah: The Beehive State
- Highlights: Zion National Park, Arches National Park, Monument Valley, Canyonlands National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, the city of Salt Lake City, the city Park City, the cityMoab, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Dead Horse Point State Park, Capitol Reef National Park, the city St George, Sand Hollow State Park, Snow Canyon State Park, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Natural Bridges National Monument, Dinosaur National Monument, Great Salt Lake, Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
Vermont (VT)
- Area: 23,871 km²
- Populations: 643,077
- Capital of Vermont: Montpelier
- The Largest city in Vermont: Burlington (approx. 40,000 inhabitants)
- Vermont’s nickname: Green Mountain State
- Highlights: Hildene, Mount Mansfield and Smugglers Notch, the town of Stoke, Quechee Gorge, Bennington Battle Monument and Museum, Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park, Lake Champlain, Billings Farm & Museum, Ben & Jerry’s, Shelburne Museum, Montserrat Museum of Science, Rock of Ages Quarry and Hope Cemetery, Green Mountain National Forest
Virginia (VA)
- Area: 110,785 km²
- Populations: 8,631,393
- Capital of Virginia: Richmond
- The Largest city in Virginia: Virginia Beach (approx. 440,000 inhabitants)
- Nickname of Virginia: Old Dominion, Mother of the Presidents, Mother of States
- Highlights: Shenandoah National Park with Skyline Drive, Colonial Williamsburg, the city of Virginia Beach, Arlington National Cemetery, Mount Vernon, Monticello and Charlottesville, Colonial National Historic Park, Maymont, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Luray Caverns, Busch Gardens, Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, Manassas National Battlefield
Washington (WA)
- Area: 184,665 km²
- Populations: 7,705,281
- Capital of Washington: Olympia
- The largest city in Washington is Seattle (approximately 740,000 inhabitants)
- Nickname of Washington: Evergreen State
- Highlights: Olympic National Park, the city of Seattle, San Juan Islands, Mount Rainier National Park, the city of Leavenworth, North Cascades National Park, Puget Sound, Mount St Helens National Volcanic Monument, Deception Pass State Park, the City Port Angeles, the city Bellingham, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Sol Duc Hot Springs, Pacific Crest Trail, the city Tacoma, Fort Worden Historical State Park, Palouse Falls, the city folks.
West Virginia (WV)
- Area: 62,755 km²
- Populations: 1,793,716
- Capital of West Virginia: Charleston
- The largest city in West Virginia is Charleston (approximately 50,000 inhabitants)
- Nickname of West Virginia: The Mountain State
- Highlights: Blackwater Falls State Park, Monongahela National Forest & Seneca Rocks, The Greenbrier, the city Berkeley Springs, New River Gorge National Park, Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia Penitentiary, Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, Seneca Caverns, Huntington Museum of Art & Knight Park, Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine, Grave Creek, Burial Mounds, Cathedral Falls, Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum
Wisconsin (WI)
- Area: 169,639 km²
- Populations: 5,893,718
- Capital of Wisconsin: Madison
- The largest city in Wisconsin is Milwaukee (approximately 580,000 inhabitants)
- Wisconsin’s nickname: Badger State, America’s Dairyland
- Highlights: Taliesen, the city of Oshkosh, the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, Circus World Museum in Baraboo, Copper Falls State Park, and House on the Rock.
Wyoming (WY)
- Area: 253,336 km²
- Number of inhabitants: 576,851
- Capital of Wyoming: Cheyenne
- The largest city in Wyoming: Cheyenne (approx. 60,000 inhabitants)
- Wyoming nickname: Equality State
- Highlights: Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, the city Jackson, Hot Springs State Park, Bridger-Teton National Forest, The Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, Wind River Range, Grand Targhee, National Historic Trails Interpretive Center, Fort Laramie National Historic Site, Devils Tower National Monument, Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, the city Cheyenne, Curt Gowdy State Park, Old Trail Town in Cody
- Note: The abbreviation for the respective state can always be found in brackets after the name in the list.
Special features and special cases
The following areas are part of the USA but are not states:
Washington D.C. is not a state
Washington, D.C., occupies a special position that is unique in the entire world. The District of Columbia is not a federal state, and its population does not participate in government congressional elections but does participate in the election of the President of the United States.
Commonwealth Territories
Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands are also not federal states but so-called commonwealth territories, which means that the residents of the outer territories are American citizens but can only vote for government bodies if they are residents and live in a US state However, the people of Puerto Rico voted in a non-binding referendum in 2012, 2017, and 2020 that Puerto Rico should become the 51st state in the USA. However, the efforts have so far failed.
Other external areas of the United States of America in the world include – in addition to various islands and atolls in the Pacific – the American Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Guam.