There are 50 states in the USA. Each of them was formed as a result of certain historical events over quite a long time. Initially, when the country declared independence in 1776, the United States had only 13 states. As a result of wars, voluntary annexation, and land purchases, their number grew. Each state is unique in its own way.
Top 10 largest states in America
1. Alaska. Alaska is the largest state in America. Its area is more than 1.7 million square kilometers! This is almost twice as much as Texas. Alaska is located in the northwestern United States. The peninsula is the northernmost region of the country.
Despite its considerable size, Alaska is sparsely populated. The state's population is about 700 thousand people. Moreover, a significant part does not live in the capital Juneau, but in one of the cities in the south of the region - Anchorage, which is the northernmost, with a population of more than 100 thousand people.
Approximately 8-10% of the people living in Alaska are descendants of Russians who remained on the peninsula after the territory was sold in 1867 by the Russian Empire for a decent sum for that time - $ 7.2 million. However, Alaska became the official 49th state only in 1959, although it gained great popularity at the end of the 19th century due to the beginning of the “gold rush”.
Alaska is attractive to tourists due to its nature. You can visit national parks (Denali, Wrangel and St. Elias, Klondike Historical Park) and admire glaciers, forests, animals, the peaks of Augustine, Katmai, Bona.
2. Texas. The second largest US state by area is Texas, located in the southeast of the state. This coastal area covers almost 700 thousand square kilometers.
Texas also has the second largest population after California. The state currently has a population of about 20.8 million. In the most populous city of Houston alone, more than two million people are officially registered. Among the remaining leading cities there are many millionaires: San Antonio (almost 1.5 million), Dallas (1.2 million), the capital Austin (almost 900 thousand).
Texas is famous for its Indian past. Before the arrival of Europeans, this land was inhabited by numerous tribes of red men: Apaches, Kiowas, Caddos and many others. However, few know that this region is one of the most modern in the country. Architecture connoisseurs will be delighted: it is very diverse in the state!
You can visit both majestic modern buildings, such as the Heritage Plaza skyscraper in Houston, the symbol of the city of San Antonio - the Tower of the Americas, and very ancient ones, like Grace Church in Dallas, and the Houston Central Library.
3. California. California, located on the west coast of the country, right next to the Pacific Ocean, ranks third in area (more than 429 thousand square kilometers).
However, this shining state is the leader among other regions of the United States in terms of population. The latest data shows that more than 39 million people live in California! At the same time, there are 70 cities with a population of more than 100 thousand, of which three millionaires can be distinguished: Los Angeles (more than 3.8 million), San Diego (more than 1.3 million) and San Jose (1 million). The state capital, Sacramento, is home to almost half a million people.
California is the state of the sun. That is why it is worth visiting the famous beaches of San Diego Ocean Beach, Newport Beach, Caramel, Laguna Beach, scattered along the coast. In Los Angeles you can see the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame, Grauman's Chinese Theater, in San Diego - the famous zoo and animal parks, in Anaheim - Disneyland. For extreme sports enthusiasts, an excellent solution would be to go to the deserts of the southern part of the state.
4. Montana. In the northwestern United States, right on the border with Canada, is the state of Montana. The region ranks fourth in the United States in terms of area - more than 381 thousand square kilometers.
This state is sparsely populated due to its fairly cool climate and distance from the center. The total population slightly exceeds the million mark, and in the most populous city - one hundred thousand. Less than 30 thousand people live in the state capital, Helena.
For lovers of ecotourism, this place is the most suitable: Montana has a huge number of fishing spots, places for rock climbing, hiking and cycling. You can also visit the National State Museum, Museum of the Rockies, and the Capitol. Festivals of wine, balloons, strawberries, and trees are held here annually.
5. New Mexico. New Mexico is located in the southwestern United States. This famous mountain state ranks fifth in area among other regions (more than 315 thousand square kilometers).
Due to its topography, New Mexico is sparsely populated. The state is home to just over two million people. At the same time, the vast majority of the population, more than half a million people, is in Albuquerque. In the rest of the cities in the region there are no more than one hundred thousand, even in the state capital, Santa Fe, less than 70 thousand.
New Mexico is a region popular with tourists all over the world. Lovers of nature and various mysterious phenomena will be interested in visiting the ancient Carlsbad Caverns and White Sands National Park, famous for its frozen white dunes. Also in this state it is worth looking at the ancient settlement of the Pueblo Indians and the colorful clay buildings of the capital.
6. Arizona. The state of Arizona is one of the group of states with “four corners” (i.e., forming an almost regular rectangle). The region ranks sixth in terms of territory size (about 295 thousand square kilometers).
Arizona is sparsely populated due to its dry climate. There are 6.4 million registered people in the region. The state capital is home to the largest number of people, almost 1.5 million. There are also two fairly large cities with a population of about half a million people: Tucson and Mesa.
It’s worth visiting this region if only for the Grand Canyon, the Arizona Crater, the unusual Antelope Canyon, the Petrified Forest National Park and Montezuma Castle.
7. Nevada. Nevada became part of the United States during the Civil War. That is why the region got its name, which translates as “born in battle.” The state's area is just over 286 thousand square kilometers - the seventh highest in the country.
The main part of Nevada is mountains and deserts, the climate here is harsh: summers are dry and hot, and winters are quite cold. This causes the state to have a small population of only 2.7 million people. The majority, more than 600 thousand people, live in the famous Las Vegas, but in the capital of the region, Carson City, there are about 50 thousand.
In addition to the aforementioned Las Vegas, Nevada is famous for the unusual mountain park of the Valley of Fire, the Black Rock Desert and petroglyphs from the Grapevine Canyon.
8. Colorado. Colorado ranks eighth in area among the US states: its territory covers almost 270 thousand square kilometers. The region received its nickname “The Centennial State” in honor of the centennial anniversary of the founding of the United States. Colorado is also one of the Four Corners states.
The population of this region is approximately 5.2 million people. Its density is heterogeneous, which is due to the different climates in the southern and northern half of Colorado. The largest city in the region is its capital, Denver, with a population of 650 thousand people.
For a traveler, Colorado is interesting for both its natural and cultural sites. Among them, the most famous are the Rocky Mountain Park, the Garden of the Gods, the Black Canyon, Mesa Verde Park, and the Denver Capitol.
9. Oregon. Oregon is one of the Pacific states of America. This region will replace its own double-sided flag. Oregon ranks ninth in terms of territory size: its area is more than 255 thousand square kilometers.
The Beaver State is home to just under 4 million people. The bulk of the population (600 thousand people) lives in Portland, and in other cities, including the state capital, Salem (160 thousand), there are significantly fewer citizens.
Portland has become famous as the greenest city in the USA. On its territory there are many wonderful parks and gardens that are worth visiting: Japanese Park, Lan Su - a Chinese-style garden, North Park and South Park. Portland also has a Museum of Art, and the Deschutes National Forest has an amazing earthquake crater (maar), Hole-in-Ground.
10. Wyoming. The mountain state of Wyoming completes the top ten largest states in America. Its area is just over 253 square kilometers.
Wyoming is the region with the lowest population (568 thousand people). The largest city, the state capital, Cheyenne, has a population of only 62 thousand people.
Wyoming is rich in interesting sights. This is where the Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, the Devil's Tower volcano, and the National Wildlife Museum are located.
Article about US states. In this article you will not only find a complete list of US states, but also learn something interesting and special about each of the 50 US states! It could be a curious fact from the state's history, a unique property, or a funny law that applies within that state. In addition to entertainment information, it contains basic information for each US state. State names are arranged alphabetically. The USA is a multinational country, the beginning of whose history was laid by diverse immigrants from different countries - “a haven for the suffering.” In this regard, each state of this state is a new touch in the history of the United States, a unique page in the chronicle of the country. Each state is fraught with its own secrets, each was founded by its own ethnic group, before the arrival of Europeans Indians lived everywhere, and everywhere different tribes - with their own foundations and traditions, foundations and morals, with their diplomatic relations with other numerous tribes, with their own attitude towards invasion of foreign cultures. As a result of such diverse facts, as a result we see the emergence of 50 states. It's like a recipe for making a chemical. Different components and different proportions of reagents gave different, sometimes simply unexpected, results. Thanks to its youth, the history of the United States has been preserved in detail in the memory of generations, in the records of contemporaries and in documents of that time. And now this history can become a textbook for everyone, practical material for analyzing and studying any historical issue. But the pages of this history are available to everyone even now, in almost their original form. This story has 50 main chapters. This is the number of states that are currently part of the United States. Today we have the opportunity to learn about each state.
Population: more than 1.6 million people.
Area: 216,632 km².
It borders six states, as well as Canada.
The state of Idaho has the most developed agriculture, mining and science and technology industries.
2) Iowa 
Population: more than 3 million people.
Area: 145,743 km².
The state shares borders with six other states and is the 29th.
Interesting fact: the vast majority of the population of Iowa (35.7%) are descendants of Germans.
3) Alabama
Population: about 4.7 million people.
Area: 135,765 km².
It borders four states and is the 22nd state of the United States.
Fun fact: Alabama's official nickname is "The Heart of the South."
4) Alaska 
Population: just over 710,000 people.
Area: 1,717,854 km².
It is the largest state in the USA.
Alaska is the 49th US state.
An interesting (and sad) thing about the state: until 1867, the territory belonged to Russia; on March 30 of this year, papers were signed on its sale. The state motto is “North to the Future.”
5) Arizona 
Population: about 6.4 million people.
Area: 295,254 km².
Borders seven states.
Interesting facts: the state of Arizona is home to about 50,000 Russian-speaking residents, and the share of copper mining accounts for 2/3 of the entire country's copper production.
6)Arkansas
Population: 2.673 million people.
Area: 137,732 km².
Borders 6 states. The state motto is “The People Rule.”
Arkansas is the country's leading state in the production of rice, soybeans, broiler chickens, and also produces about 10% of all cotton in the country.
Interesting fact: African Americans make up 15.7% of the state's population.
7) Wyoming
Population: 532,668 (2010).
Area: 253,348 km²
Fun fact: The state's name comes from an ancient Native American expression for "changing mountains and valleys."
The state of Wyoming has the most developed mining industry. The resources industry is the economic backbone of the state; Thus, oil discovered in the state began to be extracted back in the 1880s, and natural gas, uranium and coal are also being developed. Along with resource extraction, tourism is of great economic importance to the state. The low population density of this state allows us to conclude that many of the historical values and traditions of Indian society, which so attract tourists, have been preserved. By the way, in the past, many Indian tribes lived in the state of Wyoming: Crow, Shoshone, Cheyenne, Arapaho, Sioux. Some more interesting facts about the state: oil production in Wyoming began even before it officially became a US state (it was July 10, 1890, Wyoming is the 44th US state); the capital of the state is the city of Cheyenne (the name of one of the Indian tribes); Wyoming is the US state with the smallest population.
8) Washington
Population: 5.9 million people.
Area: 184,827 km².
Capital: Olympia.
The state of Washington officially became a US state on November 11, 1889, Washington being the 42nd state. Before the arrival of Europeans, numerous Indian tribes lived in the state. Currently, there are 20 Indian reservations in the state, where Indians live. Interesting facts about Washington State: the majority of the state's population (20.9%) are ethnic Germans; Russians in the state - 1.4% of the total population; the headquarters of such giant corporations as Microsoft, Valve, Starbucks, Amazon.com are located in Washington state; In the state of Washington, the cultivation of cannabis for medical purposes is permitted (in limited quantities, of course).
9) Vermont
Population: more than 610 thousand people.
Area: 24,923 km²
Capital: Montpelier.
Vermont is a small state (45th in area) with a fairly high population density, however, the state is 49th in population. It is the 14th state of the United States and became part of the United States in 1791. The official state motto is “Liberty and Unity.” The official nickname is “The Green Mountain State.”
10) Virginia
Population: more than 8 million people.
Area: 110,785 km²
Capital: Richmond.
It is the 10th state in the United States.
11) Wisconsin
Population: 5,453,896 (2010)
Area: 169,639 km²
Capital: Madison.
Population: 1,374,810 (2011)
Area: 28,311 km²
Capital: Honolulu.
13) Delaware
Population: 783,600 (2010)
Area: 6,452 km².
Capital: Dover.
14) Georgia
Population: 8.186 million (2000).
Area: 153,909 km².
Capital: Atlanta.
15)West Virginia
Population: 1.808 million (2000).
Area: 62,755 km².
Capital: Charleston.
16)Illinois
Population: 12,869,257 (2010).
Area: 149,998 km²
Capital: Springfield.
17)Indiana
Population: 6.5 million people.
Area: 94,321 km².
Capital: Indianapolis.
18)California
Population: 37,253,956 people (2010).
Area: 423,970 km².
Capital: Sacramento.
The US state with the largest population.
Population: 2.688 million (2000).
Area: 213,096 km².
Capital: Topeka.
20) Kentucky
Population: 4.042 million (2010).
Area: 104,659 km²
Capital: Frankfort.
21)Colorado
Population 5,029,196 million (2010).
Area: 269,837 km².
Capital: Denver.
22)Connecticut
Population: 3,574,097 people (2010).
Area: 14,357 km².
Capital: Hartford.
23)Louisiana
Population: 4.5 million (2010).
Area: 135,382 km².
Capital: Baton Rouge.
24) Massachusetts
Population: 6,349,097 (2010)
Area: 27,336 km².
Capital: Boston.
25)Minnesota
Population: 5,314,879 people.
Area: 225,181 km².
Capital: Saint Paul.
26)Mississippi
Population: 2.967 million (2010).
Area: 125,443 km².
Capital: Jackson.
27)Missouri
Population: 5.595 million (2010).
Area: 180,533 km².
Capital: Jefferson City.
28) Michigan
Population: 9.938 million (2010).
Area: 250,493 km².
Capital: Lansing.
29)Montana
Population: 967,440 people (2010).
Area: 381,156 km².
Capital: Helena.
Population: 1.275 million (2010).
Area: 91,646 km².
Capital: Augusta.
31) Maryland
Population: 5.296 million (2010).
Area: 32,133 km².
Capital: Annapolis.
32)Nebraska
Population: 1,826,341 (2010)
Area: 200,520 km².
Capital: Lincoln.
Population: 1,998,257 (2010)
Area: 286,367 km².
Capital: Carson City.
34) New Hampshire
Population: 1.236 million (2010).
Area: 24,217 km².
Capital: Concord.
35) New Jersey
Population: 8.791 million (2010).
Area: 22,608 km².
Capital: Trenton.
36) New York
Population 19,378,102 (2010).
Area: 141,300 km².
Capital: Albany.
There is a famous one in New York State.
37) New Mexico
Population: 2,059,179 (2010).
Area: 315,194 km².
Capital: Santa Fe.
Population: 11,435,798 (2010)
Area: 116,096 km².
Capital: Columbus.
39) Oklahoma
Population: 3.45 million (2010).
Area: 181,196 km².
Capital: Oklahoma City.
Population: 3.64 million (2010).
Area: 255,026 km².
Capital: Salem.
41) Pennsylvania
Population: 12,281,054 (2010)
Area: 119,283 km².
Capital: Harrisburg.
42) Rhode Island
Population: 1,051,302 (2011).
Area: 4,002 km².
Capital: Providence.
The smallest state in the USA.
43)North Dakota
Population: 632.7 thousand people (2010).
Area: 183,272 km².
Capital: Bismarck.
44)North Carolina
Population: 9,380,884 people (2010).
Area: 139,509 km².
Capital: Raleigh.
45)Tennessee
Population: 6,403,353 (2011)
Area: 109,151 km².
Capital: Nashville.
Population: 25,145,56 people (2010).
Area: 696,241 km².
Capital: Austin.
47) Florida
Population: 18,801,310 (2010)
Area: 170,304 km².
Capital: Tallahassee.
48)South Dakota
Population: 796,214 (2010)
Area: 199,905 km².
Capital: Pyrrhus.
49)South Carolina
Population: 4 million (2010).
Area: 82,931 km².
Capital: Colombia.
Population: 2,763,885 (2010)
Area: 219,887 km².
Capital: Salt Lake City.
The United States of America is a huge country that offers a lot of opportunities for tourists of any age, social status and financial situation. There is no type of recreation or entertainment that cannot be found in the United States.
Since the United States covers vast territories located in six time zones, the climate in the states can be very different: from sunny Hawaii to snowy Alaska. This country represents all types of tourism existing in the world, plus several special ones that are characteristic of America.
The capital of the state is Washington, but in this case this does not in any way affect the tourist attractiveness of the city: New York remains the actual center of the United States. The main attraction of the Big Apple is the Statue of Liberty; besides it, travelers rush to see with their own eyes the legendary skyscrapers of the Empire State Building, Woolworths and others, take a walk in Central Park, admire the collection of paintings in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and walk along the Museum Mile.
Chicago is considered the most criminal city in the United States; it is the capital of jazz and the financial center of the country; it is also home to the tallest building in the United States - the Willis Tower. Louisiana is the most French state in America; descendants of settlers from Hugo’s homeland still live in New Orleans. Utah is the stronghold of the Mormon sect, Texas amazes with its vast expanses and wild prairies, and the coolest guys in the entire western part of the States still live in Dallas.
Large cities are good for shopping and intercultural communication, but for a beach holiday you need to go to California and Florida. Hawaii remains the constant leader in resort destinations; good coastlines can also be found in South Carolina, Maine, Massachusetts, and Virginia.
Festival Las Vegas invites you to tickle your nerves and plunge into the abyss of excitement; travelers to the state of Arizona are attracted by the primitive power and grandeur of the Grand Canyon. Most of the Indians living in the United States are concentrated in California and Oklahoma; excursions are conducted on the territory of modern reservations and ancient cities of the Incas, Aztecs and Mayans.
Sports lovers will enjoy surfing on the seductive beaches of Miami or skiing at the winter resorts of Aspen, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Vail and others in Colorado.
In almost any more or less large city you can find several international language schools: educational tourism is very developed in English-speaking America.
In addition, travelers come to the States to visit the cultural capital of Los Angeles, admire the landscape beauties of Ohio and Pennsylvania, improve their health in the most progressive clinics in the world, get married in the Hawaiian Islands or get married in an instant in Las Vegas.
The United States of America is 50 states united into one government system. The capital of the USA is Washington. Each US state has its own constitution and legislation. The total area of the USA is 9.5 million sq. km. The total population of the United States is 315 million people.
The largest states of the USA: Alaska and Texas.
The state of Alaska is located in the Northwestern part of America, includes the Alaska Peninsula, the Aleutian Islands, and is separated from other states by the territory of Canada.
The harsh nature of Alaska is very beautiful. You can’t help but be amazed when looking at the snowy peaks or the calm surface of the deep lakes of Alaska. Its glaciers, volcanoes, mountains and endless snow are amazing in their purity. Although this state is quite small in population (only 700 thousand people), its territory occupies almost twice as much as the second largest US state, Texas. The total area of Alaska is 1,717,854 sq. km.
There are a number of myths associated with the sale of the once Russian land of Alaska to America. The most common of them is that Alaska was sold to the Americans by Queen Catherine II. Remember the song by the Lyube group “Don’t be a fool, America!”? So it contains these words: “Ekaterina, you were wrong!” In fact, it was not Catherine who was wrong. The sale of Alaska took place in March 1867.
Grand Duke Constantine and his brother Alexander 2 agreed to a deal, the price of which was 7.2 million dollars in gold, which is about 110 million dollars in gold in modern terms. The deal turned out to be unprofitable for Russia not only because it lost vast territories, but also because gold was soon discovered in Alaska. In the 19th century, Alaska experienced a Gold Rush, and since then numerous tons of gold have been mined. And currently, no less valuable “mines” are being developed in Alaska: oil production and refining is flourishing, which has a positive effect on both the state’s economy and the economy of the state as a whole.
Officially, Alaska became the 49th state of America not so long ago, only in 1959; before that it was called the “District of Alaska.”
Alaska is rich not only in natural resources and minerals, but also in the unique, pristine beauty of its uninhabited, wild and pristine nature. Numerous tourists flock here from May to September to climb to the top of the White Pass and see with their own eyes all the enchanting beauty and splendor of this wild region.
The exciting route along the Yukon Railway, laid through mountains and rocks, will not leave even the most experienced tourist indifferent. In summer, tourists are offered fishing as a leisure activity, and in winter – dog sledding. On a frosty night, connoisseurs of celestial beauty will be treated to an amazing sight - the unforgettable northern lights.
Some people are attracted to Alaska by the beauty of Mount McKinley (Denali), whose height is 6,194 meters.
So, the largest state in the USA is Alaska. The largest city in this state, Anchorage, is literally surrounded by various protected areas, where tourists come with pleasure at any time of the year.
The smallest US state by area, Roy Island is located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Its area is only 4002 sq. km, of which the water surface occupies 1295 sq. km. (32.3%). This state was even nicknamed “Little Rhody”. Although in terms of population the situation is not so modest - more than a million citizens live in the state.