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Main > The World > United States- Individual States
50 States and Capitals - Pick a state, any state. Or pick a territory; they are here too. You'll get a page with lots of information about each area. For example, look at Nebraska, the Cornhusker State; its capital is Lincoln. See the state flag, the bird, the flower, the song, even links to other information about the state. Hey, did you know Nebraska was the birthplace of President Gerald R. Ford? You do now!
ALABAMA - Located in the Deep South, Alabama is the 22nd state. Alabama is an Indian name for "tribal town." The state bird is the yellowhammer, and the flower is the camellia.
ALASKA - Alaska is the largest state, in area, and is home to the tallest mountain in the United States, Mount McKinley (20,320 feet). It's both the westernmost and easternmost state! This curiosity is possible because, technically, part of the Aleutian Island chain of Alaska is located in the Eastern Hemisphere, while the rest of Alaska is in the Western Hemisphere. Alaska gets its name from an Inuit word for "great lands." It is the 49th state, and some of it lies above the Arctic Circle.
ARIZONA - The 48th state, Arizona, is home to the largest gorge in the U.S.: the Grand Canyon. It is 277 miles long and 1 mile deep. The name is from the Aztec word arizuma , meaning "silver bearing." The official state bird is the cactus wren, and the flower is the saguaro cactus. This western desert state has lots of cactus!
ARKANSAS - Rice grows in much of the lowlands of the 25th state. Midlands Arkansas is home to Hot Springs National Park, where people come from miles around to relax and soothe their tired muscles in the hot mineral baths. The name is from the Quapaw language and means "downstream people." The official state bird is the mockingbird.
American Samoa - Congressman Eni Faleomavaega is American Samoa's delegate to the House of Representatives. Talofa is the traditional greeting. At his home page you can read his statements before the House, see legislation he has sponsored and cosponsored, and catch up on current American Samoa news.
American Samoa Office of Tourism - Department of Commerce - The official site of the American Samoa Tourism Office offers a history of the islands, information on language and culture, maps, and even a link to today's weather forecast. Should you need to experience sunny, 80-degree beaches, this site offers everything you need to plan your family's vacation, too.
COLORADO - One of the Rocky Mountain states, Colorado has the highest average elevation of all the states, and over 50 of the highest mountain peaks in the U.S. are found there. Yes, skiing is popular in Colorado! The 38th state has had over 20,000 years of human habitation. Its state flower is the graceful Rocky Mountain columbine.
CONNECTICUT - Settled by the Dutch in the early 1600s, Connecticut was one of the original 13 colonies. It is the fifth state. The name of this East Coast state comes from a Mohican word meaning "long river place." The official state song is "Yankee Doodle."
DELAWARE - Delaware was the first state, becoming one in 1787. It's the second smallest state in area, ahead only of Rhode Island. Delaware was named after Lord De La Warr, a governor of Virginia. The motto of this eastern seaboard state is "Liberty and independence."
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA - Although it's not a state at all, the District of Columbia is well known for its city of Washington, D.C. It's the special place where the United States government buildings and leaders are. The president of the U.S. lives there, and you can visit the White House and other historic buildings either in person or over the Net. The District of Columbia has its own "state" motto, "Justice for all," as well as an official flower (American beauty rose), tree (scarlet oak), and bird (wood thrush).
FLORIDA - Florida has the distinction of being the flattest state. It is also home to the southernmost spot in the continental United States. Its peninsula divides the Atlantic Ocean from the Gulf of Mexico. Florida was named by Ponce de Leon in 1513; it means "flowery Easter." Lots of oranges and grapefruit grow here due to the mild, sunny climate. The 27th state's official flower is the orange blossom!
GEORGIA - Georgia is named after King George II of England. The Cumberland Island National Seashore is a coastal wilderness area located in Georgia, also famous for its sea islands. The 1996 Summer Olympics were held in Atlanta. The fourth state's official tree is the live oak.
Get Local - Regional: U.S. States - Yahoo has just about everything available when it comes to U.S. states. If you don't mind wading through lots of links to find just what you're looking for, try here. To your advantage, though, each state's links are also sorted by category. You can ask for just the links on education, sports, outdoors, cities, government, and more. There's also a search field that you can use to narrow down your selection.
HAWAII - Hawaii's Mount Waialeale, on the island of Kauai, is the rainiest place in the world, with an average rainfall of over 460 inches a year. Also within this tropical state is the southernmost spot in the U.S., at Ka Lae on the Big Island of Hawaii. Hawaii comprises over 130 Pacific islands, but there are eight main islands. Its name is believed to have come from the native word Hawaiki , meaning "homeland." It is the 50th state, and its state tree is the candlenut. Some people in Hawaii are trying to return the state to sovereign nationhood. Please see the entry, "Hawai'i Independent and Sovereign," in the NATIVE AMERICANS AND OTHER INDIGENOUS PEOPLES--NATIVE HAWAIIANS section.
IDAHO - Idaho is known for its farming and its most famous crop, the Idaho potato. The deepest gorge in North America is in Hells Canyon, along the Idaho-Oregon border, measuring 7,900 feet deep. This Rocky Mountain state's official bird is the mountain bluebird. It is the 43rd state.
ILLINOIS - Illinois is the Algonquin word for "warriors." The 21st state is also known as the Land of Lincoln, in homage to the 16th president, who lived and is buried in the Springfield area. The tallest building in the United States is the Sears Tower in Chicago, Illinois. The official bird of this Midwest state is the red cardinal.
INDIANA - The 19th state, Indiana means "land of the Indians." Indianapolis, its capital and largest city, is where the Indianapolis 500 auto race is held every year. This Midwest state's official tree is the tulip tree.
IOWA - A major producer of corn and soybeans, Midwest state Iowa is a Native American name for "beautiful land." It is the 29th state. Its state bird is the colorful and jaunty eastern goldfinch.
KANSAS - The geographical center of the lower 48 states is located near Lebanon, Kansas. Kansas is a Sioux word meaning "south wind people." Famous for farming and wheat fields, the 34th state is also known as the mythical home of Dorothy and Toto of The Wizard of Oz .
KENTUCKY - Kentucky, the "land of tomorrow," has what is possibly the largest cave system in the world, Mammoth Caves. The 15th state is also known for its many thoroughbred horse farms. Its state flower is the goldenrod.
LOUISIANA - This southern state is where the mighty Mississippi River enters the Gulf of Mexico. Its largest city, New Orleans, is famous for its Mardi Gras celebration, held every year on the last day before Lent. The 18th state's bird is the brown pelican, which also appears on the state flag.
MAINE - This is the state where the lobster rules. It's also the easternmost point of the U.S. mainland. The 23rd state is also famous for Acadia National Park and its rugged coastline. The state bird is the playful black-capped chickadee, and the official tree is the eastern white pine.
MARYLAND - The east coast of Maryland is near the District of Columbia, the capital of the United States. The national anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner," by Sir Francis Scott Key, was inspired by a battle in 1814 at historic Fort McHenry. Surrounding the Chesapeake Bay, much of eastern Maryland is known for its fishing industries, particularly for soft-shelled crabs. You may have read the horse story, Misty of Chincoteague , by Marguerite Henry. These stories were set at the Assateague National Seashore, which Maryland shares with neighboring Virginia. The seventh state, Maryland's state bird is the northern oriole.
MASSACHUSETTS - The Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, near Boston, on December 21, 1620. They later started one of the most traditional American feasts, Thanksgiving. Native Americans helped them to survive. Famous folks from Massachusetts include John F. Kennedy and Louisa May Alcott. The sixth state's official flower is the mayflower.
MICHIGAN - Henry Ford's Detroit auto factory began an industry that has made Michigan the center of U.S. car manufacturing. Michigan gets its name from mici gama , the Chippewa words meaning "great water." Michigan is in two parts, the Upper and Lower Peninsulas. It has shoreline on four of the Great Lakes: Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Superior. The 26th state's official bird is the robin.
MINNESOTA - The Mississippi River starts here! Minnesota is from the Sioux word meaning "cloudy water," but it referred to the Minnesota River. This northern border state has over 15,000 lakes, left there by glaciers. The 32nd state's official bird is the common loon, and its flower is the pink-and-white lady's slipper.
MISSISSIPPI - Southern state Mississippi's history dates back to the 1500s, when Spanish explorers visited the area. The French were first to settle it, however, in 1699. The 20th state was a center of attention in the 1960s with the activities of the civil rights movement. The state flower is the sweetly scented magnolia.
MISSOURI - Two major rivers, the Missouri and the Mississippi, meet in the 24th state. Samuel Clemens, also known as Mark Twain, lived in Hannibal, Missouri, on the Mississippi River. The Ozark Mountains in this state contain more than 400 caves. A dam on the Osage River holds back the Lake of the Ozarks, one of the largest man-made lakes in the world. The official state tree is the hawthorn.
MONTANA - Montana is "Big Sky Country," a nickname that came from the wide-spaces that dominate the eastern grasslands. However, the Rocky Mountains in the west are responsible for its name, the Spanish word for "mountains." The 41st state's official tree is the ponderosa pine.
NEBRASKA - Nebraska's name is from the Omaha word meaning "broad water," referring to the Platte River. The Agate Fossil Beds National Monument contains bones from animals over 22 million years old. This Great Plains state is known for farming and grazing land. The official tree of the 37th state is the cottonwood.
NEVADA - Nevada's Hoover Dam on the Colorado River is one of the tallest dams in the world. Tourists from around the world visit Las Vegas for its gambling and entertainment. The official flower of the 36th state is the pungent sagebrush.
NEW HAMPSHIRE - This state's motto is "Live free or die." Although New Hampshire was the ninth state to be admitted into the United States, it was the first colony to declare its independence from Britain. Its state flower is the sweetly scented purple lilac.
NEW JERSEY - The third state admitted to the Union was New Jersey. Northeastern New Jersey is densely populated, with close ties to New York City. It is also known for Atlantic City, a popular seaside resort. The state flower is the purple violet.
NEW MEXICO - The 47th state has many natural wonders. Carlsbad Caverns National Park has caves that are over 11,000 feet deep and 20 miles long. This western desert state claims the yucca as its official flower and the roadrunner as its bird.
NEW YORK - From New York City to the Adirondack Mountains to Niagara Falls, New York has a diverse array of sights. Its history dates back to the 1620s, when the Dutch colonized Manhattan Island. The Baseball Hall of Fame is located in Cooperstown. The 11th state's official tree is the sugar maple. This state also has an official muffin!
NORTH CAROLINA - Orville Wright made his historic first flight at coastal Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The first English settlement in the Americas was made on Roanoke Island in 1587, but three years later, the village was found abandoned and in ruins. What happened to these people remains a mystery to this day. The 12th state's official tree is the long-leafed pine.
NORTH DAKOTA - This state is famous for its uneven territory known as the Badlands. The Badlands were justly named by early travelers, because they are almost impossible to cross. Dakota is a Sioux word, meaning "friend." A 2,063-foot TV tower in Blanchard, North Dakota, is the tallest man-made structure in the country. North Dakota's official flower is the wild prairie rose. It is the 39th state.
OHIO - Ohio is an Iroquois word, meaning "good river." Ohio was one of the ancient homes of the Mound Builders, who built thousands of earthen burial and ceremonial mounds, many of which can be seen today. The Pro Football Hall of Fame is located in Canton. The 17th state's official tree is the buckeye.
OKLAHOMA - The deepest well in the U.S. is located in Washita County. This gas well is 31,441 feet deep! Oklahoma gets its name from a Choctaw word, meaning "red man." The 46th state's official tree is the redbud. Yahoo! The National Cowboy Hall of Fame is in Oklahoma City.
OREGON - The deepest lake in the United States is Crater Lake, in Crater Lake National Park, with depths to 1,932 feet. This lake is located inside an ancient volcano and has no water flowing in or out. Oregon's west coast is known for its dense woods and beautiful, mountainous scenery. Its state tree is the Douglas fir. It is the 33rd state.
PENNSYLVANIA - Pennsylvania was settled by Quakers from Great Britain in the 1680s. In 1863, during the Civil War, a famous battle was fought in Gettysburg. You'll also find the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. Pennsylvania, which is the second state, has a small border on one of the Great Lakes, Lake Erie. Its official bird is the ruffed grouse.
Quia! U.S. State Capitals - Do you have to memorize the state capitals for school? This neat site offers you online flashcards, concentration games, and other ways for you to commit to memory everything from Montgomery, Alabama, to Cheyenne, Wyoming.
RHODE ISLAND - Rhode Island is the smallest state in the U.S. It is also the 13th of the original 13 colonies and the 13th state. The first factory in the U.S. was built there in the 1790s. This East Coast state's official bird is the Rhode Island red chicken.
SOUTH CAROLINA - The Civil War started in South Carolina, at Fort Sumter, in Charleston harbor. This historic East Coast city is very well preserved. Hilton Head and Myrtle Beach are well-known and popular seaside vacation sites. The eighth state's official bird is the Carolina wren.
SOUTH DAKOTA - Famous Mount Rushmore is located in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Four 60-foot heads of U.S. presidents have been sculpted on the side of a mountain. The Black Hills look "black" from a distance because they are covered with dense pine forests. The 40th state's official bird is the ring-necked pheasant.
State and Local Government on the Net - Hear ye, hear ye! Citizens that be among you wishing to partake of information from the category of state, federal, and tribal governments, assemble freely here. Delve ye deep within diverse agencies and departments. What ye find may astound you. Here be thy taxes at work.
Stately Knowledge - This site offers information on every state (and Washington, D.C.). There are basic facts about each state, comparative statistics, and suggested books and other resources. You can play a state capitals game or a state flags game, too.
TENNESSEE - Tennessee, the 16th state, is known for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Nashville is famous as a world center for country music. The official state flower is the iris.
TEXAS - Cattle and oil dominate the economy of Texas. It's the second-largest state in area, after Alaska. A famous battle in 1836, between thousands of Mexicans and a few hundred Texans, took place at an old Spanish mission called the Alamo, located in San Antonio. "Remember the Alamo" is a famous battle cry. Texas is the 28th state, and its flower is the bluebonnet.
UTAH - Utah comes from a Navajo word, meaning "upper." Salt Lake City is the spiritual center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) religion. The Great Salt Lake in Utah is eight times saltier than the ocean. Utah is the 45th state, and its official bird is the seagull.
VERMONT - and mont are French for "green" and "mountain," respectively. The Green Mountains are located in Vermont. One interesting fact about Vermont is that it has no major cities. This makes it the most rural state in the country. Its official flower is the red clover, and it is the 14th state.
VIRGINIA - Virginia has been home to both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, and you can tour their historic homes today. Jamestown became the first permanent English settlement in 1607. It is the tenth state, and the dogwood is both its official tree and flower.
WASHINGTON - Coastal Washington state is known for its many natural features. The Cascade Range is where Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980. Olympic National Park contains vast sections of ancient rain forest. It is the 42nd state, and the rhododendron is the official flower.
WEST VIRGINIA - West Virginia's natural features are dominated by the Appalachian Mountains. Mining in these mountains is a major industry, and coal is the main product. The 35th state's official bird is the brilliantly colored cardinal.
WISCONSIN - Wisconsin is a state with over 8,000 lakes, carved out by glaciers long ago. This state has more dairy cows than any other state, so it's no wonder that milk and cheese are its major products. Bordered by two Great Lakes, Lake Superior and Lake Michigan, Wisconsin is the 30th state. Its official flower is the wood violet.
WYOMING - Wyoming means "large prairie place" in Algonquin. Yellowstone National Park is famous for its geysers and hot springs (fictional "Jellystone Park" is where Yogi Bear and Boo-Boo live). This rugged Rocky Mountain state was the 44th to be admitted to the Union. Its official flower is the Indian paintbrush.
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