List of all States and Territories of the United States

• Alabama abbrevation: AL
• Alabama nickname: “Yellowhammer State”
• Why is it called Alabama: named after the Native American Choctaw tribe called Alabama
• Capital city of Alabama: Montgomery, AL (pop. 205,000)
• Largest city of Alabama: Birmingham, AL (pop. 212,000)
• Alabama population: 4,822,023 (23rd most populated State)
• Alabama location: Southeast Coast, Gulf of Mexico
• Alabama size: 52,423 square miles (13,5774 square kilometers) (30th largest State)
• Alabama admission to United States of America: December 14, 1819 (the 22nd State)

2 Alaska

• Alaska abbrevation: AK
• Alaska nickname: “The Last Frontier” or “Land of the Midnight Sun” or “Seward’s Icebox”
• Why is it called Alaska: named after the indigenous Aleut word Alaxsxaq (or Alyeska), which means “mainland”
• Capital city of Alaska: Juneau, AK (pop. 32,000)
• Largest city of Alaska: Anchorage, AK
• Alaska population: 731,449 (least populated State)
• Alaska location: Northwest extremity of North American continent, bordered by Canada on the east, Arctic Ocean west.
• Alaska size: 656,425 square miles (1700132 square km) (largest State)
• Alaska admission to United States of America: January 3, 1959 (the 49th State)

3 Arizona

• Arizona abbrevation: AZ
• Arizona nickname: “The Grand Canyon State” or “The Copper State”
• Why is it called Arizona: believed to be called after the O’odham (Uto-Aztecan language) word “alĭ ṣonak”, which means “small spring”
• Capital city of Arizona: Phoenix, AZ (pop. 1,488,750)
• Largest city of Arizona: Phoenix, AZ
• Arizona population: 6,553,255 (15th most populated State)
• Arizona location: Southwest, no coast
• Arizona size: 114,006 square miles (295,274 square km) (6th largest State)
• Arizona Admission to United States of America: February 14, 1912 (the 48th State)

4 Arkansas

• Arkansas abbrevation: AR
• Arkansas nickname: The Natural State
• Why is it called Arkansas: It’s the French pronunciation of the Native American Quapaw tribe word “akakaze”, which means land of downriver people. The same word in Sioux means “people of the south wind”.
• Capital city of Arkansas: Little Rock, AR (pop. 193,524)
• Largest city of Arkansas: Little Rock, AR
• Arkansas population: 2,949,131 (32nd most populated State)
• Arkansas size: 53,179 sq mi (137,733 km2) (29th largest State)
• Arkansas location: South/mid
• Arkansas Admission to United States of America: June 15, 1836 (the 25th State)

5 California

• California abbrevation: CA
• California nickname: The Golden State
• Why is it called California: It’s believed to be named after fictional queen Calafia. Spanish writer Garci Rodríguez de Montalvo wrote about Queen Calafia in “The Adventures of Esplandián”. This fictional warrior queen ruled over a remote kingdom with strange beast (such as griffins) and lots of gold.
• Capital city of California: Sacramento, CA (pop. 477,891)
• Largest city of California: Los Angeles, CA (pop. 3,857,799)
• California population: 38,041,430 (the most populated State)
• California size: 163,696 sq mi (423,970 km2) (3rd largest State)
• California location: West Coast
• California Admission to United States of America: September 9, 1850 (the 31st State)

6 Colorado

• Colorado abbrevation: CO
• Colorado nickname: The Centennial State
• Why is it called Colorado: Named after the Colorado River, which was named Rio Colorado by the Spanish because of the red silt sediment it carried
• Capital city of Colorado: Denver, CO (pop. 634,265)
• Largest city of Colorado: Denver, CO
• Colorado population: 5,187,582 (22nd most populated State)
• Colorado size: 104,094 sq mi (269,837 km2) (8th largest State)
• Colorado location: Mid US
• Colorado Admission to United States of America: August 1, 1876 (the 38th State)

7 Connecticut

• Connecticut abbrevation: CT
• Connecticut nickname: “The Constitution State” or “The Nutmeg State” or “The Provisions State” or “The Land of Steady Habits”
• Why is it called Connecticut: After the Native American Mohegan word “quonehtacut”, which means “place of long tidal river”
• Capital city of Connecticut: Hartford, CT (pop. 124,893)
• Largest city of Connecticut: Bridgeport, CT (pop. 146,425)
• Connecticut population: 3,590,347 (29th most populated State)
• Connecticut size: 5,543 sq mi (14,357 km2) (48th largest State)
• Connecticut location: Northeast Coast
• Connecticut Admission to United States of America: January 9, 1788 (the 5th State)

8 Delaware

• Delaware abbrevation: DE
• Delaware nickname: “The First State” or “The Small Wonder” or  “Blue Hen State” or “The Diamond State”
• Why is it called Delaware: Named after Thomas West, 3rd and 12th Baron De La Warr
• Capital city of Delaware: Dover, DE (pop. 36,047)
• Largest city of Delaware: Wilmington, DE (pop. 71,292)
• Delaware population: 917,092 (45th most populated State)
• Delaware size: 2,490 sq mi (6,452 km2) (49th largest State)
• Delaware location: Northeast Coast (peninsula)
• Delaware Admission to United States of America: December 7, 1787 (the 1st State)

9 Florida

• Florida abbrevation: FL
• Florida nickname: The Sunshine State
• Why is it called Florida: Juan Ponce de León called it “La Florida”, which means Flowery Land. He landed in Florida in 1513 during the Spanish Easter season, called “Pascua Florida”
• Capital city of Florida: Tallahassee, FL (pop. 181,376)
• Largest city of Florida: Jacksonville, FL (pop. 836,507)
• Florida population: 19,317,568 (4th most populated State)
• Florida size: 65,755 sq mi (170,304 km2) (22nd largest State)
• Florida location: Southeast Coast (peninsula)
• Florida Admission to United States of America: March 3, 1845 (the 27th State)

10 Georgia

• Georgia abbrevation: GA
• Georgia nickname: “Peach State” or “Empire State of the South”
• Why is it called Georgia: Named after King George II of Great Britain in 1732
• Capital city of Georgia: Atlanta, GA (pop. 443,775)
• Largest city of Georgia: Atlanta, GA
• Georgia population: 9,919,945 (8th most populated State)
• Georgia size: 59,425 sq mi (153,909 km2) (24th largest State)
• Georgia location: Southeast Coast
• Georgia Admission to United States of America: January 2, 1788 (the 4th State)

11 Hawaii

• Hawaii abbrevation: HI
• Hawaii nickname: The Aloha State
• Why is it called Hawaii: The Hawaiian word “Hawaiʻi” means “homeland” in Polynesian language
• Capital city of Hawaii: Honolulu, HI (pop. 390,738)
• Largest city of Hawaii: Honolulu, HI
• Hawaii population: 1,392,313 (40th most populated State)
• Hawaii size: 10,931 sq mi (28,311 km2) (43rd largest State)
• Hawaii location: Central Pacific Ocean, an island group as the most northern part of Polynesia
• Hawaii Admission to United States of America: August 21, 1959 (the 50th State)

12 Idaho

• Idaho abbrevation: ID
• Idaho nickname: Gem State
• Why is it called Idaho: No one is sure. May be derived from the Plains Apache word “ídaahę́”, meaning “enemy”. It may also be a made-up word by lobbyist George M. Willing, who at first claimed it had beautiful meanings in Shoshone language, but later he said he made it up himself.
• Capital city of Idaho: Boise, ID (pop. 212,303)
• Largest city of Idaho: Boise, ID
• Idaho population: 1,595,728 (39th most populated State)
• Idaho size: 83,570 sq mi (216,632 km2) (14th largest State)
• Idaho location: Northwest, bordered to Canada
• Idaho Admission to United States of America: July 3, 1890 (the 43rd State)

13 Illinois

• Illinois abbrevation: IL
• Illinois nickname: “Land of Lincoln” or “The “Prairie State”
• Why is it called Illinois: French missionaries and explorers called the local natives Illinois (which is the new, current spelling, anyone know the old spelling?)
• Capital city of Illinois: Springfield, IL (pop. 117,400)
• Largest city of Illinois: Chicago, IL (pop. 2,714,856)
• Illinois population: 12,875,255 (5th most populated State)
• Illinois size: 57,914 sq mi (149,998 km2) (25th largest State)
• Illinois location: Midwest/North Central region
• Illinois Admission to United States of America: December 3, 1818 (the 21st State)

14 Indiana

• Indiana abbrevation: IN
• Indiana nickname: The Hoosier State
• Why is it called Indiana: It means “Land of the Indians” or “Indian Land”, officially baptized to Indiana by United States Congress in 1800
• Capital city of Indiana: Indianapolis, IN (pop. 834,852)
• Largest city of Indiana: Indianapolis, IN
• Indiana population: 6,537,334 (16th most populated State)
• Indiana size: 36,418 sq mi (94,321 km2) (38th largest State)
• Indiana location: Midwestern/Great Lakes region
• Indiana Admission to United States of America: December 11, 1816 (the 19th State)

15 Iowa

• Iowa abbrevation: IA
• Iowa nickname: The Hawkeye State
• Why is it called Iowa: Called after the local Native American Ioway tribe
• Capital city of Iowa: Des Moines, IA (pop. 206,688)
• Largest city of Iowa: Des Moines, IA
• Iowa population: 3,074,186 (30th most populated State)
• Iowa size: 56,272 sq mi (145,743 km2) (26th largest State)
• Iowa location: Midwestern region
• Iowa Admission to United States of America: December 28, 1846 (the 29th State)

16 Kansas

• Kansas abbrevation: KS
• Kansas nickname: “The Sunflower State” or “The Wheat State” or “Jayhawker State”
• Why is it called Kansas: Named after the local Native American Kansa tribe
• Capital city of Kansas: Topeka, KS (pop. 127,939)
• Largest city of Kansas: Wichita, KS (pop. 385,577)
• Kansas population: 2,885,905 (33rd most populated State)
• Kansas size: 82,277 sq mi (213,096 km2) (15th largest State)
• Kansas location: Midwestern region (center of mainland USA)
• Kansas Admission to United States of America: January 29, 1861 (the 34th State)

17 Kentucky

• Kentucky abbrevation: KY
• Kentucky nickname: Bluegrass State
• Why is it called Kentucky: No official explanation, but it may be named after the many different meanings in Native American languages such as “meadow” or “prairie” (kehta’keh) or references to river head or bottom or even “dark and bloody ground”. Until today no one is quite sure.
• Capital city of Kentucky: Frankfort, KY (pop. 25,527)
• Largest city of Kentucky: Louisville, KY (pop. 605,110)
• Kentucky population: 4,380,415 (26th most populated State)
• Kentucky size: 40,409 sq mi (104,659 km2) (37th largest State)
• Kentucky location: East south-central region
• Kentucky Admission to United States of America: June 1, 1792 (the 15th State)

18 Louisiana

• Louisiana abbrevation: LA
• Louisiana nickname: “Bayou State” or “Child of the Mississippi” or “Creole State” or “Pelican State (official)” or “Sportsman’s Paradise” or “Sugar State”
• Why is it called Louisiana: It’s named after King of France from 1643 to 1715, Louis XIV
• Capital city of Louisiana: Baton Rouge, LA (pop. 230,058)
• Largest city of Louisiana: New Orleans, LA (pop. 369,250)
• Louisiana population: 4,601,893 (25th most populated State)
• Louisiana size: 51,843 sq mi (135,382 km2) (31st largest State)
• Louisiana location: Southern coastal region
• Louisiana Admission to United States of America: April 30, 1812 (the 18th State)

19 Maine

• Maine abbrevation: ME
• Maine nickname: “The Pine Tree State” or “Vacationland”
• Why is it called Maine: Supposedly called after the former French province of Maine, but it can also be a nautical word for Mainland
• Capital city of Maine: Augusta, ME (pop. 18,946)
• Largest city of Maine: Portland, ME (pop. 66,214)
• Maine population: 1,329,192 (41st most populated State)
• Maine size: 35,385 sq mi(91,646 km2) (39th largest State)
• Maine location: Part of New England, the northeastern most and easternmost point of the US
• Maine Admission to United States of America: March 15, 1820 (the 23rd State)

20 Maryland

• Maryland abbrevation: MD
• Maryland nickname: “Old Line State” or “Free State” or “Little America” or “America in Miniature”
• Why is it called Maryland: Formally it’s named after Queen Henrietta Maria, wife of British King Charles I. Others say that it was named after Mary, mother of Jesus
• Capital city of Maryland: Annapolis, MD (pop. 38,620)
• Largest city of Maryland: Baltimore, MD (pop. 621,342)
• Maryland population: 5,884,563 (19th most populated State)
• Maryland size: 12,407 sq mi (32,133 km2) (42nd largest State)
• Maryland location: Mid-Atlantic region, east coast
• Maryland Admission to United States of America: April 28, 1788 (the 7th State)

21 Massachusetts

• Massachusetts abbrevation: MA
• Massachusetts nickname: “The Bay State” or “The Old Colony State” or “The Codfish State”
• Why is it called Massachusetts: Either named after the Native American Massachusett tribe, or named after Moswetuset Hummock (which means “hill shaped like an arrowhead”)
• Capital city of Massachusetts: Boston, MA (pop. 636,479)
• Largest city of Massachusetts: Boston, MA
• Massachusetts population: 6,646,144 (14th most populated State)
• Massachusetts size: 10,555 sq mi (27,336 km2) (44th largest State)
• Massachusetts location: Northeastern region, part of New England
• Massachusetts Admission to United States of America: February 6, 1788 (the 6th State)

22 Michigan

• Michigan abbrevation: MI
• Michigan nickname: “The Great Lakes State” or “The Wolverine State” or “The Mitten State” or “Water (Winter) Wonderland”
• Why is it called Michigan: The French derived Michigan from the Native American Ojibwa word “mishigamaa”, which means “large water” or “large lake”
• Capital city of Michigan: Lansing, MI (pop. 113,996)
• Largest city of Michigan: Detroit, MI (pop. 694,475)
• Michigan population: 9,883,360 (9th most populated State)
• Michigan size: 96,716 sq mi (250,493 km2) (11th largest State)
• Michigan location: North Midwestern region
• Michigan Admission to United States of America: January 26, 1837 (the 26th State)

23 Minnesota

• Minnesota abbrevation: MN
• Minnesota nickname: “Land of 10,000 Lakes” or “North Star State” or “The Gopher State”
• Why is it called Minnesota: Named after the Native American Dakotan name for Mnisota River, meaning either “cloudy water” or “clear water”
• Capital city of Minnesota: Saint Paul, MN (pop. 290,770)
• Largest city of Minnesota: Minneapolis, MN (pop. 392,880)
• Minnesota population: 5,379,139 (21st most populated State)
• Minnesota size: 86,939 sq mi (225,181 km2) (12th largest State)
• Minnesota location: North Midwestern region
• Minnesota Admission to United States of America: May 11, 1858 (the 32nd State)

24 Mississippi

• Mississippi abbrevation: MS
• Mississippi nickname: “The Magnolia State” or “The Hospitality State”
• Why is it called Mississippi: Named after the Mississippi River, which in turn is named after the Native American Ojibwe word “misi-ziibi”, meaning “Great River”
• Capital city of Mississippi: Jackson, MS (pop. 175,437)
• Largest city of Mississippi: Jackson, MS
• Mississippi population: 2,984,926 (31st most populated State)
• Mississippi size: 48,430 sq mi (125,443 km2) (32nd largest State)
• Mississippi location: Southern coastal region
• Mississippi Admission to United States of America: December 10, 1817 (the 20th State)

25 Missouri

• Missouri abbrevation: MO
• Missouri nickname: The Show Me State
• Why is it called Missouri:  Named after the Missouri River, which in turn was named after the Native American Missouri tribe
• Capital city of Missouri: Jefferson City, MO (pop. 43,183)
• Largest city of Missouri: Kansas City, MO (pop. 464,310)
• Missouri population: 6,021,988 (18th most populated State)
• Missouri size: 69,709 sq mi (180,533 km2) (21st largest State)
• Missouri location: Midwestern United States
• Missouri Admission to United States of America: August 10, 1821 (the 24th State)

26 Montana

• Montana abbrevation: MT
• Montana nickname: “Big Sky Country” or “The Treasure State”
• Why is it called Montana: It comes from the Spanish word “Montaña”, which means “mountain” or “mountainous country
• Capital city of Montana: Helena, MT (pop. 29,134)
• Largest city of Montana: Billings, MT (pop. 106,954)
• Montana population: 1,005,141 (44th most populated State)
• Montana size: 147,042 sq mi (381,154 km2) (4th largest State)
• Montana location: The north of Western United States
• Montana Admission to United States of America: November 8, 1889 (the 41st State)

27 Nebraska

• Nebraska abbrevation: NE
• Nebraska nickname: Cornhusker State
• Why is it called Nebraska: Named after the Otoe and Omaha words for “flat water”, namely Ñí Brásge and Ní Btháska (because of the Platte River that flows through the State)
• Capital city of Nebraska: Lincoln, NE (pop. 265,404)
• Largest city of Nebraska: Omaha, NE (pop. 421,570)
• Nebraska population: 1,845,525 (37th most populated State)
• Nebraska size: 77,354 sq mi (200,520 km2) (16h largest State)
• Nebraska location: Almost the center of the US in the Midwestern United States
• Nebraska Admission to United States of America: March 1, 1867 (the 37th State)

28 Nevada

• Nevada abbrevation: NV
• Nevada nickname: “Silver State” or “Sagebrush State” or “Battle Born State”
• Why is it called Nevada: From the Spanish word “nevada”, which means meaning “snow-covered”. It’s what they called it after seeing they named the mountain range Sierra Nevada (literally “snow-covered mountains”
• Capital city of Nevada: Carson City, NV (pop. 55,274)
• Largest city of Nevada: Las Vegas, NV (pop. 596,424)
• Nevada population: 2,758,931 (35th most populated State)
• Nevada size: 110,622 sq mi (286,367 km2) (7th largest State)
• Nevada location: the Western United States
• Nevada Admission to United States of America: October 31, 1864 (the 36th State)

29 New Hampshire

• New Hampshire abbrevation: NH
• New Hampshire nickname: The Granite State
• Why is it called New Hampshire: Named after the south England county of Hampshire
• Capital city of New Hampshire: Concord, NH (pop. 42,695)
• Largest city of New Hampshire: Manchester, NH (pop. 110,209)
• New Hampshire population: 1,320,718 (42nd most populated State)
• New Hampshire size: 9,304 sq mi (24,217 km2) (46th largest State)
• New Hampshire location: In New England region, the northeastern United States
• New Hampshire Admission to United States of America: June 21, 1788 (the 9th State)

30 New Jersey

• New Jersey abbrevation: NJ
• New Jersey nickname: The Garden State
• Why is it called New Jersey: Named after the English Channel Island called Jersey
• Capital city of New Jersey: Trenton, NJ (pop. 84,477)
• Largest city of New Jersey: Newark, NJ (pop. 277,727)
• New Jersey population: 8,864,590 (11th most populated State)
• New Jersey size: 8,721 sq mi (22,608 km2) (47th largest State)
• New Jersey location: Northeastern, Middle Atlantic region, east coast area
• New Jersey Admission to United States of America: December 18, 1787 (the 3rd State)

31 New Mexico

• New Mexico abbrevation: NM
• New Mexico nickname: Land of Enchantment
• Why is it called New Mexico: When the Spanish conquered the Aztecs they wiped them out and named their land New Mexico in 1561
• Capital city of New Mexico: Santa Fe, NM (pop. 67,947)
• Largest city of New Mexico: Albuquerque, NM (555,417)
• New Mexico population: 2,085,538 (36th most populated State)
• New Mexico size: 121,589 sq mi (315,194 km2) (5th largest State)
• New Mexico location: Southwestern region, bordering Mexico
• New Mexico Admission to United States of America: January 6, 1912 (the 47th State)

32 New York

• New York abbrevation: NY
• New York nickname: The Empire State
• Why is it called New York: Named after the 17th century Duke of York, who became King James II of England in 1685.
• Capital city of New York: Albany, NY (pop. 97,904)
• Largest city of New York: New York, NY (pop. 8,336,697)
• New York population: 19,570,261 (3rd most populated State)
• New York size: 54,556 sq mi (141,300 km2) (27th largest State)
• New York location: Northeastern region
• New York Admission to United States of America: July 26, 1788 (the 11th State)

33 North Carolina

• North Carolina abbrevation: NC
• North Carolina nickname: “Tar Heel State” or “Old North State”
• Why is it called North Carolina: King Charles II of England named his new province Carolina after his father Charles I. North Carolina later became a separate colony in 1712
• Capital city of North Carolina: Raleigh, NC (pop. 423,179)
• Largest city of North Carolina: Charlotte, NC (pop. 775,202)
• North Carolina population: 9,752,073 (10th most populated State)
• North Carolina size: 53,819 sq mi (139,390 km2) (28th largest State)
• North Carolina location: Southeastern United States, east coast
• North Carolina Admission to United States of America: November 21, 1789 (the 12th State)

34 North Dakota

• North Dakota abbrevation: ND
• North Dakota nickname: “Peace Garden State” or “Roughrider State” or “Flickertail State”
• Why is it called North Dakota: Named after the Native American Lakota and Dakota tribes. In the Sioux language “dakota” means “allies”
• Capital city of North Dakota: Bismarck, ND (pop. 64,751)
• Largest city of North Dakota: Fargo, ND (pop. 109,779)
• North Dakota population: 699,628 (48th most populated State)
• North Dakota size: 70,700 sq mi (183,272 km2) (19th largest State)
• North Dakota location: Upper Midwestern region
• North Dakota Admission to United States of America: November 2, 1889 (the 39th State)

35 Ohio

• Ohio abbrevation: OH
• Ohio nickname: “The Buckeye State” or “The Mother of Presidents” or “Birthplace of Aviation” or “The Heart of It All”
• Why is it called Ohio: Based on the Iroquois (Native American language) word “ohi-yo”, which means “great river” or “large creek
• Capital city of Ohio: Columbus, OH (pop. 809,798)
• Largest city of Ohio: Columbus, OH
• Ohio population: 11,544,225 (7th most populated State)
• Ohio size: 44,825 sq mi (116,096 km2) (34th largest State)
• Ohio location: Midwestern United States, but leaning more towards the east coast
• Ohio Admission to United States of America: March 1, 1803 (the 17th State, although it wasn’t formally declared as such until Augst 7, 1953)

36 Oklahoma

• Oklahoma abbrevation: OK
• Oklahoma nickname: “Sooner State”
• Why is it called Oklahoma: It comes from the Choctaw language and the phrase “okla humma” means “red people”
  
• Capital city of Oklahoma: Oklahoma City, OK (pop. 599,199)
• Largest city of Oklahoma: Oklahoma City, OK
• Oklahoma population: 3,814,820 (28th most populated State)
• Oklahoma size: 69,898 sq mi (181,195 km2) (20th largest State)
• Oklahoma location: Mid southern region
• Oklahoma Admission to United States of America: November 16, 1907 (the 46th State)

37 Oregon

• Oregon abbrevation: OR
• Oregon nickname: “Beaver State”
• Why is it called Oregon: Originally spelled “Ouragon”. On one hand believed to be derived from the French word “ouragan” which means “windstorm” or “hurricane”. On the other hand it could be a typing error when mapping the region and the Ouisiconsink (Wisconsin) River was accidentally spelled as “Ouaricon-sint” making it appear as “Ouaricon”, a river flowing to the west
• Capital city of Oregon: Salem, OR (pop. 157,429)
• Largest city of Oregon: Portland, OR (pop. 603,106)
• Oregon population: 3,899,353 (27th most populated State)
• Oregon size: 98,381 sq mi (255,026 km2) (9th largest State)
• Oregon location: Pacific Northwest region, west coast
• Oregon Admission to United States of America: February 14, 1859 (the 33rd State)

38 Pennsylvania

• Pennsylvania abbrevation: PA
• Pennsylvania nickname: “Keystone State” or “Quaker State” or “Coal State” or “Oil State” or “State of Independence”
• Why is it called Pennsylvania: Named after Quaker (and real estate entrepeneur) William Penn
• Capital city of Pennsylvania: Harrisburg, PA (pop. 49,528)
• Largest city of Pennsylvania: Philadelphia, PA (pop. 1,526,006
• Pennsylvania population: 12,763,536 (6th most populated State)
• Pennsylvania size: 6,055 sq mi (119,283 km2) (33rd largest State)
• Pennsylvania location: Northeastern/Mid Atlantic region
• Pennsylvania Admission to United States of America: December 12, 1787 (the 2nd State)

39 Rhode Island

• Rhode Island abbrevation: RI
• Rhode Island nickname: “The Ocean State” or “Little Rhody”
• Why is it called Rhode Island: Although there is no formal explanation for the name Rhode Island (and why it later became known as such instead of Aquidneck Island) there are two theories. The first is that of Florentine Giovanni da Verrazzano who found and described an island which he called Rhodes after the Greek island Ródos. The other theory is of Dutch explorer Adriaen Block who sailed past an island of “reddish appearance” (or “een rodlich Eylande”), probably because of the red leaves during autumn
• Capital city of Rhode Island: Providence, RI (pop. 182,911)
• Largest city of Rhode Island: Providence, RI
• Rhode Island population: 1,050,292 (43rd most populated State)
• Rhode Island size: 1,214 sq mi (3,140 km2) (the smallest State.. or 50th largest State)
• Rhode Island location: New England region, northeast coast
• Rhode Island Admission to United States of America: May 29, 1790 (the 13th State)

40 South Carolina

• South Carolina abbrevation: SC
• South Carolina nickname: The Palmetto State
• Why is it called South Carolina: Same as with North Carolina it was named after King Charles II of England
• Capital city of South Carolina: Columbia, SC (pop. 131,686)
• Largest city of South Carolina: Columbia, SC
• South Carolina population: 4,723,723 (24th most populated State)
• South Carolina size: 32,020 sq mi (82,931. km2) (40th largest State)
• South Carolina location: Southeastern United States, east coast
• South Carolina Admission to United States of America: May 23, 1788 (the 8th State)

41 South Dakota

• South Dakota abbrevation: SD
• South Dakota nickname: The Mount Rushmore State
• Why is it called South Dakota: Just like North Dakota it’s named after the Native American Lakota and Dakota tribes
• Capital city of South Dakota: Pierre, SD (pop. 13,914)
• Largest city of South Dakota: Sioux Falls (pop. 159,908)
• South Dakota population: 833,354 (46th most populated State)
• South Dakota size: 77,116 sq mi (199,905 km2) (17th largest State)
• South Dakota location: Midwestern region of the United States
• South Dakota Admission to United States of America: November 2, 1889 (the 40th State)

42 Tennessee

• Tennessee abbrevation: TN
• Tennessee nickname: The Volunteer State
• Why is it called Tennessee: Probably named after either the Native American village “Tanasqui” or maybe “Tanase” of the Cherokee tribe (or perhaps these were the same villages, discovered in entirely different times).
• Capital city of Tennessee: Nashville, TN (pop. 601,222)
• Largest city of Tennessee: Memphis, TN (pop. 655,155)
• Tennessee population: 6,456,243 (17th most populated State)
• Tennessee size: 42,143 sq mi (109,247 km2) (36th largest State)
• Tennessee location: Southeastern region
• Tennessee Admission to United States of America: June 1, 1796 (the 16th State)

43 Texas

• Texas abbrevation: TX
• Texas nickname: The Lone Star State
• Why is it called Texas: In Caddo (an almost extinct Native American language), the word “tejas” means “friends” or “allies” and it was applied to the natives and their region by the Spanish in the 18th century.
• Capital city of Texas: Austin, TX (pop. 842,592)
• Largest city of Texas: Houston, TX (pop. 2,160,821)
• Texas population: 26,059,203 (2nd most populated State)
• Texas size: 268,581 sq mi(696,241 km2) (2nd largest State)
• Texas location: South Central region
• Texas Admission to United States of America: December 29, 1845 (the 28th State)

44 Utah

• Nevada abbrevation: UT
• Nevada nickname: Beehive State
• Why is it called Nevada: Named after the Ute Native American tribe. It means “people of the mountains”
• Capital city of Nevada: Salt Lake City, UT (pop. 189,314)
• Largest city of Nevada: Salt Lake City, UT
• Nevada population: 2,855,287 (34th most populated State)
• Nevada size: 84,899 sq mi (219,887 km2) (13th largest State)
• Nevada location: Western region
• Nevada Admission to United States of America: January 4, 1896 (the 45th State)

45 Vermont

• Vermont abbrevation: VT
• Vermont nickname: The Green Mountain State
• Why is it called Vermont: There is no official accreditation for the name, but two early mentions are either “Les Monts Verts” or “Verd-Mont”, both French references to the Green Mountains
• Capital city of Vermont: Montpelier, VT (pop. 7,855)
• Largest city of Vermont: Burlington, VT (pop. 42,282)
• Nevada Vermont: 626,011 (49th most populated State, or 2nd smallest)
• Vermont size: 9,620 sq mi (24,923 km2) (45th largest State)
• Vermont location: New England in the northeast of the US
• Vermont Admission to United States of America: March 4, 1791 (the 14th State)

46 Virginia

• Virginia abbrevation: VA
• Virginia nickname: “Old Dominion” or “Mother of Presidents” or “Mother of States”
• Why is it called Virginia: The British named it after the virgin queen Elizabeth I in the 1580′s
• Capital city of Virginia: Richmond, VA (pop. 208,833)
• Largest city of Virginia: Virginia Beach, VA (pop. 447,489)
• Virginia population: 8,185,866 (12th most populated State)
• Virginia size: 42,774.2 sq mi (110,785.67 km2) (35th largest State)
• Virginia location: South Atlantic region, east coast
• Virginia Admission to United States of America: June 25, 1788 (the 10th State)

47 Washington

• Washington abbrevation: WA
• Washington nickname: The Evergreen State
• Why is it called Washington: Named after the 1st President of the US, George Washington. Obviously there is now generally some confusion when it comes to the State of Washington (Washington State) and Washington, D.C., but ironically Washington was previously known as Columbia and renamed so that there would be no mixing up with the District of Columbia (also known as Washington, D.C. …)
• Capital city of Washington: Olympia, WA (pop. 47,698)
• Largest city of Washington: Seattle, WA (pop. 634,535)
• Washington population: 6,897,012 (13th most populated State)
• Washington size: 71,300 sq mi (184,827 km2) (18th largest State)
• Washington location: Pacific Northwest region, northwest coast
• Washington Admission to United States of America: November 11, 1889 (the 42nd State)

48 West Virginia

• West Virginia abbrevation: WV
• West Virginia nickname: Mountain State
• Why is it called West Virginia: Just like Virginia, the British named it after the virgin queen Elizabeth I in the 1580′s. It was originally part of the British Virginia Colony and got separated during the American Civil War
• Capital city of West Virginia: Charleston, WV (pop. 51,018)
• Largest city of West Virginia: Charleston, WV
• West Virginia population: 1,855,413 (38th most populated State)
• West Virginia size: 24,230 sq mi (62,755 km2) (41st largest State)
• West Virginia location: Mid east part of US, but formally nearly the north end of “Southern United States”
• West Virginia Admission to United States of America: June 20, 1863 (the 35th State)

49 Wisconsin

• Wisconsin abbrevation: WI
• Wisconsin nickname: “Badger State” or “America’s Dairyland”
• Why is it called Wisconsin: Based on the name the Native Americans gave to the Wisconsin River, misspelled as “Ouisconsin” River by French Explorers and later corrected to “Wisconsin” when there came more and more English speakers
• Capital city of Wisconsin: Madison, WI (pop. 240,323)
• Largest city of Wisconsin: Milwaukee, WI (pop. 598,916)
• Wisconsin population: 5,726,398 (20th most populated State)
• Wisconsin size: 65,497.82 sq mi (169,639 km2) (23rd largest State)
• Wisconsin location: North-central United States
• Wisconsin Admission to United States of America: May 29, 1848 (the 30th State)

50 Wyoming

• Wyoming abbrevation: WY
• Wyoming nickname: “Equality State” or “Cowboy State” or “Big Wyoming”
• Why is it called Wyoming: Derived from the Native American Munsee word “xwé:wamənk”, which means “at the big river flat”
• Capital city of Wyoming: Cheyenne, WY (pop. 61,537)
• Largest city of Wyoming: Cheyenne, WY
• Wyoming population: 576,412 (50th most populated State, or least populated State)
• Wyoming size: 97,814 sq mi (253,348 km2) (10th largest State)
• Wyoming location: Mountain region of Western United States
• Wyoming Admission to United States of America: July 10, 1890 (the 44th State)

Commonwealths & Territories

51 American Samoa

• American Samoa government: United States / unincorporated territory of the United States
• Why is it called American Samoa: Can’t really find out the source of the name “Samoa”, other than being derived from the Samoan culture. Anyone?
• Capital city of American Samoa: Pago Pago (pop. 9,756: 2004 estimate)
• Largest village of American Samoa: Tafuna (pop. 11,017: 2004 estimate)
• American Samoa population: 55,519
• American Samoa size: 76.10 sq mi (197.1 km2)
• American Samoa location: South Pacific Ocean
• United States occupancy of American Samoa: Acting as a United States Navy base from 1900, it was formally renamed to American Samoa on July 17, 1911

52 District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.)

• District of Columia nickname: “Washington, the District” or “Washington, D.C.” or “Federal City”
• Why is it called District of Columia: Based on the old notion that the USA was named Columbia, referencing explorer Christopher Columbus. Because the city of Washington is not located in a State, but it is located in a country, it is therefor “placed” in the District of Columbia (which is the exact same area as the city). Washington D.C., just like Washington State, is of course named after George Washington, the 1st President.
• Federal district of Columia population: 632,323
• Federal district of Columia size: 68.3 sq mi (177.0 km2)
• District of Columia location: East coast area
  

  Flag of Guam

• District of Columia approval: July 10, 1890 (the 44th State)

53Guam

• Guam government: United States / unincorporated territory of the United States
• Why is it called Guam: In Chamorro language it’s originally called Guåhan, which simply means “have”
• Capital city of Guam: Hagåtña (pop. 1,122: 2004 estimate)
• Largest village of Guam: Dededo (pop. 44,943: 2010 estimate)
• Guam population: 159,358
• Guam size: 209 sq mi (541.3 km2)
• Guam location: Part of the Mariana Islands in the western Pacific Ocean
• United States occupancy of Guam: Surrendered to the United States by Spain during the Spanish-American War in 1898

54Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)

• North Marianas government: United States Commonwealth / unincorporated territory of the United States
• Capital of North Marianas: Saipan island (pop. 48,220)
• North Marianas population: 53,833
• North Marianas size: 183.5 square miles (475.26 km2)
• North Marianas location: Part of a chain of 15 islands in the Pacific Ocean
• United States occupancy of North Marianas: The US invaded the Mariana Islands on June 15, 1944 and after Japan’s defeat they administered it. The commonwealth was approved after a referendum in 1975.

55Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

• Puerto Rico government: United States Commonwealth / unincorporated territory of the United States
• Capital city of Puerto Rico: San Juan (pop. 395,326)
• Puerto Rico population: 3,667,084
• Puerto Rico size: 3,515 sq mi (9,104 km2)
• Puerto Rico location: northeastern Caribbean
• United States occupancy of Puerto Rico: The US invaded Puerto Rico on July 25, 1898 during the Spanish-American War. They won.

56Virgin Islands of the United States

• Virgin Islands government: United States Unincorporated organized territory / Insular area
• Capital city of Virgin Islands: Charlotte Amalie (pop. 18,481)
• Virgin Islands population: 106,405
• Virgin Islands size: 133.73 sq mi (346.36 km2)
• Virgin Islands location: In the Caribbean, part of the Lesser Antilles islands
• United States occupancy of Virgin Islands: The US bought the Virgin Islands from Denmark on January 17, 1917. Mostly to prevent the Germans from occupying the islands during World War I.