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U.S. state

A state of the United States is any one of the fifty subnational entities referred to as a state  which, along with the District of Columbia Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. is the capital [i] city [i] of the United States of America [i]. ... 

, under the provisions of the United States Constitution United States Constitution

The United States Constitution is the supreme law [i] of the United States of America [i]. ... 

 form the United States of America United States

The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

. The separate state governments and the United States federal government Federal government of the United States

The government [i] of the United States of America [i], established by the U.S. Constitution [i] ... 

 share sovereignty, in that an "American" is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of residence. However, state citizenship is very flexible, and no government approval is required to move between states . The United States Constitution United States Constitution

The United States Constitution is the supreme law [i] of the United States of America [i]. ... 

 allocates power between the two levels of government in general terms.

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Timeline

1787   Delaware Delaware

Delaware is one of five Middle Atlantic States [i] in the United States of America [i].og ... 

 ratifies the Constitution and becomes the first U.S. state.

1787   Pennsylvania Pennsylvania

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a state [i] in the northeastern [i] ... 

 becomes the second U.S. state.

1787   New Jersey New Jersey

New Jersey is a state [i] in the Mid-Atlantic [i] and Northeastern [i] ... 

 becomes the third U.S. state.

1788   Georgia Georgia (U.S. state)

For the country, see Georgia [i]. ... 

 ratifies the United States Constitution United States Constitution

The United States Constitution is the supreme law [i] of the United States of America [i]. ... 

 and becomes the 4th U.S. state.

1788   Connecticut Connecticut

Connecticut is a state [i] in the New England [i] region of the United States [i], located i ... 

 ratifies the United States Constitution United States Constitution

The United States Constitution is the supreme law [i] of the United States of America [i]. ... 

 and becomes the 5th U.S. state.

1788   Massachusetts Massachusetts

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state [i] in the New England [i] region of the northeastern [i] ... 

 ratifies the United States Constitution United States Constitution

The United States Constitution is the supreme law [i] of the United States of America [i]. ... 

 and becomes the 6th U.S. state.

1788   Maryland Maryland

Maryland , is a Mid-Atlantic [i] state [i] located on the East Coast [i] ... 

 ratifies the United States Constitution United States Constitution

The United States Constitution is the supreme law [i] of the United States of America [i]. ... 

 and becomes the 7th U.S. state.

1788   South Carolina South Carolina

South Carolina is a state [i] in the Southern [i] region of the United States [i] ... 

 ratifies the United States Constitution United States Constitution

The United States Constitution is the supreme law [i] of the United States of America [i]. ... 

 and becomes the 8th U.S. state.

1788   New Hampshire New Hampshire

The State of New Hampshire is a state [i] in the New England [i] region of the northeastern United States [i] ... 

 ratifies the United States Constitution United States Constitution

The United States Constitution is the supreme law [i] of the United States of America [i]. ... 

 and becomes the 9th U.S. state. The Constitution then went into effect.

1788   Virginia Virginia

The Commonwealth of Virginia is one of the original thirteen colonies [i] of the United States [i] ... 

 ratifies the United States Constitution United States Constitution

The United States Constitution is the supreme law [i] of the United States of America [i]. ... 

 and becomes the 10th U.S. state.

   More Events >>



Encyclopedia

A state of the United States is any one of the fifty subnational entities referred to as a state  which, along with the District of Columbia Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. is the capital [i] city [i] of the United States of America [i]. ... 

, under the provisions of the United States Constitution United States Constitution

The United States Constitution is the supreme law [i] of the United States of America [i]. ... 

 form the United States of America United States

The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

. The separate state governments and the United States federal government Federal government of the United States

The government [i] of the United States of America [i], established by the U.S. Constitution [i]... 

 share sovereignty, in that an "American" is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of residence. However, state citizenship is very flexible, and no government approval is required to move between states .

The United States Constitution United States Constitution

The United States Constitution is the supreme law [i] of the United States of America [i]. ... 

 allocates power between the two levels of government in general terms. The idea is that by ratifying the Constitution, each state transfers certain sovereign powers to the federal government; agrees to share other powers; and exclusively retains the remainder for itself. The tasks of education, health, transportation, and other infrastructure are generally the responsibility of the states. All states transferred, shared, and kept the same powers.

Over time, the Constitution has been amended, and the interpretation and application of its provisions have changed. The general tendency has been toward centralization, with the federal government playing a much larger role than it once did. There is a continuing debate over "states' rights," which concerns the extent and nature of the powers that the states have given to the federal government.


Legal relationship


Legal status at end of Revolutionary War

At the time of the Declaration of Independence United States Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence is the document in which the Thirteen Colonies [i] in North America [i] ... 

 from Great Britain Kingdom of Great Britain

Kingdom of Great Britain
... 

 in 1776, the 13 colonies Thirteen Colonies

The Thirteen Colonies were thirteen British [i] colonies [i] in North America [i], ... 

 became 13 independently sovereign states. They became fourteen in 1777 with the formation of the Vermont Republic Vermont Republic

The Vermont Republic was a North America [i]n independent republic that lasted from 1777 [i] to 1791 [i] ... 

. For a brief period, they were in effect legally separate nations.

Union as a single nation

Upon the adoption of the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, commonly known as the Articles of Confederation... 

, the states became a confederation, a single sovereign political entity as defined by international law — empowered to levy war and to conduct international relations — albeit with a very loosely structured and inefficient central government. After the failure of the union under the Articles of Confederation, the thirteen states joined the modern union via the process of ratifying the United States Constitution United States Constitution

The United States Constitution is the supreme law [i] of the United States of America [i]. ... 

.

Relationship among the states

Under Article IV of the Constitution, which outlines the relationship between the states, the United States Congress United States Congress

The United States Congress is the legislature [i] of the United States federal government [i]. ... 

 has the power to admit new states to the union. The states are required to give "full faith and credit" to the acts of each other's legislatures and courts, which is generally held to include the recognition of legal contracts, marriages, criminal judgments, and—at the time—slave status. The states are guaranteed military and civil defense by the federal government, which is also required to ensure that the government of each state remains a republic.


Commerce clause

the Supreme Court of the United States Supreme Court of the United States

The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest judicial body [i] in the United States [i] ... 

 has interpreted the Constitution of the United States United States Constitution

The United States Constitution is the supreme law [i] of the United States of America [i]. ... 

 such that the commerce clause allows a great deal of intrusion into State matters. One example of this usage is that the United States has the ability to regulate the railroad industry since trains transport commercial goods across state borders. Another initiative that commonly comes up when discussing the commerce clause is the use of federal support for the Eisenhower Interstate Highway System Interstate Highway System

The Dwight D. Eisenhower [i] National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, commonly called the ... 

. The system is mandated and partially funded by the federal government but serves the interests of the states. By threatening to withhold federal highway funds, the federal government has been able to stimulate state legislatures to pass a variety of laws. Although some object on the ground that this infringes on states' rights, the Supreme Court has upheld the practice as a permissible use of the Constitution's Commerce Clause.

Admission of states into the union


Since the ratification of the Constitution, the number of states has expanded from 13 to 50. The Constitution is rather laconic on the process by which new states can be added, noting only that "New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union", and forbidding a new state to be created out of the territory of an existing state without the consent of both that state's legislature and of Congress.

In practice, nearly all states admitted to the union after the original thirteen have been formed from U.S. territories that were organized . Generally speaking, the organized government of a territory would make known the sentiment of its population in favor of statehood; Congress would then direct that government to organize a constitutional convention to write a state constitution. Upon acceptance of that Constitution, Congress would then admit that territory as a state. The broad outlines in this process were established by the Northwest Ordinance Northwest Ordinance

The Northwest Ordinance was an act of the Continental Congress [i] of the United States [i] passed on July 13 [i] ... 

, which actually predated the ratification of the Constitution.

However, Congress has ultimate authority over the admission of new states, and is not bound to follow this procedure. A few U.S. states outside of the original 13 have been admitted that were never organized territories:

  • Vermont, an unrecognized but de facto independent republic until its admission in 1791
  • Kentucky, a part of Virginia until its admission in 1792
  • Maine, a part of Massachusetts until its admission in 1820 following the Missouri Compromise Missouri Compromise

    The Missouri Compromise, also called the Compromise of 1820, was an agreement passed in 1820 betwe... 

  • Texas, a recognized independent republic until its admission in 1845
  • California, created as a state out of the unorganized territory of the Mexican Cession Mexican Cession

    The Mexican Cession is a historical name for the region of the present day southwestern United States [i] that ... 

     in 1850 without ever having been a separate organized territory itself
  • West Virginia, created from areas of Virginia that rejoined the union in 1863, after the 1861 secession of Virginia to the Confederate States of America Confederate States of America

    The Confederate States of America was the government formed by eleven southern states of the USA [i]... 




Congress is also under no obligation to admit states even in those areas whose population expresses a desire for statehood. For instance, the Republic of Texas requested annexation to the United States in 1836, but fears about the conflict with Mexico that would result delayed admission for nine years. Utah Territory Utah Territory

d>
External links


[i]
... 

 was denied admission to the union as a state for decades because of discomfort with Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints' dominance in the territory, and particularly with the Mormon elite's then-current practice of polygamy Polygamy

The term polygamy is used in related ways in social anthropology [i] and sociobiology [i] and sociology [i] ... 

.

Secession

The Constitution is silent on the issue of the secession of a state from the union. The Articles of Confederation had stated that the earlier union of the colonies "shall be perpetual," and the preamble to the Constitution states that Constitution was intended to "form a more perfect union." In 1860 and 1861, several states attempted to secede, but were brought back into the Union by force of arms during the Civil War American Civil War

The American Civil War was a sectional conflict in the United States of America [i] between the federal ... 

. Subsequently, the federal judicial system, in the case of Texas v. White, established that states do not have the right to secede without the consent of the other states.

Naming issues: Commonwealths, republics, and states

Four of the states bear the formal title of Commonwealth: Kentucky Kentucky

The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a U.S. state [i] located in the Southern [i] United States [i] ... 

, Massachusetts Massachusetts

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state [i] in the New England [i] region of the northeastern [i] ... 

, Pennsylvania Pennsylvania

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a state [i] in the northeastern [i] ... 

, and Virginia Virginia

The Commonwealth of Virginia is one of the original thirteen colonies [i] of the United States [i] ... 

. In these cases, this is merely a name and has no legal effect. Somewhat confusingly, two U.S. territories — Puerto Rico Puerto Rico

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , also Porto Rico and more commonly Puerto Rico, is a United States [i] ... 

 and the Northern Marianas Northern Mariana Islands

The Northern Mariana Islands, officially the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands , is a commonwealth [i] ... 

 — are also referred to as commonwealths, and do have a legal status different from the states.

The Republic of Texas Republic of Texas

The Republic of Texas was a short-lived country in North America [i] between the United States [i] and Mexico [i]... 

 was an independent nation for nine years. The so-called "California Republic California Republic

California Republic
|-
| align=center colspan=2 |
... 

" was actually a flag raised by Americans in the town of Sonoma Sonoma, California

Sonoma is a historically significant town in Sonoma Valley [i], Sonoma County, California [i], USA [i]. ... 

 after they expelled the local Mexican official. Ten days later the US Army took over.

See also Official names of the states of the USA.

State governments


States are free to organize their state governments any way they like, as long as they conform to the rather minimal requirements in the U.S. Constitution. In the executive branch, this means that each state government has its own unique set of departments and agencies. For an excellent example of the resulting complexity, see Department of Motor Vehicles.

All state legislatures but Nebraska Nebraska

Nebraska is a Great Plains [i] state [i] of the United States [i]. ... 

's are bicameral Bicameralism

In government [i], bicameralism is the practice of having two legislative or parliamentary chamber [i]s. ... 

, meaning that they have two houses . The most substantial difference between states is that many rural states have part-time legislatures, while the states with the highest populations tend to have full-time legislatures.

Also, states can organize their judicial systems differently from the federal judiciary, as long as due process is protected. See state court and state supreme court for more information. Most have a trial level court, generally called a District Court or Superior Court, a first-level appellate court, generally called a Court of Appeal , and a Supreme Court. However, Texas Texas

Texas is a state [i] in both the Southern [i] and Western [i] ... 

 has a separate highest court for criminal appeals. New York New York

New York is a state [i] in the northeastern [i] United States [i]. ... 

 is notorious for its unusual terminology, in that the trial court is called the Supreme Court. Appeals are then taken to the Supreme Court, Appellate Division, and from there to the Court of Appeals.

New states on the horizon?


See also: 51st state 51st state

51st state, in American political discourse [i], is a phrase that refers t ... 




Today, there are very few U.S. territories left that might potentially become new states. In light of recent events, the most likely candidate may be Puerto Rico Puerto Rico

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , also Porto Rico and more commonly Puerto Rico, is a United States [i] ... 

. The commonwealth's government has organized several referenda on the question of status over the past several decades, though Congress has not recognized these as binding; all shown resulted in narrow victories for the status quo over statehood, with independence supported by only a small number of voters. In December 2005, a presidential task force proposed a new set of referenda on the issue; if Congress votes in line with the task force's recommendation, it would pave the way for the first Congressionally mandated votes on status in the island, and, potentially, statehood, by 2010.

The intention of the Founding Fathers was that the United States capital should be at a neutral site, not giving favor to any existing state; as a result, the District of Columbia Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. is the capital [i] city [i] of the United States of America [i]. ... 

 was created in 1800 to serve as the seat of government. The inhabitants of the District do not have full representation in Congress or a sovereign elected government . Most residents of the District support statehood of some form for that jurisdiction -- either statehood for the whole district or for the inhabited part, with the remainder remaining under federal jurisdiction. However, the strong left-leaning politics of the District's residents make the idea of its admission as a state unpalatable to the Republican-controlled Congress. Moreover, questions persist over the District's government's ability to successfully manage its finances. While statehood is always a live political question in the District, the prospects for any movement in that direction in the immediate future seem dim. Instead, an emphasis on continuing Home Rule in the District while also giving the District a vote in Congress is gaining support. It seems likely that the District will gain a voting member of the House of Representatives at some point, while the question of Senators for the District is unresolved.

See also: District of Columbia voting rights District of Columbia voting rights

Voting rights in the District of Columbia differ from those of United States citizens in other parts of ... 




For the remaining permanently inhabited U.S. non-state jurisdictions -- the United States Virgin Islands United States Virgin Islands

The United States Virgin Islands are a group of island [i]s in the Caribbean [i] that are an insular area [i] ... 

, Guam Guam

Guam , officially the U.S.... 

, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Northern Mariana Islands

The Northern Mariana Islands, officially the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands , is a commonwealth [i] ... 

, and American Samoa American Samoa

American Samoa is an unorganized [i], unincorporated territory [i] ... 

 -- the prospects of statehood are remote. All have relatively small populations -- Guam, with the most inhabitants, has a population less than 35 percent that of Wyoming, the least populous state -- and have governments that are heavily reliant on federal funding.

There are also some more or less active proposals to form new states out of parts of existing states. A perennial minority in the Upper Peninsula Upper Peninsula of Michigan

The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is the northern of the two major land masses that comprise the U.S. state [i] ... 

 of Michigan Michigan

Michigan is a Midwestern [i] state [i] of the United States [i], located in the east north central [i] ... 

, express interest in seceding from the Lower Peninsula Lower Peninsula of Michigan

Michigan [i]'s lower peninsula is surrounded by water on all sides except its southern border, which it ... 

 and forming a new state known as "Superior", although such expressions are generally not taken seriously. Another minority group in Northern California and Southern Oregon would like to create the State of Jefferson Jefferson (proposed U.S. state)

Jefferson is a mostly rural area of Southern Oregon [i] and Northern California [i] in the United States [i]... 

.

Origin of states' names


State names speak to the circumstances of their creation.

British
Southeastern states on the Atlantic Atlantic Ocean

The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest ocean [i], covering approximately one-fifth of the Earth [i]'s ... 

 coast originated as British colonies named after British monarch British monarchy

The British monarch or Sovereign is the head of state [i] of the United Kingdom [i] and in the British overseas territories [i] ... 

s: Georgia Georgia

Georgia may mean:

  • Georgia [i], a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia: **Formerly ... 

    , the Carolinas, Virginia Virginia

    The Commonwealth of Virginia is one of the original thirteen colonies [i] of the United States [i] ... 

    , and Maryland Maryland

    Maryland , is a Mid-Atlantic [i] state [i] located on the East Coast [i] ... 

    . Some northeastern states, also former British colonies, take their names from places in the British Isles British Isles

    Great Britain [i], Ireland [i] and several thousand smaller surrounding islands [i] and islets [i] form an archipelago [i] ... 

    : New Hampshire New Hampshire

    The State of New Hampshire is a state [i] in the New England [i] region of the northeastern United States [i]... 

    , New Jersey New Jersey

    New Jersey is a state [i] in the Mid-Atlantic [i] and Northeastern [i]... 

    , and New York New York

    New York is a state [i] in the northeastern [i] United States [i]. ... 

    . Pennsylvania Pennsylvania

    The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a state [i] in the northeastern [i] ... 

    , meaning "Penn's woods," in Latin, takes its name from the father of its founder, William Penn William Penn

    William Penn founded the Province of Pennsylvania [i], the British [i] North America [i]n ... 

    . Delaware Delaware

    Delaware is one of five Middle Atlantic States [i] in the United States of America [i].og ... 

     is named after Thomas West, Lord De La Warr, an early coloniser in of the area.


Native American
Many states' names are those of Native American Indigenous peoples of the Americas

The term Indigenous peoples of the Americas encompasses the inhabitants of the Americas [i] before the European discovery of the Americas [i] ... 

 tribes or are from Native American languages: Nebraska Nebraska

Nebraska is a Great Plains [i] state [i] of the United States [i]. ... 

, Kansas Kansas

Kansas is a Midwestern [i] state [i] in the Central [i] United States [i] ... 

, Massachusetts Massachusetts

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state [i] in the New England [i] region of the northeastern [i] ... 

, Connecticut Connecticut

Connecticut is a state [i] in the New England [i] region of the United States [i], located i ... 

, Missouri Missouri

Missouri named after the Missouri Siouan [i] Indian tribe meaning "town of the large canoes", is a cent... 

, Iowa Iowa

Iowa is a Midwest [i] state [i] of the United States [i]. ... 

, Wisconsin Wisconsin

Wisconsin is a state [i] in the United States [i], located in the Midwest [i].... 

, Illinois Illinois

Illinois is the 21st U.S. state [i] and is located in the Midwest [i] region o ... 

, Minnesota Minnesota

Minnesota is a state [i] in the Midwestern [i] region of the United States [i]... 

, the Dakotas, Mississippi Mississippi

Mississippi is a southern [i] state [i] of the United States [i]. ... 

, Texas Texas

Texas is a state [i] in both the Southern [i] and Western [i] ... 

, Utah Utah

Utah is a U.S. state [i] located in the western [i] United States [i]. ... 

, Ohio Ohio

Ohio is a Midwestern [i] state [i] of the United States [i].... 

, Michigan Michigan

Michigan is a Midwestern [i] state [i] of the United States [i], located in the east north central [i] ... 

, Oklahoma Oklahoma

Name = Oklahoma |

Fullname = State of Oklahoma |
... 

, Alabama Alabama

Alabama is a U.S. state [i] located in the Southern [i] United States [i]. ... 

, Tennessee Tennessee

Tennessee is a U.S. state [i] located in the Southern [i] United States [i]. ... 

, and others. Additionally, the name of Idaho Idaho

Idaho is a state [i] in the Pacific Northwest [i] of the United States [i]. ... 

 was presented as a Native American word by eccentric lobbyist George M. Willing, though it was later revealed that he made it up. Indiana Indiana

Indiana, meaning the "Land of the Indians [i]," is a state i ... 

 means literally "land of Indians". Hawaii Hawaii

Hawaii became the 50th state [i] of the United States [i] on August 21 [i], 1959 [i]. ... 

 is a Polynesia Polynesia

Polynesia is a large grouping of over 1,000 island [i]s scattered over the central and southern Pacific Ocean [i]... 

n name.

Spanish
Because they are on territories previously controlled by Spain Spain

Spain, officially the Kingdom of Spain , is a Europe [i]an parliamentary monarchy [i].... 

 or Mexico Mexico

The United Mexican States, generally known as Mexico is a country [i] located in North America [i] ... 

, many states in the southeast and southwest have Spanish Spanish language

Spanish or Castilian is an Iberian Romance language [i]. ... 

 names. They include Colorado Colorado

Colorado is a state [i] in the western United States [i].... 

, New Mexico New Mexico

New Mexico is a southwestern [i] state in the United States of America [i]. ... 

, Florida Florida

Florida is a U.S. state [i] located in the southeastern [i] United States [i] ... 

, Nevada Nevada

Nevada is a state [i] located in the western [i] United States [i], bes ... 

 and Montana Montana




Montana is a state [i] in the Pacific Northwest [i] and Great Plains [i] regions of the United States [i]... 

. California California

California is a state [i] spanning the southern half of the west coast [i] ... 

 is also believed to be of Spanish origin, though this is not entirely clear .

French
Because it was previously a French colony, Louisiana Louisiana

cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2">

... 

 is named after Louis XIV Louis XIV of France

Louis XIV ruled as King of France [i] and of Navarre [i] from ... 

 . Maine Maine

Maine is a U.S. state [i] in the New England [i] region of the northeastern United States [i]. ... 

 is also named after a historical region in France of the same name. Vermont Vermont

Vermont is a state [i] in the New England [i] region of the United States [i], located in th ... 

 is derived from the French term for "green mountains", a reference to its mountainous but forested terrain.

Other
Formally referred to as the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Rhode Island Rhode Island

The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations is the smallest state [i] by land area ... 

 likely gained its name through the supposed similarity of Aquidneck Island Aquidneck Island

Aquidneck Island, also called Rhode Island, is the largest island in Narragansett Bay [i]. ... 

  to the Greek Isle of Rhodes. Providence Plantations, which makes reference to the mainland that surrounds Narragansett Bay, was named by its religious founders for God's divine providence.


Origin Unknown
The origin of Oregon Oregon

Oregon is a state [i] in the Pacific Northwest [i] region of the United States [i]. ... 

 is unknown, although various theories exist, but is most likely to be of Native American origin.

List of states

The states, with their U.S. postal abbreviations United States postal abbreviations

The following is a list of abbreviations used by the United States Postal Service [i].... 

, traditional abbreviations List of U.S. states by traditional abbreviation

This is a list of traditional abbreviations for U.S. state [i]s and territories, which were widely used ... 

, capitals, largest cities, and flags are as follows. For a complete list of non-state dependent areas and other territory under control of the United States, see United States dependent areas.

Postal Traditional State Capital Most Populous City Flag
AL Ala. Alabama Alabama

Alabama is a U.S. state [i] located in the Southern [i] United States [i]. ... 

 
Montgomery Montgomery, Alabama

Montgomery is the capital of the U.S. state [i] of Alabama [i]. ... 

 
Birmingham Birmingham, Alabama

Birmingham is the largest city [i] in the U.S. [i] state of Alabama [i] and is the county seat [i] ... 

 
AK Alaska Alaska Alaska

Alaska is a U.S. state [i], located on the northwest tier [i] of North America [i] ... 

 
Juneau Anchorage Anchorage, Alaska

Anchorage, Alaska is a consolidated city-borough [i] in the U.S. state [i] of Alaska [i]. ... 

 
AZ Ariz. Arizona Arizona

Arizona is a U.S. state [i] located in the Southwestern United States [i]. ... 

 
Phoenix Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix is the capital of the state of Arizona [i] in the Southwestern [i] United States [i]... 

 
Phoenix Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix is the capital of the state of Arizona [i] in the Southwestern [i] United States [i]... 

 
AR Ark. Arkansas Arkansas

Arkansas is a Southern [i] state [i] in the United States [i].... 

 
Little Rock Little Rock, Arkansas

Little Rock is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state [i] of Arkansas [i]. ... 

 
Little Rock Little Rock, Arkansas

Little Rock is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state [i] of Arkansas [i]. ... 

 
CA Cal. or Calif. California California

California is a state [i] spanning the southern half of the west coast [i] ... 

 
Sacramento Sacramento, California

Sacramento is the state capital of California [i] and the county seat [i] of Sacramento County [i]... 

 
Los Angeles Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles, known as "L.A." or the "City of Angels", is the largest city in the state of California [i]... 

 
CO Colo. Colorado Colorado

Colorado is a state [i] in the western United States [i].... 

 
Denver Denver, Colorado

The City and County of Denver is the capital [i] and largest city of the U.S. state [i] of Colorado [i].... 

 
Denver Denver, Colorado

The City and County of Denver is the capital [i] and largest city of the U.S. state [i] of Colorado [i].... 

 
CT Conn. Connecticut Connecticut

Connecticut is a state [i] in the New England [i] region of the United States [i], located i ... 

 
Hartford Hartford, Connecticut

Hartford is the capital [i] of the U.S. state [i] of Connecticut [i], in Hartford County [i] ... 

 
Bridgeport Bridgeport, Connecticut

Bridgeport is a city located in southeastern Fairfield County [i], Connecticut [i] ... 

 
DE Del. Delaware Delaware

Delaware is one of five Middle Atlantic States [i] in the United States of America [i].og ... 

 
Dover  Wilmington Wilmington, Delaware

The city of Wilmington is the largest city in the state of Delaware [i] and is located where the Christina River [i]... 

 
FL Fla. Florida Florida

Florida is a U.S. state [i] located in the southeastern [i] United States [i] ... 

 
Tallahassee Tallahassee, Florida


Tallahassee is the capital city of Florida [i], a state [i] of the United States of America [i] ... 

 
Jacksonville Jacksonville, Florida

Jacksonville is the most populous city [i] in the state of Florida [i] and the thirteenth most populous [i]... 

 
GA Ga. Georgia Georgia

Georgia may mean:
  • Georgia [i], a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia: **Formerly ... 

     
Atlanta Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta is the capital and most populous city of the state [i] of Georgia [i] in th ... 

 
Atlanta Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta is the capital and most populous city of the state [i] of Georgia [i] in th ... 

 
HI Hawaii Hawaii Hawaii

Hawaii became the 50th state [i] of the United States [i] on August 21 [i], 1959 [i]. ... 

 
Honolulu Honolulu, Hawaii

Honolulu is the capital [i] and largest city of the U.S. [i] State [i] of Hawaii [i] ... 

 
Honolulu Honolulu, Hawaii

Honolulu is the capital [i] and largest city of the U.S. [i] State [i] of Hawaii [i] ... 

 
ID Idaho Idaho Idaho

Idaho is a state [i] in the Pacific Northwest [i] of the United States [i]. ... 

 
Boise Boise, Idaho

name = Boise, Idaho

| official_name = Boise, Idaho
... 

 
Boise Boise, Idaho

name = Boise, Idaho
| official_name = Boise, Idaho
... 

 
IL Ill. Illinois Illinois

Illinois is the 21st U.S. state [i] and is located in the Midwest [i] region o ... 

 
Springfield Springfield, Illinois

Springfield is the capital of the U.S. state [i] of Illinois [i] and the county seat [i] of Sangamon County [i] ... 

 
Chicago Chicago

Chicago is the largest city [i] in the U.S. state [i] of Illinois [i], as well as the third-most populous [i] ... 

 
IN Ind. Indiana Indiana

Indiana, meaning the "Land of the Indians [i]," is a state i ... 

 
Indianapolis Indianapolis, Indiana

It has been suggested that the size of the Indianapolis article should be scaled down.... 

 
Indianapolis Indianapolis, Indiana

It has been suggested that the size of the Indianapolis article should be scaled down.... 

 
IA Iowa Iowa Iowa

Iowa is a Midwest [i] state [i] of the United States [i]. ... 

 
Des Moines Des Moines, Iowa

official_name = Des Moines, Iowa
... 

 
Des Moines Des Moines, Iowa

official_name = Des Moines, Iowa
... 

 
KS Kan. or Kans. Kansas Kansas

Kansas is a Midwestern [i] state [i] in the Central [i] United States [i] ... 

 
Topeka Topeka, Kansas


Topeka is the capital city [i] of the U.S. state [i] of Kansas [i] and the county seat [i] of Shawnee County [i]... 

 
Wichita Wichita, Kansas

Wichita, also known as the Air Capital, is the largest city [i] in the U.S. state [i] of Kansas [i],... 

 
KY Ky. Kentucky Kentucky

The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a U.S. state [i] located in the Southern [i] United States [i] ... 

 
Frankfort Frankfort, Kentucky

Frankfort is the capital of Kentucky [i], a state [i] of the United States of America [i]. ... 

 
Louisville Louisville, Kentucky

Louisville is Kentucky [i]'s largest city [i]. ... 

 
LA La. Louisiana Louisiana

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... 

 
Baton Rouge Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Baton Rouge, French: Bton-Rouge is the capital and the largest city of Louisiana [i], a state [i] ... 

 
New Orleans * New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans is a major United States [i] port city and historically the largest city in the U.S. state [i] ... 

 
ME Maine Maine Maine

Maine is a U.S. state [i] in the New England [i] region of the northeastern United States [i]. ... 

 
Augusta Portland Portland, Maine

Portland is the largest city in the U.S. state [i] of Maine [i], with a 2004 population of 63,882. ... 

 
MD Md. Maryland Maryland

Maryland , is a Mid-Atlantic [i] state [i] located on the East Coast [i] ... 

 
Annapolis Annapolis, Maryland

Annapolis is the capital of Maryland [i], which is a state [i] of the United States of America [i]... 

 
Baltimore Baltimore, Maryland

Baltimore is an independent city [i] located in the U.S. state [i] of Maryland [i] on the eastern coast ... 

 
MA Mass. Massachusetts Massachusetts

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state [i] in the New England [i] region of the northeastern [i] ... 

 
Boston Boston, Massachusetts

Boston is the capital [i] of the Commonwealth [i] of Massachusetts [i] in the United States [i] ... 

 
Boston Boston, Massachusetts

Boston is the capital [i] of the Commonwealth [i] of Massachusetts [i] in the United States [i] ... 

 
MI Mich. Michigan Michigan

Michigan is a Midwestern [i] state [i] of the United States [i], located in the east north central [i] ... 

 
Lansing Lansing, Michigan

Lansing is the capital city [i] of the U.S. state [i] of Michigan [i], and i ... 

 
Detroit Detroit, Michigan

Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state [i] of Michigan [i] and the seat [i] of Wayne County [i] ... 

 
MN Minn. Minnesota Minnesota

Minnesota is a state [i] in the Midwestern [i] region of the United States [i]... 

 
Saint Paul Saint Paul, Minnesota


Saint Paul is the capital [i] and second-largest city [i] of the state [i] of Minnesota [i] ... 

 
Minneapolis Minneapolis, Minnesota

Minneapolis.
  • Minnesota State Highway 65 [i] follows Central Avenue through Northeast Minneapolis, and ... 

     
MS Miss. Mississippi Mississippi