Category: Spotlight on States

North Carolina was the 12th state to join the union on November 21, 1789. Raleigh is the state capital and Charlotte is its largest city. North Carolina is the 28th largest state in the U.S. and is bordered by the states of Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the estimated population of North Carolina is 11,046,024 (July 2024 est.); it ranks as …

Up next in our Spotlight on States series: New York!

New York, also known as the Empire State, was one of the original 13 colonies and became a state on July 26, 1788. It is bordered by Lake Erie, Canada, Lake Ontario, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the Atlantic Ocean.

New York’s state capital is Albany, and its biggest city is New York City. As of …

New Mexico was the 47th state to join the union on January 6, 1912. Santa Fe is the state capital and Albuquerque is its largest city.

New Mexico is the 5th largest state in the U.S. and is bordered by the U.S states of Arizona, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the estimated population of New Mexico is 1,409,032 (July 2024 est.); it …

Up next in our Spotlight on States series: New Jersey!

New Jersey is one of the original 13 colonies and became a state on December 18, 1787. It is one of the smallest states in land area, but has one of the highest population densities. The estimated population in 2024 was 9,500,851. It is bordered by New York, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and the Atlantic Ocean. New Jersey was named …

New Hampshire was the 9th state to join the union on June 21, 1788. Concord is the state capital and Manchester is its largest city. New Hampshire is the 46th largest state in the U.S. and is bordered by the states of Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the estimated population of New Hampshire is 1,409,032 (July 2024 est.); it ranks as the 42nd …

Up next in our Spotlight on States series: Nevada!

Nevada became the 36th state on Oct. 31, 1864. It ranks seventh among our states in total land area. Nevada shares borders with Oregon and Idaho to the north, Utah to the east, Arizona to the southeast, and California to the west.

In the early 21st century, Nevada was one of the fastest-growing states in population. Its estimated population …

Nebraska was the 37th state to join the union on March 1, 1867. Lincoln is the state capital and its largest city is Omaha.

Nebraska is the 16th largest state in the U.S. and is bordered by the U.S. states of Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, South Dakota, and Wyoming. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the estimated population of Nebraska is 2,005,465 (July 2024 est.); it ranks as …

Up next in our Spotlight on States series: Montana!

Montana became a state on Nov. 8, 1889. It was the 41st state, and it’s the fourth-largest state in land area. Montana shares borders with Canada, North & South Dakota, Wyoming, and Idaho. The state’s name is derived from the Spanish montaña, meaning mountain or mountainous region.

Montana ranks 48th out of 50 states in population density. Its …

Missouri was the 24th state to join the union on August 10, 1821. Jefferson City is the state capital and its largest city is Kansas City. Missouri is the 21st largest state in the U.S. and is bordered by the U.S states of Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.

According to the US Census Bureau, the estimated population of Missouri is 6,196,156 (July 2023 est.); …

Up next in our Spotlight on States series: Mississippi!

Mississippi became the 20th state on Dec. 10, 1817. Its name comes from a native American word meaning “great waters” or “father of waters.” The low-lying state is bordered by Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, and the Gulf of Mexico. Mississippi’s western boundary is largely defined by the Mississippi River. It is the 32nd largest state by area.

Jackson is …