Category: Spotlight on States

Up next in our Spotlight on States series: Utah!

Utah, also known as the Beehive State, was admitted to the Union on January 4, 1896, as the 45th state. It is one of the Four Corners states along with Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico; this is the only location in the country where four states meet. Utah also shares a border with Wyoming, Idaho, and Nevada. It’s the …

Texas was the 28th state to join the union on December 29, 1845. Austin is the state capital and Houston is its largest city. Texas is bordered by the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the estimated population of Texas is 31,290,831 (July 2024 est.); it ranks as the 2nd most populous state.

Official Texas State Facts and Symbols

Every …

Up next in our Spotlight on States series: Tennessee!

Tennessee was admitted to the Union on June 1, 1796, as the 16th state. It is located in the southeastern region of the country and borders Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Missouri. The state is divided into three grand divisions of East, Middle, and West Tennessee.

The state’s estimated population in 2024 was 7.22 million …

South Dakota was the 40th state to join the union on November 2, 1889. Pierre is the state capital and Sioux Falls is its largest city. South Dakota is bordered by Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota and Wyoming.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the estimated population of South Dakota is 924,669 (July 2024 est.); it ranks as the 46th most populous state.

Official South Dakota State

Up next in our Spotlight on States series: South Carolina!

The Province of South Carolina was formed in 1712 and it became a royal colony in 1719. It was one of the original thirteen colonies and became the eighth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution on May 23, 1788. After voting to secede in 1860, South Carolina was readmitted to the Union on July 9, 1868, after the …

Rhode Island was the 13th state to join the union on May 29, 1790. Providence is the state capital and its largest city.

Rhode Island is the smallest state in the U.S. and is bordered by the states of Connecticut and Massachusetts. It shares a maritime border with New York in the south, specifically near Block Island. 

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the estimated population of Rhode …

Up next in our Spotlight on States series: Pennsylvania!

Pennsylvania is a Middle Atlantic state and is one of the original 13 colonies, becoming a state on Dec. 12, 1787. It is bordered by New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, and Ohio. The rectangular-shaped state is the 33rd largest in area.

Pennsylvania has two major metropolitan areas: Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, which is the state’s largest city. …

Oregon was the 33rd state to join the union on February 14, 1859. Salem is the state capital and its largest city is Portland. Oregon is the 9th largest state in the U.S. and is bordered by the U.S states of California, Idaho, Nevada, Washington.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the estimated population of Oregon is 4,272,371 (July 2024 est.); it ranks as the 27th most populous …

Up next in our Spotlight on States series: Oklahoma!

Oklahoma is located in the middle of the country and is bordered by Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado. The state’s name is derived from the Choctaw words okla, which means “people” and humma, which translates as “red. Oklahoma is known as the Sooner State.

Oklahoma became the 46th state on November 16, 1907. Its largest city, Oklahoma …

Ohio was the 17th state to join the union on March 1, 1803. Columbus is the state capital and its largest city. Ohio is the 34th largest state and is bordered by the U.S states of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, and Michigan.

Ohio gets its name from the Ohio River, which in turn, derives its name from the Seneca (Iroquois) word “ohi:yo”, meaning “good river” or “great …