diff --git "a/2b1f918b-4cf0-434a-97b7-85a520c98e08.json" "b/2b1f918b-4cf0-434a-97b7-85a520c98e08.json" new file mode 100644--- /dev/null +++ "b/2b1f918b-4cf0-434a-97b7-85a520c98e08.json" @@ -0,0 +1,40 @@ +{ + "interaction_id": "2b1f918b-4cf0-434a-97b7-85a520c98e08", + "search_results": [ + { + "page_name": "What is the biggest state in the US? The states from largest to ...", + "page_url": "https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2022/12/09/what-largest-state-us-size-states-land-area/8083288001/", + "page_snippet": "The largest state in the U.S. is Alaska. The 49th state spans 586,000 square miles of land, according to its official website. It is two-and-a-half times larger than Texas, which is the second largest state in the nation.Here are the states from largest to smallest, based on square miles of land: ... USA TODAY is exploring the questions you and others ask every day. From \"How to find cheap flights?\" to \"What's the biggest shark?\" to \"What is the largest star?\" \u2013 we're striving to find answers to the most common questions you ask every day. In total, the United States spans over 3.5 million square miles, according to States Symbols USA. The fifty states are home to millions of people, with California being the state with the largest population, according to the 2020 Census. The largest state in the U.S. is Alaska. The 49th state spans 586,000 square miles of land, according to its official website. It is two-and-a-half times larger than Texas, which is the second largest state in the nation.", + "page_result": "What is the largest state in the US? Size of the states by land area
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Alaska

What is the biggest state in the US? The states from largest to smallest by land area

In total, the United States spans over 3.5\u00a0million square miles, according to States Symbols USA. The fifty states are home to\u00a0millions of people, with California being the state with the largest population, according to the 2020 Census.

More than 39 million people live in California, while Wyoming has the smallest population with just 576,851 residents.\u00a0

While certain states boast large populations, others reign supreme when it comes to size.\u00a0Here is a guide on the largest state to the smallest state in the United States by square miles of land.\u00a0

What is the biggest state in the US?

The largest state in the U.S. is Alaska. The 49th state spans 586,000 square miles of land, according to its official website. It is\u00a0two-and-a-half times larger than Texas, which is the second largest state in the nation.\u00a0

According to the 2020 Census, Alaska had a population of\u00a0733,391.\u00a0In Alaska, there are\u00a00.93 square miles for each person in the state. In comparison,\u00a0New York has 0.003 square miles per person.

\"Alaska

Alaska is also home to the Yukon River, which is the third longest river in the U.S., stretching\u00a0almost 2,000 miles long. Additionally, Alaska contains the highest peak in North America,\u00a0Denali which is\u00a020,320 feet above sea level.\u00a0

What is the smallest state in the US?

The smallest state in the U.S. is Rhode Island. The 13th state covers an area of 1,214 square miles, according to its official website. The distances from North to South of the state are 48 miles and East to West are 37 miles.

Despite its size, Rhode Island has a population of over 1 million, according to the 2020 Census.

Rhode Island was the last of the original 13 colonies to become a state. The highest point in the state is Jerimoth Hill, which is 812 feet above sea level, says Rhode Island's official website.\u00a0

\"Rhode

Read more:\u00a0These are the 10 smallest states across America.

The states from largest to smallest, by square miles of land

Here are the states from largest to smallest, based on square miles of land:\u00a0

  • Alaska: 586,000 square miles
  • Texas: 261,232 square\u00a0miles
  • California: 155,959\u00a0square miles
  • Montana: 145,552\u00a0square miles
  • New Mexico: 121,298 square miles
  • Arizona: 113,594 square miles
  • Nevada: 109,781 square miles
  • Colorado: 103,641 square miles
  • Wyoming: 97,093 square miles
  • Oregon: 95,988 square miles
  • Idaho: 82,643 square miles
  • Utah: 82,169 square miles
  • Kansas: 81,758 square miles
  • Minnesota: 79,626 square miles
  • Nebraska: 76,824 square miles\u00a0
  • South Dakota: 75,811 square miles\u00a0
  • North Dakota: 69,000 square miles\u00a0
  • Missouri: 68,741 square miles
  • Oklahoma: 68,594 square miles
  • Washington:\u00a066,455 square miles\u00a0
  • Georgia:\u00a057,513 square miles\u00a0
  • Michigan:\u00a056,538 square miles\u00a0
  • Iowa:\u00a055,857 square miles\u00a0
  • Illinois:\u00a055,518 square miles\u00a0
  • Wisconsin:\u00a054,157 square miles\u00a0
  • Florida:\u00a053,624 square miles\u00a0
  • Arkansas:\u00a052,035 square miles\u00a0
  • Alabama: 50,645 square miles\u00a0
  • North Carolina:\u00a048,617 square miles
  • New York:\u00a047,126 square miles\u00a0
  • Mississippi:\u00a046,923 square miles\u00a0
  • Pennsylvania:\u00a044,742 square miles\u00a0
  • Louisiana:\u00a043,203 square miles\u00a0
  • Tennessee:\u00a041,234 square miles\u00a0
  • Ohio:\u00a040,860 square miles\u00a0
  • Virginia:\u00a039,490 square miles\u00a0
  • Kentucky: 39,486 square miles\u00a0\u00a0
  • Indiana:\u00a035,826 square miles\u00a0
  • Maine:\u00a030,842 square miles\u00a0
  • South Carolina:\u00a030,060 square miles\u00a0\u00a0
  • West Virginia\u00a024,038 square miles\u00a0
  • Maryland:\u00a09,707 square miles\u00a0
  • Vermont:\u00a09,216 square miles
  • New Hampshire:\u00a08,952 square miles\u00a0
  • Massachusetts:\u00a07,800 square miles\u00a0
  • New Jersey:\u00a07,354 square miles\u00a0
  • Hawaii:\u00a06,422 square miles\u00a0
  • Connecticut:\u00a04,842 square miles\u00a0
  • Delaware:\u00a01,948 square miles\u00a0
  • Rhode Island: 1,033 square miles

Just Curious for more? We've got you covered

USA TODAY is exploring the questions you and others ask every day. From\u00a0\"How to find cheap flights?\"\u00a0to\u00a0\"What's the biggest shark?\"\u00a0to\u00a0\"What is the largest star?\" \u2013 we're striving to find answers to the most common questions you ask every day. Head to our\u00a0Just Curious section\u00a0to see what else we can answer for you.

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", + "page_last_modified": "" + }, + { + "page_name": "How Big Are the States in America? (with pictures)", + "page_url": "https://www.unitedstatesnow.org/how-big-are-the-states-in-america.htm", + "page_snippet": "I thought California was the biggest state. ... Alaska's not only the biggest, it's the best state too.Wow! I didn't know that Alaska was the biggest, although now that I think about it, it makes sense. It seems like you always hear Texas when talking about the biggest (size) US state. By: cphotos100Texas is the second largest state in the U.S. It's a little curious to me that the King Ranch in south Texas has holdings of approximately 1.15 million acres or about 1,800 square miles - larger than the state of Rhode Island. ... Wow. California? Wow. ... I thought California was the biggest state. I thought California was the biggest state. ... Alaska's not only the biggest, it's the best state too. The 50 US states have drastically different sizes. Alaska \u2014 the largest state by physical size \u2014 is about 425 times bigger than the smallest, Rhode Island. The three largest states \u2014 Alaska, Texas, and California \u2014 make up about 30% of the entire country.", + "page_result": "\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n How Big Are the States in America? (with pictures) \n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \r\n\r\n \n \n \n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n
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\n At UnitedStatesNow, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information.\n Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities.\n Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.\n

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Learn more...

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How Big Are the States in America?

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The size of U.S. states varies widely, from the vast expanse of Alaska's wilderness to the compact urban sprawl of Rhode Island. Understanding this geographic diversity is key to appreciating the unique character of each state. How does this scale affect culture, economy, and lifestyle? Explore the dimensions of America's states and uncover the stories they tell. What will you discover?
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The 50 US states have drastically different sizes. Alaska \u2014 the largest state by physical size \u2014 is about 425 times bigger than the smallest, Rhode Island. The three largest states \u2014 Alaska, Texas, and California \u2014 make up about 30% of the entire country.

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Due to sea erosion, the states along the coasts are slowly shrinking in size with the exception of Hawaii. Due to volcanic activity, Hawaii is actually increasing in size. Kilauea Volcano has been erupting since 1983, and had added almost one square mile (about 640 acres, 2.6 sq/km, or 260 hectares) of new land to the state by 2002.

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Interesting fact: some states give away free land. \n \n

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\n Texas is the second largest state in the U.S.
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The chart below shows the relative sizes of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. To help put some of the sizes in perspective, the sizes of some countries, such as France, Poland, the United Kingdom, and Greece, are also included. Please note that figures are in square miles and include the area of bodies of water.

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rankstate (country)size in square miles
1Alaska656,425\"size
2Texas268,601\"size
- (France)211,207\"size
3California163,707\"size
4Montana147,046\"size
5New Mexico121,593\"size
- (Poland)120,725\"size
6Arizona114,006\"comparative
7Nevada110,567\"comparative
8Colorado104,100\"comparative
9Oregon98,386\"comparative
10Wyoming97,818\"comparative
11Michigan96,810\"United
- (United Kingdom)93,026\"size
12Minnesota86,943\"United
13Utah84,904\"United
14Idaho83,574\"United
15Kansas82,282\"United
16Nebraska77,358\"Ranking
17South Dakota77,121\"Ranking
18Washington71,303\"Ranking
19North Dakota70,704\"Ranking
20Oklahoma69,903\"Ranking
21Missouri69,709\"Rank
22Florida65,758\"Rank
23Wisconsin65,503\"Rank
24Georgia59,441\"Rank
25Illinois57,918\"Rank
26Iowa56,276\"How
27New York54,475\"How
28North Carolina53,821\"How
29Arkansas53,182\"How
30Alabama52,423\"How
31Louisiana51,843\"What
- (Greece)50,944\"size
32Mississippi48,434\"What
33Pennsylvania46,058\"What
34Ohio44,828\"What
- (Bulgaria)42,823\"size
35Virginia42,769\"What
36Tennessee42,146\"What
37Kentucky40,411\"What
- (Iceland)39,768\"size
38Indiana36,420\"What
39Maine35,387\"What
- (Austria)32,374\"size
40South Carolina32,007\"What
41West Virginia24,231\"What
- (Denmark)16,629\"size
42Maryland12,407\"What
43Hawaii10,932\"What
44Massachusetts10,555\"What
45Vermont9,615\"What
46New Hampshire9,351\"What
47New Jersey8,722\"What
48Connecticut5,544 \"What
49Delaware2,489\"What
50Rhode Island1,545\"What
51District of Columbia68\"yup,
rankstate (country)size in square miles
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Frequently Asked Questions

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What is the largest state in the United States by land area?

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\n Alaska is the largest state in the union at more than 656,000 square miles.
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The largest state in the United States by land area is Alaska. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska spans over 663,267 square miles, which is more than twice the size of Texas, the second-largest state. Alaska's vast territory encompasses a wide range of geographical features, from the Arctic tundra in the north to the temperate rainforests of the southeast.

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How does the size of the smallest state compare to the largest state?

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\n The first state, Delaware, is the second-smallest in the country.
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Rhode Island is the smallest state in the United States, with a land area of just about 1,034 square miles, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau. In comparison to Alaska, the largest state, Rhode Island is approximately 641 times smaller. Despite its small size, Rhode Island is densely populated and rich in history and culture.

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Are there any states in the U.S. that are larger than some countries?

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\n Virginia ranks 35th in size among U.S. states.
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Yes, several U.S. states are larger than some countries. For instance, Alaska is larger than countries like France, Spain, and Germany. Texas, with an area of approximately 268,596 square miles, is bigger than any individual country in the European Union. California and Montana are also larger than many countries, surpassing the United Kingdom and Japan in land area, respectively.

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How do the sizes of U.S. states affect their population density?

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\n Wisconsin lies roughly in the middle of states, size-wise.
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The size of U.S. states can greatly affect their population density. For example, Alaska is the largest state by area but has one of the lowest population densities, with just over 1 person per square mile. In contrast, New Jersey, while much smaller in area, has a population density of over 1,200 people per square mile, making it the most densely populated state, as per data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

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What are the top five largest states in the United States by land area?

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\n Florida is about one-tenth the size of Alaska.
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The top five largest states in the United States by land area are Alaska, Texas, California, Montana, and New Mexico. Alaska leads by a significant margin, while Texas covers about 268,596 square miles. California spans approximately 163,696 square miles, followed by Montana at about 147,040 square miles, and New Mexico with around 121,590 square miles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

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\n Discussion Comments

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\n anon334567
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It is interesting to compare land area, total population and GDP. As of 2010, California was no. 1 in GDP, followed by Texas and New York. Alaska is near the bottom at no. 46. In some cases, small areas produce a bigger GDP than larger, as in the case of New Jersey: no. 7 by GDP, but no. 47 by population. However, to keep it in perspective, GDP is not just the individual but companies situated within the geographic area.

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\n anon169745
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It's a little curious to me that the King Ranch in south Texas has holdings of approximately 1.15 million acres or about 1,800 square miles - larger than the state of Rhode Island.

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\n anon139805
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Wow. California? Wow.

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\n anon122132
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I thought California was the biggest state.

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\n anon79754
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Alaska's not only the biggest, it's the best state too.

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\n anon77557
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It is funny that NJ is very small but still has a large population.

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\n anon60986
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Texas has much larger population than Alaska and it is currently the fastest growing state by population.

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\n anon57910
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if you add Texas, California and Montana together, Alaska is bigger than all three combined. Cool.

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\n anon41230
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which two states have a difference of 910 square miles?

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\n anon29697
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Of course it is a good job for Texan pride that you didn't include Canada in your comparisons. Even Alaska is dwarfed by Nunavut Territory at 808,199 sq. miles, then after Alaska there are Quebec, the North West Territories, Ontario and British Columbia which are all bigger than Texas.

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\n anon23764
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It is also interesting to note that if each person on Earth (est. 9 billion) is allowed 16 Sq. Ft. of space (e.g. 4 Ft. by 4 Ft.) they will all fit inside Connecticut with room to spare!

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\n anon21373
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The joke goes that Alaskans had been considering dividing their state into two halves, but Texas protested too much. If that were to happen, Texas would then become the THIRD largest state!

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\n anon16516
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well, Texas is the biggest of the contiguous 48 states.

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\n anon13702
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I find it absolutely hilarious that we have 2 states in the U.S. that are larger than all of France.

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\n anon13154
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If you're interested in the rankings just by land mass alone, you can Google "quickfacts census" and you should find a site provided by the census bureau with this information. The data in this article was provided by the CIA World Factbook (see the link in the bottom lefthand corner of this page) which includes bodies of water in its area calculations.

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\n anon6633
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What is the state ranking after subtracting the area of bodies of water within each state?

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\n malena
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Wow! I didn't know that Alaska was the biggest, although now that I think about it, it makes sense. It seems like you always hear Texas when talking about the biggest (size) US state.

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      By: cphotos100
      \n Texas is the second largest state in the U.S.
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      By: juan35mm
      \n Alaska is the largest state in the union at more than 656,000 square miles.
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      \n The first state, Delaware, is the second-smallest in the country.
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      By: Ruslan Olinchuk
      \n Virginia ranks 35th in size among U.S. states.
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      \n Wisconsin lies roughly in the middle of states, size-wise.
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      \n West Virginia ranks 41st among the 50 states in area.
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    \n \n\n \n", + "page_last_modified": "" + }, + { + "page_name": "What\u2019s the largest U.S. state by area? | List, Rank, Square Miles, ...", + "page_url": "https://www.britannica.com/topic/largest-U-S-state-by-area", + "page_snippet": "What State Is Washington, D.C. In?Although its 50 states vary widely in size, one is by far the biggest: Alaska. At 665,384 square miles (1,723,337 square km), it is more than double the size of the second largest state, Texas, and more than 400 times the size of the smallest, Rhode Island. How do the other states stack up? With an area of almost 3,800,000 square miles (9,840,000 square km), the United States is the fourth largest country in the world. Although its 50 states vary widely in size, one is by far the biggest: Alaska. At 665,384 square miles (1,723,337 square km), it is more than double the size of the second largest state, Texas, and more than 400 times the size of the smallest, Rhode Island. What State Is Washington, D.C. In? U.S. state (Show more)", + "page_result": "\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n\n\t\n\t\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\t\t\n\n \n What\u2019s the largest U.S. state by area? | List, Rank, Square Miles, Alaska, & Facts | Britannica\n\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\t\n\n \n\n \n\n\t\t \n\t\t\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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    What\u2019s the largest U.S. state by area?

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    With an area of almost 3,800,000 square miles (9,840,000 square km), the United States is the fourth largest country in the world. Although its 50 states vary widely in size, one is by far the biggest: Alaska. At 665,384 square miles (1,723,337 square km), it is more than double the size of the second largest state, Texas, and more than 400 times the size of the smallest, Rhode Island. How do the other states stack up? Find out in the table below, which ranks the 50 U.S. states by total area.

    U.S. state total square miles total square km
    Source: U.S. Census Bureau website.
    1. Alaska 665,384 1,723,337
    2. Texas 268,596 695,662
    3. California 163,695 423,967
    4. Montana 147,040 380,831
    5. New Mexico 121,590 314,917
    6. Arizona 113,990 295,234
    7. Nevada 110,572 286,380
    8. Colorado 104,094 269,601
    9. Oregon 98,379 254,799
    10. Wyoming 97,813 253,335
    11. Michigan 96,714 250,487
    12. Minnesota 86,936 225,163
    13. Utah 84,897 219,882
    14. Idaho 83,569 216,443
    15. Kansas 82,278 213,100
    16. Nebraska 77,348 200,330
    17. South Dakota 77,116 199,729
    18. Washington 71,298 184,661
    19. North Dakota 70,698 183,108
    20. Oklahoma 69,899 181,037
    21. Missouri 69,707 180,540
    22. Florida 65,758 170,312
    23. Wisconsin 65,496 169,635
    24. Georgia 59,425 153,910
    25. Illinois 57,914 149,995
    26. Iowa 56,273 145,746
    27. New York 54,555 141,297
    28. North Carolina 53,819 139,391
    29. Arkansas 53,179 137,732
    30. Alabama 52,420 135,767
    31. Louisiana 52,378 135,659
    32. Mississippi 48,432 125,438
    33. Pennsylvania 46,054 119,280
    34. Ohio 44,826 116,098
    35. Virginia 42,775 110,787
    36. Tennessee 42,144 109,153
    37. Kentucky 40,408 104,656
    38. Indiana 36,420 94,326
    39. Maine 35,380 91,633
    40. South Carolina 32,020 82,933
    41. West Virginia 24,230 62,756
    42. Maryland 12,406 32,131
    43. Hawaii 10,932 28,313
    44. Massachusetts 10,554 27,336
    45. Vermont 9,616 24,906
    46. New Hampshire 9,349 24,214
    47. New Jersey 8,723 22,591
    48. Connecticut 5,543 14,357
    49. Delaware 2,489 6,446
    50. Rhode Island 1,545 4,001
    Amy Tikkanen
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    \n\n\n\n", + "page_last_modified": "" + }, + { + "page_name": "US States By Size - WorldAtlas", + "page_url": "https://www.worldatlas.com/geography/us-states-by-size.html", + "page_snippet": "Colorado is the 8th biggest state in the US and has an area of 104,185 square miles. It borders Wyoming to the north, Nebraska to the northeast, Kansas to the East, Oklahoma to the southeast, New Mexico to the south, and Utah to the West. The southwestern corner of Colorado was originally part ...The mountains are composed primarily of sedimentary rocks such as limestone and sandstone, with some areas having metamorphic rocks like quartzite due to intense pressure and heat. Furthermore, the region around the Bighorn Mountains contains numerous rivers, hot springs, geysers, and other water features fed by melting glaciers found on their peaks. ... Map of the 10 smallest US states by total area. Colorado is the 8th biggest state in the US and has an area of 104,185 square miles. It borders Wyoming to the north, Nebraska to the northeast, Kansas to the East, Oklahoma to the southeast, New Mexico to the south, and Utah to the West. The southwestern corner of Colorado was originally part of Mexico before 1848 when it became part of the U.S. after the Treaty Of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed. One of the state's most prominent landforms is the Bighorn Mountains, located in the state's northeast corner. The Bighorn Mountains are a subrange of the Rocky Mountains and cover nearly 9,000 square miles. They formed because of uplift and tectonic activity millions of years ago, and today they stand at an average elevation of 8,000 feet above sea level. Hawaii has grown significantly since then; for example, two islands that make up the archipelago\u2014Midway Atoll and Palmyra Atoll\u2014were annexed and are now part of the state.The landform that stands out the most is Mauna Loa, an active shield volcano located in the Hawaiian Islands. With a height of more than 13,600 feet above sea level, it is the largest mountain in the world measured from its base on the sea floor. It covers approximately 1.900 square miles and half of Hawaii (Big) Island's landmass.", + "page_result": "\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n US States By Size - WorldAtlas\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n
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    US States By Size

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    The\u00a0United States of America\u00a0is an immense federal republic spanning from the southern half of Northern America to\u00a0Alaska\u00a0and\u00a0Hawaii\u00a0in the\u00a0Pacific Ocean. It comprises a total of 50 states, with 49 located within mainland North America and one situated in the Pacific Ocean. One can rank these states from smallest to largest based on their total area, water area, or land area. Since a state may have a larger overall size, its actual land area can often be much smaller due to its associated territorial waters. As such, ranking depends on the metric used. The following US states are listed from greatest to smallest by total area because marine environments are just as crucial to civilization as those on land.

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    US States Ranked By Total Area

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    \n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
    RankStateTotal Area (mi\u00b2)Land Area (mi\u00b2)Water Area (mi\u00b2)
    1Alaska665,384570,64194,743
    2Texas268,596261,2327,365
    3California163,695155,7797,916
    4Montana147,040145,5461,494
    5New Mexico121,590121,298292
    6Arizona113,990113,594396
    7Nevada110,572109,781791
    8Colorado104,094103,642452
    9Oregon98,37995,9882,391
    10Wyoming97,81397,093720
    11Michigan96,71456,53940,175
    12Minnesota86,93679,6277,309
    13Utah84,89782,1702,727
    14Idaho83,56982,643926
    15Kansas82,27881,759520
    16Nebraska77,34876,824524
    17South Dakota77,11675,8111,305
    18Washington71,29866,4564,842
    19North Dakota70,69869,0011,698
    20Oklahoma69,89968,5951,304
    21Missouri69,70768,742965
    22Florida65,75853,62512,133
    23Wisconsin65,49654,15811,339
    24Georgia59,42557,5131,912
    25Illinois57,91455,5192,395
    26Iowa56,27355,857416
    27New York54,55547,1267,429
    28North Carolina53,81948,6185,201
    29Arkansas53,17952,0351,143
    30Alabama52,42050,6451,775
    31Louisiana52,37843,2049,174
    32Mississippi48,43246,9231,509
    33Pennsylvania46,05444,7431,312
    34Ohio44,82640,8613,965
    35Virginia42,77539,4903,285
    36Tennessee42,14441,235909
    37Kentucky40,40839,486921
    38Indiana36,42035,826593
    39Maine35,38030,8434,537
    40South Carolina32,02030,0611,960
    41West Virginia24,23024,038192
    42Maryland12,4069,7072,699
    43Hawaii10,9326,4234,509
    44Massachusetts10,5547,8002,754
    45Vermont9,6169,217400
    46New Hampshire9,3498,953397
    47New Jersey8,7237,3541,368
    48Connecticut5,5434,842701
    49Delaware2,4891,949540
    50Rhode Island1,5451,034511
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    Source: US Census Bureau

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    Ten Largest US States by Total Area

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    \"10
    Map of the ten largest US states by total area.
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    1. Alaska - 665,384 mi\u00b2

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    \"Chugach
    Alaska accounts for one-fifth of the US's total land area.
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    Alaska is the largest state in the United States. Spanning over 665,384 square miles, it is near twice the size of Texas and accounts for one-fifth of the US's total land area. Over half of its terrain comprises mountainous regions, while glaciers cover over 5 percent of its total geography. The two primary mountain chains are the Brooks Range, which spans across the northern part of the state, and the Alaska Range, which runs through the southeastern portion.

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    Regarding borders, Alaska shares a boundary with Canada, extending between Ivvavik National Park and southeast of the Gulf of Alaska. To its east lies Yukon Territory, British Columbia to its southeast, and Chukotka Autonomous Okrug (Russia) to its West across the Bering Strait.

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    One historical landmark within Alaska's borders, which continues to draw numerous tourists annually from around the world, is Denali National Park & Preserve, located in south-central Alaska near Talkeetna village. This expansive national park spans over six million acres and features Mt McKinley (now known as Denali), North America's highest peak at an elevation of 20,310 feet above sea level. Additionally, visitors can experience diverse wildlife, such as bear species, moose, and Dall sheep, along with many bird species, including bald eagles.

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    2. Texas\u00a0- 268,596 mi\u00b2

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    \"Tranquil
    Texas meadow.
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    Texas is the second largest state in the United States, spanning 268,596 square miles. It was one of the original republics of Mexico until 1836, when it declared itself an independent nation, before joining the Union as a state in 1845.

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    The Lone Star State has been shaped by its various borders over time. When it took its place alongside other states in the United States, it had a much different shape than today, including parts of present-day Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming. Through a series of treaties between the U.S. government and Mexico since then, Texas' borders were eventually finalized.

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    Surveyors set out to create six \"survey districts\" throughout the state; these divisions remain intact today and are known as \"empresario grants.\" Their purpose was and is to help establish population density. The Old San Antonio Road, which stretches from San Antonio to Nacogdoches, is also included within this survey district framework.

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    For Texans, landmarks like the Great Plains have come to represent their unique spirit and culture over time. However, one of the largest deserts exists in Texas: the Chihuahuan Desert. This gigantic desert stretches over 200,000 square miles and is larger than the state of California, which is why Mexico shares access to it. This area is characterized by its hot and dry climate with sparse vegetation and a variety of diverse habitats from rocky mountains to grasslands. The region also hosts an array of unique species adapted to survive in this arid environment, such as the black-tailed jackrabbit and the Texas horned lizard. Furthermore, this desert provides an important source of groundwater for humans in southwestern parts of the United States and Mexico, making it an ecologically significant area.

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    3. California\u00a0- 163,695 mi\u00b2

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    \"California
    San Diego, California.
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    California, the Golden State, is located on the western coast of the United States and is bordered by Oregon, Nevada, and Arizona.\u00a0California covers an area of 163,696 square miles, making it the third-largest state in the United States.

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    The borders of California were established in 1848 when Mexico ceded the area to the United States after the Mexican-American War. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo stated that \"all citizens of Mexico now living in territories previously belonging to Mexico\" would be recognized as U.S. citizens with full political and legal rights. This excluded Native Americans living in what is now California.

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    The border between California and Oregon was determined by a treaty signed by both countries in 1846, which included provisions for both sides that guaranteed free navigation along the Columbia River. The border between California and Arizona was set at its current location in 1863, although settlers had already moved into the area long before this date. Nevada's western border with California was finally finalized in 1866 when Congress passed an act creating it as a separate state.

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    California is home to one of the world's most extensive mountain ranges - The Sierra Nevada. Spanning 430 miles, it includes some of the highest peaks in the continental United States, including Mount Whitney \u2013 the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States(14,505 ft). The Sierra Nevada has many unique features, from rugged peaks and old-growth forests to cascading waterfalls and crystal-clear lakes.\u00a0

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    4. Montana\u00a0- 147,040 mi\u00b2

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    \"Glacier
    Glacier National Park in Montana.
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    Montana is the fourth-largest state in the United States at 147,040 square miles. Montana's borders developed through historical events and treaties between Native American tribes. In 1803, the Louisiana Purchase Agreement solidified the border with Canada as it is today. The state negotiated several treaties with various Native American tribes to establish official boundaries within the state; military force was often involved. These official treaties are what define Montana's current borders.

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    Montana is home to many significant landforms, including two mountain ranges: the Rocky Mountains and the Continental Divide. Its expansive plains are also notable in their sheer size, covering the entire western state. However, the most significant landform within Montana is Glacier National Park, a wilderness area known for its stunning scenery and over 700 miles of trails.

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    5. New Mexico\u00a0- 121,590 mi\u00b2

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    \"Balloons
    Balloons over the Rio Grande.
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    New Mexico is the fifth-largest state in the United States, covering an area of 121,591 square miles. Colorado borders it to the north, Utah to the northwest, Arizona to the West, Texas to the East, Oklahoma to the northeast, and Mexico to the south. The land that now makes up New Mexico was historically part of what was called \"the Spanish Empire,\" consisting of Spain's American colonies. When Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821, it received all land from what had previously been Spanish territory within its current borders. New Mexico officially became a U.S. territory due to the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended the Mexican\u2013American War in 1848 and ceded much of present-day California, Nevada, and Utah to the U.S. In 1912, New Mexico was granted statehood, and its borders became official.

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    One of the most impressive landforms of New Mexico is Shiprock, a towering formation of eroded volcanic basalt that rises out of the desert. It's said to resemble an ancient sailing vessel, hence its name. Shiprock stands 1,583 feet tall and covers an area of 13 square miles, making it one of the largest formations in New Mexico - an impressive example of this southwestern state's sheer size and grandeur.

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    6. Arizona\u00a0- 113,990 mi\u00b2

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    \"Sunset
    Near Phoenix, Arizona.
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    Arizona is the sixth largest state in the United States by area. It occupies an area of 113,990 square miles and is bordered by California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, and Mexico.

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    Arizona's modern borders were first set when it was recognized as a U.S. territory in 1863. The initial territory expanded several times following the Mexican-American War due to newly acquired land from Mexico. Following statehood in 1912, Arizona's borders have formed according to geographical features like rivers and mountain ranges.\u00a0

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    One example of its size is the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon is a stunning geological formation located in the northwest corner of the state, and it measures 18 miles across at its widest point and 277 miles in length. It's an incredible natural wonder that provides a fantastic view of Arizona's impressive size.

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    7. Nevada\u00a0- 110,572 mi\u00b2

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    \"Sunrise
    Red Rock Canyon, Nevada.
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    Nevada is the seventh-largest state in the United States, stretching across 110,577 square miles of desert, alpine mountains, and rugged plains. Located in the southwest region of the U.S., it shares borders with Oregon to the northwest, Idaho to the northeast, California to the west, and Arizona to the south.

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    Its boundaries are determined by geographical features such as rivers and mountain ridges. For example, Nevada's southernmost border follows the Colorado River from Arizona through Lake Mead into California. The western border with California is defined by mountainous terrains and several mountain ranges, such as the Sierra Nevada and the White Mountains. Additionally, Bear Lake delineates a portion of its eastern boundary with Idaho.

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    With over 190,000 square miles of area, the Great Basin Desert of Nevada spans the entire state and spills over into California. It stretches from the imposing Sierra Mountains in the west to the Wasatch Mountains in the east. This desert contains many unique geological features, including dunes, canyons, cave systems, and salt flats. Its climate is known for being arid, with hot temperatures during the day and bitterly cold temperatures during the night.

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    8. Colorado - 104,094 mi\u00b2

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    \"The
    The Rocky Mountains near Aspen, Colorado.
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    Colorado is the 8th biggest state in the US and has an area of 104,185 square miles. It borders Wyoming to the north, Nebraska to the northeast, Kansas to the East, Oklahoma to the southeast, New Mexico to the south, and Utah to the West. The southwestern corner of Colorado was originally part of Mexico before 1848 when it became part of the U.S. after the Treaty Of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed. The rest of the modern-day borders for Colorado formed because of acts passed in 1860, which established their boundaries with Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico, and Nebraska.\u00a0

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    One of the most impressive examples of Colorado's size is the Mesa Verde National Park. This 52,000-acre park is an expansive area in the Four Corners region, filled with towering cliffs and ancient ruins of ancient Native American civilizations. The park contains some of the best-preserved archaeological sites in the world, with hundreds of cliff dwellings carved into the steep stone walls. Visitors can explore this real-life time capsule and learn about the culture and history of the people who lived here from 600CE to 1300CE.

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    9. Oregon\u00a0- 98,379 mi\u00b2

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    \"Three
    Three Sisters Mountains, Oregon.
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    Oregon is the ninth largest state in the United States, spanning 98,466 square miles. Washington borders it to the north, Idaho to the East, Nevada, and California to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the West. Its borders were formally established when Oregon became a state in 1859. Surveyors drew up the eastern border with Idaho following a compromise plan that involved a fair division of resources between both states. As for its western border with Washington and the northern border with Canada, they formed due to the existing early 19th-century territorial boundaries of Oregon Country.

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    The Columbia River Gorge is a geologic wonder located in the Pacific Northwest, running through Oregon for 80 miles, and enters into Washington. Carved by glaciers thousands of years ago, the walls of the gorge reach proportions of up to 4,000 feet high. The river winds through incredible canyons, forming waterfalls and providing beautiful views from many vantage points. A diverse landscape has developed within its boundaries, including temperate rainforest and grassland ecosystems. Native populations have thrived here for centuries, engaging in activities that are sustainable with the environment, such as fishing and camping.

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    10. Wyoming\u00a0- 97,813 mi\u00b2

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    \"Devil's
    Devil's Tower National Monument in Wyoming.
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    Wyoming is the 10th largest state in the United States, spanning 97,914 square miles. Moreover, Congress established its borders in 1890. Wyoming has assumed its modern form based on the region's geography and also because of political compromises between competing territories and states. One example was when Montana and Idaho were both granted land that Wyoming wanted during negotiations to become a state. These two states gave Wyoming a 'panhandle' section to rectify the situation. In 1868, Andrew Jackson signed an act that organized a territorial government based on lands from Idaho, native tribes like the Dakota, and Utah. This order was manifested by 1872, with the lines being officially declared in 1890.

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    One of the state's most prominent landforms is the Bighorn Mountains, located in the state's northeast corner. The Bighorn Mountains are a subrange of the Rocky Mountains and cover nearly 9,000 square miles. They formed because of uplift and tectonic activity millions of years ago, and today they stand at an average elevation of 8,000 feet above sea level. The mountains are composed primarily of sedimentary rocks such as limestone and sandstone, with some areas having metamorphic rocks like quartzite due to intense pressure and heat. Furthermore, the region around the Bighorn Mountains contains numerous rivers, hot springs, geysers, and other water features fed by melting glaciers found on their peaks.

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    The 10 Smallest US States by Total Area

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    \n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
    RankStateTotal area (mi\u00b2)
    1Rhode Island1,545
    2Delaware2,489
    3Connecticut5,543
    4New Jersey8,723
    5New Hampshire9,349
    6Vermont9,616
    7Massachusetts10,554
    8Hawaii10,932
    9Maryland12,406
    10West Virginia24,230
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    Source: US Census Bureau

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    Ten Smallest States by Total Area

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    \"Map
    Map of the 10 smallest US states by total area.
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    1. Rhode Island - 1,545 mi\u00b2

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    \"Claiborne
    Rhode Island.
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    Rhode Island, the smallest of all 50 states in the US, covers an area of just 1,214 square miles and is home to over 1 million people. Its borders were initially set out in 1636 by a group of settlers from Massachusetts and Plymouth colonies who acquired the land from the Narragansett Indians. The earliest settlement was at Providence, which has since become its capital city. Although small, Rhode Island has many beautiful landscapes and cultural landmarks, making it a popular tourist destination. It also has a booming economy based on tourism, manufacturing, technology, education, and health care services. Despite its small size, Rhode Island has achieved much throughout history and stands proud as one of the original 13 American colonies.

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    Rhode Island's most defining physical feature is Narragansett Bay, which covers almost 14% of the state's total area. Narragansett Bay is a large estuary and part of the larger Atlantic Ocean drainage basin. The bay's geology is composed of two distinct formations: an outer ridge that creates an embayment around inner mud flats and sandflats. The ridge is composed chiefly of granite and gneiss bedrock and was created during the Quaternary glaciation period, resulting in a series of hilly ridges that either drain into or run alongside the main bay body. The sediment deposited from this glacial activity accumulates within the bay's estuarine environment, forming mud flats and sandbars inside and outside the central Narragansett Bay area. In addition, the bay experiences both natural and human-caused erosion, leading to continual changes in its physical geography over time.

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    2. Delaware - 2,489 mi\u00b2

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    \"Bethany
    Bethany Beach Delaware.
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    Measuring just 2,489 square miles and located on the United States East Coast, Delaware is the second smallest state after Rhode Island. Delaware was one of the original 13 colonies that declared independence from Great Britain during the American Revolution and is known as \"The First State.\" It received its borders when the U.S. Congress passed the Treaty of Paris in 1783, officially recognizing US independence from Britain and setting boundaries between states. Today, Delaware shares borders with Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland; its coast boasts some of the most beautiful beaches on America's east coast.

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    Acting as the border between New Jersey and Delaware, the 783.8 square mile Delaware Bay is a vital estuary supporting a variety of wildlife and habitats, including oysters, crabs, fish, eelgrass beds, and migratory waterfowl. The bay serves as a nursery for many species of fish and shellfish, allowing the population to grow. Additionally, it provides recreational activities such as fishing and boating. The bay also serves an essential role in helping protect the land from storm surge flooding and coastal erosion. It also helps to moderate regional climate by absorbing energy from the sun and heat from cities nearby.

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    3. Connecticut - 5,543 mi\u00b2

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    \"aerial
    Greenwich, Connecticut.
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    Connecticut is the third smallest state in the United States regarding the land area, with just 5,543 square miles. It has an average width of 90 miles and a length of 50 miles. The Connecticut Colony was founded by Thomas Hooker in 1636 and was one of the original 13 colonies that formed the United States. Initially, its borders extended from the Saybrook Colony at the mouth of the Connecticut River to present-day Rhode Island. Further expansion came when eastern parts of New York and parts of Massachusetts joined during colonial times. The border between Connecticut and Rhode Island was finalized in 1703 after much dispute over the interpretation of charter rights and survey measurements; it remains virtually unchanged today.

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    Pachaug State Forest is the largest state forest in Connecticut, covering more than 26,000 acres of wooded landscapes. Located on the border of Rhode Island and Connecticut, the forest's ancient woodland preserves a rich land use history that dates back to colonial times. The diverse ecology includes hardwood forests, wetlands, grasslands, shrublands, and many different species of birds, mammals, and reptiles. Visitors frequently explore trails leading through the gentle hills and valleys and enjoy recreational activities such as camping, hunting, and fishing. Boating is also available in many areas within the forest. There are several hiking loops around ponds with scenic overlooks as well as longer trails providing access to remote backcountry sites.

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    4. New Jersey - 8,723 mi\u00b2

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    \"Drone
    Plainsboro Princeton New Jersey.
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    New Jersey is the fourth-smallest state in the United States at 8,722 square miles. It is bordered to the north by New York, east by the Atlantic Ocean, south by Delaware, and west by Pennsylvania. Its borders have been shaped since its first settlements in 1664 when the Dutch and English crowns divided land on the east coast. The original boundaries were determined using geography, including rivers, lakes, oceans, and mountains. Through centuries of disagreements between states over land ownership and shifting political boundaries, modern-day borders around New Jersey were resolved in 1787.

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    The notable Wharton State Forest is a protected area of woodlands in the Pine Barrens region of southern New Jersey. Comprising over 122,000 acres, it is the largest state forest in New Jersey. Most of the land consists of pine forests, freshwater lakes, and streams, Atlantic white cedar swamps, and cranberry bogs. Wildlife inhabiting the forest includes white-tailed deer, foxes, mink, muskie, and wild turkey. Despite New Jersey's small size, Wharton State Forest and the adjacent reserves prove that the community wishes to protect the state from overdevelopment.

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    5. New Hampshire - 9,349 mi\u00b2

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    \"Fall
    White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire.
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    New Hampshire is the fifth-smallest state in the U.S., covering an area of 9,349 square miles. Forests and mountain ranges cover nearly two-thirds of New Hampshire's land. More than half of its land area is part of the White Mountain National Forest.

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    New Hampshire's borders date to 1741 when King George II granted its charter: surveyors determined the boundaries stated in the charter, which stretched from Black Point in Cape Ann to the Connecticut River's northern border. It defined an area that stretched along multiple rivers, such as Merrimack and Pemigewasset Rivers, as well as Lakes Winnipesaukee and Sunapee. This charter remains unchanged today and still stands as New Hampshire's current state borders, although a few changes have occurred since then, such as adjustments to Massachusetts' border.

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    White Mountain National Forest, found in the Eastern region of New Hampshire, is a national forest established in 1918 and comprising over 800,000 acres of land. This diverse landscape features forests, valleys, hills, and streams, providing habitats for many species of flora and fauna. In addition to its natural beauty, the White Mountain National Forest is rich with hiking trails and campgrounds that offer a unique outdoor experience. Visitors can also enjoy fishing in the fast-flowing streams or skiing at nearby ski resorts. The White Mountain National Forest is an important asset to the people of New Hampshire due to its recreational opportunities and role in preserving biodiversity and natural resources.

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    6. Vermont - 9,616 mi\u00b2

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    \"Topsham
    Topsham village in Vermont.
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    Vermont is the 6th smallest state in the United States, covering an area of only 9,622 square miles. It shares borders with New York to the west, Massachusetts to the south and east, Canada to the north, and New Hampshire to the east. Vermont received its present-day borders in 1777 when it declared independence from Britain during the American Revolutionary War. It joined the Union as part of a series of states that made up the original 13 colonies, along with Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Jersey.\u00a0

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    Nestled in the northeastern corner of Vermont, Lake Champlain is an expansive body of water comprised of 435 square miles of freshwater. One of the oldest and longest lakes in North America, it is home to a diverse ecosystem that includes over 80 species of fish and 125 species of birds. Its crystal-clear waters enable visitors to enjoy swimming, fishing, kayaking, and sailing. In addition to its natural beauty, the lake is steeped in history, having played a significant role during the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. Bordered by villages and magnificent mountains, the lake is a testament to the scale of even the smallest states in the U.S.

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    7. Massachusetts - 10,554 mi\u00b2

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    \"Panoramic
    Panoramic aerial view of Boston, Massachusetts
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    Massachusetts is the seventh smallest state in the United States, with an area of 10,565 square miles. It is bordered by Connecticut and Rhode Island to the south, New Hampshire and Vermont to the north, New York to the west, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. The borders were established in 1643 when Plymouth Colony joined forces with Massachusetts Bay Colony and other colonies that eventually became part of what is currently Rhode Island and parts of Connecticut. This development resulted in a border more or less in line with today's borders. However, in 1820 the entire state of Maine separated from Massachusetts; if that had not happened, Massachusetts would be 35,285 square miles larger.

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    Despite that split, the state retains remarkable landforms like Cape Cod, a peninsula on its southeastern coast. The Atlantic Ocean surrounds the cape to the east and Buzzards Bay to the west. The area is known for its beaches, lighthouses, cranberry bogs, and vibrant maritime history. Cape Cod's culture has been shaped over many centuries of fishing, whaling, and shipbuilding industries, as well as its popularity as a summer resort destination. Its moderate summer climate, ideal for recreational activities such as swimming, sailing, and beach-going, draw visitors from around the world.

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    8. Hawaii - 10,932 mi\u00b2

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    \"Skyline
    Skyline of Honolulu, Hawaii and the surrounding area including the hotels and buildings on Waikiki Beach
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    At 10,932 square miles, Hawaii is the eighth-smallest U.S. state. The islands that make up this tropical paradise stretch more than 1,500 miles across the Pacific Ocean. Hawaii's borders have always been defined by geography, with its boundaries set by the U.S. Congress in 1898 when it became a U.S. territory. The borders were later confirmed by Congress in 1959 when Hawaii became a state. Hawaii has grown significantly since then; for example, two islands that make up the archipelago\u2014Midway Atoll and Palmyra Atoll\u2014were annexed and are now part of the state.The landform that stands out the most is Mauna Loa, an active shield volcano located in the Hawaiian Islands. With a height of more than 13,600 feet above sea level, it is the largest mountain in the world measured from its base on the sea floor. It covers approximately 1.900 square miles and half of Hawaii (Big) Island's landmass. Mauna Loa has been erupting for about 700,000 years and is one of Earth's most active volcanoes. Its last eruptions occurred in 2022 and 1984 and caused widespread disruption to Hawaii Island's agriculture, transportation, and infrastructure.

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    9. Maryland - 12,406 mi\u00b2

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    \"The
    The Naval Academy Dome and the Maryland Statehouse buildings show up centered in this aerial view of Maryland
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    The state of Maryland is the ninth-smallest in the United States, spanning 12,407 square miles. Its borders were a compromise between its original colonies, Maryland and Virginia. Maryland was granted its southern boundary at the Potomac River, while Virginia was named ruler of the land currently known as West Virginia. King Charles I set out this border in a 1632 charter. In addition to this main boundary line, Maryland's coastal borders were also drawn up by the royal proclamation in 1763. As a result, the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries form part of Maryland's Atlantic borders, now recognized as the most substantial in length among all U.S. states.

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    At the heart of this small state is the Chesapeake Bay, an integral part of Maryland's distinct geography and ecology. Fed by the Susquehanna River and other tributaries, the bay's unique composition provides a habitat for myriad aquatic species. It serves as a center of commercial activity due to its natural abundance. In addition, its shallow waters are nourished by nutrients entrapped by the bay's numerous wetlands, contributing to its popularity among water enthusiasts. Chesapeake Bay is both an important cultural icon and core ecosystem for Maryland because of its diverse wildlife, expansive shoreline, and various recreational opportunities.

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    10. West Virginia - 24,230 mi\u00b2

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    \"Buildings
    Buildings Homes and Streets in the downtown city center area of Clarksburg\u00a0
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    West Virginia is the 40th largest state in the United States, covering an area of 24,230 square miles. It spreads over several counties and borders six other states: Kentucky, Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. During the American Civil War, Union and Confederate disagreements carved West Virginia out of the western part of Virginia. After the War ended in 1865, a new state constitution was drafted and accepted by Congress. The borders were finalized in 1866 when Congress passed a bill making West Virginia its own state.

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    The 200-mile Allegheny Mountain stretch in West Virginia is a pristine example of Appalachian Range geology, renowned for its robust and often rugged landscape. Characterized by steep inclines, deep gorges, and coniferous forests, the region is a natural marvel. The highest peak in the range is Spruce Knob, which stands 4863 feet above sea level. Many of the streams within the Allegheny Mountains are home to some of the most diverse fish populations in the Appalachian region. In addition to its rich aquatic life, the range hosts a wide array of mammals, including bears, deer, foxes, and raccoons, and majestic birds of prey such as hawks and eagles. Its abundance of flora stretches far beyond trees, with numerous ferns, shrubs, and wildflowers contributing to West Virginia's entire ecosystem.

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    More in Geography

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    \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n\n", + "page_last_modified": "" + }, + { + "page_name": "List of US States by area/size - Nations Online Project", + "page_url": "https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/US-states-by-area.htm", + "page_snippet": "A list of all federal states of the United States by total area in square kilometers and square miles, compared with the size of nation-states in Europe.From the largest to the smallest US states. A list of all federal states of the United States by total area in square kilometers and square miles, compared with the size of nation-states in Europe. For example, California, the third-largest US state, is larger than Germany but smaller than France; Texas is three times the size of the United Kingdom, and Massachusetts is two-thirds the size of Switzerland. So, what is the largest state by area in the United States of America? Which is the smallest state in the United States? How big are U.S. states compared to nation-states? How big are U.S. states compared to nation-states? Below is a list of the 50 U.S. States by area size, from the largest to the smallest state of the United States. U.S. States compared by area size with nation-states. List of states and territories in total area in square kilometers (km\u00b2) and square miles (sq mi). US State Flags: Click on a state flag symbol to show a larger version of the flag and a flag description. Which is the smallest state in the United States? How big are U.S. states compared to nation-states? Below is a list of the 50 U.S. States by area size, from the largest to the smallest state of the United States. U.S. States compared by area size with nation-states.", + "page_result": "\n\n\n\n\nList of US States by Area - Nations Online Project\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Advertising
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    \"US
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    Home Earth Continents The Americas United States country profile U.S. states and territories by area
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    Size of US States by Area

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    \"MountMount Rainier, also known as Tahoma, is a 4,394 m (14,417 ft) tall active stratovolcano in the Cascade Range. Mount Rainier is regarded as one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world because of a high probability of an eruption in the near future.
    \nImage: Troy Mason
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    From the largest to the smallest US states.


    \n
    \"Map
    \nMap of the Contiguous United States.
    \n
    \n
    \nThe United States is the third largest country in the world and occupies about 40% of the North American continent, which it shares with Canada and Mexico.
    \n
    \n
    \nThe US territory is divided into 50 states; 48 states are in the central part of the North American continent, known as the \"contiguous United States,\" one state, Alaska, occupies the peninsula-like northwestern part of North America, and there is Hawaii, a tropical archipelago in the Pacific Ocean.
    \n
    \n
    \nThe U.S. states as constituent political units.
    \nThe states are constituent political units that together make up the United States.
    \nThe area of the 13 original states was largely defined by colonial charters and changed several times throughout their history. The size of many other state territories was determined by Congress. Relatively arbitrary straight lines following the lines of longitude and latitude defined the size of the states west of the Mississippi.
    \n
    \n
    \nThe formation of the U.S. states.
    \nThe formation of the U.S. states was a complex process that involved a combination of historical, political, and geographic factors, as well as negotiations and compromises between different groups with competing interests.
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    \n
    \nThe size of U.S. states compared to the size of nation-states.
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    \nMeasured by size, US states are as large or small as nation-states in the Old World. For example, California, the third-largest US state, is larger than Germany but smaller than France; Texas is three times the size of the United Kingdom, and Massachusetts is two-thirds the size of Switzerland.
    \n
    \nSo, what is the largest state by area in the United States of America? Which is the smallest state in the United States? How big are U.S. states compared to nation-states?
    \n
    \nBelow is a list of the 50 U.S. States by area size, from the largest to the smallest state of the United States. U.S. States compared by area size with nation-states.
    \n
    \nList of states and territories in total area in square kilometers (km\u00b2) and square miles (sq mi).
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    \nUS State Flags:
    \nClick on a state flag symbol to show a larger version of the flag and a flag description.
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    No.Statekm\u00b2sq miCensus RegionNotes
    30\"AlabamaAlabama135,76752,420East South Central The "Heart of Dixie" is the largest state in the East South Central region. Alabama is the 30th largest state in the United States and offers a diverse topography that ranges from the Appalachian Mountains to the beaches of the Gulf Coast.
    1\"AlaskaAlaska1,723,336665,384PacificAlaska is the largest state in the US; it is not bordered by any other US state. "The Last Frontier" is about 3 times as big as France and about 2.5 times the size of Texas; it is also the least densely populated US state.
    6\"ArizonaArizona295,233113,990MountainHome to the Grand Canyon. Arizona is about three times the size of South Korea.
    29\"ArkansasArkansas137,73053,178West South CentralBy comparison, Arkansas is slightly larger than Greece.
    3\"CaliforniaCalifornia423,968163,695PacificLargest state in the Pacific region on the US mainland and one of three states on the US mainland with a coastline on the Pacific Ocean. California is five times the size of Austria.
    8\"ColoradoColorado269,602104,094MountainOne of the two states that have straight borders that appear to form a rectangle. Colorado is about the size of New Zealand.
    48\"ConnecticutConnecticut14,3565,543New EnglandOne of the six New England states, but nine times smaller than England.
    49\"DelawareDelaware6,4462,489South Atlantic One of the original thirteen states.
    22\"FloridaFlorida170,31265,758South AtlanticLargest state in the South Atlantic region of the USA. Florida is about one-third the size of Spain.
    24\"GeorgiaGeorgia153,91059,425South AtlanticOne of the original thirteen states.
    43\"Hawai'iHawaii28,31310,932PacificThe only US state located on an archipelago.
    14\"IdahoIdaho216,44383,569MountainBy comparison, Idaho is slightly smaller than Great Britain (island).
    25\"IllinoisIllinois149,99457,913East North CentralBy comparison, Illinois is about half the size of Italy.
    38\"IndianaIndiana94,32736,420East North CentralIndiana is about the size of Hungary.
    26\"IowaIowa145,74456,272West North CentralBy comparison, Iowa is about twice the size of Ireland.
    15\"KansasKansas213,09982,278West North CentralThe size of Kansas is defined by longitude and latitude, with only the northeast corner cut off by the Missouri River.
    37\"KentuckyKentucky104,65640,408East South CentralThe Bluegrass State is about one-third the size of Poland and would fit almost seven times into Texas.
    31\"LouisianaLouisiana135,65852,378West South CentralThe Pelican State is somewhat larger than Greece, or about half the size of Colorado.
    39\"MaineMaine91,63435,380New EnglandLargest state in New England. About twice the size of Estonia.
    42\"MarylandMaryland32,13112,406South AtlanticMaryland is located in the north of the South-Atlantic region of the United States; it is known for its diverse geography, including the Chesapeake Bay, the Appalachian Mountains and its coastal plains. Maryland is slightly larger than Belgium; about 26% of its area is covered by water.
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    44\"MassachusettsMassachusetts27,33510,554New EnglandThe Commonwealth of Massachusetts is somewhat smaller than Belgium and the most populous state in the New England region.
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    11\"MichiganMichigan250,48596,713East North CentralMichigan is split into two distinct landmasses, the Upper Peninsula (UP) and the Lower Peninsula (LP), connected by the Mackinac Bridge. It is the largest state in East North Central; however, 40,175 sq mi (104,052 sq km), about 41.5% of Michigan's total area, is covered by water.
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    12\"MinnesotaMinnesota225,16386,936West North CentralThe 'Land of 10,000 Lakes' is the largest state in the West North Central region of the United States, and it shares a border with Canada to the north.
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    32\"MississippiMississippi125,43848,432East South CentralThe US state of Mississippi was named after the Mississippi River, the second-longest river in the US.
    21\"MissouriMissouri180,54069,707West North CentralMissouri was named for the Missouri River, the longest river in the United States.
    4\"MontanaMontana380,831147,040MountainMontana is the largest state in the Mountain Region. Montana is slightly larger than Germany.
    16\"NebraskaNebraska200,33077,348West North CentralNebraska is located in the middle of the United States, west of the Missouri River, and is about the size of Kyrgyzstan.
    7\"NevadaNevada286,380110,572MountainNevada, the Battle Born State, is about the size of Ecuador and would fit almost 2.5 times within Texas.
    46\"NewNew Hampshire24,2149,349New EnglandThe Granite State is slightly smaller than North Macedonia and would fit inside Texas 29 times.
    47\"NewNew Jersey22,5908,722Middle AtlanticNew Jersey is the most densely populated US state. Compared, it is about the size of Israel and has about the same number of inhabitants.
    5\"NewNew Mexico314,917121,590MountainNew Mexico is the 5th largest US state, about the size of Poland. Santa Fe, the capital of New Mexico, is the highest capital city in the United States at 2,194 m (7,198 ft)) above sea level.
    27\"NewNew York141,29754,555Middle AtlanticThe largest state in the Mid-Atlantic region. The "Empire State" is slightly larger than Greece and would fit almost five times inside Texas.
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    28\"NorthNorth Carolina139,39053,819South AtlanticNorth Carolina is about twice the size of Ireland and would fit five times inside Texas.
    19\"NorthNorth Dakota183,10770,698West North CentralNorth Dakota is somewhat smaller than half the size of Germany but eight times as big as New Jersey.
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    34\"OhioOhio116,09644,825East North CentralThe Buckeye State is slightly larger than Cuba and would fit six times inside Texas.
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    20\"OklahomaOklahoma181,03869,899West South CentralOklahoma is the size of Cambodia and would fit almost four times in Texas.
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    9\"OregonOregon254,80098,379PacificOne of the three states in the continental United States with a coastline on the Pacific Ocean. Oregon is slightly larger than the UK but has only about 6% of the UK's population.
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    33\"PennsylvaniaPennsylvania119,27946,054Middle AtlanticThe Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, also known as "The Keystone State," is about half the size of the United Kingdom.
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    50\"RhodeRhode Island3,9991,544New EnglandRhode Island is the smallest U.S. state. It would fit more than 40 times in England.
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    40\"SouthSouth Carolina82,93132,020South AtlanticSouth Carolina is about as big as the United Arab Emirates.
    \n 
    17\"SouthSouth Dakota199,73077,116West North CentralSouth Dakota is two-thirds the size of Italy.
    36\"TennesseeTennessee109,15242,144East South CentralTennessee is about the size of Cuba.
    2\"TexasTexas695,660268,596West South CentralThe largest state on the U.S. mainland and the second largest in the United States.
    13\"UtahUtah219,88284,897MountainThe Beehive State is about twice as big as Bulgaria.
    45\"VermontVermont24,9059,616New EnglandThe state in the northeastern US is about half the size of Slovakia.
    35\"VirginiaVirginia110,78742,775South AtlanticVirginia is about the size of Bulgaria.
    18\"WashingtonWashington184,66171,298PacificWashington is one of three states on the US mainland with a coastline on the Pacific Ocean and one of thirteen states with a border with Canada.
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    41\"WestWest Virginia62,75524,230South AtlanticThe Mountain State is the only state that lies entirely in the Appalachian Mountains. West Virginia is slightly smaller than Scotland.
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    23\"WisconsinWisconsin169,63465,496East North CentralThe Badger State is about twice the size of Austria.
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    10\"WyomingWyoming253,33497,813MountainWyoming is half the size of Spain; its area is defined by the 104 and 111 degrees west longitude lines and the 41 and 45 degrees north latitude lines. It is the second-least densely populated US state.
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     Country/
    \nTerritory
    Area
    \n(km\u00b2)
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    TerritoryNotes
    \"Flag United States
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    9,833,516
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    \n8,081,868
    3,796,742
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    \n3,120,428
    North AmericaThe United States is the third-largest country in the world. Its area is about half the size of Russia or more than twice the size of the European Union. The federal republic consists of 50 states and one capital district (District of Columbia).
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    \"FlagDistrict of Columbia17768.34South AtlanticCapital district of the United States, generally known as Washington D.C.
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    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau - Area Measurements; and U.S. Geological Survey
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    Territories of the United States
    \"AmericanAmerican Samoa1,505581PolynesiaAmerican Samoa has a land area of 198 km\u00b2 (76 sq mi)
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    \"GuamGuam1,476570MicronesiaGuam has a land area of 543 km\u00b2 (209 sq mi)
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    \"NorthernNorthern Mariana Islands5,1151,975MicronesiaNorthern Mariana Islands have a land area of 472 km\u00b2 (182 sq mi)
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    \"PuertoPuerto Rico13,7925,325CaribbeanPuerto Rico has a land area of 8,867 km\u00b2 (3,424 sq mi)
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    \"USUS Virgin Islands1,898733CaribbeanUS Virgin Islands have a land area of 348 km\u00b2 (134 sq mi)
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    \"Map
    \nMap of the main divisions of the United States (Census Regions). The four geographic regions and nine divisions of the United States
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    \nRegions and Divisions
    \nThe most commonly used area classification system in the U.S. is the Census Bureau-designated regions and divisions.
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    \nThere are four main regions:
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    \nRegion 1: Northeast with New England and the Middle Atlantic region.
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    \nRegion 2: Midwest with the East North Central and the West North Central region.
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    \nRegion 3: South with three subdivisions: South Atlantic, East South Central, and West South Central.
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    \nRegion 4: West
    \nRegion West includes\nthe Mountain and the Pacific region.
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    \nKeywords: largest US state by area, smallest US state by\narea, US state area in square kilometers, square miles, size of the US states
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    History of the US states
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    \nThe United States of America was founded after thirteen British colonies in North America declared their independence from the British Empire on 4 July 1776.
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    \nVarious historical, political, and geographic factors have determined the shape and size of the states in the United States. Here are some key factors that have influenced the shape of the states:
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    \n1. Colonial Settlement Patterns
    \nDuring the European colonization of the Americas, several empires, primarily Spain, Portugal, Britain, France, Russia, the Netherlands and Sweden, began to explore and claim the land.
    \nThe French established colonies in much of eastern North America (New France). The original thirteen US colonies, which gave rise to the United States, were ruled by the British monarchy during the colonial period from the late 16th century to the American Revolution in the late 18th century.
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    \n2. Geographic features
    \nGeographic features such as rivers, mountains, and coastlines also played a role in shaping the boundaries of the states. For example, the Mississippi River served as a natural boundary between many of the western states, and the Appalachian Mountains played a role in separating the eastern states from the western frontier.
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    \n3. Political negotiations
    \nThe process of determining state boundaries was often influenced by political negotiations and compromises between different groups with competing interests. For example, the Royal Proclamation of 1763 declared the boundaries of the thirteen colonies as the Appalachian Mountains and the Missouri Compromise of 1820 established the boundary between slave and free states in the western territories, and the Compromise of 1850 resolved a dispute over the boundaries of Texas.
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    \n4. Federal government
    \nThe federal government also played a role in shaping the states' boundaries by admitting new states to the Union. The process of admitting new states often involved negotiating borders and defining territorial boundaries before the state was established.
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    \nThe purchase of land by the United States government played also a significant role in the shaping of the states and the expansion of the country's territory. Two major land purchases that contributed to the shape and size of the states were the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and the Alaska Purchase in 1867.
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    \nOverall, the shaping of the states was a complex process that involved a combination of historical, political, and geographic factors, as well as negotiations and compromises between different groups with competing interests.
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    \n Weather Conditions Washington D.C.
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    \nWASHINGTON WEATHER\n\n
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