Introduction
Hey there, readers! Welcome to our comprehensive guide on "how many states are there." Whether you’re a curious learner or looking to ace your next trivia night, this article has got you covered. So, buckle up and get ready to dive into the fascinating world of American geography!
The United States of America
The United States of America, fondly known as the U.S. or America, is a sovereign nation located in North America. It consists of 50 states, 5 territories, and 1 federal district. The 50 states stretch from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and from the Canadian border in the north to the Mexican border in the south.
The 50 States
The Original 13 Colonies
The United States originated as 13 British colonies along the Atlantic coast. These colonies were:
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Virginia
Expansion through the 19th Century
Over the next century, the United States expanded westward, adding 29 new states through a combination of purchases, treaties, and wars. These states included:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
The Last Additions
The last two states to join the Union were Arizona and New Mexico in 1912, bringing the total number of states to 50.
U.S. States by Region
Northeast
- Connecticut
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
Southeast
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- West Virginia
Midwest
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Wisconsin
Southwest
- Arizona
- Colorado
- New Mexico
- Texas
- Utah
West
- Alaska
- California
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Montana
- Nevada
- Oregon
- Washington
- Wyoming
Statehood and U.S. Territories
Statehood Requirements
To become a state, a territory must meet certain requirements, including:
- A population of at least 60,000 people
- A stable economy
- A republican form of government
- A constitution that meets certain federal criteria
U.S. Territories
There are currently 5 territories of the United States:
- American Samoa
- Guam
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Puerto Rico
- U.S. Virgin Islands
These territories are not states and do not have full representation in Congress.
Table: U.S. States and Territories
| State/Territory | Population (2020) | Date of Statehood |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 4,903,185 | December 14, 1819 |
| Alaska | 733,391 | January 3, 1959 |
| American Samoa | 55,647 | N/A |
| Arizona | 7,151,502 | February 14, 1912 |
| Arkansas | 3,011,524 | June 15, 1836 |
| California | 39,538,223 | September 9, 1850 |
| Colorado | 5,773,714 | August 1, 1876 |
| Connecticut | 3,605,944 | January 9, 1788 |
| Delaware | 989,948 | December 7, 1787 |
| Florida | 21,538,187 | March 3, 1845 |
| Georgia | 10,711,908 | January 2, 1788 |
| Guam | 168,801 | N/A |
| Hawaii | 1,455,271 | August 21, 1959 |
| Idaho | 1,839,106 | July 3, 1890 |
| Illinois | 12,812,508 | December 3, 1818 |
| Indiana | 6,785,528 | December 11, 1816 |
| Iowa | 3,190,369 | December 28, 1846 |
| Kansas | 2,937,880 | January 29, 1861 |
| Kentucky | 4,505,836 | June 1, 1792 |
| Louisiana | 4,657,757 | April 30, 1812 |
| Maine | 1,362,359 | March 15, 1820 |
| Maryland | 6,177,224 | April 28, 1788 |
| Massachusetts | 7,029,917 | February 6, 1788 |
| Michigan | 10,077,331 | January 26, 1837 |
| Minnesota | 5,706,494 | May 11, 1858 |
| Mississippi | 2,976,149 | December 10, 1817 |
| Missouri | 6,154,913 | August 10, 1821 |
| Montana | 1,084,225 | November 8, 1889 |
| Nebraska | 1,961,504 | March 1, 1867 |
| Nevada | 3,104,614 | October 31, 1864 |
| New Hampshire | 1,377,529 | June 21, 1788 |
| New Jersey | 9,288,994 | December 18, 1787 |
| New Mexico | 2,117,522 | January 6, 1912 |
| New York | 20,201,249 | July 26, 1788 |
| North Carolina | 10,439,388 | November 21, 1789 |
| North Dakota | 779,094 | November 2, 1889 |
| Northern Mariana Islands | 51,483 | N/A |
| Ohio | 11,799,448 | March 1, 1803 |
| Oklahoma | 4,017,673 | November 16, 1907 |
| Oregon | 4,237,256 | February 14, 1859 |
| Pennsylvania | 13,002,700 | December 12, 1787 |
| Puerto Rico | 3,261,314 | N/A |
| Rhode Island | 1,097,379 | May 29, 1790 |
| South Carolina | 5,118,425 | May 23, 1788 |
| South Dakota | 886,667 | November 2, 1889 |
| Tennessee | 6,910,840 | June 1, 1796 |
| Texas | 29,145,505 | December 29, 1845 |
| Utah | 3,271,616 | January 4, 1896 |
| Vermont | 623,989 | March 4, 1791 |
| Virginia | 8,631,393 | June 25, 1788 |
| Washington | 7,705,281 | November 11, 1889 |
| West Virginia |
FAQ about How Many States Are There
How many states are there in the United States?
There are 50 states in the United States.
How many states are there in the world?
There are 195 countries in the world, each with its own government and borders.
How many states are there in Australia?
Australia has 6 states: New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia.
How many states are there in Canada?
Canada has 10 provinces and 3 territories.
How many states are there in Europe?
There are 50 countries in Europe, each with its own government and borders.
How many states are there in Africa?
There are 54 countries in Africa, each with its own government and borders.
How many states are there in Asia?
There are 48 countries in Asia, each with its own government and borders.
How many states are there in South America?
There are 12 countries in South America, each with its own government and borders.
How many states are there in North America?
There are 23 countries in North America, including the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
How many states are there in Antarctica?
Antarctica is not a country and does not have any states. It is a continent covered in ice and snow.
