List of All 50 US States: Capitals, Populations & Facts

The United States has 50 states, ranging from Alaska (largest by area, 1.72 million km²) to Rhode Island (smallest, 4,001 km²) and from California (most populous, 39 million) to Wyoming (least populous, 577,000).

All 50 US States at a Glance

The United States of America is a federal republic consisting of 50 states, one federal district (Washington, D.C.), and several territories. The 50 states vary enormously in size, population, geography, and culture — from the vast wilderness of Alaska to the tropical beaches of Hawaii, and from the dense cities of the Northeast to the wide-open plains of the Midwest.

Complete List of 50 States

US States by Region

Northeast (9 states): Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont — the birthplace of the nation, with historic cities and dense populations.

Southeast (12 states): Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia — known for warm climates, rich history, and rapid growth.

Midwest (12 states): Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin — America's heartland, with vast farmlands and major industrial cities.

Southwest (4 states): Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas — arid landscapes, Native American heritage, and booming economies.

West (13 states): Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming — dramatic landscapes from deserts to rainforests and the nation's tallest mountains.

Key Records

Largest state by area: Alaska at 1,723,337 km² — more than twice the size of Texas.

Smallest state by area: Rhode Island at 4,001 km² — you could fit 431 Rhode Islands inside Alaska.

Most populous state: California with 39 million residents — if it were a country, it would have the world's 5th largest economy.

Least populous state: Wyoming with about 577,000 residents — fewer people than many US cities.

Highest point: Denali in Alaska at 6,190 m — the tallest peak in North America.

Lowest point: Badwater Basin in Death Valley, California at -86 m below sea level.

Key Facts

• The US has 50 states, one federal district, and several territories.
• Alaska is the largest state (1.72 million km²); Rhode Island is the smallest (4,001 km²).
• California is the most populous (39 million); Wyoming the least (577,000).
• The last two states admitted were Alaska and Hawaii, both in 1959.
• Texas is the largest of the contiguous 48 states at 695,662 km².
• The US has 4 time zones across the contiguous states and 6 total including Alaska and Hawaii.

Fun Facts

• Alaska is so large that if you placed it over the contiguous US, it would stretch from coast to coast.
• The Four Corners monument is the only point in the US where four states meet (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah).
• Despite its name, Rhode Island is not an island — it is the smallest state on the mainland.
• Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia are technically "commonwealths," not states, though there is no legal difference.

Final Thoughts

The 50 US states represent one of the most geographically diverse nations on Earth, spanning Arctic tundra, tropical islands, vast deserts, dense forests, and towering mountain ranges. Understanding each state's capital, size, and population is foundational to American geography and civics education.