The USA is a state with an interesting history. Until the 18th century, it was considered a colony of the British Empire and was called the Thirteen Colonies. In 1773, uprisings broke out and the War of Independence began, which ended with the victory of the Thirteen Colonies. They became the first states in the United States. The territory of the state has grown and now the number of states has increased to 50. The article will tell about the largest and smallest of them.
Major states
Alaska
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| Alaska |
Area: 1,717,854 km2.
Various nations and states took part in the formation of America. Russia did not stand aside either. The first expedition to Alaska was made by the Russians on the ship "Saint Gabriel". It was attended by the surveyor M. S. Gvozdev and the navigator I. Fedorov. The expedition was part of a larger Pacific Ocean exploration venture. The future largest US state was run by a Russian trading company, until in 1867 the government of the Russian Empire decided to sell it.
Alaska is a young state. Became the territory of America in 1950. The region began to develop during the Gold Rush of the late XIX. It attracted many prospectors from all over the country. In search of gold, American writer Jack London traveled to Alaska. His expedition ended unsuccessfully, but the author received materials to create bright literary works.
Alaska is currently the most sparsely populated state in the United States with a large number of minerals. The region is rich in oil, gas, gold and copper. The local population consists of whites, Indians, Eskimos and Aleuts. Residents are engaged in animal husbandry and trades, work in industry. The region is of strategic importance - it houses military bases.
Texas
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| Texas |
Area: 696,241 sq km.
Texas lies in the southwestern United States on the border with Mexico. The climate is warm, the temperature rarely drops below zero. The problem of local residents is tornadoes, causing great destruction. The Texas coast is washed by the Pacific Ocean.
The region was discovered by the Spaniards in 1519. In the 17th century, Spanish and French settlements appeared in Texas, and later the territory became part of Spain. Following the Mexican War of Independence, Texas became part of Mexico. In the first half of the 19th century, settlements of colonists from the United States appeared in the region. Their numbers grew, and over time, a conflict arose between the American settlers and the Mexican administration. It ended with Texas joining the United States.
The second largest state lives on high-tech industry and agriculture. The region is home to NASA's headquarters. Texas is a densely populated region. Descendants of Europeans and Mexicans prevail among the local residents. The leading religion is Christianity.
California
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| California |
Area: 423,970 km2.
The peninsula is located in the southwestern United States, washed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean. The climate is mild with relatively cold summers and warm winters. The state is characterized by temperature fluctuations.
The Spanish, British and Russians made a great contribution to the colonization of California. The territory of the peninsula was studied by researchers Francis Drake, Juan Cobrallo and Vitus Bering.
California became part of the United States in 1850. In the second half of the 19th century. the area flourished due to the gold rush and the construction of the railway.
A large state is of strategic importance in the 21st century. It houses Silicon Valley - the place where the largest IT companies operate. Other industries are also well developed. In terms of GDP, California ranks fifth in the world. It is also the most populous region of the United States.
Montana
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Montana |
Area: 381,156 km2.
The state is located in the northern part of the United States on the border with Canada. The climate is diverse, the temperature range is from -2 to 30 degrees.
For a long time, Montana was the home of the Indian peoples. The first of the Europeans were settled by the French. At the beginning of the 19th century, the Americans bought part of the future territory of the state from France. The area was explored by the pioneers of the United States.
The expedition of Clark and Lewis played an important role in the study of the state. In the 19th century, Montana was inhabited by merchants and missionaries. The state's economy was positively affected by the discovery of mineral deposits and the construction of the railway. During colonization, conflicts arose with the Indians. They led to major battles.
New Mexico
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| New Mexico |
Area: 315,194 km2.
Located in the southern United States on the border with Mexico. The climate is temperate, with hot summers and warm winters. The average temperature varies from 18 to 4 ° C.
In the 16th century, Spanish conquistadors colonized southern New Mexico. They were attracted by rumors of great wealth hidden in this region. Later, the territory was ceded to Mexico, but after the American-Mexican War, it was transferred to the United States. The northern part of New Mexico was bought from France in the early 19th century.
During World War II, the first nuclear weapon was tested by the US military at one of the New Mexico test sites.
The population of New Mexico is engaged in mining and agriculture. On the territory of the state there are laboratories for the study of space.
Arizona
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Arizona |
Area: 295,254 km2.
Arizona is located on the border with Mexico. The climate is varied, the temperature is warm. Sometimes it drops to -18 ° C.
The ethnic groups in Arizona are dominated by Mexicans. They are followed by the Germans, the Irish and the British. The state is home to many descendants of the Indians.
The economy is well developed. Copper mining is of great importance to Arizona. In terms of production of this metal, the state ranks first in the world. Many large enterprises are located here.
Nevada
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| Nevada |
Area: 286,367 km2.
Territory with a capricious climate. Winters are relatively cold, but summers are characterized by warm temperatures. The northern part of Nevada is occupied by desert.
The state became part of the United States in 1850. At that time, Nevada was part of Utah, and in 1861 it became an independent state. Not long before that, gold deposits were discovered in the region, and prospectors began to arrive. Subsequently, the economy of the region developed through the extraction of minerals. Industry and tourism are other developed industries.
Nevada is best known for its nuclear test site, opened in 1951.
Colorado
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| Colorado |
Area: 269,837 km2.
Colorado is located in the central region of the United States. Like other states, it has a mild climate.
Initially it belonged to Spain, but then annexed to the French colonial possessions. Part of the territory passed to the United States after the Mexican-American wars, the other part was bought from France. The state's population began to increase after the discovery of gold deposits. During the American Civil War, military operations took place in the state.
The state's economy is based on tourism, industrial enterprises and the development of mineral deposits. The heart of economic life is the city of Denver, the region's main financial center.
Oregon
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| Oregon |
Area: 255,026 km2.
Oregon is located in the northeastern United States on the Pacific coast. The state is famous for its lakes and rainy climate.
In the 18th century, the Pacific coast of Oregon was explored by the famous traveler James Cook. After him, the region was visited by the expeditions of Robert Gray and Lewis Clark. In the 19th century, Oregon was actively developed by American trading companies. The presence of furs here stimulated the influx of settlers.
Agriculture and industry are well developed in Oregon. The goods of these sectors of the economy enter the markets of the United States and other countries.
Wyoming
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| Wyoming |
Area: 253,348 km2.
Wyoming is located in the western United States. The climate is characterized by temperature fluctuations.
The territory of the state was discovered and colonized by the French in the 18th century. At the beginning of the 19th century, the French government sold it to the United States. The region was mastered and studied by American pioneers. In the second half of the last century, a railway was laid through Wyoming, which accelerated the development of the region.
Mining and tourism play an important role in the region's economy. In terms of GDP, Wyoming is comparable to Lithuania.
Smallest states
The United States has a wide variation in the size of the states' territories. A list of the five smallest of them is presented below:
- New Hampshire. Area: 24,217 km2;
- New Jersey. Area: 22,608 km2;
- Connecticut. Area: 14 357 km2;
- Delaware. Area: 6,452 km2;
- Rhode Island. Area: 4002 km2.
The smallest state in the United States is Rhode Island, 400 times smaller than Alaska. Its area is comparable to Polynesia. The area of the largest state is equal to Libya.