America's 50 States, From Newest to Oldest, in the Order of Their Admission

As a nation, when did each state officially join the USA? Order of admission to the Union as states that ratified the Constitution of 1787 is shown below.

Satellite images (from Landsat 7) and some geographical data are presented for each of the 50 states. Each state's information is detailed, including its date of admission to the Union, capital, total area, percentage of land covered by water, highest point, and mean elevation.

First, the State of Delaware

As of December 7, 1787 (Ratification date - one of the original U S colonies)

Delaware was the first state to sign the United States Constitution, earning it the nickname "the First State."

Capital Dover Area Size-wise, at 49th place, 1,982 square miles (5,130 square kilometers) Height Averaging 60 ft  (20 m) Lowest in US Maximum Height The Ebright Azimuth is around 447. 85 ft (136 50 m) What Percentage of a State is Water? 21.5

(2) The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

The 12th of December, 1787 (Ratification date - one of the original U S colonies)

Pennsylvania's geographic position as a connecting point for the East Coast, the South, and the Atlantic and Midwest gives rise to the state's nickname, "Keystone State."

Capital Harrisburg Area Area: 46,055 square miles (119,282 square kilometers); 33rd place Altitude Average 1,100 ft  (340 m) Highest Elevation The elevation of Mount Davis is 3,213 feet (979 meters). what fraction of the state is covered by water 2.7

Thirdly, the State of New Jersey

18 December 1787 (Ratification date - one of the original U. S colonies)

Northern New Jersey and the southern part of the state are largely rural. Because of its Inner Coastal Plain's fertile, loamy soil, New Jersey is often called the "Garden State." ”

Capital Trenton Area 8,722 58  mi2 (22,591 (47th place, 38 km2) Average Height 250 ft  (80 m) Max Height Top Elevation: 1,803 Feet (549 Meters) 6 m) percent of a state's territory covered by water 15.7

4. Georgia

January 2, 1788 (Ratification date - one of the original U. S colonies)

When the original Thirteen Colonies were founded, Georgia was the last and farthest south. After three other states, Georgia ratified the Constitution of the United States on January 2, 1788.

Capital Atlanta Area Placed twenty-fourth with a land area of 59,425 square miles (153,909 square kilometers) Typical Altitude 600 ft  (180 m) Highest point There are 1,458 feet (4,784) between sea level and Brasstown Bald. Exactly what proportion of the state is covered by water 2.6

The 5th: Connecticut

On January 9, 1788, the United States Constitution was ratified, making it one of the country's founding documents. S colonies)

It is safe to say that Connecticut is the most southern state in the New England region of the United States. Connecticut is also known as the "Nutmeg State," the "Provisions State," and the "Land of Steady Habits," among other monikers.

Capital Hartford Area The 48th largest in the world at 5,567 square miles (14.356 square km) The Average Altitude 500 ft  (150 m) Maximum Height The Massachusetts state line on the southern slope of Mount Frissell is at an elevation of 2,379 feet (725 meters). what fraction of the state is covered by water 12.6

Item 6: The Bay State, Massachusetts

Date of Ratification, February 6, 1788 (one of the original United S colonies)

Massachusetts has many unofficial nicknames, including "Bay State," "Pilgrim State," "Puritan State," "Old Colony State," "Baked Bean State," and "Pilgrim State."

Capital Boston Area Area: 10,565 square miles (27,337 square kilometers), ranking number 44. Average Height 500 ft   (150 m) Maximum Height The altitude of 3,489 feet (1,063 meters) atop Mount Greylock 4 m) How Much of the State is Water 25.7

7 - The Free State of Maryland

On April 28th, 1788, one of the original United States constitutions was ratified. S colonies)

The Old Line State, the Free State, and the Chesapeake Bay State are just some of the many monikers used to refer to Maryland. In the United States, only Maryland lacks any natural lakes.

Capital Annapolis Area 42nd in terms of land area, at 12,407 sq. mi. (32,133 sq. km.) Medium Altitude 350 ft  (110 m) The Greatest Height Inches at Hoye-Crest: 3,360 (1,024 meters) Percentage of a State Covered by Water 21

Put in at number eight, South Carolina

On May 23, 1788, one of the original United S colonies)

The Blue Ridge Mountains, which run east to west across South Carolina, separate the state's natural environment into the western upland Piedmont region from the eastern coastal plain.

Capital Columbia Area Area: 80,000 square miles (32,020 square kilometers) Height Averaging 350 ft  (110 m) Maximum Height Sassafras Mountain: 3,560 ft (1,085 m) Percentage of a State Covered by Water 6

Place #9, New Hampshire

One of the original United States constitutions was ratified on June 21, 1788. S colonies)

New Hampshire is known as "The Granite State" due to the abundance of granite rocks and quarries found there. To give you an idea of scale, the coastline of the United New Hampshire's coastline is the shortest in the United States at only 57 miles (29 km). S a coastal state

Capital Concord Area 46th in terms of land area, at 3,716 square miles (9,349 square kilometers). Average Height 1,000 ft (300 m) Maximum Height The altitude of Mount Washington is 6,288 feet (1,916 meters). 66 m) fraction of a state's territory covered by water 4.2

10 - The Commonwealth of Virginia

On June 25, 1788 (Ratification date, one of the original United S colonies)

There are five distinct biomes in Virginia: the Atlantic Coastal Plain, the Piedmont, the Blue Ridge, the Appalachian Ridge and Valley Region, and the Appalachian Plateau.

Capital Richmond Area 42,774 2 mi2 (110,785 (67 x kilo-meters = 35th) Average Height 950 ft  (290 m) Greatest Height Mount Rogers is at an altitude of 5,729 feet (1,746 meters). What Percentage of a State is Water? 7.4

Place No. 11: New York

Date of Ratification, July 26, 1788 (one of the original United S colonies)

Adirondack Park in New York State is the largest publicly protected area in the 48 contiguous states. With a population of over 8 million people, New York City easily takes the title of "most populous city in the United States." Three Million People

Capital Albany Area Size-wise, it's the 27th largest at 54,555 square miles (141,300 square kilometers). Normalized Height 950 ft  (290 m) Most Exalted Point Inches: 1,629 feet (5,344 ft) Percentage of a State Covered by Water 13.5

North Carolina, Number 12

On this day in 1789 (one of the original U S colonies)

More than a thousand ships have been lost off the coast of North Carolina's Cape Hatteras since records began keeping in 1526, earning it the nickname "Graveyard of the Atlantic." ”

Capital Raleigh Area The 28th largest in the world at 53,819 square miles (139,390 square kilometers) Modified Mean Altitude 700 ft (210 m) Maximum altitude Inches: 2,037 feet (6,684 ft) Percentage of a State Covered by Water 9.5

In the United States, number 13 is Rhode Island.

On May 29, 1790, one of the original United S colonies)

It's true that Rhode Island is the smallest of the 50 S geographic region Rhode Island is commonly referred to as "The Ocean State," after the state's extensive network of bays and inlets (14% of the state's total territory).

Capital Providence Area 50th place: 1,214 square miles (3,144 square kilometers) Average Height 200 ft  (60 m) Extremely High Point An elevation of 812 feet (247 meters) was measured on Jerimoth Hill. percentage of a state's territory that is covered by water 13.9

The 14th state, Vermont

On March 4, 1791, Vermont became the first of the 50 U.S. states to not be one of the original 13. S into the United States as colonies)

Vermont was admitted to the newly formed United States of America as the 14th state after the original 13 colonies were ratified. Vermont is the only U.S. state without a building taller than 124 feet (not including steeples).

Capital Burlington Area 45th in size at 9,616 square miles (24,923 square kilometers) Altitude Average 1,000 ft (300 m) Maximum Altitude The elevation of Mount Mansfield is 1,340 meters (4,395 feet). Water coverage as a percentage of the state 4.1

15th, Kentucky

1792: June 1

Kentucky bluegrass grass, the state grass that gives Kentucky its nickname, can be found in many of the state's pastures. The longest cave system on Earth is found in Kentucky, and it's called Mammoth Cave National Park.

Capital Frankfort Area Area: 40,409 square miles (104,659 square kilometers), placing it in the 37th place Average Height 750 ft  (230 m) Maximum Height The summit of Black Mountain is 1,263 meters (4,145 feet) high. the proportion of a state that is water 1.7

State of Tennessee, Number Sixteen

1796: June 1

Some of the highest points in eastern North America are located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, which form Tennessee's eastern border. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park in eastern Tennessee is the most visited park in the United States.

Capital Nashville Area Area: 42,143 square miles (109,247 square kilometers), ranking #36 Average Height 900 ft  (270 m) Maximum Altitude Clingmans Dome is 6,643 feet (2,025 meters) in elevation. percentage of a state's land area that is covered by water 2.2

17. Ohio

1803: March 1

Ohio's state flag is the only American flag that is not rectangular in shape. The state of Ohio takes its name from the Ohio River, whose Seneca name, ohiyo', means "good river," "big river," or "huge stream." ”

Capital Columbus Area 34th largest at 44,825 square miles (116,096 square kilometers) Modified Mean Altitude 850 ft  (260 m) Highest point Inches: 1,549; Meters: 472Campbell Hill What Percentage of a State is Water? 8.7

State of Louisiana, Number Eighteen

1812: April 30

The southern coast of Louisiana is rapidly disappearing. A football field's worth of land is lost in the state every 48 minutes due to climate change, oil and gas drilling and dredging, and Mississippi River levees. This amounts to 16 square miles lost per year.

Capital Baton Rogue Area 52,378 Among all of the world's countries, the 31st largest is only 13 mi2 (135,382 km2) Average Height 100 ft  (30 m) Maximum Height Inches of Driskill Mountain: 163 Percentage of a State Covered by Water 15

It's the year 2019, and Indiana is ranked 19th

11 December, 1816

Indiana has the smallest vertical range of any non-coastal US state, with a maximum elevation of 1,257 feet (383 meters) and a minimum elevation of 320 feet (98 meters).

Capital Indianapolis Area 36,418 square miles (94,321 square kilometers), good for 38th place Average Height 700 ft  (210 m) Highest Point The altitude of Hoosier Hill is 383 meters, or 1,257 feet. Area of the state that is covered by water as a percentage 1.5

Twenty-Twentieth: Mississippi

Date: 10 December 1817

Mississippi is almost entirely contained within the Gulf coastal plain, the landscape of which is dominated by lowland plains and low hills.

Capital Jackson Area The 32nd largest at 48,430 square miles (125,442 square kilometers) Average Height 300 ft  (90 m) Highest Point The summit of Woodall Mountain is 2,467 feet (807 meters) in 0 m) how much of the state is water 3.0

Twenty-first: Illinois

Time in Years: December 3, 1818

Illinois's entire western border is defined by the Mississippi River, with the exception of a few locations where the river has changed its course.

Capital Springfield Area Area: 149,962 square miles (57,953 square kilometers), 25th place Average Altitude 600 ft  (180 m) Peak elevation Mound Charles: 1,235 Feet (376 4 m) Amount of Water in a State as a Percentage 3.99

Alabama, the 22nd most populous state

As of the 14th of December, 1819

The total length of Alabama's inland waterways is 1,500 miles (2,400 kilometers), making it the longest system in the country.

Capital Montgomery Area Thirty-first place, with a land area of 52,419 square miles (135,765 square kilometers) Average Height 500 ft  (150 m) Maximum Height Height of Mount Cheaha: 2,413 feet (735 5 m) Percentage of a State Covered by Water 3.20

23. Maine

1820: March 15

The state of Maine is the most northeastern of the 50 United States. Furthermore, Main is the only state with a name consisting of a single syllable and the only state that shares a border with precisely one other state.

Capital Augusta Area Position #39, covering 35,385 mi2 (91,646 km2) Altitude Average 600 ft  (180 m) Extremely High Point Elevation of Mount Katahdin: 1,606 meters (5,270 feet) 4 m) Percentage of a State Covered by Water 13.5

the 24th most populous state, Missouri

10 August, 1821

With the exception of Tennessee, Missouri is the only state that does not have any oceanic or coastal borders.

Capital Locale: Jefferson City Area Area: 69,704 square miles (180,530 square kilometers), ranked twenty-first Typical Altitude 800 ft (244 m) Maximum Height Elevation of Taum Sauk Mountain: 1,772 ft. Exactly what Percentage of the State is Water? 1.17

State Number 25: Arkansas

1836: June 15

Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas, not far from Murfreesboro, is the only diamond-bearing place in the world where the general public is allowed to mine for them.

Capital City of Rock Area Area: 53,180 sq. mi. (137,733 sq. km.), or 29th place Standard Vertical Deviation 650 ft  (200 m) Maximum Height Two thousand seven hundred and fifty-three feet (839 meters) high Mount Magazine percent of a state's land area that is covered by water 2.09

Number 26: Michigan

26 January 1837

The Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan are unique to this country, making up the state of Michigan. Nearby water features include four of the five Great Lakes and Lake St. Clair. Its shoreline along Lake St. Clair is the longest in the United States, making it the longest freshwater coastline state.

Capital Lansing Area Area: 96.716 square miles (250.49 square kilometers), eleventh place Average Height 900 ft  (270 m) Superior Altitude Height of Mount Arvon: 1,979 feet (603 meters) proportion of a state's landmass that is covered by water 41.5

Count 27: Florida

1845: March 3

Florida has the longest coastline in the contiguous United States. The total length of Florida's coastline is 1,350 miles (2,170 kilometers). Related: Some Fascinating Information About Florida's Geography

Capital Tallahassee Area 22nd place, with an area of 65,755 square miles (170,304 square kilometers) Modified Mean Altitude 100 ft  (30 m) Superior Altitude There are 105 meters (345 feet) between sea level and Britton Hill. what fraction of the state is covered by water 17.9

28. Texas

In 1845, on December 29

The Lone Star State, Texas, tops the list of contiguous states and ranks second in size in the United States, behind only Alaska. Texas has three river borders: the Rio Grande, which defines its southern border with Mexico, the Red River, which defines its northern border with Oklahoma and Arkansas, and the Sabine River, which defines its eastern border with Louisiana.

Capital Austin Area Position Two with a Land Area of 268,581 Square Miles (696,242 Square Kilometers) Medium Altitude 1,700 ft  (520 m) Highest Point The elevation of Guadalupe Peak is 2,667 meters (8,751 feet). 4 m) Percentage of a State Covered by Water 2.5

29. Iowa

December 28th, 1846

In the west, Iowa is bounded by the Missouri and Big Sioux rivers, and in the east, it is bounded by the Mississippi.

To read more about Iowa's landscape, click here.

Capital Des Moines Area 56,272 26, with an area of 81 mi2 (145,746 km2) Average Height 1,100 ft  (340 m) Top of the World Inches at Hawkeye Point: 1,671 (509 meters) Percentage of a State Covered by Water 0.70

State #30: Wisconsin

1848: May 29

During the last ice age, some 17,000 years ago, glaciers carved Wisconsin's large and varied landscape.

Capital Madison Area 65,498 24th largest at 69,640 square kilometers (37 square miles) Average Height 1,050 ft  (320 m) Highest Point The elevation of Timms Hill is 5,951 feet (1,951 m) above sea level. water percentage of state 17

In the 31st spot, we have California.

Date: September 9, 1850

California is home to both Mount Whitney, the highest point in the lower 48 states, and Death Valley, the lowest point. California is the most populous and the third-largest state in terms of area in the United States

Capital Sacramento Area Third place, with a total area of 163,696 square miles (423,970 square kilometers). Medium Altitude 2,900 ft  (880 m) The Greatest Height The altitude of 14,505 feet (4,421 meters) on Mount Whitney 0 m) percent of a state's territory covered by water 4.7

Place #32: Minnesota

1858: May 11

There are approximately 11,800 freshwater lakes in Minnesota that are at least ten acres in size, earning the state its nickname, "Land of 10,000 Lakes."

Capital Saint Paul Area Place 12 out of all countries with an area greater than 86,936 square miles (225,162 square kilometers) Average Height 1,200 ft  (370 m) Max height There are 602 ft (183 m) of depth in Lake Superior. water percentage of state 8.40

33. Oregon

February 14th, 1859

Oregon is one of the most geographically diverse states in the United States, with volcanoes, many bodies of water, lush evergreen and mixed forests, high deserts, and semi-arid shrublands.

Capital Salem Area Size: 98,381 square miles (254,806 square kilometers), ninth place Average Height 3,300 ft (1,000 m) Maximum Height 11 249 ft. (3 428 m) on Mount Hood. 8 m) Proportion of a State's Area That Is Water 2.4

34. Kansas

29 January 1861

Near Lebanon in Smith County, Kansas, is where the geographic center of the 48 contiguous states is determined to be.

Capital Topeka Area Area: 82,278 square miles (213,100 square kilometers), 15th place Standard Altitude 2,000 ft (610 m) The Greatest Height Four thousand and forty-one feet (1,232 meters) is the elevation of Mount Sunflower. Proportion of a State's Area That Is Water 0.6

Number 35: The Mountain State

1863: June 20

The majority of Virginia consists of mountains, hence the state's moniker and motto, "Mountaineers are always free." WV's Original National Park provides further reading.

Capital Charleston Area At 41st place, with a total area of 24,230 square miles (62,755 square kilometers), it is the smallest country in the ranking. Mean Elevation 1,513 ft  (461 m) Maximum Height The elevation of Spruce Knob is 1,482 meters (4,863 feet). The Proportion of a State That Is Water 0.6

36. Nevada

October 31st, 1864

In Nevada, you can find 172 peaks that are higher than 6,000 feet (1,830 meters). When it comes to mountainous terrain, Nevada is second only to Alaska in the United States.

Capital Carson City Area Seventh place with a total area of 110,577 square miles (286,381 square kilometers). Average Height 5,500 ft (1,680 m) Utmost altitude Boundary Peak is 13,147 feet high (4,007 meters). 1 m) Percentage of a State Covered by Water 0.72

Location: 37. Nebraska

1867: March 1

Three of Nebraska's borders are entirely enclosed by other states, making it unique among American states.

Capital Lincoln Area Size: 200,365 km2 (#16), or 77,358 square miles Average Height 2,600 ft  (790 m) Greatest Height Inches above sea level at Panorama Point: 5,424 Percentage of a State Covered by Water 0.7

State #38: Colorado

The First of August, 1876

Because of its admission to the Union one hundred years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Colorado is often referred to as the "Centennial State." Located in southwestern Colorado at 36°59'56′′N, 109°2'43′′W is the Four Corners Monument.

Capital Denver Area As the eighth largest in the world, at 104,094 square miles (269,837 square kilometers), Normal Altitude 6,800 ft  (2,070 m) Extremely High Point Lake County's Mount Elbert is the highest point in the state at 14,440 feet (4,401 2 m) Percentage of a State Covered by Water 0.36

As the 39th state, North Dakota

November 2, 1889 (at the same time as South Dakota)

Blanchard, North Dakota is home to the largest man-made tower in the Western Hemisphere: the KVLY-TV mast. A stone marker proclaims the area near Rugby, North Dakota as the "Geographic Center of the North American Continent."

Capital Bismarck Area Nineteenth place out of twenty-one, covering 71,230 square miles (183,640 square kilometers) Average Height 1,900 ft  (580 m) The Greatest Height The elevation of White Butte is 3,508 feet (1,069 meters). Exactly what Percentage of the State is Water? 2.4

Number Forty: The State of South Dakota

On November 2nd, 1889 (concurrently with North Dakota), it was admitted to the Union.

Geographically, Belle Fourche, South Dakota, is right about where the center of the entire United States, Alaska, and Hawaii, would be.

Capital Pierre Area Area: 199,729 square miles (78,116 square kilometers), 17th place Apparent Altitude Mean 2,200 ft  (670 m) Maximum Height Black Elk Peak is 2,208 meters (7,244 feet) high. percent of a state's territory covered by water 1.7

41st: Montana

Day of the Week: 8 November, 1889

Montana is the only U.S. state that touches three Canadian provinces to the north: British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.

Extra information: Montana's physical features

Capital Helena Area With a total area of 380,800 square miles (147,040 square kilometers), it occupies the fourth spot. Gradient of the Mean Elevation 3,400 ft  (1,040 m) Most Exalted Point Elevation:12,807 feet (3,903 meters) 5 m) percentage of a state's land area that is covered by water 1

Washington, D.C.

In 1889, on November 11

Mount Rainier, an active stratovolcano, stands nearly 14,411 feet (4,392 meters) tall and is the tallest mountain in Washington.

Capital Olympia Area Area: 18th largest, 71,362 square miles (184,827 square kilometers) Average Height 1,700 ft  (520 m) Most Exalted Point The height of Mount Rainier is exactly 14,411 feet (4,392 meters). Amount of Water in a State as a Percentage 6.6

43. Idaho

1890: July 3

When compared to other states, Idaho has the highest percentage (38%) of land owned by the United States Forest Service. Western Idaho is home to the United States' deepest gorge, Hells Canyon.

Capital Boise Area 14th place, covering a total area of 83,797 square miles (216,900 square kilometers) Normal Altitude 5,000 ft (1,520 m) Maximum Height The elevation of Borah Peak is 3,859 meters (or 12,662 feet). Percentage of a State Covered by Water 0.98

Wyoming, State Number 44

1890: July 10

Wyoming has the lowest population and population density of any of the contiguous states. Half of Wyoming is under federal ownership.

Capital Cheyenne Area Top Ten List: 97,914 square miles (253,600 square kilometers) Average Height 6,700 ft  (2,040 m) Peak / Highest Point / Peak The elevation of Gannett Peak is 13,809 feet (4,209 meters). 1 m) Proportion of a State's Area That Is Water 0.7

45. Utah

4 January 1896

Utah, along with Colorado and Wyoming, is one of only three U.S. states whose borders are determined solely by geographic features like latitude and longitude. Only in Utah can you find national forest land in each and every county.

Capital City of Salt Lake Area 13th largest at 84,899 square miles (219,653 square kilometers) Modified Mean Altitude 6,100 ft  (1,860 m) Peak / Highest Point / Peak At 13,534 feet (4,120 meters), King's Peak is the highest point in 3 m) Amount of Water in a State as a Percentage 3.25

This is number 46: Oklahoma

November 16th, 1907

Oklahoma is home to four major mountain ranges: the Arbuckle Mountains, the Wichita Mountains, the Ozark Mountains, and the Ouachita Mountains. The state of Oklahoma boasts the most reservoirs of any other US state.

Relevant: Oklahoma's physical features

49. Arizona

On this day in 1912 (January 6),

Founded in 1610 as the capital of Nuevo México, the state of New Mexico's capital, Santa Fe, is the oldest capital in the United States.

Capital Santa Fe Area Five hundred and twenty-nine and a half square miles (315 and a half thousand and eighty-two square kilometers) ranks fifth Medium Altitude 5,700 ft  (1,740 m) The Greatest Height Height of Wheeler Peak (in feet): 13,167 3 m) percent of a state's territory covered by water 0.2

State Number 48: Arizona

12 February 1912

Arizona was the final contiguous state to join the Union. One of the seven natural wonders of the world, Grand Canyon National Park can be found in Arizona.

Capital Phoenix Area A total of 113,990 square miles (295,234 square kilometers) places it sixth in size. The Average Altitude 4,100 ft  (1250 m) Highest Point Twelve thousand six hundred thirty-seven feet (3,852 meters) is the height of Humphreys Peak. Proportion of a State's Area That Is Water 0.35

49. Alaska

Three of January 1959

Sitka, Alaska is the largest city in the United States, and the state of Alaska as a whole is home to ten of the country's highest mountains. S by area

Capital Juneau Area 1st place, covering 663,268 square miles (1,717,856 square kilometers) Average Height 1900 ft  (580 m) Maximum altitude Everest: 8,848 m (28,029 ft) 5 m) How Much of the State is Water 13.77

50. Hawaii

1959: August 21

The state of Hawaii is unique in several ways: it is the only state in the tropics, the only state outside of North America, and the only state that consists entirely of islands.

Capital Honolulu Area Area: 10,931 square miles (28,311 square kilometers), ranking number 43. Average Height 3,030 ft  (920 m) The Greatest Height Inches (4,205 meters) above sea level on Mauna Kea 0 m) fraction of a state's territory covered by water 41.2

In order of their admission to the Union, the states are presented in this YouTube video.

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