The United States is undoubtedly one of the top countries in the world, there is no denying that. Here on the street you can find a freelancer from bidforwriting.com, an office worker, a millionaire, an immigrant, or even a student from Europe, and so on. Covering a massive 2,680 miles horizontally and 1,582 miles vertically, it is among the biggest countries as well. Some states in the US are bigger than in many other countries! So without any further ado, here is a list of the top 15 biggest states in USA.
Largest States In USA
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1. ALASKA – 665,384 mi² ( 1,723,337 km² )
Capital: Juneau.
Alaska is by far the biggest state in the US. What is interesting is the fact that though it is the largest, it has the lowest population density of all states. Alaska is bigger than Texas, California and Montana combined! It is also the largest state by land area and water area. It is the largest states in the USA. The highest temperature recorded in Alaska was 100 degrees Fahrenheit in Fort Yukon in 1915, however, the lowest temperature recorded in Alaska was -80 degrees Fahrenheit at Prospect Creek Camp in 1971.
The name of the state came from the Russian colonial period and at that time it was used to refer to the peninsula. Alaska is known for its beautiful landscape and wildlife and it is home to some of the amazing active volcanoes, glaciers and forested land. The largest state has 39 mountain ranges that contain the top 17 highest peaks of the United States. Rhode Island is the smallest state in the US and you can fit 425 of them into Alaska.
Also Read: Top 10 Tourist attractions in San Diego
2. TEXAS – 268,596 mi² ( 695,662 km² )
Capital: Austin
Located in the southern parts of the United States, Texas is the second-biggest state. It has a large population of around 27 million. But the Lone Star State is not even half the size of the biggest state, Alaska. Texas is also the second most populous state in the United States and its population equal to that of the whole country of Ghana! Another interesting fact about Texas is that it was an independent country from 1836 to 1845. The King Ranch in Texas is bigger than the state of Rhode Island.
The second-largest state in us has Gulf Coast Plain in the south that meets with the Gulf of Mexico. Talking about the north, Texas has central plains that have some beautiful hills. The highest natural point in the state is Guadalupe Peak which is also known as Signal Peak with an elevation of 2,667 meters above sea level. The most visited place of Texas is the San Antonio Riverwalk that is a river channel developed to control the flood in the city.
Also Read: 10 Most Naturally Beautiful Countries In The World
3. CALIFORNIA – 163,694 mi² ( 423,967 km² )
Capital: Sacramento
California is a western state of the United States, stretching from the Mexican border along the Pacific for about 1,000 miles and it is the third-largest state. Measuring 560 miles from east to west and 1,040 miles from north to south, the Golden State is the third-largest state in this country it has a population of around 40 million, which means it is the most populous state in the United States and it also holds two of the ten most populous cities – Los Angeles and San Diego. Death Valley in California is recognized as the hottest, driest place in the United States. When moving to California, choosing affordable movers, you make a choice in favor of high-quality relocation services, and also save on the cost of moving.
California has one of the most diverse series of landforms across the United States. The total coastline of the state is approximately 1,350 kilometers that stretch from the Central Coast of California kilometers an area between Carmel and the foothills of the Santa Lucia Mountains. One of the most beautiful national parks of the USA, Yosemite National Park is known for its wildlife and amazing beautiful landscape that constitutes rivers, valley, and mountains. The average summer temperatures to reach more than 115 degrees.
Also Read: Top 10 Smallest States In The USA By Area
4. MONTANA – 147,039 mi² ( 380,831 km² )
Capital: Helena
One of the beautiful and largest states in the USA, Montana is a western state and it is the fourth largest state in the United States. The name Montana is derived from Spanish and it means ‘mountains’. It covers a large distance of diverse terrains starting from the Rocky Mountains to the Great Plains. Though it ranks fourth on the list, it has a population of around only 1.05 million. Montana measures around 559 miles from east to west and about 321 miles from north to south. Montana has the largest migratory elk herd in the nation. Also, read about National parks in the USA.
The state is divided into two geographic areas i.e eastern Montana and western Montana. The eastern side contains the Great Plains, however, the other side contains the Rocky Mountain Region. The highest peak of the state is Granite peaks with an elevation of 3,904 meters above sea level. One of the most beautiful national parks, Glacier National Park is located on the northwest corner of Montana alongside the Rocky Mountains. It is the 21st state to join the Union territory on 8th November 1889.
5. NEW MEXICO – 121,590 mi² ( 315,194 km² )
Capital: Santa Fe
New Mexico is a Southwestern state in the United States. It ranks fifth on our list and it is about 370 miles long and 343 miles wide. This state shares an international border with the country of Mexico. Its capital Santa Fe is the highest capital city in the United States at 7,000 ft. above sea level. New Mexico is one of the youngest states in the nation, however, the population is mostly Catholic and Hispanic and about 75% of New Mexico’s roads are unpaved.
The highest peak of the state is Wheeler Peak with an elevation of 4,013 meters above the sea level. It is believed that the humans occupied the New Mexico region approximately in the 9200 BC. After Mexico became independent in 1824, the state becomes the part of the Mexican territory with considerable autonomy, however, later it came back to the USA under the part of the Gadsen Purchase in 1853. It became the 47th state to enter the USA union on January 6, 1912.
6. ARIZONA – 113,990 mi² ( 295,254 km² )
Capital: Phoenix
One of the most popular US states, Arizona, the state home to the famous Grand Canyon, is a Southwestern state of the United States and is the sixth largest state in the US. It has a population of around 7 million. The state is known for its geographic segments, clans and diverse cultures.
Additionally known as Grand Canyon state have many things for you starting with caves to desert sands, snow mountains, the petrified forest and the painted desert. The famous attractions of one of the largest states in the USA include the Grand Canyon, the Painted Desert, the Petrified Forest, Fort Apache, Lake Mead, Hoover Dam and list goes on. The state is famous as 5 C’s namely, Climate, Cotton, Cattle, Copper, and Citrus.
7. NEVADA – 110,571 mi² ( 286,367 km² )
Capital: Carson City
Nevada is a western state of the United States. Home to one of the most famous cities in the world, the Las Vegas, the state of Nevada (also called the Silver state) is the seventh-largest state in the US. This state has a population of around 2.94 million. The state is bordered by California in the west, Oregon and Idaho in the north, Utah and Arizona in the east and Arizona in the south.
The state is popular as a mountainous state in the United States. The whole of Nevada can be divided in to three different regions, the first one being the Columbia Plateau formed over hardened lava in Nevada’s northeastern corner, the second one being the steep Sierra Nevada mountain range crosses part of southern Nevada and the last one of its valleys along the California border where you will see Lake Tahoe, North America’s largest alpine lake.
8. COLORADO – 269,601 mi² ( 269,601 km² )
Capital: Denver
Colorado is another western state in the United States. The name ‘Colorado’ actually means ‘coloured red’ and it is also called the ‘Centennial State’. Most of the Southern Rocky Mountains are situated in the state of Colorado and it is the eighth largest state. The estimated population of the Colorado state is around 5.7 million. The state is famous for its mountains, however, it is also known for deserts, plains, and lots of sunshine. Colorado has the highest mean elevation out of all the states because of the mountainous terrain across the state.
9. OREGON – 98,378 mi² ( 254,799 km² )
Capital: Salem
Oregon is a coastal U.S. state in the Pacific Northwest. It is the ninth largest state in the US and it is less than one-sixth the size of Alaska. The population of the state of Oregon is around 4.1 million. A famous lake called the Crater Lake is found in Oregon and it is the deepest lake in the United States and it is formed in the remains of an ancient volcano.
The state was founded in 1859 and it is quite famous for its unique wildlife, natural beauty and traditions. It is believed that the name ‘Oregon comes from the French word ‘ouragan’ that means “windstorm” or “hurricane” and it also refers to the powerful Chinook winds of the Columbia River.
10. WYOMING – 97,813 mi² ( 253,335 km² )
Capital: Cheyenne
Wyoming is a western U.S. state and it is the tenth largest state. Its population is around 570,000 only and it is the least populated state in the U.S. The Equality state ends our list of top ten and it has almost the same area as Oregon. The name of the state has been originated from a Native American word, ‘mecheweamiing’ that means ‘land of big plains’.
Additionally known as ‘The Equality State’ because it was the first state to give women the right to vote back in the year 1869. Also, Wyoming is the second largest least populated state in the United States after Alaska. One of the best national parks in the USA Yellowstone National Park has most of the region in Wyoming. The state is also known for pronghorn, the fastest mammal in the Western Hemisphere.
11. Michigan – 96,713.51 mi² ( 250,487 km² )
Capital: Lansing
One of the largest state in usa is a midwestern state sharing border with five Great Lakes and these lakes split the land of Michigan into two land masses named as Upper Peninsula and the Lower Peninsula. The name of the state come from the word “mishigamaa” means “large lake” or “large water.” If you love water, the state is made for you because if you stay anywhere in Michigan you are within 85 miles of a Great Lake. Also, it has approximately 11,000 inland lakes and over 36,000 miles of streams. It is also known as “Wolverine State,” however, no wolverines will be seen now.
12. Minnesota – 86,935.83 mi² ( 225,163 km² )
Capital: Saint Paul
One of the biggest state in USA with an area of 86,935.83 mi² which is close to Canada and Lake Superior. The state is quite popular among travellers for its natural landscape and cultural beauty. The meaning of Minnesota is “cloudy water” or “sky-tinted water.” Also known as “The Land of 10,000 Lakes,”, howvever, it has 11,842 lakes and if you count the smaller lakes, the numbers will increase to 15,000. The Mall of America situated in Bloomington, Minnesota is the largest mall in the country.
13. Utah – 84,896.88 mi² ( 219,882 km² )
Capital: Salt Lake City
The state is popular for its history, culture, and various amazing festivals celebrated across the state. The name of the state comes from a tribe known as the Native American Ute tribe that means people of the mountains. With a land cover of 84,896.88 mi², it is listed as 13th biggest state in USA and the federal government of the state owns around 65% of the land. The famous national park in the USA known as the Arches National Park contains approximately 2000 natural sandstone arches. Also, if you are a hiker and if you discover one more, it will be named after you.
14. Idaho – 83,568.95 mi² ( 216,443 km² )
Capital: Boise
One of the biggest states in USA is popular for its potatoes, scenic mountain landscapes and miles of the protected wildlife area. With an area of 83,568.95 mi², it is the 14th largest state in the USA and major industries in the state include Manufacturing, healthcare, tourism and Agriculture. Also, known as the “The Gem State” because every kind of gemstone can be found in the region including the largest diamond discovered in the country.
15. Kansas – 82,278.36 mi² ( 213,100 km² )
Capital: Topeka
The midwestern state of USA is the 15th biggest state of the USA with an area of 82,278.36 mi² and popular for its natural landscape that includes hills, sand dunes etc. The name of the state comes from the native American Tribe known as the Kaws or Kansa people. The windiest city Dodge City located in the state where the average wind speed is approximately 14 miles per hour. The highest point of the state is Sunflower with an elevation of 4,039 feet.
These are the top ten largest states in USA. Please leave your thoughts in the comments section.
