There are 50 states in the United States. The most amazing states in the US

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What is a "state" and how many are there in the US?

The United States of America is a federation of 50 states US states).

The state is the basic state-territorial unit of the United States. Since 1959 there have been 50 of them. Each of them has its own flag and motto.
Word state(state) appeared back in the colonial period (about 1648). This word was sometimes used to refer to individual colonies. It began to be used everywhere after the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The state has its own constitution, legislative, executive and judicial powers.

Each US state is divided into districts - administrative-territorial units of the second level. They are smaller than a state, but larger than or equal to a city. The exception is the five counties (boroughs) within New York City. There are 3,140 counties in the country, according to the Census Bureau.

The third level of administrative-territorial division are city municipalities and townships, which manage the local life of settlements. In 2002, there were 19,429 city municipalities and 16,504 townships in the United States, according to the National League of Cities.

50 US states borrowed their names from many languages. The names of half of them came from the languages ​​of the North American Indians. The remaining states received names from European languages: Latin, English and French.

In addition to the states, the country includes and is administered by administrative-territorial units with the status of a federal district or federal territory - the District of Columbia and a number of islands.

District of Columbia(The District of Columbia, D.C.) is not part of any state. Just in it is the capital of the country Washington.

The US island territories include: Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa.

51st state

There is such a term as "51st state". This term refers to the territories that claim to receive the status of a US state in addition to the already existing fifty states. Among the possible candidates for the title of "fifty-first state" are the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia, Puerto Rico. The question of granting statehood to the City of New York has also been repeatedly raised.

There is one curious fact in history. In 2012, Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich, in support of American colonization of the moon, said: "When we have 13,000 Americans living on the moon, they can petition to become a state." However, in accordance with Article II of the Outer Space Treaty, outer space, the Moon and other celestial bodies are not subject to national appropriation, either by claiming sovereignty, by use or occupation, or by any other means.

How are they part of the United States

In order for any territory to become part of the United States, a lengthy procedure is required. The territory must adopt its own constitution. The constitution must satisfy the US Congress, which decides whether to admit the territory to the US.

States cannot secede from the United States unilaterally.

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The United States of America is a federal state. Its administrative-territorial units have their own constitutions and holidays, differ in customs and traditions. Citizens can freely move from one state to another. When deportation is necessary, difficulties often arise.

Initially, at the time of the country's self-determination, there were 13 separate administrative units that united to form an independent state. At present, the question how many states in america, it is safe to say that there are 50 of them. They differ in size, population, basic laws and even pronunciation, but all are subordinate to the Federal government. Citizens of the country must comply with the laws not only of the state, but also common to all Americans.

History of US state names

All 50 states are interesting in their own way. They differ in climatic conditions, the presence or absence of mountain ranges and the sea coast. US state names have their own unique history and belonging to different languages. Half of the names came from Aboriginal dialects.

The state of Idaho got its name from politician George Willing, who jokingly suggested a Shoshone word for "mountain gem." The proposal originally applied to the lands of Colorado, but was subsequently applied to the eastern territories.

The Dakota language gave the name to the state of Iowa, which was stylized through the French pronunciation. According to some versions, the literal translation of the word is “sleepy”, but this is only one of the versions.

From the language of the North American Indians - Choctaw came the name of the state of Alabama. The lands were rich in medicinal herbs and plants that had to be cleared for farming. This fact served to ensure that the territories received this big name.

Original name of Alaska originated from the language of the Aleutian tribes by means of Russian. This word means "land affected by the sea".

Word Arizona has a translation from two languages ​​​​of the indigenous tribes of America: Bak and Oodham. It means - a small stream or a large oak tree, which indicates the rich nature of the region.

In the territory of Arkansas the Kuapo tribes once lived, it was from them that this name appeared.

The Munsee tribes gave the name to the state of Wyoming . This word means that the territory is located in a river lowland.

The original English name is the state of Washington . It was named after US President George Washington.

Vermont translates as green mountain, and Virginia named in part of the Queen who has never been married. Wisconsin is located on red stones, and therefore received such a name.

There are two versions of the name Hawaii . According to one - the word means the place where the gods live, and according to the other - it bears the name of its discoverer.

Delaware is located on the river of the same name , but Georgia owes its name to King George.

Indiana is the land of the Indians , Illinois - translated from the language of the aboriginal tribes, as intelligible speech. California received a historical name coming from mythical times.

Kansas, Colorado and Kentucky stand on the rivers of the same name, whose names were transferred to the nearby territory. Louisiana was named King Louis. Massachusetts is on a big hill, while Minnesota and Mississippi on the rivers of the same name . The word Missouri means dugout canoe, while Michigan takes its name from the large waters of the lake. The word Montana is translated as mountain. Maine is the chief, and Maryland bears the name of the crowned person - Mary. Nebraska got its name from the river of the same name, and Nevada - from the mountain. New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York and New Mexico are the states whose names were transferred from the original lands of the first settlers.

Oklahoma positioned, as an Indian Territory, and Ohio adopted the name of the river. Rhode Island is a red island, Oregon was named after the first impression of the discoverers, that is, beautiful. On the territory of Pennsylvania there are a lot of forests that belonged to the founder of the colony - Penny.

The etymology of all state names is very diverse and interesting. There are territories that are distinguished not only by beautiful and sonorous names, but also by favorable climatic conditions, rich culture, and interesting events.

State of Georgia

The state of Georgia was named after George II. His name is translated as a farmer, which corresponds to the occupation of the population in the early years of colonization.

The state is located in the southeast of the country. The year of foundation is considered to be 1788. The locals call it " peach state» for the warm climate and the aroma of these juicy fruits.

The eastern part of the state adjoins the Atlantic Ocean. On its territory is the Blue Ridge, which is part of the Appalachian mountains.

Before the English colonization, Georgia was a Spanish land, but persistent attacks led to the fact that power in the region passed to the British crown. This militant state did not stand aside during the period of the struggle for independence and the Civil War.

Atlanta is recognized as the capital of Georgia. About half a million people live in the city. About 70 thousand of them are Russian speakers. Atlanta USA is a city of high technologies, more than half of the adult population work in this industry. More than thirty higher educational institutions graduate bachelors. Despite all the literacy and education of citizens, rather free morals reign in this metropolis. There are a lot of same-sex couples in the city, according to this criterion, it ranks third in the country.

Numerous international and American corporations are located on the territory of the urban agglomeration. In Atlanta, for the first time at the end of the 19th century, the favorite drink of our time, Coca-Cola, was invented, produced and tested.

The city has a lot of attractions worthy of the attention of tourists. These include the Coca-Cola and Martin Luther King Museums, an aquarium, a water park and zoo, a botanical garden and park areas, and an underground city.

Pennsylvania got its name from the founder of the colony. William Pennnes made a great contribution to the development of these densely forested areas. The founder's surname means head or chief. The general meaning of the word Pennsylvania is the woods of Penn.

The state capital is one of the oldest cities in the country. Philadelphia USA located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Since the city has many years of existence, it is the cultural center of the country. The population is more than one and a half million people, and in the entire agglomeration of citizens there are more than 6 million.

The city has several large ethnic groups that have been living in it in peace and harmony since time immemorial. During the Civil War, large numbers of African Americans fled to Philadelphia. Due to the numerous ethnic groups and the fact that the future metropolis was formed by the Quaker community, it is called the "city of brotherly love."

Tourists can always find something to do in Philadelphia. Numerous sights and the coast beckon travelers. The old city still resembles cozy patriarchal settlements of the heyday of colonization.

State of Illinois

Illinois got its name from the Algonquian language. The literal translation sounds like speaking clearly. More than half of the state's territory is occupied by prairies located on the plain, and the rest of the land is hills.

Illinois joined the United States in the early 19th century as 21 administrative entities. It is called "Lincoln's land", since it was here that a prominent politician and one of the country's presidents, Abraham Lincoln, was formed and strengthened.

Chicago is the largest city in the state. It is located on the largest lake in the country - Michigan. The population is more than 2 and a half million people. Often the metropolis is called the "city of winds."

Chicago USA the second largest city in the country in terms of economy. It houses a lot of foreign companies, as well as institutions of the banking system.

Tourists have the opportunity to see the tallest building in America, the skyscraper district, the Old City and the Gold Coast. The University of Chicago, which is considered the "forge" of Nobel laureates, is very famous.

State of Texas

Texas got its name from the dialect of the Caddo tribe. The word is translated as friend, which is applicable to kinship between groups of aborigines. From time immemorial, the state has been engaged in agriculture, raising livestock and processing agricultural products. Later, oil and gas and chemical industries appeared in Texas. It currently ranks second in terms of territory and population, second only to Alaska first and California second.

One part of the territories is closed by the Gulf of Mexico, which affects the climatic conditions. State capital Texas USA is the city of Austin. On the territory of the state there are several national reserves, which preserve the natural conditions familiar to the animals and vegetation of the region.

In addition to well-protected natural areas, you can find very beautiful cities in the state. Some have retained their modesty and provinciality, while others have evolved into modern metropolitan areas, such as Dallas.

Florida got its beautiful name from the Spaniards, who discovered the peninsula during the Easter celebrations. Literally, the name of the state is translated as flower Easter. On the one hand, the peninsula is washed by the Gulf of Mexico, and on the other, by the Atlantic Ocean. This favorable geographical position makes Florida very popular for tourism, especially in winter.

Miami is one of the largest cities in the state. It is home to 2 and a half million people. While walking around this city, you can meet any celebrity of our time, as many seek to settle here. At the end of the 19th century in Miami USA only 300 people lived. Currently, it is a place of accumulation of international banks, foreign corporations and entertainment centers.

The whole city is located along the coast, as well as on the barrier islands, which brings a share of the exotic to its appearance. Tourists come here not because of the sights, but for the sake of a luxurious beach holiday, although there is something to see in Miami.

All major cities in the United States have their own history and cultural background, which was made up of elements introduced by the colonists and Aboriginal traditions, which is often seen in the names of the states. Currently, there are a lot of megacities with a population of more than 2 million people on the territory of the country. All of them have their own inimitable appearance and individual "face".

Administratively, the United States consists of 50 states and the District of Columbia. The states have quite a lot of internal sovereignty, having their own flag, laws, and so on. In the external arena, they are inferior to federal bodies, having no powers at the state level.

The United States occupies a vast territory and therefore the states located in different parts of the country can differ significantly from each other in various parameters: population, area, income level, and so on. Various statisticians classify US states according to certain criteria.

Thus, the Census Bureau subdivides 4 macro-regions:

• Northeast;
• Midwest;
• West.

• New England;
• Mid-Atlantic states;
• Northeast Central States;
• Northwest Central States;
• South Atlantic states;
• Southeast Central States;
• Southwest Central States;
• mountain states;
• Pacific states.

In addition, the states of the United States can be distinguished on other grounds.

Population

In addition to California, Texas (27 million people), Florida (21 million people), New York (20 million people) and Illinois (13 million people) can also be distinguished.

The smallest state by population is Wyoming. 600 thousand inhabitants live here, as in a large regional center of Russia.

Area

At the other end of the ranking is the state of Rhode Island, it occupies only 4 thousand square kilometers, of which only 67% is land, the rest is water. The area of ​​Rhode Island is comparable to the territory of Moscow (with its suburbs).

Not far from Rhode Island is Delaware (6.5 thousand square kilometers). Delaware is considered the first state to sign the 1787 US Constitution.

GDP per capita

• Delaware - 65.0 thousand dollars per capita;
• Alaska - 60.0 thousand dollars per capita;
• Connecticut - 55.0 thousand dollars per capita;
• Wyoming - 53.0 thousand dollars per capita.

One of the poorest US states is Mississippi (GDP per capita is $27.5 thousand), which is comparable to the level of such countries as Kuwait, Spain or South Korea.

Political preferences

More conservative states that have strong Republican support include:

• Montana;
• Idaho;
• Wyoming;
• North Dakota;
• South Dakota;
• Kansas;
• Oklahoma;
• Texas;
• Missouri;
• Arkansas;
• Louisiana;
• Tennessee;
• Kentucky;
• Indiana;
• West Virginia;
• South Carolina;
• Alaska.

• Washington;
• Oregon;
• California;
• Colorado;
• New Mexico;
• Hawaii;
• Minnesota;
• Michigan;
• Illinois;
• Virginia;
• Vermont;
• Massachusetts;
• Rhode Island;
• New York;
• Pennsylvania;
• Connecticut;
• New Jersey;
• Delaware;
• Maryland;
• Columbia region.

• Nevada;
• Arizona;
• Nebraska;
• Iowa;
• Wisconsin;
• Ohio;
• North Carolina;
• Georgia;
• Florida;
• New Hamshire.

51 US states

Today the United States of America unites 50 states. The concept of "Forty-ninth State" was used when Hawaii and Alaska joined the Union of America in 1959. There are already territorial applicants for the status of an American state under the term "Fifty-first state."

Often, this term is used in cases where people believe that a certain state has undergone Americanization, is significantly influenced by US politics, economics and culture. This term is expressed in relation to such countries as Mexico, Iraq, Australia, Great Britain, Georgia, Israel.

Columbia region

The Columbia District as a whole has about 600,000 people. The main reason for the residents of this district to maintain state status is the possibility of electing those deputies to the US Congress who are residents of Colombia, are elected from the states, but do not have the opportunity to represent their interests. At this stage in the development of relations between the district and Washington, only one person is delegated to the representative House, who does not have any voting rights. Such relationships are specified in the US Constitution and operate in accordance with it. The question of a possible entry into the status of a US state and the decision of the fate of the Columbian district has been repeatedly submitted to Congress for discussion. The last attempt at the fate of the county in relation to the "51 States of the USA" was a vote in the fall of 1993. The project was not accepted. The Colombian political party included in the program of implementation of plans one of the first points is the introduction of the issue of congressional consideration of granting statehood to the district.

Puerto Rico

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is a completely free state located in the Caribbean Sea and occupying the Antilles. It has only territorial dependence on the United States and is under its control in the status of an "unincorporated" territory. The connection to America consists in the presence of American citizenship, defense and currency. The operation of the American Constitution throughout Puerto Rico is limited, self-government rules here. The population of the island is about 3.5 million inhabitants. Puerto Ricans are represented in Congress by one non-voting delegate. Representatives of self-government participate in the primaries and cannot nominate their representatives to the elective Collegium.

Since there is no legislative basis for territorial status, this issue is raised by the Progressive Party of the island and discussed in the United States. In 2000, Clinton ordered the creation of a dedicated commission tasked with determining the status of Puerto Rico. At the electoral level in the district, a majority voted for a change in political structure and transition to the status of 51 US states. Now this decision must be confirmed by the American Congress.

New York city

More than once, the issue of granting the city of New York the status of a state was considered. The city includes five large areas of Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx and Staten Island, and is also a world financial center. It was for economic reasons that one of the members of the City Council submitted to Congress a proposal to secede from the state of New York and confer the title of "51 states".

Superior

For quite a long period, almost since the middle of the 19th century, repeated attempts have been made to create the State of Superior, which would consist of the Upper Peninsula of Lake Michigan and a possible part of the state of Wisconsin. Like-minded people of this branch confidently say that the government of the state of the same name does not pay due attention to the problems of the inhabitants of this territory.

Pacifica

There are several options for merging the territories of the Pacific Ocean into a single state. The unincorporated territories of Guam and the Virgin Islands may merge with Puerto Rico into the Commonwealth of Prusvi. The Mariana Islands and American Samoa, in common with Puerto Rico, may unite to form "Greater Hawaii". Also, it is possible to unite Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, along with the sovereign states of Palau, the Marshall Islands and Micronesia. The last three in this period of time are in the status of "free association".