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Travel & Geography > The States & Territories
Travel to the United States
| The States & Territories
The Regions of the United States | Facts & Statistics

USA Map - the 50 States Connecticut New Jersey Washington DC Alaska Washington Montana Oregon Idaho California Nevada North Dakota South Dakota Wyoming Utah Arizona Minnesota Wisconsin Colorado Nebraska New Mexico Kansas Iowa Oklahoma Michigan Texas Illinois MIssouri Indiana Arkansas Georgia Ohio West VIrginia Washington DC Pennsylvania New York Maine Vermont New Hampshire Massachusetts Rhode Island Connecticut New Jersey Delaware Maryland Virginia North Carolina South Carolina Kentucky Tennessee Mississippi Alabama Louisiana Florida Hawaii
The States, Districts and Territories of the U.S.A.
L
AL
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AR
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States
· Alabama
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KS
KY
LA
ME

MD
MA
MI
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MS
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NE
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NH
NJ
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· Kansas
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NY
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OR
PA
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SC
SD
TN
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UT
VT
VA
WA

· New York
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· Washington
WV
WI
WY
L
L

DC
· West Virginia
· Wisconsin
· Wyoming

District
· Washington, DC

Territories
· American Samoa
· Baker Island
· Guam
· Howland Island
· Jarvis Island
· Johnston Atoll
· Kingman Reef
· Midway Islands
Territories
· Navassa Island
· Northern
· Mariana Islands
· Palmyra Atoll

· Puerto Rico
· Virgin Islands
· Wake Island
The federal entity created by the Constitution is the dominant feature of the American governmental system. There are fifty (50) states and Washington D.C. The last two states to join the Union were Alaska (49th) and Hawaii (50th). Both joined in 1959.

Washington D.C. is a federal district under the authority of Congress. Puerto Rico is a commonwealth associated with the United States. Other dependent areas include American Samoa, Baker Island, Guam, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island, Palmyra Atoll, Virgin Islands, Wake Island. From 18 July 1947 until 1 October 1994, the US administered the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, but recently entered into a new political relationship with all four political units: the Northern Mariana Islands is a commonwealth in political union with the US (effective 3 November 1986); Palau concluded a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 1 October 1994); the Federated States of Micronesia signed a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 3 November 1986); the Republic of the Marshall Islands signed a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 21 October 1986).

In general, matters that lie entirely within state borders are the exclusive concern of state governments. These include internal communications; regulations relating to property, industry, business, and public utilities; the state criminal code; and working conditions within the state. There are many areas of overlap between state and federal jurisdictions. In recent years, the federal government has assumed broader responsibility in such matters as health, education, welfare, transportation, and housing and urban development. The constitutions of the various states differ in some details but generally follow a pattern similar to that of the federal Constitution, including a statement of the rights of the people and a plan for organizing the government. On such matters as the operation of businesses, banks, public utilities, and charitable institutions, state constitutions are often more detailed and explicit than the federal constitution.

See also:
About the USA > Government > State Government

Government
· Council of State Governments
· Find your Representative in Congress (Search by Zip Code)
· National Governors' Association
· State and Local Government on the Net
· StateInformation.com
· Stateline.org
· United States Counties
· U.S. State and Local Government

Background

· American Federalism, 1776 to 1997
CD
· Infoplease - States
·
Issues in Democracy: Democratic Local Government  CD
· Netstate.com
·
Outline of U.S. Government - A Country of Many Governments  CD
· The US50.com

· www.50states.com
  Statistics
·
American FactFinder
·
Bureau of Eonomic Analysis Regional Accounts Data
·
Census State Data Centers
·
Regional and State Employment and Unemployment (Monthly)
·
State Exports to Countries and Regions
· State Fact Sheets - U.S. Department of Agriculture
·
State of the Cities Data System

·
Statistical Abstract 2008 - Geography and Environment
·
Statistical Abstract 2008 - State and Local Government
·
Statistical Abstract 2008 - Vital Statistics


For High School Students

· States (Learning Network - Information Please)

Teacher Resources

·
America's Story - Explore the States
 
Texts are abridged from U.S. State Department IIP publications and other U.S. government materials.
 
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Updated: June 2008