1. Rhode Island
   Connecticut
2. Maryland
   Illinois

Coming in at only 1,034 square miles, Rhode Island is the smallest state in the United States. You can find it on the East Coast between Massachusetts and Connecticut. It is best known for it's small, wholesome and colonial towns.

1. Vermont
   Delaware
2. South Carolina
   Maryland

Founded in 1787, Delaware is an East Coast state that is well-known for its beautiful scenery and seemingly endless landmarks. The state might be small, but it does attract tourists who are looking for history lessons.

1. Massachusetts
   Vermont
2. Connecticut
   New York

Connecticut is over twice the size of Delaware, but still only comes in at just under 5,000 square miles. This state is the home of Yale University as well as the Seaport museum in Mystic.

1. Alaska
   New York
2. Maryland
   Hawaii

When you look at a map, you might think that Hawaii is the smallest state in the US, but it actually comes in at number four. The 6,423 square miles of the state encompasses all of the eight major islands added together.

1. New Jersey
   New York
2. Maine
   Connecticut

Northern New Jersey is very close to New York City, and is home to many of the people who work in the city. This state is full of commerce and industry, as well as some pretty fine beaches that lie on the East Coast.

1. Maine
   Massachusetts
2. Vermont
   Connecticut

Massachusetts might be a small state, but it has a rather large population, thanks to the city of Boston and the great universities within the 7,838 square miles that make up the state.

1. New Jersey
   New York
2. New Hampshire
   Connecticut

If you're wondering which state looks like it's giving you the thumbs up, it's New Hampshire. This state was founded in 1776. so it isn't technically new, but it's newer than the old Hampshire.

1. Maine
   Massachusetts
2. New York
   Vermont

Vermont is only slightly larger than New Hampshire, but it snuggles up next to it. Vermont is known for cheese, maple syrup and being in the shape of a V (for Vermont). It is also home to some of the best landscapes in the United States.

1. Maryland
   Connecticut
2. New York
   North Carolina

Maryland might be small, but it is well known for its intricate waterways and incredibly long coastline (by mile). For such a small state, a major portion of its border is touching some form of water.

1. Virginia
   West Virginia
2. South Carolina
   Georgia

Home to Civil War battles and historic monuments, West Virginia is a state that is rich with historical facts. For those who love to learn when they travel, West Virginia is the perfect destination.

1. New York
   North Carolina
2. South Carolina
   Georgia

In South Carolina's 30,111 square miles, you will find Fort Sumpter (where the Civil War began), plantations and historic housing. Additionally, there are over 60 miles of coastline to dig your toes in the sand.

1. Vermont
   Rhode Island
2. Connecticut
   Maine

If you're thinking about lobster, Stephen King and lighthouses right now, you are not alone. Maine is pretty famous for all of these things. Maine is also the easternmost state in the US and very close to Canada.

1. Indiana
   Illinois
2. Iowa
   Wisconsin

Indiana might seem bigger than it actually is, but that's because it is right between two larger states: Illinois and Ohio. The state was founded in 1816 as the 19th state in the United States.

1. North Carolina
   Virginia
2. Pennsylvania
   Tennessee

Virginia has a lot of historic monuments, museums, battlegrounds, tours and sight-seeing. In addition, it boasts some pretty beautiful landscape that includes coastlines and mountain ranges.

1. Illinois
   Missouri
2. Kentucky
   Idaho

Those who have never traveled to Kentucky might be surprised to know that the landscape there is both mountainous and beautiful. There are also several caves and trails for explorers who are interested in outdoor activities.

1. Missouri
   Minnesota
2. Montana
   Ohio

As one of the Great Lake states, Ohio is often visited by tourists in the summer months. Not only does it have excellent landscapes to view, it also is home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

1. Tennessee
   Kentucky
2. Ohio
   South Carolina

Reaching 41,220 square miles, Tennessee is the 17th smallest state in the US. It actually looks much smaller than it is because it is a very mountainous state. It also boasts great nightlife and country Elvis Presley's Graceland.

1. Alabama
   Louisiana
2. Mississippi
   Georgia

While many states boast various cultures, Louisiana brings in several cultures to make its own. In New Orleans, you can find a mix of African, Canadian, Creole and Cajun cultures surrounding the city.

1. Ohio
   Kentucky
2. Pennsylvania
   West Virginia

If you're looking for a state that has it all, Pennsylvania is where you want to be. You can tour candy factories, work in coal mines or go on historical tours throughout the state.

1. Arkansas
   Kansas
2. Louisiana
   Mississippi

Mississippi has a pretty volatile past, but it is also a state that is rich with historical events that we should all remember. Should you visit, consider checking out preserved Civil War sites and the Delta Blues Museum.

1. New York
   Illinois
2. California
   Texas

When you think of New York, you probably think of the huge city with giant skyscrapers, but the state is so much more. It is connected to both a Great Lake and the Atlantic Ocean. Additionally, its landscape upstate has a lot of offer adventurers and outdoorsy types.

1. South Carolina
   North Carolina
2. West Virginia
   Georgia

North Carolina is approximately 1,500 square miles bigger than New York state, coming in at 48,718 square miles. It's another state that is rich in historic sites and landmarks, and always worth a visit.

1. Mississippi
   Florida
2. Alabama
   Arkansas

When researching the history of the United States, you cannot discuss the Civil Rights Movement without discussing Alabama. The state is home to the Rosa Parks Museum as well as Martin Luther King, Jr.'s church.

1. Alabama
   Missouri
2. Idaho
   Arkansas

Arkansas is most well-known for its wilderness areas, beautiful scenery and southern hospitality. It's also the home of former president Bill Clinton, but the Ozarks are what everyone really talks about there.

1. Florida
   Wisconsin
2. Michigan
   Texas

Florida seems like a very large state, and that is because it isn't surrounded by other states. However, Florida is only about 5,3997 square miles, making it the 25th smallest state in the United States.

1. California
   Wisconsin
2. Vermont
   Iowa

If you ever have the pleasure of driving through Wisconsin, you'll notice that there are two major things to see: forests and farms. This state has rich soils that are perfect for planting.

1. Iowa
   Minnesota
2. Illinois
   Indiana

While most think of the city of Chicago when they think of Illinois, the majority of the state is covered in farmland. Corn and soy are the two major crops that come out of this state.

1. Ohio
   Indiana
2. Michigan
   Iowa

Iowa doesn't necessarily look like a large state, especially when you compare it to Illinois and Wisconsin. However, it is just under 300 square miles larger than Illinois, owning 55,875 square miles of land.

1. Michigan
   Ohio
2. Minnesota
   Montana

Michigan has the part that looks like a mitten and then the upper peninsula. These two bodies of land are separated by Lake Michigan, but they are considered a part of the same state.

1. Lousiana
   Georgia
2. Florida
   West Virginia

Surprisingly, Georgia is much larger than Florida. As a matter of fact, Georgia comes in at 57.919 square miles while Florida is only 53,997 square miles. Additionally, Georgia is considered one of the most historically rich states in the US.

1. Oregon
   California
2. Washington
   Alaska

Washington is the smallest of the states that touch the Pacific Ocean, and by quite a bit, too. It is also one of the states that sees the most rain throughout the year, but it is beautiful and rich with scenery.

1. Florida
   Connecticut
2. Montana
   Oklahoma

Oklahoma is well-known for the terrible weather that goes through it. The warm air coming off the Gulf of Mexico mixes with the cold air coming off the Rocky Mountains, and it all lands in Oklahoma, making some of the most turbulent weather in the country.

1. Missouri
   Illinois
2. New York
   New Jersey

In 1904, the Louisiana Purchase Exposition was hosted in St. Louis Missouri. As with all World's Fairs, a large attraction was created (the arch), and it still stands today. In order to finance the event, $15 million was raised from local, state and federal taxes.

1. Colorado
   North Dakota
2. Wyoming
   Idaho

North Dakota stands in the Midwest as one of the least populated states in the country. It is also a pretty large state, boasting 68,994 square miles of land that is mostly used for ranching and farming.

1. Iowa
   Kansas
2. South Dakota
   Idaho

With only two major highways running through it, South Dakota seems like a pretty inaccessibly place. However, it is a place that attracts a lot of tourists, as it is home to the Crazy Horse Memorial and Mt. Rushmore.

1. Kansas
   North Dakota
2. Minnesota
   Nebraska

Nebraska is home to nearly 2 million people, and is rich in farmland. It also has dramatic landscapes with intense rock formations throughout the state. It boasts a whopping 76,878 square miles of land.

1. Minnesota
   Wisconsin
2. South Dakota
   Wyoming

Everyone knows that there are tons of lakes in Minnesota, but few actually realize that with all that water comes all of those mosquitoes. However, the land is beautiful and the seasonal changes are even more beautiful.

1. Nebraska
   Kansas
2. Oklahoma
   Utah

When you think of Kansas, you might think of Dorothy and her dog being swept away to Munchkinland, but this state produces wheat, corn, soy and hay, along with several other crops for the United States.

1. Wyoming
   Colorado
2. Utah
   Arizona

Utah is known for a lot of things. The Great Salt Lake is probably the first thing to come to your mind. However, the natural rock formations, mountains and all-around gorgeous scenery keep tourists coming in year-round.

1. Michigan
   Oregon
2. South Dakota
   Idaho

Most well-known for its potato production, Idaho is also home to a lot of protected Native American land. While many think Idaho is a part of the Midwest, it is actually considered a part of the Pacific Northwest.

1. Oregon
   Washington
2. Utah
   California

Oregon is a coveted state to live in. It is rich in modern culture and outdoor activities. It is also rich in volcanoes, as it is home to 19 of them, four of which are active and considered a very high threat.

1. Colorado
   Wyoming
2. Utah
   New Mexico

Although it is one of the larger states in the country, Wyoming is the smallest state when it comes to population. As a matter of fact, it's considered one of the most sparsely populated states in the country.

1. Utah
   New Mexico
2. Colorado
   Arizona

Although the Rocky Mountain range cuts through several states, the highest peak resides in Colorado. This is one of the major reasons that Colorado is most often associated with the Rockies more than any other states.

1. California
   Arizona
2. Colorado
   Nevada

There are few large cities in Nevada. The majority of the state is desert landscape, and home to some pretty treacherous climates. It's no wonder that the population of the entire state is only around 3 million people.

1. Arizona
   New Mexico
2. Utah
   Wyoming

With 113,642 square miles of land, Arizona is one of the largest states in the country. Although many associate Arizona with the desert, it does have several larger cities as well as Flagstaff, a mountain town.

1. Arizona
   New Mexico
2. Texas
   Oklahoma

Founded in 1912, New Mexico might not look like much, but it has a diverse landscape and an interesting past. It is home to the Georgia O'Keefe Museum and the Santa Fe Opera, an open-air opera.

1. Idaho
   Washington
2. Montana
   Oregon

From mountains to the Great Plains, Montana seems to have it all. It is a gorgeous and huge state that ranges a staggering 145,556 square miles of land. However, this land is susceptible to wildfire due to a drought that has plagued it.

1. Texas
   Alaska
2. Oregon
   California

California is home to a lot of things: Hollywood, some of the most beautiful beaches, desert and mountains. With a state that has 155,973 square miles of land, it only makes sense that it has so many different terrains.

1. Texas
   Alsaska
2. Hawaii
   Arizona

Everything is bigger in Texas, even if Texas isn't the biggest state. It is the largest state in the continental US, coming in at 264,914 square miles, dwarfing California by quite a bit.

1. Texas
   Alaska
2. Nebraska
   California

Alaska might be the largest state in the US, but it doesn't have that big of a population. While it has over 570,000 square miles of land, it only has about 750,000 people living in it. Of course, Texans say their state will be bigger when Alaska melts.