Can You Name These U.S. States From an Outline in 7 Minutes?

By: Teresa McGlothlin
Estimated Completion Time
2 min
Can You Name These U.S. States From an Outline in 7 Minutes?
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About This Quiz

Do you know all of your U.S. states? Could you recognize and name them from an outline of their shapes? During this quiz, you will get the chance to prove your geography whiz status. If you can name all 40 of the states we present, you deserve a gold star! 

With 50 states, the United States offers nearly every landscape you could imagine. From rolling plains to deserts to rugged, mountainous regions, each U.S. state has a different set of characteristics. However, all we are asking you to do is to identify the state from the outline we give you. We promise not to venture into any specific territories that might distract you. 

While there is absolutely nothing wrong with using a map to assist you, we think you'll stand a better shot at impressing yourself by using only your memory and your internal knowledge of U.S. geography. Never fear! If you get stuck, we have provided you with a hint that you can use anytime you feel like you need it. 

How many states do you think you can identify? Set a goal for yourself, and start the quiz. We're quite confident that you will do better than you might think! Are you ready?

Idaho
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Which state do you think this might be?
Idaho
West Virginia
South Dakota
California
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

With a population of only 1.7 million, Idaho offers a lot for wilderness lovers. Set in the Rocky Mountains, Idaho entered statehood in 1890.

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Massachusetts
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Which state do you see in this photo?
Massachusetts
Nevada
Michigan
Ohio
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Massachusetts was one of the founding states, entering the union in 1788. Steeped in history, the state has a population of over six million. Visitors to Massachusetts can follow the path of Paul Revere's ride.

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Nevada
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What is this state called?
Nevada
Texas
Georgia
Oregon
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Most famous for being a casino capital of the world, Nevada is home to cities like Reno and Las Vegas. It became a state on Halloween of 1864.

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Alaska
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What is the state that has this outline?
Hawaii
Rhode Island
Iowa
Alaska
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As the 49th state in the union, Alaska offers the most unique landscape of all the U.S. states. With mountainous glaciers and unexplored wilderness, it is a favorite of survivalists.

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Michigan
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Can you name this state?
Michigan
Louisiana
Missouri
Arizona
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Michigan has over 11,000 inland lakes and it borders four of the seven Great Lakes. It is known for its auto manufacturing and musical wonders like Motown.

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Tennessee
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What is the name of this Southeastern state?
Tennessee
Vermont
Colorado
Utah
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Home to the world famous music city of Nashville, Tennessee entered the U.S. union in 1796. You can even find Elvis Presley's home if you venture down to Memphis.

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Arizona
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What is the name of this southwestern state?
Arizona
Texas
Nevada
California
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Arizona entered statehood in 1912. With a population of over seven million, Arizona is nicknamed the Grand Canyon State.

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Texas
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Which state do you see here?
New York
Kentucky
Missouri
Texas
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1845, Texas became the 28th state to enter the union. Often called the Lone Star State, Texas is the biggest state in the continental U.S.

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South Carolina
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Which state has this outline?
South Carolina
Oregon
Nevada
Florida
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

South Carolina is home to one of the East Coast's most beloved beaches - Myrtle Beach. It has been a member of the union since 1788.

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California
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What is the name of this West Coast state?
California
Texas
Oklahoma
Oregon
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

On September 9, 1850, California officially became a U.S. state. One side completely borders the Pacific ocean, and the other borders majestic mountains and stunning deserts.

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Louisiana
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What is this state named?
Louisiana
Florida
New York
Ohio
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Since 1812, Louisiana has been a U.S. state. Along with shorelines and bayous, Louisiana is home to the popular tourist destination of New Orleans.

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Florida
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What is the name of this state?
Illinois
Maine
California
Florida
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Florida is more than just a state that entered into the union, it is actually a peninsula. It is surrounded by water on three sides and attracts visitors from all over the world.

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Oklahoma
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Which state's outline do you see here?
Indiana
Oklahoma
Montana
Utah
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Nicknamed the Sooner State, Oklahoma entered statehood in 1907. As of 2017, it had a population of nearly four million Sooners.

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Alabama
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Which U.S. state do you see here?
Alabama
Kansas
Ohio
Oklahoma
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The southern state of Alabama was inducted into the union in 1819. During the '60s, Alabama served as the headquarters for the Civil Rights Movement, led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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New York
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What is the name of this state?
New Hampshire
New York
Massachusetts
California
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

New York has been a member of the union since 1788. From New York City to Niagara Falls, New York has a lot of interesting destinations to offer.

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Pennsylvania
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What is this state's name?
Ohio
Pennsylvania
New York
Maine
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

With a population of over 12 million, Pennsylvania boasts cities like Harrisburg and Pittsburgh. Historical sites like Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell make it a national treasure.

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West Virginia
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Which state is this?
North Carolina
West Virginia
Washington
Alabama
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1863, West Virginia became an official U.S. state. West Virginia is the only state that sits completely in the Appalachian Mountains.

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Maine
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Which northern state do you see?
Michigan
Oregon
Vermont
Maine
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Situated along the Atlantic coastline, Maine's rugged cliffs are nothing short of stunning. Maine entered the union of states in 1820.

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Rhode Island
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What is this tiny state named?
Rhode Island
Maine
Iowa
West Virginia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Nicknamed Little Rhody, Rhode Island measures about 1,214 square miles. It was adopted into statehood in 1790.

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Nebraska
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What plains state do you see here?
Idaho
Nevada
Illinois
Nebraska
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Situated in the Great Plains, Nebraska entered statehood in 1867. The capital of Nebraska is Lincoln.

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Mississippi
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Which southeastern state is this?
Georgia
Florida
Mississippi
Arkansas
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In January 1935, Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi. In 1817, Mississippi was the 20th state added to the union.

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Wyoming
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Which state is this?
Wyoming
Louisiana
Florida
Utah
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A true plains state, Wyoming entered statehood in 1890. Popular landmarks like Old Faithful make it a great family-oriented vacation destination.

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Maryland
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What is the name of this Atlantic state?
Maine
Massachusetts
Rhode Island
Maryland
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The state of Maryland made it official and joined the union in 1788. It's home to cities like Baltimore and Annapolis. Maryland's coastal location makes it famous for its crabs.

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Virginia
bgblue/DigitalVision Vectors/Getty Images
Which state do you see here?
California
West Virginia
Virginia
Georgia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Not to be confused with West Virginia, Virginia entered statehood in 1788. From the Appalachian mountains to the Atlantic coastline, Virginia certainly is for lovers.

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Ohio
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Which state is pictured here?
Vermont
Ohio
Maine
Washington
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ohio entered statehood in 1803. It borders Lake Erie, and it's home to three famous C cities - Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati.

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Washington
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What is the name of this corner state?
Oregon
Maine
Florida
Washington
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Folks have been able to grab a great cup of coffee in Washington since it entered statehood in 1889. Also called the Evergreen State, Washington is home to over seven million residents.

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Missouri
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Which state is pictured?
Florida
Vermont
Missouri
Colorado
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In August on 1821, Missouri entered the union. Missouri sits as the Gateway to the West and features stunning plains, as well as the Ozark Mountains.

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North Carolina
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What is this state's name?
South Carolina
North Carolina
Utah
New Hampshire
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

From Atlantic coastlines to towering mountains, the North Carolina landscape has a lot to offer. North Carolina entered the union in 1789, and it's home to the Queen City of Charlotte.

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South Dakota
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Which state is outlined in this picture?
South Dakota
Oregon
Missouri
Colorado
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

South Dakota is home to the American landmark of Mt. Rushmore. Sitting in the middle of the Great Plains, the state is full of rich native American history. It entered statehood in 1889.

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Arkansas
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Which state is outlined here?
Kansas
Arkansas
Louisiana
New Hampshire
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Arkansas officially became a state in 1836. Although Arkansas sits in the South, the state bird is the northern mockingbird.

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Montana
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What is this state's name?
Oregon
South Dakota
Michigan
Montana
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Montana is considered to be part of the Great Plains because of its location. However, it also highlights majestic mountain peaks and wide open landscapes that keep visitors coming back for more.

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Colorado
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Which state is pictured here?
Wyoming
Nevada
Colorado
Maryland
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Nicknamed the Centennial State, Colorado entered statehood in 1876. The state's capital of Denver sits one mile above sea level.

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Iowa
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What is this state's name?
Iowa
Utah
Colorado
Montana
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

With the capital city of Des Moines, Iowa has a population of 3.14 million. Iowa entered the union in 1846 as the 29th state.

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Kentucky
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What is the name of this state?
West Virginia
Ohio
Virginia
Kentucky
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Nicknamed the Bluegrass State, Kentucky sits on the border of Illinois, Virginia, Missouri, Tennessee, Ohio, West Virginia and Indiana. Kentucky entered statehood in 1792 and is famous for being the home of the Kentucky Derby.

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Connecticut
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Which state is this?
New Hampshire
New Mexico
Connecticut
New York
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A true jewel of New England, Connecticut entered the union in 1788. The capital of Connecticut is Hartford, the state's fourth-largest city.

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Georgia
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What is the name of this southern state?
Georgia
Florida
Alabama
Mississippi
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1788, Georgia was the fourth state to enter the union. From stunning coastlines to fertile farm country, Georgia offers any lifestyle a new southerner might be seeking.

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Indiana
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What is this Midwestern state's name?
Iowa
Illinois
Indiana
Kansas
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Also called the Hoosier State, Indiana has been a state since 1816. Although it is known for its car racing, the state flower is the unsuspecting peony.

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North Dakota
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Which plains state is this?
Iowa
Indiana
Idaho
North Dakota
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

On November 2, 1889, North Dakota was given official statehood. The name "Dakota" comes from a division of the Sioux. The state's capital is Bismarck.

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Hawaii
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Which state's outline is seen here?
Alaska
Lousiana
Hawaii
Virginia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1959, Hawaii became the 50th state to join the union. With beautiful beaches and tropical jungles, Hawaii's volcanic landscape is a worldwide tourist destination.

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Oregon
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What is the name of this northwestern state?
Washington
Oregon
California
Oklahoma
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1859, Oregon entered the U.S. as the 33rd state. Nicknamed the Beaver State, Oregon is home to over four million people.

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You Got:
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