Can You Name These U.S. States by Their Shapes?

By: Olivia Cantor
Estimated Completion Time
2 min
Can You Name These U.S. States by Their Shapes?
Image: scibak/E+/Getty Images

About This Quiz

The United States of America is a very diverse and eclectic land. And you can already see that just by looking at a map.

The very extensive map of America is an interesting layout to study for map enthusiasts. One can see the various ways that each state neatly connects to another. And some of the states also have distinguishable shapes that are instantly recognizable, visually, because their borders are formed by rivers, coastlines or other natural geographic features.

The fun of reading the U.S. map also lies in noticing which states border which other states, and how their natural wonders and man-made attractions differ. So if you are planning on a road trip or a train trip across this great nation, then you can see how the states will connect your path for you. And there is always more than one path to exploring this vast and beautiful land.

By looking at the map, you can also see some cultural nuances, both the distinct differences and the cool similarities. Wouldn't it be fun to just explore these sub-regions of the country and see what they all have to offer? So perhaps through this quiz, we can experience that. 

Try your luck? Let's go!

California Can you name this West Coast state?
California
That unmistakable long shape is California. It's like the definitive shape of the West Coast.
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware

Advertisement

Georgia
Hawaii
Florida
That shape is Florida. It's really sunny there.
Idaho

Advertisement

Hawaii Can you tell which state this is?
Illinois
Alabama
Hawaii
This group of islands makes up Hawaii. The Aloha State is a nice place for a vacay.
Alaska

Advertisement

Arizona
Texas
Who wouldn't recognize the shape of Texas? It's so unique that it stands out!
Arkansas
Kentucky

Advertisement

Maine
Louisiana
Texas
Wyoming
Wyoming is that square-shaped state. It's so easy to spot, isn't it?

Advertisement

Rhode Island Guess which state this is?
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Rhode Island
That tiny speck with the complex coastline is Rhode Island. Yep, it's there!

Advertisement

Ohio Which state is shown here?
Ohio
Ohio's shape is like a vampire with its cape all opened up. That, or we vampire lovers watch too many movies!
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York

Advertisement

New York Can you guess this East Coast state?
North Carolina
New York
New York's outline touches the border of Canada. Remember that! It also borders Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Vermont.
North Dakota
New Hampshire

Advertisement

Tennessee
Texas
Oklahoma
What does Oklahoma's shape look like to you? For chefs, it might look like a huge butcher knife!
Utah

Advertisement

Virginia This is the shape of what state?
Vermont
North Carolina
North Dakota
Virginia
Virginia's shape is an interesting one. It looks like an elaborate ladies' hat! It's known as the Old Dominion State.

Advertisement

New Mexico This shape represents what state?
Ohio
Oklahoma
New Mexico
New Mexico's shape is a bit squarish, like some others. But that small extension below it marks the difference. New Mexico is known as the Land of Enchantment.
Oregon

Advertisement

Oregon What about this shape?
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Oregon
Oregon is just above California. So it's also on the West Coast. Oregon is the Beaver State.

Advertisement

Washington Can you guess this state?
South Dakota
Washington
Washington State is right above Oregon. The Evergreen State touches Canada's border.
West Virginia
Wisconsin

Advertisement

North Carolina This shape is what state?
Alaska
Alabama
North Carolina
This one is the Old North State. North Carolina's shape resembles a hawk looking to the left. Look closer!
Arizona

Advertisement

North Dakota Can you identify which state this is?
Arkansas
Indiana
North Dakota
North Dakota, the Peace Garden State, is at the top of the country. It touches Canada's border.
Iowa

Advertisement

Montana Can you tell which state this is?
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Montana
Can you see a face in Montana's outline? It's at the left!

Advertisement

Alabama Can you state which one this is?
Mississippi
Alabama
The Heart of Dixie is not really found at the heart of the country. Alabama is a bit far from there.
Montana
Missouri

Advertisement

Delaware What about this state?
Delaware
It might be a bit hard to spot Delaware's shape. But the Diamond State is there!
Nebraska
Nevada
Georgia

Advertisement

Alaska What about this state?
Hawaii
Idaho
Alaska
That sprout-like shape is Alaska indeed. And yes, it's so cold there, always! Alaska borders no other U.S. states - only the country of Canada.
Illinois

Advertisement

Illinois Can you identify this state?
Indiana
Iowa
Illinois
Contrary to popular belief, Chicago is not the capital city of Illinois. It's Springfield. Illinois is known as the Prairie State.
Connecticut

Advertisement

Louisiana This is easy! Which state is this?
Louisiana
Contrary to popular belief, New Orleans is not the capital of Louisiana. It's Baton Rouge.
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio

Advertisement

Arkansas Another easy one: Which state is this?
Oregon
Oklahoma
Arkansas
The capital of Arkansas, the Natural State, is Little Rock. Can you figure out where it is in that shape?
Pennsylvania

Advertisement

Mississippi What state is this one, by the shape of it?
Nevada
Nebraska
Mississippi
Mississippi is also called the Hospitality State or the Magnolia State. Its capital is Jackson.
New Hampshire

Advertisement

Georgia Can you tell the state by this shape?
New Jersey
Georgia
Did you know that Georgia is also called the Empire State of the South? Its capital is Atlanta.
New Mexico
Rhode Island

Advertisement

Colorado What is this state, judging by the shape?
Alaska
Alabama
Colorado
Colorado's capital is Denver. It's also the Centennial State's largest city.
Arizona

Advertisement

Iowa And this shape is for which state?
Arkansas
Virginia
Iowa
The Hawkeye State is Iowa. Its capital is Des Moines.
Washington

Advertisement

Maine This is the shape of which state?
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Maine
Did you know that Maine is also called Vacationland? Yep, it's good for that!
Wyoming

Advertisement

Nevada Can you name which state is this?
Nevada
Nevada, the Silver State, is where Las Vegas is located. But its capital is Carson City.
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota

Advertisement

Pennsylvania Head over to the East Coast! Where is this?
Tennessee
Texas
Pennsylvania
Contrary to popular belief, Pennsylvania's capital is not Philadelphia. It's actually Harrisburg. Pennsylvania is the Keystone State.
Utah

Advertisement

New Jersey Which state shape is shown here?
Vermont
North Dakota
New Jersey
New Jersey is such an eclectic and multicultural state. Its capital is Trenton.
Ohio

Advertisement

Michigan Which state's outline is this?
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Michigan
Did you know that Michigan is also called the Wolverine State? The capital is Lansing.

Advertisement

Minnesota
South Carolina
That small shape is indeed South Carolina. Its capital is Columbia.
Mississippi
Missouri

Advertisement

South Dakota Can you name this state?
Montana
Nebraska
South Dakota
The capital of South Dakota is Pierre. But its largest city is Sioux Falls.
Michigan

Advertisement

Wisconsin Identify this one, now!
Illinois
Wisconsin
Wisconsin's capital is Madison. But its largest city is Milwaukee.
Indiana
Iowa

Advertisement

Nebraska Guess which state this is!
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Nebraska
Nebraska's capital is Lincoln. But its biggest city is Omaha.

Advertisement

Vermont You got this! What is this state?
Andorra
Vermont
Vermont's capital is Montpelier. But its biggest city is Burlington.
Belize
Nebraska

Advertisement

Utah What’s the name of this state?
Netherlands
Curacao
France
Utah
Do you know why Utah is nicknamed the Mormon State? That's because they founded their church there.

Advertisement

New Hampshire Don’t give up now! What state is this?
Gibraltar
New Hampshire
Yep, that silhouette is indeed New Hampshire. It's such a lovely state.
Morocco
Philippines

Advertisement

Massachusetts Can you tell what this one is?
Samoa
Iowa
Massachusetts
This small state is indeed Massachusetts. But the Pilgrim State is historically big.
Ohio

Advertisement

Puerto Rico
Trinidad and Tobago
Kentucky
Kentucky's capital is Frankfort. But its largest city is Louisville.
Missouri

Advertisement

You Got:
/40
Featured