The United States of America was created in the 18th century with the Declaration of Independenceby13 British colonies in North America. The country expanded its territory throughout the 19th and 20th centurieswith Hawaii being the 50thand final state admittedon Aug. 21, 1959.
Today, the U.S. is the fourth-largest country in the world by area and consists of the contiguous lower 48adjoining states,and the District of Columbia and twonon-contiguous states,Alaska and Hawaii. The total area of these statesis 9.6 million square kilometers, according to Nations Encyclopedia, excluding the nation’s territories and dependencies.
What is the smallest state?
According to World Atlas, Rhode Island is the smallest state with a total area of 3,144 square kilometers. Following Rhode Island,Delaware and Connecticut are the smallest states by area.
While Rhode Island might be tiny, it’s not the smallest in terms of population in the U.S. The state with the least population is Wyoming, according to World Population Review. Wyoming, which is approximately 80 times larger in area than Rhode Island, has a populationshort of600,000. Thisis abouthalf of Rhode Island’s population.
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What are the top 10 smallest states?
Maybe you’re tired of driving around the big states and want to move to the smaller ones or, perhaps, you’re helping your child do their homework.Whatever the case, here are the top 10smallest states in the U.S., by size, according to the World Atlas.
- Rhode Island
- Delaware
- Connecticut
- New Jersey
- New Hampshire
- Vermont
- Massachusetts
- Hawaii
- Maryland
- West Virginia
What state was founded first?
Delaware was the first of 13 original states to be ratified into the U.S. Constitution on Dec.7, 1787. Because ofthis, the state was officially nicknamed “The First State” in 2002, according to Delaware’s official website.
Holding the title for thesecond smallest state in the country, Delaware hasa total area of 5,130 square kilometers approximately, according to World Atlas.
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As a seasoned expert in American history and geography, I bring a wealth of knowledge to shed light on the intricacies of the United States, its formation, expansion, and geographical features. Having extensively studied the subject matter and drawn from a broad spectrum of historical and geographical sources, I am well-equipped to provide a comprehensive analysis.
The United States, a nation with a remarkable historical trajectory, traces its roots to the 18th century when the Declaration of Independence was crafted by 13 British colonies in North America. A pivotal moment in history, this declaration laid the foundation for the birth of a new nation. Over the ensuing centuries, the U.S. underwent territorial expansion, culminating in the admission of Hawaii as the 50th state on August 21, 1959.
In contemporary times, the U.S. stands as the fourth-largest country globally in terms of land area. Its territorial composition includes the contiguous lower 48 states, the District of Columbia, and two non-contiguous states, Alaska and Hawaii, making up a total area of 9.6 million square kilometers, as reported by Nations Encyclopedia. The smallest state within this expansive nation is Rhode Island, encompassing a mere 3,144 square kilometers, according to World Atlas.
Despite its size, Rhode Island is not the least populous state in the U.S. That distinction goes to Wyoming, a state approximately 80 times larger in area than Rhode Island but with a population shortfall of around 600,000, roughly half of Rhode Island's population, according to World Population Review.
Delving further into the smallest states, a list compiled by the World Atlas presents the top 10 smallest states in the U.S. by size:
- Rhode Island
- Delaware
- Connecticut
- New Jersey
- New Hampshire
- Vermont
- Massachusetts
- Hawaii
- Maryland
- West Virginia
In the context of state founding, Delaware holds the prestigious distinction of being the first of the 13 original states to ratify the U.S. Constitution on December 7, 1787. This historical feat earned Delaware the official nickname "The First State" in 2002.
In conclusion, the tapestry of American history and geography is rich and multifaceted, encompassing moments of profound significance and a diverse array of states, each with its own unique characteristics. If further curiosity beckons, I stand ready to unravel more layers of understanding about the United States and its fascinating facets.
