List of U.S. states (Alternity)

This page contains a list of all 62 states of the USA as of 1997 (Alternity). Under British oppression, the nation was declared independent on July 4, 1776 - leading to the bulk of fighting of the American Revolution. Defeating Great Britain's colonial military forces at Yorktown, Virginia in 1781, the United States was officially recognized by Britain in the 1783 Treaty of Paris, which ceded to the new nation all land east of the Mississippi River. The first state to join the Union and ratify the U.S. Constitution was Delaware - the first of many. States here are listed by order of admission to the Union.



Delaware (DE)
Delaware was singularly inhabited by Native American Lenape and Nanticoke tribes until 1631, when Dutch settlers established a colony near the present-day town of Lewes. It was also one of the thirteen colonies to participate in the American Revolution that began in 1775 and ended in the 1783 Treaty of Paris that recognized the United States as a nation. Delaware was initially a sovereign state after the war ended, but soon became the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution, earning the place of the first US state to join the Union. Delaware is located on the Delmarva Peninsula, and is bordered by Maryland to the south and west, New Jersey to the east, and Pennsylvania to the north.

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: December 7, 1787
 * Capital: Dover
 * Population: 898,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Wilmington (1997 pop. 71,000); (1997 metro area pop. 5,567,000)
 * Nickname: The First State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: December 12, 1787
 * Capital: Harrisburg
 * Population: 12,023,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Philadelphia (1997 pop. 1,500,000); (1997 metro area pop. 5,000,000)
 * Nickname: Quaker State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: December 18, 1787
 * Capital: Trenton
 * Population: 8,499,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Newark (1997 pop. 280,000); (1997 metro area pop. 17,567,000)
 * Nickname: The Garden State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: January 2, 1788
 * Capital: Atlanta
 * Population: 9,499,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Atlanta (1997 pop. 417,000); (1997 metro area pop. 5,007,000)
 * Nickname: Peach State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: January 9, 1788
 * Capital: Hartford
 * Population: 3,309,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Bridgeport (1997 pop. 142,000); (1997 metro area pop. 1,000,000)
 * Nickname: The Constitution State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: February 6, 1788
 * Capital: Boston
 * Population: 6,200,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Boston (1997 pop. 610,000); (1997 metro area pop. 3,680,000)
 * Nickname: The Bay State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: April 28, 1788
 * Capital: Annapolis
 * Population: 5,299,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Baltimore (1997 pop. 615,000); (1997 metro area pop. 8,000,000)
 * Nickname: Free State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: May 23, 1788
 * Capital: Columbia
 * Population: 4,200,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Columbia (1997 pop. 120,000); (1997 metro area pop. 800,000)
 * Nickname: The Palmetto State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: May 23, 1788
 * Capital: Concord
 * Population: 2,200,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Manchester (1997 pop. 260,000); (1997 metro area pop. 6,500,000)
 * Nickname: The Granite State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: June 25, 1788
 * Capital: Richmond
 * Population: 8,000,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Virginia Beach (1997 pop. 460,000); (1997 metro area pop. 1,400,000)
 * Nickname: Old Dominion

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: July 26, 1788
 * Capital: Albany
 * Population: 11,000,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Buffalo (1997 pop. 517,000); (1997 metro area pop. 924,000)
 * Nickname: The Empire State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: November 21, 1789
 * Capital: Raleigh
 * Population: 8,780,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Charlotte (1997 pop. 699,000); (1997 metro area pop. 1,434,000)
 * Nickname: Old North State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: May 29, 1790
 * Capital: Providence
 * Population: 1,080,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Providence (1997 pop. 200,000); (1997 metro area pop. 1,239,000)
 * Nickname: The Ocean State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: March 4, 1791
 * Capital: Montpelier
 * Population: 974,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Sherbrooke (1997 pop. 200,000); (1997 metro area pop. 432,000)
 * Nickname: The Green Mountain State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: June 1, 1792
 * Capital: Frankfort
 * Population: 4,374,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Louisville (1997 pop. 720,000); (1997 metro area pop. 1,239,000)
 * Nickname: Bluegrass State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: June 1, 1796
 * Capital: Nashville
 * Population: 6,374,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Memphis (1997 pop. 650,000); (1997 metro area pop. 1,339,000)
 * Nickname: The Volunteer State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: March 1, 1803
 * Capital: Columbus
 * Population: 12,421,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Columbus (1997 pop. 830,000); (1997 metro area pop. 2,090,000)
 * Nickname: The Buckeye State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: April 30, 1812
 * Capital: Baton Rouge
 * Population: 4,514,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Manheim (1997 pop. 997,000); (1997 metro area pop. 1,006,000)
 * Nickname: Bayou State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: March 8, 1816
 * Capital: Kelvin
 * Population: 2,178,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Buell (1997 pop. 198,000); (1997 metro area pop. 206,000)
 * Nickname: The Atlantic State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: December 11, 1816
 * Capital: Indianapolis
 * Population: 6,012,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Indianapolis (1997 pop. 830,200); (1997 metro area pop. 1,716,000)
 * Nickname: The Hoosier State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: December 10, 1817
 * Capital: Jackson
 * Population: 3,090,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Jackson (1997 pop. 193,000); (1997 metro area pop. 546,000)
 * Nickname: The Magnolia State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: December 3, 1818
 * Capital: Springfield
 * Population: 13,080,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Chicago (1997 pop. 3,000,000); (1997 metro area pop. 9,786,000)
 * Nickname(s): Land of Lincoln; The Prairie State

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 * Admission to Union: December 14, 1819
 * Capital: Montgomery
 * Population: 4,097,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Birmingham (1997 pop. 210,000); (1997 metro area pop. 976,000)
 * Nickname(s): Cotton State; Heart of Dixie

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: March 15, 1820
 * Capital: Augusta
 * Population: 2,377,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Portland (1997 pop. 208,000); (1997 metro area pop. 896,000)
 * Nickname: The Pine Tree State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: August 10, 1821
 * Capital: Jefferson City
 * Population: 5,190,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Kansas City (1997 pop. 428,000); (1997 metro area pop. 1,789,000)
 * Nickname: The Show-Me State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: June 15, 1836
 * Capital: Little Rock
 * Population: 2,000,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Little Rock (1997 pop. 189,700); (1997 metro area pop. 700,000)
 * Nickname: The Natural State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: January 26, 1837
 * Dissolution: May 22, 1903 (Split into North and South Michigan)
 * Capital: Lansing
 * Population: 2,478,000 (1903)
 * Largest City: Detriot (1903 pop. 290,000); (1903 metro area pop. 545,000)
 * Nickname: The Wolverine State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: August 17, 1843
 * Capital: Kitchener
 * Population: 9,047,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Toronto (1997 pop. 2,570,000); (1997 metro area pop. 5,021,000)
 * Nickname: The Lake State; Niagara State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: March 3, 1845
 * Capital: Tallahassee
 * Population: 17,947,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Jacksonville (1997 pop. 810,000); (1997 metro area pop. 1,547,000)
 * Nickname: The Sunshine State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: December 29, 1845
 * Capital: Austin
 * Population: 24,947,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Houston (1997 pop. 1,997,000); (1997 metro area pop. 5,547,000)
 * Nickname: The Lone Star State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: December 28, 1846
 * Capital: Des Moines
 * Population: 2,970,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Des Moines (1997 pop. 200,070); (1997 metro area pop. 549,000)
 * Nickname: The Hawkeye State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: July 24, 1847
 * Capital: Halifax
 * Population: 4,047,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Halifax (1997 pop. 1,970,000); (1997 metro area pop. 2,465,000)
 * Nickname: The Maritime State

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 * Admission to Union: May 29, 1848
 * Capital: Madison
 * Population: 5,237,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Milwaukee (1997 pop. 595,000); (1997 metro area pop. 1,550,000)
 * Nickname: Badger State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: September 9, 1850
 * Capital: Sacramento
 * Population: 40,163,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Los Angeles (1997 pop. 3,510,000); (1997 metro area pop. 15,998,000)
 * Nickname: The Golden State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: May 11, 1858
 * Capital: St. Paul
 * Population: 5,363,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Minneapolis (1997 pop. 385,000); (1997 metro area pop. 3,298,000)
 * Nickname: Land of 10,000 Lakes

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 * Admission to Union: February 14, 1859
 * Capital: Salem
 * Population: 4,030,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Portland (1997 pop. 587,000); (1997 metro area pop. 2,600,000)
 * Nickname: Beaver State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: April 7, 1860
 * Capital: Charlottetown
 * Population: 263,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Charlottetown (1997 pop. 50,000); (1997 metro area pop. 61,000)
 * Nickname: Garden of the Gulf

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: January 29, 1861
 * Capital: Topeka
 * Population: 2,000,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Wichita (1997 pop. 370,000); (1997 metro area pop. 615,000)
 * Nickname: The Sunflower State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: June 20, 1863
 * Capital: Charleston
 * Population: 1,673,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Charleston (1997 pop. 48,500); (1997 metro area pop. 298,000)
 * Nickname: Mountain State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: September 27, 1864
 * Capital: San Pedro
 * Population: 6,361,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: San Lucas (1997 pop. 1,048,000); (1997 metro area pop. 1,709,000)
 * Nickname: The Lower State; Ocean-Shore State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: October 31, 1864
 * Capital: Carson City
 * Population: 2,603,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Las Vegas (1997 pop. 558,000); (1997 metro area pop. 1,767,000)
 * Nickname: Silver State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: March 1, 1867
 * Capital: Lincoln
 * Population: 1,776,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Omaha (1997 pop. 502,000); (1997 metro area pop. 866,000)
 * Nickname: Cornhusker State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: August 1, 1876
 * Capital: Denver
 * Population: 4,976,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Denver (1997 pop. 597,000); (1997 metro area pop. 2,377,000)
 * Nickname: The Centennial State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: November 2, 1889
 * Capital: Bismarck
 * Population: 827,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Fargo (1997 pop. 150,000); (1997 metro area pop. 257,000)
 * Nickname: The Peace Garden State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: November 2, 1889
 * Capital: Pierre
 * Population: 1,127,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Sioux Falls (1997 pop. 170,000); (1997 metro area pop. 280,000)
 * Nickname: The Mount Rushmore State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: November 8, 1889
 * Capital: Helena
 * Population: 1,020,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Coulson (1997 pop. 110,000); (1997 metro area pop. 180,000)
 * Nickname: Big Sky State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: November 11, 1889
 * Capital: Olympia
 * Population: 7,050,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Seattle (1997 pop. 610,000); (1997 metro area pop. 3,240,000)
 * Nickname: The Evergreen State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: November 14, 1889
 * Capital: Parksville
 * Population: 3,000,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Lewis (1997 pop. 860,000); (1997 metro area pop. 1,917,000)
 * Nickname: The Cascadian State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: July 3, 1890
 * Capital: Boise
 * Population: 1,500,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Idaho Falls (1997 pop. 260,000); (1997 metro area pop. 821,000)
 * Nickname: Gem State; The Spud State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: July 10, 1890
 * Capital: Cheyenne
 * Population: 570,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Cheyenne (1997 pop. 60,000); (1997 metro area pop. 91,000)
 * Nickname: Equality State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: January 4, 1896
 * Capital: Salt Lake City
 * Population: 2,506,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Salt Lake City (1997 pop. 190,000); (1997 metro area pop. 1,221,000)
 * Nickname: Beehive State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: May 22, 1903
 * Capital: Marquette
 * Population: 346,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Marquette (1997 pop. 22,000); (1997 metro area pop. 67,000)
 * Nickname: Superior

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: May 22, 1903 (Succeeded Michigan)
 * Capital: Lansing
 * Population: 9,307,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Detriot (1997 pop. 762,000); (1997 metro area pop. 4,000,000)
 * Nickname: Wolverine State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: November 16, 1907
 * Capital: Oklahoma City
 * Population: 4,307,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Miko (1997 pop. 1,051,000); (1997 metro area pop. 2,396,000)
 * Nickname: Sooner State; Chickasaw State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: January 6, 1912
 * Capital: Santa Fe
 * Population: 2,237,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Albuquerque (1997 pop. 562,000); (1997 metro area pop. 997,200)
 * Nickname: Land of Enchantment

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: February 14, 1912
 * Capital: Phoenix
 * Population: 6,477,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Phoenix (1997 pop. 1,230,000); (1997 metro area pop. 3,998,200)
 * Nickname: The Grand Canyon State; The Copper State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: July 13, 1917 (split from Idaho)
 * Capital: Kamiah
 * Population: 700,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Kamiah (1997 pop. 170,000); (1997 metro area pop. 341,000)
 * Nickname: The Interior State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: December 12, 1953
 * Capital: Riverhead
 * Population: 3,200,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Hempstead (1997 pop. 760,000); (1997 metro area pop. 908,200)
 * Nickname: Outer Lands State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: January 3, 1959
 * Capital: Juneau
 * Population: 910,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Anchorage (1997 pop. 300,000); (1997 metro area pop. 381,200)
 * Nickname: The Last Frontier

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: August 21, 1959
 * Capital: Honolulu
 * Population: 1,207,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Honolulu (1997 pop. 375,000); (1997 metro area pop. 1,010,000)
 * Nickname: The Aloha State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: June 9, 1960
 * Capital: San Juan
 * Population: 3,407,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: San Juan (1997 pop. 445,000); (1997 metro area pop. 720,000)
 * Nickname: The Isle of Enchantment

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: May 27, 1977
 * Capital: New York City
 * Population: 20,062,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: New York City (1997 pop. 445,000); (1997 metro area pop. 720,000)
 * Nickname: The City State

Statistics

 * Admission to Union: July 21, 1984
 * Capital: Agana
 * Population: 169,000 (1997 census)
 * Largest City: Dedidu (1997 pop. 50,000); (1997 metro area pop. 56,000)
 * Nickname: The Pacific State

Territories/Commonwealths
Below is a list of all US territories, both incorporated and unincorporated, as well as commonwealths, as of June 1997.

Federal District
Below is the only federal district, and capital of the United States.