Every state is unique, and so are the residents. Thankfully, a picture says a thousand words, and these images describe each state perfectly. Every part of the country is known for something, whether it's good, bad, or somewhere in between. From the north to the south, the east to the west, and the worst to the best, there's a way to say something about every state in the nation.
Is your state's depiction accurate?
Wyoming
Wyoming might not have a lot going on, but there's still quite a lot to see in the last alphabetical state. For example, did you know that the word "dude" originated in Wyoming? It came from the first dude ranch, which was of course in Eaton, Wyoming. However, it is true that Wyoming doesn't have a lot of popularity. It has the lowest population of any US state.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is known as the cheese state, and this picture says it all. In fact, Monroe, Wyoming is the swiss cheese capital of the world. If you're a nature lover, Wisconsin might be the perfect road trip destination, as it has over 7,446 streams and rivers and the most popular state park in America. Devil's Lake is it's oldest and most famous park location.
West Virginia
John Denver once sang: "Country roads, take me home, to the place I belong, West Virginia" but he probably didn't have this image in his head. West Virginia is secretly a very beautiful state though, as it is 75% covered by dense forests and is also known as the Mountain State. Its motto is "Mountaineers Are Always Free." It also has the lowest crime rate in the country.
Washington
Washington is home to Seattle, and by extension, people who live in Seattle. Washington residents are known for loving music and coffee, but there's so much more to this state. Seattle is home to the first-ever rotating restaurant in America and the second in the world. It can be found atop the Space Needle, which sits 500 feet above sea level. The restaurant was opened in 1961.
Virginia
Although this photo might make you think otherwise, Virginia's main export is actually tobacco. Originally, settlers thought it would be silk cultivation, but after a blight of fungus destroyed all of the state's mulberry trees (where silkworms got their food) it became clear that this wasn't going to be a sustainable cash crop. Tobacco took silk's place so that locals could still earn a profit.
Vermont
This photo shouldn't be too surprising, as Montpelier is the largest distributor of maple syrup. Vermont likes all things sweet, so much so that the ice cream company Ben & Jerry's gives all their ice cream waste to local Vermont farmers to feed their hogs. The pigs like pretty much every flavor except for Mint Oreo. That's not rude, that's just a refined palette.
Utah
Utah is known as the home of the Mormon population. The Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City took over 40 years to fully complete. If you're not Mormon though, don't worry, there are still fun things to experience in Utah. Since the state is inland, it's unusually dry. This gives the snow great powder, giving it the reputation as being the greatest powder to ski on in the world.
Texas
Everything is bigger in Texas, even the appetites. As you might expect from this photo, Texas had a cattle population of nearly 16 million. It also has been held under 6 different nations but has had 8 changes in government. These six were Spain, France, Mexico, Republic of Texas, Confederate States, and the United States. It was held under Spain twice and the US twice.
Tennessee
Are you from Tennessee? Because you're the only ten I see! Famous King of Rock n' Roll, Elvis Presley, has his Graceland home located in Memphis. Graceland is the second most visited home in America, right behind the White House. Also, Coca Cola was originated in Tennessee in downtown Chattanooga in 1899 after two local lawyers purchased bottling rights for only $1.
South Carolina
Ah, South Carolina, where sights like these are not too uncommon. In South Carolina, the city of Irmo has a sighting of a water monster that occurs every few years. Its first spotting was in 1973 when residents of Ballentine and Irmo saw the Loch Ness Monster cousin. In 1980, the local newspaper described it as a "cross between a snake and something prehistoric."
South Dakota
South Dakota might not seem too interesting, but there's a lot you might not know about it. Maybe it's not crazy today, but pieces of the past have popped up in this state as fossils from 50 million years ago were found in Lemmon. Here, they found the world's largest petrified wood park. It's also home to the third-largest jewel cave in the world, known as the Jewel Cave of Calcite.
Rhode Island
This state might be tiny, but it's got a big personality. The state only covers 1,214 square miles and is the smallest state in size. The last of the 13 original colonies is home to the oldest Roman Catholic parish. This is best known as the spot where Jacqueline Bouvier was married to future president John Fitzgerald Kennedy in 1953. The state also held the first US circus.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has a lot to offer, but one of the more notable choices is Amish Country. Some others include the Liberty Bell, the first zoo in America in Philadelphia, and the first presidential mansion. The state also includes Pittsburgh, which is famous for its many city steps. There are over 300 sets of city-maintained steps that collectively reach 26,000 feet.
Oregon
Portland, Oregon is pretty much the hipster capital of the world. It's also known as a city with nearly perfect urban planning. The state also is the only one to have two designs for its flag. The location also has many lighthouses, but one known as the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse houses 467,000 cremated remains of individuals. It was built in 1880 as a final resting place.
Oklahoma
As the sign might suggest, tornados are pretty common in Oklahoma. A "quakenado" (earthquake and tornado hitting at the same time) affected Oklahoma only once. On November 7th, 2011 a tornado was hitting Prague, Ok at the same time as an earthquake that was felt throughout the state. A little more surprisingly, the first electric guitar was made by Bob Dunn, a guitarist from Beggs, OK.
Ohio
Ohio, a place you can go through when going somewhere else! Okay, Ohio actually has some cool parts, like being the first place to have a professional city fire department, use police cars, and use a traffic light. It was also the first state to issue laws to protect women workers. Maybe most important of all, the first hot dog was created here in 1900 by Harry M. Stevens.
North Dakota
"Hockey raffle to give out 200 guns" kind of says it all. Milk is the official state beverage of North Dakota. The state grows the most sunflowers in the country. However, despite this fact, the state flower is a wild prairie rose. The flower sprouts bright pink petals and yellow stamens in the center. It only has five petals. It grows alongside state roads and in native meadows.
North Carolina
While they might not know how to spell it, the schools of North Carolina are pretty noteworthy. The oldest state college in America is the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The state also has the highest amount of sweet potato production in the US. It was petitioned by students at Wilson County Elementary to establish it as the state vegetable.
New York
An image from the viral "pizza rat" video truly sums up what life is like in New York City, but the rest of the state is pretty astounding as well. The New York Post is the oldest newspaper in the United States. It was started by Alexander Hamilton in 1803. Apples were also introduced to America in the 1600s when Europeans grew them in upstate New York.
New Mexico
Bordering Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Texas, this state likes things a little spicy. Las Cruces, NM creates the world's largest enchilada at the Whole Enchilada Fiesta during the first weekend of October. Also, Hatch is known as the city that is the Green Chile capital of the world. You might think it's dry and barren like Arizona, but actually it is 25% forested.
New Jersey
After the popularity of Jersey Shore on MTV, this is kind of exactly what New Jersey teens look like. And that's a lot of teens, considering that New Jersey is the most densely populated state. On average, there are 1,030 people per square mile. This is 13 times the national average. It also has the densest system of roads, railroads, and highways in the US.
New Hampshire
Northerners love their Dunkin Donuts coffee, but none more than New Hampshire residents. The state was the first to declare independence from England, and also the first to plant a potato. The smallest town in New Hampshire is in New Castle, which is only 512 acres or 0.8 square miles. It is comprised of a single massive island and several smaller islands surrounding it.
Nevada
Nevada is best known for its city of Las Vegas, which began as the Pair-O-Dice club in 1931. However, it also holds the Hoover Dam, which was once the highest concrete dam in the world. Today, the dam offers tours and guides of the museum artifacts of the construction and its workers. Also in Nevada is Area 51, which is government-owned. In fact, 85% of Nevada land is government-owned.
Nebraska
Nebraska is known for its corn exports and large land area, but there are some secrets to this state. For example, Kool-Aid was developed in 1927 by Edwin E. Perkins. The state also has some unusual laws. In Blue Hill, a woman wearing a "hat that would scare a timid person" is not allowed to be seen eating onion in public. Their state motto is "Equality Before the Law."
Montana
Montana residents love their wildlife, just like this picture shows. They have the largest population of the migratory elk herd in the entire country. In fact, the land's average square mile holds 3.3 deer, 1.4 pronghorn antelope, and 1.4 elks. During migration, the Freezout Lake Wildlife Management Area contains 10,000 tundra swans and 300,000 snow geese. It also has the largest population of trumpeter swans.
Missouri
Known as the "Show Me State," Missouri is certainly showing you something in this picture. The most catastrophic tornado occurred in Annapolis, MS. It tore through the town, injuring 3,000 and killed 823 people. However, on the brighter side of things, the ice cream cone was invented in Missouri at the St. Louis state fair. When a vendor ran out of cups, he got creative with the help of a waffle vendor.
Mississippi
Mississippi living sure is something else. Root beer was created in Biloxi, Mississippi by Edward Adolf Barq. in 1898. Blues music was also born in Mississippi. Some blues singers to come from the state include Little Freddie King, Lead Belly, Mississippi John Hurt, John Lee Hooker, Howlin' Wolf, and B.B. King to name a few. Another celebrity from the state? Muppets creator Jim Henson.
Minnesota
Minnesota might be crazy cold, but it's also got some crazy cool inventions. Home to scotch tape, masking tape, Wheaties cereal, Bisquick, the bundt pan, HMOs, Aveda beauty products, and Green Giant vegetables, this state has had its fair share of important products. The city of Darwin holds the world's largest ball of twine, which weighs about 17,400 pounds.
Michigan
Where would we be without Michigan creating and popularizing car manufacturing? Dry cereal was also discovered by accident in Battle Creek, Michigan. The Kellogg brothers were trying to make a different recipe when they stumbled across the recipe that would start their Kellogg Company. Also, Detroit was the first city in which residents got assigned phone numbers.
Massachusetts
The people of Boston have their own slang, like saying "wicked" and pronouncing "R" like a "W". Though today the state is best known for Boston, the Salem Witch Trials were once held here. In fact, there are 552 original documents from the trials of 1692 that have been preserved and stored in the Peabody Essex Museum. Additionally, the first basketball game was played in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Maryland
Maryland is known for its crabs, and by extension, their old bay seasoning. The state has over forty-seven State parks. Of these, 7 have waterfront views. Its forests cover over 2.7 million acres, which is 43% of the land surface in the state. Annapolis is the sailing capital of the world, which makes getting those crabs that much more exciting. Just make sure you have the Old Bay on hand.
Maine
Maine is the northernmost state, aside from Alaska, as you can probably guess from this photo. It's also home to horror writer Stephen King, who has set all of his books in the state. The state also is famous for its lobsters, as over 90 percent of the country gets its lobsters from here. Maine also produces 99% of the country's blueberry supply, making it the lead provider of both exports.
Louisiana
If you're going to Louisiana, this image might not be too unrealistic. Louisiana is close to the bayou, which holds a lot of alligators. It is the only state that doesn't have counties. Instead, the state calls its divisions "parishes". The celebration of Mardi Gras is also held in Louisiana. It celebrates food and fun on the day before Lent, the 40 days leading until the Catholic Easter holiday.
Kentucky
Known for the Kentucky Horse Derby, this image solidifies the fun of horse racing days in the south. It's the oldest horse race in the country and is held at the Churchill Downs in Lousiville on the first Saturday of May. Also located in Kentucky is the home of Kentucky Fried Chicken, started by Colonel Sanders in the city of Corbin. It is also the first place that cheeseburgers were sold!
Kansas
You might have guessed from seeing the Wizard of Oz that tornados are not so surprising in Kansas. Kansas might be a whirlwind, but they also had the first female mayor in United States history. Susan Madora Salter was elected in 1887. The graham cracker was also made in Kansas, named after Reverend Sylvester Graham who believed in only eating whole wheat foods.
Iowa
Admittedly, there's not a lot going on in Iowa. However, they do have some wacky things within the border. Strawberry Point holds the world's largest strawberry. This is also the state where Grant Wood sketched his iconic American Gothic painting. He was struck by the elegant windows and midwestern modest home. He jumped out of his car immediately to sketch the background of one of history's most famous paintings.
Indiana
Indiana is known as the Hoosier State, but the thing is, no one really knows what a Hoosier is. It was first seen in a letter written in 1827, but the letter doesn't even reference Indiana. The state is named after the Native Americans, formerly called Indians, who lived on the land. There is a town in Indiana where Christmas happens all year round. Santa Fe (pronounced Santa Fee) could easily be mistaken for the North Pole.
Illinois
While it's true that Illinois is best known for Chicago, there are so many other fun facts about this northern state. The state produces the most pumpkins in the country, the second most corn, and has the original jibarito created by Chicago's Puerto Rican population. It's also the home to deep-dish pizza and a unique Saint Patricks Day tradition of dyeing the Chicago River green.
Idaho
Is there anything that says Idaho more than farming? Well, maybe the potato, which is the famous export of the state. Idaho produces over a third of the American potato supply. The residents love their state, so much so that one mayor once declared Wallace, Idaho the center of the entire universe. He placed a manhole in the town and marked the true center of it all.
Hawaii
Lava might seem scary, but it can actually really help the islands. Hawaii's biggest island grows by 42 acres every year due to the Kilauea volcano. It's been erupting for almost 30 years now. Additionally, you have Hawaii to thank for your tough mornings. It is the only state to commercially grow coffee, vanilla beans, and cacao. It can take five years for vanilla beans to grow, so that's some serious dedication.
Georgia
Georgia is the largest producer of peaches in the United States, but don't leave their other exports behind. Peanuts and pecans for the nation are also produced here. Many don't know this, but Coca-Cola soda was first invented in Georgia. Dr. John S. Pemberton created the recipe and his bookkeeper, Frank Robinson, suggested the name. He wrote it down on a slip of paper, and that handwriting became the logo it has today.
Florida
Everything crazy happens in Florida. This picture might have come as a result of all the wildlife found in the southernmost state (aside from Hawaii). Miami borders two national parks, Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park. Orlando is home to Disney World, which attracts more visitors than any other amusement park across America.
Delaware
Even Delaware residents will tell you there isn't much to see in this eastern shore state. In fact, it's the only state without a single National Park System unit, which includes parks, seashores, historic sites, battlefields, memorials, and monuments. The state does have quite a rich history though, as it was the first state to ratify the United States Constitution.
Connecticut
Bordering New York, Connecticut is famous for its high cost of living, hence the half dollar cost to toss some rocks in the water. The state also holds America's oldest public library, the Scoville Memorial Library. It began in 1771 when a local blast furnace owner bought over 200 books for his neighbors. It's also home to the oldest newspaper that is still being published. The Hartford Courant began in 1764.
Colorado
Everything is cooler in Colorado, or at least that's what this image is suggesting. In fact, this state was too cool for the Olympics. It turned down the opportunity to host in 1976, becoming the first location to ever do so. The cost, pollution, and population boom were determined by 62% of voters to be too much to handle. They definitely had the room though, the state covers 75% of the land area in the US due to its many high mountains.
California
California is where people go to find either of these things. It's also home to the driest spot in the United States, Death Valley. In the summer, temperatures here can usually reach 115 degrees. It's also home to many presidents. One out of every 8 presidents has been from California. It is also the first state to ever reach a trillion dollars in gross state product economy.
Arkansas
Arkansas is true southern living. It's the home of spinach, folk music, quartz, and archery bows. It also has a surplus of diamond mining. The three largest diamonds found on American soil were in Arkansas. The Crater of Diamonds State Park is the only diamond mine that remains active in America today. It's primarily a tourist attraction for visitors who want to try their hand at diamond mining.
Arizona
If you want to feel the heat, head to Arizona. Best known for the Grand Canyon, Arizona's attraction is over 4,000 feet deep and is 227 miles long. At the deepest point, it's about 6,000 feet deep and 18 miles wide. Arizona is also home to many naturally growing cacti. It's the only location in which a saguaro cactus can grow. It can take over 100 years for the plant to grow a single "arm".
Alaska
In Alaska, people truly live in the heart of the wildlife. There are 100,000 glaciers in Alaska which take up about 5% of the state. The state is the only one that can see the Northern Lights, which are visible 243 days a year from the city of Fairbanks. Juneau is the capital but has no road access to the rest of the state. It is the only capital city solely accessible by plane or boat.
Alabama
Alabama residents probably don't love this depiction of their state. They probably also don't like the nicknames given, since there is no official nickname given to the state, though it's sometimes referred to as the Heart of Dixie. Today the state is pretty normal, but once upon a time, the roads were made out of wood. Pine logs were cut in half and laid on the ground to create roadways.
Hawaii
Today, Hawaii's languages are Hawaiian and English, but prior to colonization of missionaries, there was no record of any language. They had no record of births, deaths, genealogy, stories, chiefs, battles, descriptions, or legends. Instead, all of these were passed down orally with songs and poems. It is also the most isolated population on Earth, being 2,400 miles away from the mainland.
Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia is the namesake of the popular HBO show written by Donald Glover aka Childish Gambino. This is most likely due to the city's contributions to both film and music. Among movies and shows that have been filmed here, Ant-Man, Baby Driver, Gone with the Wind, Driving Miss Daisy, Avengers: Infinity War and Stranger Things are among the most popular.
Florida
Florida is known for a bunch of things, such as beaches, amusement parks, alligators, and of course, the good weather. So much so that it is known as the Sunshine State. The state was named by explorer Ponce de Leon after La Florida, a Spanish Feast of the Flowers also known as Easter. In Florida, visitors will find Disney World, Universal Studios, Miami Beach, and the Daytona 500 International Speedway.
Delaware
Delaware does have one advantage over the rest of the country in that all sales are tax-free. That means things are generally cheaper in the second-smallest US state. Another fun fact is that the state reportedly has the fastest internet speed in the country. It's also the top state for retirees due to its low crime rate, good economy, and beneficial tax rates.
Connecticut
There are several nicknames for Connecticut. Among them are "The Nutmeg State," "The Constitution State," and "The Land of Steady Habits." It's got money too, as it has the third-largest number of millionaires per capita in the entire United States. Despite this, here visitors will also see the biggest wealth gap of anywhere in the country between the one percent and the 99 percent.
Colorado
Sure, Colorado might be pretty cold, but it's also home to the world's largest hot springs pool. Glenwood Springs is a resort that hosts the world's largest mineral pool. It produces around 3.5 million gallons of water per day at 122 degrees Farenheight. Hot springs are very common in Colorado, and the deepest ones can all be found in the state. Pagosa Springs is about 1,002 feet deep.
California
Did you know you can thank California for your guacamole? The state is the Avocado Capital of the World and celebrates this fact every year at the Fallbrook avocado festival. You might need to take a cable car to get there though. Luckily, cable cars aren't going anywhere soon. They were named the first-ever moving National Landmark in 1964 in San Francisco.
Arizona
Things can get pretty hot in Arizona, but not too hot for the snakes. The ridge-nosed rattlesnake is native to Arizona and is known as the most beautiful of the eleven species of rattlesnakes found in the state. You won't ever see the state mammal though. The ringtail is a fox-like animal that only makes its appearances at night. It's about two and a half feet long and is very shy.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is home to much more than just sports rivalries and cheesesteaks. It also houses Rita's Water Ice, Hershey's, Tastykake, Peeps, Auntie Anne's, Herr's, Utz, Planters, Snyders of Hanover, and Wise. The companies are very close together in an area known as the Snack Belt. Also, should you ever visit Pennsylvania's Amish country, don't take pictures. It's considered very disrespectful.
Alaska
The official flag of Alaska was designed by a thirteen-year-old boy. Benny Benson used the Big Dipper and North Star as inspiration in 1927. The state also has some strange moose-based laws. For example, it's illegal to give a moose a beer, view a moose from an airplane, or walk a moose in a public area. It's also illegal to push a moose out of an airplane. Glad they handled that.