States and Capitals
The United States of America is made up of 50 amazing states! Each state has its own capital city where important government decisions are made. Let's explore our country together!
Our 50 States
The United States of America
Our country has 50 states, each with its own government, capital city, and special characteristics. From the snowy mountains of Alaska to the sunny beaches of Florida, every state is unique!
🏛️ What is a Capital City?
A capital is the city where a state's government meets to make laws and important decisions. The capital is not always the biggest city in the state!
- Washington, D.C. is the capital of our whole country
- Each of the 50 states has its own capital city
- State leaders work in the capital's State Capitol building
Regions of the United States
To make it easier to learn about our country, we divide the 50 states into 5 main regions. States in the same region often share similar weather, landscapes, and ways of life.
Northeast Region
- Connecticut - Hartford
- Delaware - Dover
- Maine - Augusta
- Maryland - Annapolis
- Massachusetts - Boston
- New Hampshire - Concord
- New Jersey - Trenton
- New York - Albany
- Pennsylvania - Harrisburg
- Rhode Island - Providence
- Vermont - Montpelier
Southeast Region
- Alabama - Montgomery
- Arkansas - Little Rock
- Florida - Tallahassee
- Georgia - Atlanta
- Kentucky - Frankfort
- Louisiana - Baton Rouge
- Mississippi - Jackson
- North Carolina - Raleigh
- South Carolina - Columbia
- Tennessee - Nashville
- Virginia - Richmond
- West Virginia - Charleston
Midwest Region
- Illinois - Springfield
- Indiana - Indianapolis
- Iowa - Des Moines
- Kansas - Topeka
- Michigan - Lansing
- Minnesota - Saint Paul
- Missouri - Jefferson City
- Nebraska - Lincoln
- North Dakota - Bismarck
- Ohio - Columbus
- South Dakota - Pierre
- Wisconsin - Madison
Southwest Region
- Arizona - Phoenix
- New Mexico - Santa Fe
- Oklahoma - Oklahoma City
- Texas - Austin
West Region
- Alaska - Juneau
- California - Sacramento
- Colorado - Denver
- Hawaii - Honolulu
- Idaho - Boise
- Montana - Helena
- Nevada - Carson City
- Oregon - Salem
- Utah - Salt Lake City
- Washington - Olympia
- Wyoming - Cheyenne
All 50 States and Their Capitals
Here is a complete list of all 50 states and their capital cities. Use the tabs to explore by region, or search for a specific state!
How to Read a US Map
🗺️ Maps Help Us Explore!
A map is a drawing that shows where places are located. Learning to read a map helps you understand where states are and how they connect to each other.
Map Key - What the Symbols Mean
🧭 Cardinal Directions
On most maps, North is at the top. Use the directions to describe where states are located:
- North - toward the top of the map (Canada is north of the US)
- South - toward the bottom (Mexico is south of the US)
- East - toward the right (the Atlantic Ocean is on the east coast)
- West - toward the left (the Pacific Ocean is on the west coast)
Interactive US Map
Click on states to learn their names! Hover to see state information.
- Always look at the map key first to understand the symbols
- Find the compass rose to know which way is north
- Use the scale to understand distances
- State borders are shown by lines between states
Famous Landmarks by State
Each state has special places that make it famous! Here are some of the most well-known landmarks in America.
Statue of Liberty
A gift from France symbolizing freedom and democracy.
White House
The home and office of the President of the United States.
Golden Gate Bridge
A famous red bridge in San Francisco Bay.
Grand Canyon
A massive, colorful canyon carved by the Colorado River.
Mount Rushmore
Four presidents' faces carved into a mountain.
Graceland
The home of Elvis Presley, the "King of Rock and Roll."
Disney World
The most visited theme park in the world!
Hawaii Volcanoes
Active volcanoes including Kilauea and Mauna Loa.
Liberty Bell
A symbol of American independence in Philadelphia.
Yellowstone
America's first national park with geysers and wildlife.
Las Vegas Strip
Famous for bright lights and entertainment.
Niagara Falls
Massive waterfalls on the border with Canada.
Capital City Flashcards
Practice learning state capitals! Click the card to see the answer, then click "Next" for a new state.
Practice: Find the Capital!
Test your knowledge! Choose the correct capital for each state.
Question 1
Question 2
Question 3
Question 4
Question 5
State Identification Game
Can you identify the state? Read the clues and choose the correct answer!
Name That State!
Region Matching Game
Match each state to its correct region!
Which region is Texas in?
Which region is Massachusetts in?
Which region is California in?
Which region is Ohio in?
Which region is Georgia in?
Check Your Understanding
How many states are in the United States?
What is a state capital?
What is the capital of the entire United States?
On most maps, which direction is at the top?
What We Learned
50 States
The USA has 50 states, each with its own government and capital.
Capitals
A capital is where state leaders work and make laws.
5 Regions
Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest, and West.
Map Reading
Use the key and compass to understand maps.
Next Steps
- Practice naming state capitals with the flashcard game
- Study one region at a time - it's easier than learning all 50 at once!
- Look at a real US map and try to find states you've learned
- Learn about the landmarks in states you want to visit someday
- Move on to learn about Physical Features like mountains and rivers!