🤔 Today's Trivia Question:

What is the Largest US State (by landmass)?

Correct Answer: C) Alaska

🏔️ Exploring the Extremes: Alaska and Rhode Island's Vast Differences in Size and Population

The largest U.S. state by landmass is Alaska. Here is a comparison of Alaska's land area with the next largest states:

  1. Alaska: Approximately 663,300 square miles

  2. Texas: Approximately 268,600 square miles

  3. California: Approximately 163,700 square miles

  4. Montana: Approximately 147,000 square miles

  5. New Mexico: Approximately 121,600 square miles

As you can see, Alaska is more than twice the size of Texas, the second-largest state, and significantly larger than the others on the list.

The United States spans over 3.5 million square miles, according to State Symbols USA. The fifty states house millions, with California having the largest population, based on the 2020 Census. More than 39 million people reside in California, whereas Wyoming has the smallest population with just 576,851 residents.

While some states have large populations, others dominate in terms of land area. Here is a guide to the largest and smallest states in the United States by square miles of land.

The Largest State: Alaska

Alaska, the 49th state, is the largest in the U.S., covering 663,300 square miles. It is two-and-a-half times bigger than Texas, the second-largest state. According to the 2020 Census, Alaska's population is 733,391, translating to 0.93 square miles per person. In contrast, New York has only 0.003 square miles per person.

Alaska also boasts the Yukon River, the third-longest river in the U.S., nearly 2,000 miles long. Additionally, Denali, the highest peak in North America, stands at 20,320 feet above sea level.

The Smallest State: Rhode Island

Rhode Island, the 13th state, is the smallest in the U.S., spanning 1,214 square miles, according to its official website. The state measures 48 miles from North to South and 37 miles from East to West. Despite its small size, Rhode Island has a population of over 1 million, based on the 2020 Census. Rhode Island was the last of the original 13 colonies to become a state, and its highest point is Jerimoth Hill, at 812 feet above sea level.