🧭 Lewis & Clark Expedition
Trace the Corps of Discovery to the Pacific
- Stages
- 6
- Trophy Artifact
- Brass Pocket Compass
Milestones (8)
Stage 1 · Wintered at Fort Mandan
Survived 45° below zero with the Mandan
Stage 2 · Met Sacagawea
Hired the Lemhi Shoshone interpreter
Stage 3 · Saw the Great Falls
Lewis's “sublimely grand spectical”
Stage 3 · Crossed the Continental Divide
First American to taste Pacific-bound water
Stage 4 · Survived the Bitterroots
Eleven days, eleven brushes with starvation
Stage 5 · Reached the Pacific
“Ocian in view! O! the joy.”
Stage 5 · The Pacific Vote
York and Sacagawea cast ballots, a first in U.S. history
Stage 6 · Brought the Corps Home
St. Louis at last, 28 months later
Nations Encountered (11)
Otoe-Missouria
Gave to the Corps: The first peaceful council and an opening template for diplomacy.
On August 3, 1804, the Corps met with Otoe and Missouria chiefs on a high bluff. The captains wore their best uniforms and gave silver peace medals, small American flags, and trade goods. The chiefs listened politely and explained that what they really needed was guns to defend themselves from rival nations. It was the first formal meeting between any U.S. expedition and the peoples of the lower Missouri.
Today: The Otoe and Missouria are one nation today: the Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Indians, headquartered in Red Rock, Oklahoma.
Yankton Sioux
Gave to the Corps: Warnings about Spirit Mound and the country ahead.
Later in August 1804, the Corps met with Yankton Sioux leaders who shared their knowledge of the prairie country. They told the explorers about a place called Spirit Mound that the Sioux said was home to tiny devil-people who shot arrows at strangers. The Corps climbed it anyway and instead found a vast view of bison herds. The Yankton's stories gave Lewis and Clark their first lessons in the spiritual geography of the plains.
Today: The Yankton Sioux Tribe lives on the Yankton Sioux Reservation in present-day South Dakota and keeps the Dakota language alive.
Arikara
Gave to the Corps: Food, friendship, and a warm welcome before the long winter.
The Arikara were the corn capital of the Upper Missouri. Their three villages were a regional trading hub where Lakota, Cheyenne, and Crow came from hundreds of miles around to swap buffalo hides and dried meat for Arikara corn, beans, and squash. They lived in massive round earth lodges, some sixty feet across, that housed entire extended families around a central fire. They spoke a Caddoan language related to Pawnee, completely different from the Siouan languages of their neighbors. Their elders called York “great medicine” and treated him with the respect reserved for someone touched by spiritual power.
Today: The Arikara are one of the Three Affiliated Tribes (with the Mandan and Hidatsa) of the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota.
Mandan
Gave to the Corps: A safe winter, a winter fort, and a friendship that lasted the whole expedition.
The Corps spent five months at Fort Mandan during the brutal winter of 1804-1805, with temperatures dropping to 45 degrees below zero. The Mandan visited daily, traded corn and squash for the Corps' ironwork, drew maps in the dirt, and shared everything they knew about the country to the west. Chief Black Cat became one of the Corps' closest friends. When the Corps left in spring, the Mandan came to the riverbank to say goodbye.
Today: The Mandan are part of the Three Affiliated Tribes at Fort Berthold, North Dakota. Mandan earth-lodge ceremonies are still practiced.
Hidatsa
Gave to the Corps: Sacagawea, knowledge of the western mountains, and the route forward.
The Hidatsa lived next to the Mandan and shared the river bend. It was a Hidatsa raiding party that had captured Sacagawea years earlier; she was living in a Hidatsa village when the Corps arrived. Hidatsa hunters and traders had been farther west than any other people on the Missouri and drew maps of mountains and rivers the Corps had never seen. Without their geography, the route ahead would have been guesswork.
Today: The Hidatsa are one of the Three Affiliated Tribes at Fort Berthold. Their language is still spoken and taught today.
Lemhi Shoshone
Gave to the Corps: 29 horses and a guide. Without them the Corps could not cross the mountains.
In August 1805, the Corps reached the Continental Divide and met the Lemhi Shoshone. Sacagawea recognized the chief, Cameahwait, as her own brother. Neither had known the other was still alive. After joyful tears the band agreed to provide horses and a guide to take the Corps over the Bitterroot Mountains. The Shoshone were starving themselves that year but they shared what they had.
Today: The Lemhi Shoshone are part of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes on the Fort Hall Reservation in Idaho. Sacagawea is honored on a U.S. dollar coin.
Salish
Gave to the Corps: A peaceful welcome at the foot of the Bitterroots and fresh horses for the climb.
In September 1805, the Corps met the Salish in a meadow called Travelers' Rest. The Salish were friendly and curious. Their language was so unusual to the explorers that Lewis wondered if they spoke 'Welsh.' The two groups shared food and stories for two days. The Salish gave the Corps fresh horses and pointed them toward the Lolo Trail, the route west through the mountains.
Today: The Salish are part of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation in Montana.
Nez Perce (Nimiipuu)
Gave to the Corps: Food, healing, canoes, and care for the Corps' horses through the winter.
When the Corps stumbled out of the Bitterroot Mountains in late September 1805, they were starving and sick. The Nez Perce, who call themselves Nimiipuu, fed them, healed them, and helped them build canoes for the Columbia River. They could easily have done otherwise, but an elder named Watkuweis remembered Americans who had once been kind to her, and asked her people to do them no harm. The Nez Perce also kept the Corps' 38 horses safe through the entire winter.
Today: The Nez Perce Tribe lives on the Nez Perce Reservation in Idaho. The Nimiipuu language is taught in tribal schools.
Walla Walla
Gave to the Corps: Food, horses, and a friendship the Corps came back to honor on the return trip.
The Corps met Chief Yelleppit of the Walla Walla in October 1805 on the way west. He asked them to stop longer on their way home, and Lewis promised they would. They kept the promise. On the way back in 1806, the Walla Walla hosted a feast and a dance. Chief Yelleppit gave Clark a fine white horse, and Clark gave him his sword. It was one of the warmest friendships of the whole expedition.
Today: The Walla Walla are part of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Oregon.
Chinook
Gave to the Corps: An education in coastal trade, the Chinook had been doing business with ships for generations.
The Chinook had been trading with European and American sailing ships for many years before the Corps arrived. They knew the value of their position at the mouth of the Columbia and drove hard bargains. They spoke Chinook Jargon, a trade language understood across the entire Pacific Northwest. Lewis found them frustrating. Clark respected their business sense. Either way the Corps came home knowing that no part of the West was truly unknown, coastal peoples had connected the Pacific to the world long before any American mapmaker showed up.
Today: The Chinook Indian Nation continues to seek federal recognition. Several Chinook descendants belong to the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde.
Clatsop
Gave to the Corps: Fresh food and a friendship through the wettest winter the Corps would ever know.
The Corps built Fort Clatsop in the rainy Oregon coastal forest and spent the winter of 1805-1806 there. Chief Coboway visited the fort almost every day, trading fresh elk and fish for trade goods. The relationship was businesslike but mutually respectful. When the Corps left in March 1806, they gave Coboway the entire fort as a parting gift, a meaningful gesture for a people who had treated them well.
Today: Coboway's descendants are part of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon. A replica of Fort Clatsop stands near the original site today.
Stage 1 of 6 · Day 1 · May 14, 1804
Departure from St. Louis
Up the Missouri
"I set out at 4 oClock P.M. in the presence of many of the neighbouring inhabitents, and proceded on under a jentle brease up the Missourie."
William Clark, May 14, 1804
May 14, 1804. The Missouri River, just north of St. Louis.
You are a member of the Corps of Discovery. President Thomas Jefferson has charged you with finding a route to the Pacific Ocean, through territory no American has ever mapped.
You have 33 companions, a 55-foot keelboat, two smaller boats, and enough supplies for two years. You don't know how long you'll be gone. You don't know what's ahead.
The river is fast. The summer is hot. And 1,600 miles north, the Mandan people are waiting.
Push off from shore, Explorer. The West awaits.
You are a member of the Corps of Discovery. President Thomas Jefferson has charged you with finding a route to the Pacific Ocean, through territory no American has ever mapped.
You have 33 companions, a 55-foot keelboat, two smaller boats, and enough supplies for two years. You don't know how long you'll be gone. You don't know what's ahead.
The river is fast. The summer is hot. And 1,600 miles north, the Mandan people are waiting.
Push off from shore, Explorer. The West awaits.
Waypoints (5)
La Charrette [0.78, 0.68] · Day 11 · May 25, 1804
May 25, 1804. After eleven days on the river, the Corps reached La Charrette, a tiny French-speaking village of just seven log cabins on the north bank of the Missouri. It was the last town with white settlers the explorers would see for more than two years. The villagers came down to the water and traded fresh corn meal, butter, and eggs for whiskey and tobacco. An old French trapper named Régis Loisel offered the captains advice about the river country ahead. Then the keelboat pushed off again, headed straight into land no American had ever mapped.
Council Bluff [0.55, 0.61] · Day 81 · Aug 3, 1804
August 3, 1804. High on a grassy bluff above the river, Lewis and Clark held their first formal council with Native leaders. Chiefs from the Oto and Missouria nations rode in wearing their finest deerskin clothes and eagle-feather headdresses. The captains put on full dress uniforms and made long speeches about a new 'Great Father' in faraway Washington. They handed out shiny silver peace medals, small American flags, twists of tobacco, and strings of glass beads. The chiefs listened politely but said they really needed guns to defend themselves from rival nations. It was the first of dozens of councils the Corps would hold across the West, and the pattern of careful diplomacy began right here.
Sergeant Floyd's Grave [0.49, 0.47] · Day 98 · Aug 20, 1804
August 20, 1804. The Corps lost Sergeant Charles Floyd, a 22-year-old Kentuckian and one of its youngest officers. He had been seriously sick for days with what was probably a burst appendix, and the captains could not save him. The men carried him to the top of a high bluff overlooking the Missouri, built a cedar coffin by hand, and buried him with full military honors. They named the bluff in his memory and fired their rifles three times as a salute. Floyd was the only member of the entire 8,000-mile journey who did not make it home. His grave still stands today beneath a 100-foot stone monument in Sioux City, Iowa, the first national historic landmark ever named in the United States.
Spirit Mound [0.10, 0.47] · Day 103 · Aug 25, 1804
August 25, 1804. The Sioux warned the Corps to stay far away from this lonely hill. They said it was home to tiny devil-people only 18 inches tall, with huge heads, who shot poison arrows at any stranger who climbed it. Lewis, Clark, York, and nine men decided to see for themselves. The hike was so hot and the prairie so dry that Lewis's giant Newfoundland dog Seaman had to turn back partway up. At the top, they found no devils, just a breathtaking view of grasslands rolling to the horizon and great herds of bison, elk, and antelope grazing on the plain. It was the Corps' first real look at the wide-open American West. Today the hill is a state park in South Dakota.
Arikara Villages [0.16, 0.41] · Day 158 · Oct 19, 1804
October 1804. The keelboat rounded a bend and three Arikara towns came into view, stacked along bluffs near today's North-South Dakota line. The Corps anchored, raised an American flag, and held a long council with the chiefs. Fresh squash, pumpkins, and dried buffalo meat crossed the table from the Arikara side; glass beads, fish hooks, and metal awls went the other way. The mood was warm. After several days of trading and feasting, the Corps pushed off again with full baskets and an Arikara man riding along as an interpreter for the next leg upriver toward the Mandan villages.
Specimens (4)
Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) [0.38, 0.69] MAMMAL
September 7, 1804. The Corps spent the better part of a day digging and pouring buckets of water down a colony's burrows trying to flush one out. They finally captured a live specimen and shipped it back to President Jefferson, who received it alive months later. It became the first live animal from west of the Mississippi to live in the White House.
American Magpie (Pica hudsonia) [0.40, 0.48] BIRD
Lewis was the first naturalist to scientifically describe the bold black-and-white magpies of the plains. He noted their cleverness, their habit of stealing food right off the Corps' fire pits, and the iridescent blue-green sheen on their long tail feathers. Specimens were preserved and sent east to Jefferson's collection.
Coyote (Canis latrans) [0.26, 0.62] MAMMAL
Lewis called them "prairie wolves" and wrote the first detailed scientific description of the species. The Corps heard their famous chorus of yips and howls every night on the upper Missouri. Lewis noted how much smaller they were than the wolves he knew from the East, and how their cleverness around camp made them impossible to catch with traps.
Eastern Cottonwood (Populus deltoides) [0.77, 0.83] TREE
The Corps' most important tree. When the keelboat got too big for the shallow upper Missouri, the men felled massive cottonwoods, hollowed out the trunks with axes and fire, and built dugout canoes that carried them the rest of the way. Cottonwoods marked every river bend on the plains and the Corps used them as both wood and landmarks.
Cast (4)
Meriwether Lewis Co-Captain
Age 30. President Thomas Jefferson's personal secretary before the expedition. Jefferson trusted him so completely that he sent Lewis to study botany, medicine, astronomy, and natural history for two years specifically to prepare for this journey. A brilliant naturalist and meticulous journal keeper, he carries an air rifle that astonishes the Native peoples who have never seen repeating fire.
"We are now about to penetrate a country at least two thousand miles in width, on which the foot of civilized man had never trodden."
— Meriwether Lewis, April 7, 1805
William Clark Co-Captain
Age 33. Red-haired, frontier-tested, and famously easy with people in a way Lewis never could be. With only a compass, a sextant, and careful observation, Clark draws the charts of the Missouri River that will remain the most accurate available for the next fifty years. He writes most of the expedition's journal entries, in colorful, freewheeling spelling that historians still puzzle over today.
"Ocian in view! O! the joy."
— William Clark, November 7, 1805
York Corpsman
Clark's enslaved man, the same age as Clark and his companion since childhood. York hunts, paddles, stands guard, and votes on Corps decisions like every other man, the first African American to cross the continent. Native peoples along the route are astonished by him; some try to rub the color off his skin. After the expedition returns, York will ask Clark for his freedom. Clark will refuse for years before finally granting it.
"He told the Indians he had been a wild beast and had been caught and tamed by his master."
— recorded by William Clark on York with the Arikara, October 1804
Seaman Newfoundland Dog
Lewis paid $20 for Seaman in Pittsburgh, about $400 in today's money. The big black Newfoundland earns his keep: he hunts, he stands watch, he barks warnings when buffalo approach camp at night, and once fends off a beaver that surprised him in the dark. Native peoples along the route have never seen a dog so large. Some offer horses in trade for him. Lewis always refuses.
"My dog took the alarm and gave us notice... his vigilance most probably saved us."
— Meriwether Lewis on Seaman, May 29, 1805
Trigger Marker Facts (6)
- The Corps of Discovery had 33 members, two captains, a dog, and a 55-foot keelboat.
- Clark called the Missouri River 'too thick to drink, too thin to plow.'
- The Corps captured a live prairie dog and shipped it back to President Jefferson, it made the trip alive!
- Many Native peoples had never seen a Black man before York. Children would touch his arm to see if the color rubbed off.
- Sergeant Charles Floyd died on August 20, 1804, the only Corps member to die on the entire 8,000-mile journey.
- By late October the Corps had reached the Mandan villages, 1,600 miles from St. Louis. Time to build a winter fort.
Completion EpilogueThe real Corps of Discovery paddled, poled, and dragged their boats against the Missouri current for nearly six months to reach Fort Mandan. They covered 1,600 miles through territory no American had mapped.
They lost one man. They made alliances with a dozen nations. They collected hundreds of plant and animal specimens never before seen by scientists.
And they were only halfway to the mountains.
Stage 2 awaits. Winter is coming.
They lost one man. They made alliances with a dozen nations. They collected hundreds of plant and animal specimens never before seen by scientists.
And they were only halfway to the mountains.
Stage 2 awaits. Winter is coming.
TodayThe Sergeant Floyd Monument still stands above the Missouri in Sioux City, Iowa, the first national historic landmark in the country. Most of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail can be driven, hiked, or canoed today.
Stage 2 of 6
Into the Unknown
Fort Mandan to the Great Falls
November 1804. Fort Mandan, North Dakota.
Winter has arrived on the northern plains. The Missouri River has frozen solid. You are 1,600 miles from St. Louis and the mountains are still somewhere out there, beyond the horizon.
But this winter will change everything.
A teenage Shoshone woman named Sacagawea is about to join your expedition. She will carry her newborn son across the Rocky Mountains on her back. She will recognize landmarks you cannot read on any map. She will save the expedition, more than once.
Survive the winter, Explorer. Spring is coming, and with it, the unknown.
Winter has arrived on the northern plains. The Missouri River has frozen solid. You are 1,600 miles from St. Louis and the mountains are still somewhere out there, beyond the horizon.
But this winter will change everything.
A teenage Shoshone woman named Sacagawea is about to join your expedition. She will carry her newborn son across the Rocky Mountains on her back. She will recognize landmarks you cannot read on any map. She will save the expedition, more than once.
Survive the winter, Explorer. Spring is coming, and with it, the unknown.
Waypoints (5)
Yellowstone Confluence [0.99, 0.53] · Day 347 · Apr 25, 1805
April 25, 1805. Eighteen days after leaving Fort Mandan, the Corps reached the spot where a huge tributary poured into the Missouri from the south. Lewis and Clark climbed the bluff together to scout the new river, wide, fast, and lined with cliffs of yellow sandstone. They named it the Yellowstone. From here on, every mile of the journey was beyond any map ever drawn by Americans. Today the meeting of the two rivers is preserved as Confluence Point State Park in western North Dakota.
Milk River [0.81, 0.43] · Day 360 · May 8, 1805
May 8, 1805. The Corps reached the mouth of a strange-looking river flowing in from the north, its water was chalky-white, like a cup of tea with a tablespoon of milk. Lewis named it the Milk River on the spot. By this point in the journey he had been keeping detailed scientific notes for over a year: new plants, new animals, new rivers, all sketched and labeled. The Milk River was just one of dozens of features the Corps named that single spring. It still flows into the Missouri in northeastern Montana today.
First Sight of the Rockies [0.60, 0.37] · Day 378 · May 26, 1805
May 26, 1805. Lewis climbed a hill alone before breakfast and saw, for the first time, the snow-capped peaks of the Rocky Mountains rising on the western horizon. The Corps had been heading toward these mountains for more than a year without ever laying eyes on them. Lewis wrote that the sight gave him both joy at being close to the goal and dread at the huge crossing ahead. The mountain barrier they had to climb was no longer an abstract line on a map. It was right there, real, and waiting.
White Cliffs of the Missouri [0.49, 0.32] · Day 383 · May 31, 1805
May 31, 1805. The river cut between towering chalk-white cliffs twisted into the strangest shapes the Corps had ever seen, castles, columns, statues, walls all carved by wind and water out of soft sandstone. Lewis wrote that the cliffs looked like “scenes of visionary inchantment”, like something out of a dream. He spent the day sketching and trying to describe what he saw while the Corps glided their canoes through what felt like an open-air gallery. The cliffs are still there today, almost untouched, in the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument in central Montana.
The Marias Decision [0.77, 0.32] · Day 386 · Jun 3, 1805
June 3, 1805. The Missouri split into two rivers, both wide, both fast, both possible paths to the mountains. Lewis and Clark thought the southern fork was the true Missouri. Every other person in the Corps disagreed, thinking the northern fork was right. The captains scouted both rivers for nine days, climbing bluffs and taking measurements, before sticking to their decision, and they turned out to be right. They named the other river the Marias, after Lewis's cousin Maria. Today the spot where they made the call is preserved as Decision Point in Loma, Montana.
Specimens (4)
American Bison (Bison bison) [0.20, 0.69] MAMMAL
Buffalo were everything to the Mandan and Hidatsa: meat, robes, horn cups, sinew thread, bone tools. The Corps joined them on winter hunts, riding out onto the frozen plains and learning how Native nations had thrived in this country for centuries. Lewis described herds so vast they 'darkened the prairie' all the way to the horizon.
Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) [0.41, 0.55] MAMMAL
Lewis was the first naturalist to scientifically describe what he called the 'antelope of the plains.' He noted their incredible speed, the fastest land animal in North America, and the huge eyes that could spot a hunter a mile away. He had no idea pronghorns and African antelope aren't related; pronghorns are North America's own unique animal.
Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) [0.68, 0.43] BIRD
A plains 'prairie hen' the Corps relied on for food all winter long. Lewis described the males' bizarre courtship dance, drumming their feet, inflating purple sacs on their necks, and rattling their pointed tails, in such precise detail that ornithologists still cite his journal entry today.
Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) [0.62, 0.58] BIRD
A striking arctic owl that drifted south to North Dakota in the coldest winters. Lewis and Clark saw them perched in the cottonwoods near Fort Mandan, ghost-pale against the snow. Pure white with subtle black flecks, they were unmistakable, and so silent in flight the men sometimes didn't notice them until they moved.
Cast (4)
Sacagawea Interpreter & Guide
Approximately 16 years old, carrying her two-month-old son Pomp on her back. Born Lemhi Shoshone in present-day Idaho, captured by the Hidatsa as a child, sold to Charbonneau. Her value to the Corps is threefold: she'll interpret with the Shoshone whose horses they desperately need, her presence with a baby tells every nation they meet that this is not a war party, and her geographic memory of her homeland will save the expedition more than once.
"The Indian woman to whom I ascribe equal fortitude and resolution with any person on board."
— Meriwether Lewis on Sacagawea, May 14, 1805
Toussaint Charbonneau Interpreter
A fur trader living among the Hidatsa, hired primarily because of his wife, and Lewis knows it. He's a capable but unexceptional interpreter; Lewis finds him timid in crises. He is, however, an excellent cook: his buffalo-intestine sausage, which Lewis names 'boudin blanc' in his journal, becomes a Corps favorite. After the expedition Charbonneau will be paid $500.33 and 320 acres of land. Sacagawea will receive nothing.
"The boudin blanc... is one of the greatest delecacies of the forrest."
— Meriwether Lewis on Charbonneau's cooking, May 9, 1805
Jean-Baptiste “Pomp” Youngest Corpsman
Born inside Fort Mandan on February 11, 1805, the youngest member of the expedition. Lewis assists Sacagawea with the difficult delivery, administering a crushed-rattlesnake-rattle remedy he learned from the Hidatsa. Pomp will spend the next year and a half strapped to his mother's back, crossing rivers, mountains, and the Rocky range. Clark adores him, calling him his 'little dancing boy,' and will later pay for his education in St. Louis. Pomp grows up to speak four languages and become a frontier guide.
"My little dancing boy."
— William Clark, on Pomp
Chief Black Cat Mandan Chief & Ally
Chief of the Rooptahee Mandan village, just upriver from Fort Mandan. The Corps' most important Native ally of the long winter, he visits the fort regularly, drawing maps in the dirt and sharing everything he knows about the country to the west: the rivers, the mountains, the nations ahead. When the Corps departs in spring, Black Cat comes to the riverbank to say goodbye.
"The most confidential friend which we have among the Mandans."
— Meriwether Lewis on Chief Black Cat
Trigger Marker Facts (14)
- At Fort Mandan the temperature dropped to 45 below zero. The Corps burned fires all night just to stay warm.
- Sacagawea, a Shoshone teenager, joined the expedition with her newborn son, Jean Baptiste, nicknamed 'Pomp.'
- She carried baby Pomp on her back across thousands of miles, and Captain Clark adored the little boy.
- In spring the Corps sent the big keelboat back to St. Louis, packed with maps, plants, and even a live prairie dog.
- Near the Marias River the rivers split. The captains had to guess which one led to the Pacific, and they guessed right!
- At the Great Falls of the Missouri, the Corps spent a month hauling boats around five thundering waterfalls.
- Lewis's dog Seaman, a giant Newfoundland, swam the rivers, chased game, and guarded the camp every single night.
- Sacagawea's husband, Charbonneau, joined the Corps as a guide and cook for the long journey west.
- When a sudden gust tipped a boat, Sacagawea calmly reached out and saved the floating journals and instruments.
- Grizzly bears on the plains were so huge and powerful that the explorers learned to give them plenty of room.
- The crew carved dugout canoes from giant cottonwood trees to keep pushing up the Missouri River.
- Lewis built a strange iron-framed boat he named 'Experiment,' but it leaked and had to be left behind.
- Buffalo herds on the northern plains were so enormous they stretched as far as the eye could see.
- On the Great Falls portage, prickly pear cactus covered the ground and poked right through their moccasins.
Completion EpilogueThe real Corps of Discovery spent 164 days at Fort Mandan, their longest stop. They survived temperatures of 45 below zero, treated frostbite, traded ironwork for food, and learned everything they could about the country ahead.
When they finally pushed off in spring, they were a different expedition than the one that had left St. Louis. Sacagawea was with them now. Little Pomp was with them. The keelboat was gone. There was no going back.
The mountains are ahead. The hardest part is coming.
When they finally pushed off in spring, they were a different expedition than the one that had left St. Louis. Sacagawea was with them now. Little Pomp was with them. The keelboat was gone. There was no going back.
The mountains are ahead. The hardest part is coming.
TodayA reconstructed Fort Mandan stands near Washburn, North Dakota, you can walk through rooms about the size the Corps actually wintered in. The Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara are now the Three Affiliated Tribes at the Fort Berthold Reservation.
Stage 3 of 6
Across the Divide
Great Falls to Lemhi Pass
June 1805. The Missouri River, central Montana.
The Great Falls are somewhere ahead, you can hear them.
You have been on the river for over a year. The easy part is ending. The mountains you can see on the horizon are bigger than anything you imagined when you left St. Louis.
You will carry your boats 18 miles overland through cactus and hailstorms. Your great invention, the iron-frame boat you've carried from St. Louis, will fail. You will run out of food. You will be chased by grizzly bears.
And then, if you can find the Shoshone and their horses, you will climb to the top of the world.
The Continental Divide is waiting, Explorer. So is a reunion that will stop your heart.
The Great Falls are somewhere ahead, you can hear them.
You have been on the river for over a year. The easy part is ending. The mountains you can see on the horizon are bigger than anything you imagined when you left St. Louis.
You will carry your boats 18 miles overland through cactus and hailstorms. Your great invention, the iron-frame boat you've carried from St. Louis, will fail. You will run out of food. You will be chased by grizzly bears.
And then, if you can find the Shoshone and their horses, you will climb to the top of the world.
The Continental Divide is waiting, Explorer. So is a reunion that will stop your heart.
Waypoints (5)
Great Falls of the Missouri [0.44, 0.85] · Day 396 · Jun 13, 1805
June 13, 1805. Lewis was scouting ahead alone when he heard a low rumble in the distance. He climbed a rise and saw five enormous waterfalls, the Missouri dropping 187 feet in a series of cascades. He sat for hours sketching and trying to describe what he saw. “The grandest sight I ever beheld,” he wrote in his journal. The wonder didn't last long: the Corps would spend almost a month dragging their boats 18 miles overland around the falls, in summer heat, through cactus and grizzly country. The falls are now partly dammed at Great Falls, Montana, but Crooked Falls and Rainbow Falls still flow as Lewis saw them.
The Iron-Frame Boat [0.42, 0.60] · Day 422 · Jul 9, 1805
July 9, 1805. Above the Great Falls, the Corps assembled the strangest cargo they carried: an iron skeleton that Lewis had designed back in Pennsylvania, meant to be covered in animal hides and made into a lightweight boat for this exact stretch of river. He had hauled the heavy frame more than 2,000 miles for this moment. The men stretched elk and bison hides over the bars and tried to seal the seams, but there was no pine pitch in plains country and nothing else held. The boat leaked. The boat sank. Lewis abandoned his invention on the riverbank, and the Corps carved regular dugout canoes from cottonwood instead.
Three Forks of the Missouri [0.76, 0.47] · Day 438 · Jul 25, 1805
July 25, 1805. After more than 2,500 miles of paddling upstream, the Corps reached the place where the Missouri River ends. Three rivers came together to form it, the Corps named them the Jefferson, the Madison, and the Gallatin, after President Jefferson and his Secretaries of State and Treasury. Sacagawea grew quiet as they camped there. She told Lewis through Charbonneau that she had been camped on this very ground as a child, the day she was captured by a raiding party. She had been brought back home, finally, by chance, on this expedition. The site is now Missouri Headwaters State Park near Three Forks, Montana.
Beaverhead Rock [0.65, 0.38] · Day 452 · Aug 8, 1805
August 8, 1805. The Corps was paddling up a narrowing river when Sacagawea pointed to a distinctive rock formation on the bank, a hill shaped like the head of a swimming beaver. She told the captains the rock marked her people's summer camping grounds, and that the Shoshone were not far away. After more than four months of climbing through unmapped country, the Corps had a sign at last. They would have to find the Shoshone soon, or the journey would end here. Today the formation is still called Beaverhead Rock, a state park in southwestern Montana.
Reunion at Camp Fortunate [0.28, 0.40] · Day 461 · Aug 17, 1805
August 17, 1805. After Lewis scouted ahead alone and finally found the Shoshone, the Corps brought their canoes to a meeting place at the foot of the mountains. Sacagawea sat down to translate the captains' negotiation, and a moment later jumped up and ran across the camp. The chief in front of her was her brother Cameahwait, kidnapped from her years before. The siblings embraced. Without this meeting the expedition would have ended at the mountains: the Shoshone gave the Corps 29 horses and a guide named Old Toby who knew the path through the Bitterroots. They named the place Camp Fortunate, now under Clark Canyon Reservoir near Dillon, Montana.
Specimens (4)
Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis) [0.05, 0.70] MAMMAL
Lewis was the first to scientifically describe the bighorn, marveling at the rams' massive curling horns and how the animals leaped between cliff ledges that seemed impossibly narrow. The Corps tried to climb after them along the white cliffs of the Missouri Breaks and failed every time, the bighorns simply walked up walls a human couldn't.
American Beaver (Castor canadensis) [0.94, 0.52] MAMMAL
The Corps saw beaver everywhere along the upper Missouri, felled trees, dam-flooded meadows, lodges in every quiet pool. Lewis wrote that the river was 'richer in beaver than any other he had ever beheld.' Within fifty years of his journal entry, the fur trade would nearly wipe them out; today they have returned to most of their original range.
Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) [0.86, 0.78] BIRD
Lewis described their bizarre mating dance with such precision that scientists still quote him: males inflate two huge yellow air sacs on their chests, fan their spiky tails, and strut on a 'lek' in the sage flats. The Corps hunted them for food across what is now Wyoming and Montana, they tasted, Lewis wrote, of the sage they lived in.
Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii) [0.58, 0.79] FISH
Lewis caught these at the Great Falls of the Missouri, the first scientific record of the species. Years later it was renamed Oncorhynchus clarkii in honor of William Clark. The orange-red slash under the jaw is what gave them the name 'cutthroat'; the Corps simply called them 'mountain trout' and caught them by the dozens.
Cast (4)
Cameahwait Shoshone Chief
Sacagawea's brother. Chief of the Agaidika Shoshone band, in his mid-twenties, leading a people in crisis, starving, raided by enemies with guns, with no horses to spare easily. He negotiates carefully with Lewis and Clark before agreeing to provide 29 horses and a guide. Without him, the expedition ends here in the mountains. His reunion with Sacagawea, neither knew the other was coming, is one of the most human moments of the entire journey.
"If we had guns, we could then live in the country of the buffalo."
— Cameahwait to Lewis, on the Shoshone's plight, August 1805
Old Toby Mountain Guide
An elderly Shoshone man, hired as guide through the Bitterroot Mountains. He knows the Lolo Trail from previous travel, a route so difficult the Corps could never have found it alone. After leading them through, he simply walks home without telling anyone, never asking for payment and never giving his real name. “Old Toby” is the Corps' nickname for him. He may be the most essential person on the entire expedition whose real name history does not know.
George Drouillard Hunter & Scout
Part French-Canadian, part Shoshone. The Corps' best hunter, most valuable scout, and the best sign-language communicator in the group. Lewis relies on him for the most dangerous scouting missions and the most critical first-contact moments. Drouillard is the one who finds the Shoshone scouts before Lewis arrives. He receives the same enlisted-man's pay as everyone else despite being, after the captains, arguably the most capable person in the Corps.
"An excellent woodsman and indeed a most valuable man."
— Meriwether Lewis on Drouillard
The Grizzly Bear Recurring Threat
Lewis had read that grizzlies were timid and expected an easy time of it. He was wrong. The first grizzly the Corps met was far bigger and tougher than anything they had faced, and the encounter left Lewis genuinely shaken. During the portage a grizzly chased him into the Missouri River. By the end of the expedition Lewis had completely changed his mind, and came to respect the grizzly as one of the most powerful animals in all the West.
"The curiosity of our party is pretty well satisfied with respect to this animal."
— Meriwether Lewis after a close encounter with a grizzly, May 1805
Trigger Marker Facts (14)
- The Corps spent almost a month hauling their boats 18 miles around the Great Falls, through cactus and hailstorms.
- Lewis called the Great Falls 'the grandest sight I ever beheld' and wished he'd brought crayons to paint them.
- The iron-frame boat Lewis carried over 2,000 miles finally leaked and sank, so the Corps carved cottonwood canoes instead.
- Prickly pear cactus covered the portage ground and poked right through the men's leather moccasins.
- A hailstorm pelted the Corps so hard during the portage that some of the men were knocked right off their feet.
- At Three Forks, three rivers join to make the Missouri. The Corps named them the Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin.
- Sacagawea realized Three Forks was the very spot where she had been captured as a girl, years before.
- Sacagawea spotted Beaverhead Rock, shaped like a swimming beaver's head, and knew her Shoshone people were near.
- When the Corps finally met the Shoshone, Sacagawea discovered the chief was her own long-lost brother, Cameahwait.
- The Shoshone gave the Corps 29 horses. Without them, crossing the Rocky Mountains would have been impossible.
- An elderly Shoshone guide the Corps called Old Toby agreed to lead them over the rugged Lolo Trail.
- At Lemhi Pass, Lewis crossed the Continental Divide and tasted a stream flowing toward the Pacific Ocean.
- Lewis was the first to describe the bighorn sheep, amazed at how they leaped across cliffs no human could climb.
- Cutthroat trout are named for the orange-red slash under their jaw. The Corps caught them right at the Great Falls.
Completion EpilogueThe real Corps of Discovery spent weeks on the portage, dragging boats across cactus-covered ground in hailstorms, watching their iron-frame boat sink, running from grizzly bears, and nearly starving before finding the Shoshone.
But Sacagawea found her brother. They traded for horses. Old Toby agreed to guide them through the mountains.
Lewis stood at the top of Lemhi Pass and saw nothing but mountains ahead. He drank from a stream flowing west, the first American water that would reach the Pacific.
The hardest part is just beginning.
Stage 4 awaits. The Bitterroots don't care how far you've already come.
But Sacagawea found her brother. They traded for horses. Old Toby agreed to guide them through the mountains.
Lewis stood at the top of Lemhi Pass and saw nothing but mountains ahead. He drank from a stream flowing west, the first American water that would reach the Pacific.
The hardest part is just beginning.
Stage 4 awaits. The Bitterroots don't care how far you've already come.
TodayYou can stand on Lemhi Pass today, on the Idaho-Montana border, and see the same view Lewis saw on August 12, 1805. The Great Falls of the Missouri are still there, though most of them now power dams above the city of Great Falls, Montana.
Stage 4 of 6
Through the Bitterroots
The Lolo Trail to the Nez Perce
September 1805. The Bitterroot Mountains, Montana-Idaho border.
Old Toby says the crossing will take five days.
You have horses, barely enough food, and thirty-two companions. The mountains ahead are unlike anything you've seen, dense pine forest, narrow ridgelines, sheer drops, and early snow already covering the trail.
There is no easy way through. There is only through.
You will be hungry. You will be cold. You will eat things you never imagined eating. The trail will disappear under the snow and you will lose it and find it and lose it again.
But on the other side of these mountains, the Nez Perce are waiting.
Keep moving, Explorer. The Bitterroots don't care how far you've already come.
Old Toby says the crossing will take five days.
You have horses, barely enough food, and thirty-two companions. The mountains ahead are unlike anything you've seen, dense pine forest, narrow ridgelines, sheer drops, and early snow already covering the trail.
There is no easy way through. There is only through.
You will be hungry. You will be cold. You will eat things you never imagined eating. The trail will disappear under the snow and you will lose it and find it and lose it again.
But on the other side of these mountains, the Nez Perce are waiting.
Keep moving, Explorer. The Bitterroots don't care how far you've already come.
Waypoints (5)
Travelers' Rest [0.96, 0.95] · Day 484 · Sep 9, 1805
September 9, 1805. The Corps reached a wide meadow at the foot of the Bitterroot Mountains and stopped to rest before the crossing ahead. Old Toby, the elderly Shoshone guide they had hired at Camp Fortunate, joined them here with his sons. He warned the captains the trail would take five days through some of the steepest country they had ever seen. The men hunted, repaired the horses' worn hooves, and quietly prepared. They called the place Travelers' Rest. It is now a state park near Lolo, Montana, where archaeologists have found the actual fire pits and trace evidence of the Corps' two-night stay.
Lolo Hot Springs [0.29, 0.90] · Day 488 · Sep 13, 1805
September 13, 1805. Four days into the Bitterroot crossing, the Corps stumbled on a small valley where steaming water bubbled up out of the rocks, a natural hot spring. The men climbed in to soak their aching legs and frozen feet. Lewis dipped his thermometer and wrote that the water was hot enough to nearly cook a fish. For one evening the cold and the climb fell away. The springs still bubble today as Lolo Hot Springs Resort, just over the Idaho border in Montana.
Lost on the Lolo Trail [0.43, 0.51] · Day 491 · Sep 16, 1805
September 16, 1805. A blizzard rolled in over the highest ridges of the Bitterroots and the Lolo Trail vanished under deep snow. Old Toby took a wrong turn that cost them a day, then another. Food ran out. With nothing left to hunt, the Corps survived on the last of their supplies, down to a tin of “portable soup” they had carried all the way from Philadelphia for emergencies just like this one. For five days the Corps walked in single file across narrow ridgelines, cold and afraid the mountains would never end. The trail still exists as a hiking route in Idaho's Clearwater National Forest, one of the few places in America where you can walk almost exactly where Lewis and Clark walked.
Meeting the Nez Perce [0.35, 0.17] · Day 495 · Sep 20, 1805
September 20, 1805. Clark and a small hunting party staggered out of the mountains onto a wide open prairie. Children from a Nez Perce village ran to meet them, and the village brought baskets of dried salmon and a strange new food called camas root. Some Nez Perce did not trust the strangers who had wandered out of their mountains, until an elder named Watkuweis stepped forward. As a young woman she had been kidnapped, taken far east, and treated kindly by the white traders who eventually returned her. “These are the people who were kind to me,” she told her village. “Do them no harm.” Without her, the expedition would have ended right here. The meeting place is now known as the Weippe Prairie, in northern Idaho.
Canoe Camp [0.60, 0.16] · Day 501 · Sep 26, 1805
September 26, 1805. With salmon and camas root in their bellies, the Corps set up camp by the Clearwater River and started building canoes for the journey ahead. The Nez Perce showed them a technique they had never seen, instead of hollowing a log with axes, you burn out the inside with carefully controlled fires, then scrape away the charred wood. In ten days the Corps had carved five sturdy dugout canoes from cottonwood trees. They branded their horses, cached their saddles, and entrusted the whole herd to Nez Perce chiefs to keep until the Corps returned the following spring. The site is preserved today as Canoe Camp, a small park on the Clearwater River near Orofino, Idaho.
Specimens (4)
Bitterroot (Lewisia rediviva) [0.49, 0.84] FLOWER
A small pink flower that gave the Bitterroot Mountains their name. Sacagawea showed Lewis that the roots, though bitter on first taste, were a critical food source for mountain peoples. Lewis collected a specimen on the return journey; botanists later named the entire genus Lewisia after him.
Camas (Camassia quamash) [0.52, 0.60] FLOWER
The Nez Perce staple food that saved the starving Corps at Weippe Prairie. Sky-blue flower fields covered Nez Perce country every spring, hiding the prized bulbs underground. Camas were dug, pit-roasted for days, and pressed into cakes, and the Corps ate so many after the Bitterroots that the men were sick for days.
Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa) [0.62, 0.74] TREE
Lewis first scientifically described this giant of the western forests. Their bark smells like vanilla or butterscotch on a warm day, try it next time you're near one. The Lolo Trail wound through ponderosa groves where some trees were already 400 years old when the Corps walked beneath them.
Lewis's Woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis) [0.32, 0.47] BIRD
Lewis personally collected the type specimen in 1805, a striking bird unlike any woodpecker he had ever seen: dark green back, pink-rose belly, gray collar, deep red face. It catches insects in mid-air like a flycatcher instead of drilling tree trunks. The species was named Melanerpes lewis to honor him.
Cast (4)
Chief Twisted Hair Nez Perce Chief
The most important Nez Perce leader the Corps meets at Weippe Prairie. Pragmatic and intelligent, he immediately grasps that cooperation is in his people's interest. He agrees to care for the Corps' 38 horses through the winter, a critical arrangement, since the men need to build canoes and travel by river from here. From memory, on a piece of white elk skin, he draws a map of the river system to the Pacific. That map will guide the Corps all the way to the Columbia.
"Much in the confidence of the nation."
— Meriwether Lewis on Chief Twisted Hair, September 1805
Watkuweis Nez Perce Elder
An older Nez Perce woman who, years earlier, had been captured by a hostile tribe and taken east, eventually making her way to American settlements before returning to her people. The Americans had been kind to her in her captivity. When some in the village were wary of the strange, struggling newcomers, Watkuweis spoke up for them. The Corps never knew how much they owed to one woman's kindness after surviving the Bitterroots.
"These are the people who helped me. Do them no harm."
— Watkuweis to the Nez Perce warriors, September 1805 (Nez Perce oral tradition)
Old Toby Mountain Guide
His job guiding the Corps through the Lolo Trail finishes when they reach the Nez Perce. He doesn't say goodbye. He doesn't collect the payment Lewis and Clark promised him. He simply turns around and walks back into the Bitterroots alone, heading home through the same terrain that had nearly beaten thirty-three people traveling together. No one knows if he made it. He disappears from history at the edge of the Weippe Prairie.
The Nez Perce The Nation That Saved Them
One of the largest and most powerful nations in the Pacific Northwest, with an extensive horse culture, sophisticated trade networks, and a long tradition of peaceful relations with neighboring peoples. They have never seen Americans before the Corps of Discovery stumbles out of the Bitterroots. They could easily have turned the helpless, outnumbered Corps away. Instead they feed them, heal them, care for their horses, and give them maps and guidance. They call the Americans “Soyapo”, “crowned ones,” or possibly “those who wear hats.”
Trigger Marker Facts (14)
- Old Toby promised the Bitterroot crossing would take five days. It took the Corps eleven.
- The Corps got so hungry on the Lolo Trail they survived on the last of their emergency 'portable soup.'
- Clark named one icy stream 'Hungry Creek' because the men had almost nothing left to eat there.
- At Lolo Hot Springs the men soaked their frozen feet in water hot enough to nearly cook a fish.
- A blizzard buried the Lolo Trail in snow, and Old Toby lost the path for a whole day.
- Children from a Nez Perce village were the first to run out and greet the starving Corps.
- A Nez Perce elder named Watkuweis told her people not to harm the strangers. It saved the expedition.
- The Nez Perce fed the Corps dried salmon and a new food called camas root.
- Chief Twisted Hair drew a map of the rivers to the Pacific on a piece of white elk skin.
- The Nez Perce kept the Corps' 38 horses safe all winter while the men paddled west.
- The Nez Perce showed the Corps how to burn out a log to make a canoe instead of chopping it.
- The bitterroot flower's root tastes bitter at first, but it was a key food for mountain peoples.
- Ponderosa pine bark smells like vanilla or butterscotch on a warm day.
- Lewis's woodpecker catches insects in mid-air like a flycatcher instead of drilling tree trunks.
Completion EpilogueThe real Corps of Discovery spent eleven days on the Lolo Trail, six days longer than Old Toby promised. By the end they had almost no food left, and several men were too sick to ride.
When they stumbled onto the Weippe Prairie, weak and starving, a Nez Perce elder named Watkuweis welcomed them and urged her people to treat them kindly. Her words may have saved the whole expedition.
The Nez Perce fed them, healed them, and agreed to care for their horses.
The Pacific is less than 400 miles away now, all downriver.
Stage 5 awaits. The hard part is over.
Well. Almost.
When they stumbled onto the Weippe Prairie, weak and starving, a Nez Perce elder named Watkuweis welcomed them and urged her people to treat them kindly. Her words may have saved the whole expedition.
The Nez Perce fed them, healed them, and agreed to care for their horses.
The Pacific is less than 400 miles away now, all downriver.
Stage 5 awaits. The hard part is over.
Well. Almost.
TodayThe Lolo Trail is now a National Historic Landmark and you can drive much of it through the Bitterroot Mountains. The Nez Perce Tribe lives on the Nez Perce Reservation in Idaho, where their language is still taught.
Stage 5 of 6
Ocean in View
The Columbia, the Pacific, and Fort Clatsop
October 1805. The Clearwater River, Idaho.
The Bitterroots are behind you. The Nez Perce have given you food, horses, and a map drawn on elk skin.
Now you build canoes and put them in the water.
For the first time in over a year, the current is with you.
The Clearwater leads to the Snake. The Snake leads to the Columbia. The Columbia leads to the Pacific Ocean, 600 miles away, all downriver.
There will be rapids wild enough to swallow a canoe. There will be a winter so wet and miserable it will feel endless. There will be a moment when you stand at the edge of the continent and look west at water that stretches to the horizon.
That moment is coming, Explorer.
Push off from shore.
The Bitterroots are behind you. The Nez Perce have given you food, horses, and a map drawn on elk skin.
Now you build canoes and put them in the water.
For the first time in over a year, the current is with you.
The Clearwater leads to the Snake. The Snake leads to the Columbia. The Columbia leads to the Pacific Ocean, 600 miles away, all downriver.
There will be rapids wild enough to swallow a canoe. There will be a winter so wet and miserable it will feel endless. There will be a moment when you stand at the edge of the continent and look west at water that stretches to the horizon.
That moment is coming, Explorer.
Push off from shore.
Waypoints (5)
Celilo Falls [0.58, 0.36] · Day 527 · Oct 22, 1805
October 22, 1805. The Corps paddled the Clearwater into the Snake and then into the mighty Columbia, and ran straight into a wall of sound. Celilo Falls was the greatest salmon fishery on the river, where dozens of tribes met every year to trade, fish from wooden platforms, and dry tons of salmon for the winter. The Corps had to portage their canoes one more time, lowering them on ropes around the roaring water while curious crowds watched from the cliffs. The falls thundered there for at least 11,000 years. In 1957 the United States dammed the Columbia and the falls fell silent under the rising water of Lake Celilo, near The Dalles, Oregon. Tribal elders still gather to remember the sound.
Ocean in View [0.84, 0.54] · Day 543 · Nov 7, 1805
November 7, 1805. After eighteen months and over four thousand miles, Clark looked west through the morning fog and thought he saw something glinting at the horizon. He wrote in his journal, in his own creative spelling: “Ocian in view! O! the joy!” It turned out he was looking at the wide mouth of the Columbia estuary, not the open Pacific, but the salt smell was on the wind and the gulls were everywhere and the men cheered anyway. The actual spot is near Pillar Rock, Washington, where you can still stand on the riverbank and see almost exactly the view Clark saw that morning.
Dismal Nitch [0.42, 0.55] · Day 546 · Nov 10, 1805
November 10, 1805. A Pacific storm pinned the Corps against a tiny rocky shelf on the north shore of the Columbia, with cliffs at their back and giant waves at their front. For six days they could not move. The rain never stopped. Their clothes rotted off their bodies. Spoiled salmon was the only food. Clark wrote that it was the most disagreeable time of his life, and he named the place “that dismal little nitch.” On the seventh day the wind finally turned and they paddled away. The site is a roadside historic stop on the Washington shore today, with a viewing platform looking down at the same dismal little ledge.
The Vote [0.14, 0.38] · Day 560 · Nov 24, 1805
November 24, 1805. The Corps had to decide where to spend the winter, north shore, south shore, or back upriver, and the captains did something no American government had ever done. They put it to a vote. Every member of the expedition got one vote, including York, an enslaved Black man, and Sacagawea, a Shoshone woman. It would be more than sixty years before either could legally vote in the United States, but on that gray afternoon at the mouth of the Columbia, their voices counted exactly the same as the captains'. The vote: cross to the south shore, where the elk were. The site is preserved as Station Camp, near Megler, Washington.
Fort Clatsop [0.64, 0.86] · Day 573 · Dec 7, 1805
December 7, 1805. The Corps started building a winter fort in a quiet grove of giant spruce trees on the south side of the Columbia. They named it Fort Clatsop, after the local nation that had welcomed them. For the next three months it rained almost every day, Clark recorded only 12 days without rain all winter. The men hunted elk, boiled salt at the coast, mended clothes, and helped the captains finish their maps and journals. When they left on March 23, 1806, they nailed a written notice to the wall saying who they were and which way they had gone home, in case anyone needed proof they had made it. A faithful replica of the fort stands today inside Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, near Astoria, Oregon.
Specimens (4)
Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) [0.19, 0.49] FISH
The fish that fed every nation along the Columbia River. The Corps watched Chinook fishermen pull salmon from rapids using dipnets, weirs, and traps that had been used for thousands of years. Lewis described salmon runs so thick the river 'appeared crowded' with fish, the same kind of run that is still recovering today.
Roosevelt Elk (Cervus canadensis roosevelti) [0.80, 0.63] MAMMAL
The Corps depended on elk through the rainy winter at Fort Clatsop, for food, clothing, and leather, and as a constant reminder of how lush the Pacific Northwest forests were compared to the plains. Roosevelt elk are the largest elk on the continent, sometimes reaching 1,100 pounds, and they still roam the Olympic Peninsula today.
Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis) [0.27, 0.46] TREE
The towering coastal tree that built every Chinook canoe the Corps saw. Sitka spruce grows in a narrow band right along the Pacific coast, straight-grained, immensely strong, and big enough that a single tree could become a 30-foot ocean-going canoe. The Corps traded for a Chinook canoe carved from one to make the river journey home.
Eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus) [0.39, 0.72] FISH
A small silver smelt so oil-rich that, when dried, it can be lit on fire and burns like a candle. Lewis wrote a famous detailed description after the Clatsop people taught the Corps to eat them. Eulachon oil was the trade currency of the entire Pacific Northwest, moved in cedar boxes along 'grease trails' that ran hundreds of miles inland.
Cast (4)
Chief Yelleppit Walla Walla Chief
Walla Walla chief encountered twice, once heading west, once on the return. On the westward journey he asks the Corps to stay longer; Lewis promises they'll stop on their way home. He keeps the promise. Yelleppit consistently provides food, horses, and information, and is genuinely glad to see the Corps return. When they do, he hosts a feast, arranges a dance, and gives Clark a fine white horse. Clark gives him his sword in return. One of the genuine friendships of the entire expedition.
Chief Coboway Clatsop Chief
The most important Clatsop leader near Fort Clatsop. He visits the fort regularly throughout the wet, miserable winter, trading fresh food for trade goods. His relationship with the Corps is businesslike and mutually respectful. When the Corps abandons Fort Clatsop in March 1806, they give him the entire structure, a meaningful gesture worth more than anything they had received in trade. Coboway's descendants are still part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde today.
The Chinook Nation Coastal Traders
The dominant trading power of the lower Columbia. The Chinook had been trading with coastal nations for generations and had encountered European and American ships before the Corps arrived overland. They drove hard bargains and knew exactly what their geographic position was worth. They were not impressed by the Corps' trade goods, they had seen better. Lewis found them frustrating. Clark respected their business acumen. They spoke Chinook Jargon, a trade language used across the entire Pacific Northwest for over a century.
Jean-Baptiste “Pomp” Youngest Corpsman
Now a toddler, and the favorite of the entire Corps. During the relentlessly wet winter at Fort Clatsop, Pomp develops a serious neck abscess with high fever. Clark treats him personally, applying poultices and eventually lancing the infection. The baby recovers fully. Clark writes about Pomp's illness and recovery with more emotion than he shows for most events in his journals. By this point Pomp has crossed the continent on his mother's back. He is fourteen months old.
"My little dancing boy."
— William Clark, on Pomp
Trigger Marker Facts (10)
- After more than a year paddling upstream, the Corps finally rode the current downstream toward the Pacific.
- At Celilo Falls, dozens of tribes met every year to fish for salmon and trade.
- Clark wrote 'Ocian in view! O! the joy!' though he was really looking at the wide mouth of the Columbia.
- A Pacific storm pinned the Corps on a tiny ledge for six days. Clark called it 'that dismal little nitch.'
- To pick their winter camp the whole Corps voted, including York and Sacagawea.
- It rained all but 12 days the whole winter the Corps spent at Fort Clatsop.
- When the Corps left Fort Clatsop, they gave the entire fort to Chief Coboway of the Clatsop people.
- The Chinook were expert traders who had bargained with sailing ships for years before the Corps arrived.
- Eulachon are little fish so oily that, once dried, they can be lit and burned like a candle.
- A single Sitka spruce could be carved into a 30-foot ocean-going canoe.
Completion EpilogueThe real Corps of Discovery stood at Cape Disappointment on November 7, 1805, having crossed an entire continent on foot, horseback, and river current. Clark wrote “Ocian in view! O! the joy.” He misspelled both words.
Then they spent four months in the rain at Fort Clatsop, eating rotting elk and fighting fleas.
On March 23, 1806, they gave the fort to the Clatsop people and turned east.
They were going home.
3,500 miles. The Missouri is upstream. The Bitterroots are waiting again.
One stage remains, Explorer. Bring the Corps home.
Then they spent four months in the rain at Fort Clatsop, eating rotting elk and fighting fleas.
On March 23, 1806, they gave the fort to the Clatsop people and turned east.
They were going home.
3,500 miles. The Missouri is upstream. The Bitterroots are waiting again.
One stage remains, Explorer. Bring the Corps home.
TodayA replica of Fort Clatsop stands today at Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, near Astoria, Oregon. Cape Disappointment, where Clark wrote “Ocian in view,” is now a Washington state park you can hike to.
Stage 6 of 6
The Long Way Home
Fort Clatsop to St. Louis
March 23, 1806. Fort Clatsop, Oregon.
The gate is open. The Corps is heading east, 3,500 miles of river, mountain, and plain between you and St. Louis.
You have stood at the Pacific. You have crossed the Continental Divide twice. You have mapped the West and met nations no American had ever seen. Now bring everyone home.
The Bitterroots must be crossed again. The Corps will split apart and find each other. A mother will say goodbye to the expedition that carried her across a continent.
On September 23, 1806, 28 months after pushing off from Camp Dubois, the bells of St. Louis will ring.
Bring them home, Explorer.
The gate is open. The Corps is heading east, 3,500 miles of river, mountain, and plain between you and St. Louis.
You have stood at the Pacific. You have crossed the Continental Divide twice. You have mapped the West and met nations no American had ever seen. Now bring everyone home.
The Bitterroots must be crossed again. The Corps will split apart and find each other. A mother will say goodbye to the expedition that carried her across a continent.
On September 23, 1806, 28 months after pushing off from Camp Dubois, the bells of St. Louis will ring.
Bring them home, Explorer.
Waypoints (5)
The Split [0.23, 0.66] · Day 782 · Jul 3, 1806
July 3, 1806. Back at Travelers' Rest in the Bitterroots, the captains made an unusual decision. To map more country on the way home, they would split the Corps in half for the first time on the entire journey. Lewis would take nine men north to explore the Marias River and see how far up into Canada it reached. Clark would take the rest south to find and follow the Yellowstone. They planned to reunite five weeks later, a thousand miles east, at the spot where the Yellowstone meets the Missouri. They shook hands, divided the gear, and rode off in opposite directions, the first and only time the Corps would be apart for more than a day. Travelers' Rest State Park, near Lolo, Montana, marks the place where the trail forked in two.
Pompeys Pillar [0.39, 0.76] · Day 804 · Jul 25, 1806
July 25, 1806. Clark's party was floating down the Yellowstone when a tall, lonely sandstone butte rose up out of the prairie. Clark climbed to the top, took out his knife, and carved his name and the date into the soft rock: “Wm Clark July 25 1806.” He named the butte Pompy's Tower, after Sacagawea's baby boy Jean-Baptiste, whom he had nicknamed “Pomp.” Two centuries later, his signature is still there, the only physical evidence on the entire trail that Lewis and Clark really came this way. The butte is now Pompeys Pillar National Monument in Montana, and a small glass case protects the carving from wind and rain.
The Hundred-Mile Ride [0.58, 0.39] · Day 806 · Jul 27, 1806
July 27, 1806. Lewis and three of his best men, Drouillard and the Field brothers, were scouting the upper Marias River in Blackfeet country, far from the rest of the Corps. The night before, they had camped peacefully with a small band of young Blackfeet warriors, smoking and trading. But at first light something went wrong over the Corps' rifles, and within seconds the camp exploded into a scramble. Lewis got his men onto their horses and rode south with no plan except to reach the Missouri before anyone could catch them. They rode all day and all through the night, switching horses, never stopping to sleep, the moon their only map. By the next afternoon they had covered nearly a hundred miles, more than Lewis had ever ridden in his life, and they came over a rise to see the Missouri River, and floating right past them at that exact moment, the canoes of the rest of the Corps. They left the exhausted horses on the bank, jumped in, and were paddling downriver within the hour. The site is marked today on the Two Medicine River in northern Montana, on the Blackfeet Nation.
Reunited [0.71, 0.64] · Day 822 · Aug 12, 1806
August 12, 1806. Five weeks had passed since the Corps split at Travelers' Rest, with a thousand miles of unmapped country between the two halves. Clark's party was drifting east on the Missouri, scanning the riverbanks every day for any sign of Lewis. Lewis's party, finally safe after the Hundred-Mile Ride, was racing downstream behind them. And then one afternoon Clark heard shouting on the water and turned to see Lewis's canoes coming around a bend. The whole Corps was together again, every man accounted for, all the way out here on the great northern river. From this point on they would travel as one party, all the way home. The reunion happened near the modern town of Williston, North Dakota, where the Yellowstone still pours into the Missouri.
Home to St. Louis [0.91, 0.75] · Day 864 · Sep 23, 1806
September 23, 1806. Two years, four months, and ten days after they had left, the Corps of Discovery paddled around the last bend of the Missouri and saw the rooftops of St. Louis ahead. The town had given them up for dead more than a year before. Newspapers back east had printed their obituaries. Now crowds came running down to the riverbank, shouting and cheering, as the sunburned, ragged, bearded men stepped onto the dock. They had traveled more than 8,000 miles. They had crossed a continent and come back. They had met dozens of nations, mapped rivers and mountains no American had ever seen, and brought home journals, plants, animals, and stories that would shape the country for the next two hundred years. Of the thirty-three people who left, every single one came home alive except Sergeant Floyd, who had died on the first summer of the trip. Today the Gateway Arch stands a few hundred yards from the spot where they tied up their canoes for the last time.
Specimens (4)
Clark's Nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana) [0.10, 0.86] BIRD
Clark was the first to scientifically describe this bird during the return crossing of the Rockies in 1806, a gray-and-black mountain corvid with a long, sharp beak. They cache thousands of pine seeds each fall and remember where every cache is months later, even under snow. The species name 'columbiana' marks Clark's collecting location; the common name honors the man himself.
Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana) [0.48, 0.42] BIRD
Lewis described this brilliantly colored bird on the return crossing of the Bitterroots, a flame-orange head over a sunshine-yellow body with black wings. He sketched one in his journal and shipped a specimen east. They migrate every spring from Central America all the way north into the Rockies.
Northern River Otter (Lontra canadensis) [0.54, 0.59] MAMMAL
The Corps spotted them slipping through the Missouri in pairs and family groups, sliding down riverbanks they had polished smooth from repeated trips. Lewis wrote that the men 'often saw the otter at play', one of the few moments in the journals where a wild animal is just enjoying itself, not being measured, hunted, or feared.
Whitebark Pine (Pinus albicaulis) [0.30, 0.77] TREE
A tough mountain tree the Corps saw on the high passes, bent by wind, gnarled, sometimes 1,000 years old. Its seeds feed Clark's nutcrackers (who plant the next forest with every cache they forget), and grizzly bears tear open the cones to feast on the fatty nuts each fall. Whitebark pine still grows in the high Rockies, though it is now threatened by climate change and disease.
Cast (4)
Sacagawea Farewell at the Mandan Villages
Last seen at the Mandan villages, August 1806. Age approximately 18. Her subsequent history is debated, some records suggest she died young, others that she lived to old age on the Wind River Reservation. She received no pay and no land grant for the journey. There are more statues of Sacagawea in the United States today than of any other woman in American history, recognition that came two centuries after it was earned.
"She has born with a patience truly admirable the fatigues of so long a journey."
— Meriwether Lewis on Sacagawea
York Farewell in St. Louis
Last seen in St. Louis, September 1806. York had been a full participant in the expedition, he had voted, hunted, stood guard, paddled, and carried. In St. Louis he asked Clark for his freedom. Clark refused, angered by what he saw as ingratitude. York was returned to slavery. Clark eventually freed him several years later, the exact date is unknown. York disappears from the historical record after that. He had crossed the continent. He had voted before Black Americans were legally permitted to. He died a free man, though history doesn't record where or when.
Seaman Farewell, 8,000 Miles
Last mentioned by name in Lewis's journals in summer 1806, and then disappears from the record. He almost certainly made it all the way home to St. Louis. He had traveled approximately 8,000 miles, crossed the Continental Divide twice, survived grizzly bear attacks, river crossings, mountain crossings, and a Pacific winter. He was with Lewis from the beginning to very nearly the end. History doesn't record what happened to him after the expedition. He deserved a long retirement.
Jean-Baptiste “Pomp” Farewell at the Mandan Villages
Two years old when he says goodbye to most of the Corps at the Mandan villages. He will return to St. Louis as Clark promised, receive an education, and eventually travel to Europe before returning to the American West. He becomes a skilled frontiersman, trapper, and interpreter who speaks four languages. He is the only member of the Corps of Discovery born during the expedition. He lives to 1866, long enough to see the Civil War end and the West he had helped open transformed beyond recognition.
"I will give him the same education that I would do for my own children."
— William Clark to Charbonneau, on adopting Pomp, 1806
Trigger Marker Facts (12)
- On the way home the Corps split into two parties for the first time, to map twice as much country.
- Clark carved his name into a sandstone tower and named it Pompeys Pillar, after baby Pomp.
- Clark's signature on Pompeys Pillar is still there today, the only mark the Corps left on the land itself.
- Lewis and three men once rode nearly a hundred miles in a single day and night to reach the Missouri.
- After five weeks apart, the two halves of the Corps found each other again on the same river.
- Nez Perce guides led the Corps back over the Lolo Trail in just six days, half the time it took going west.
- Clark was the first to describe a clever gray-and-black mountain bird, now called Clark's Nutcracker.
- Clark's Nutcracker can hide thousands of pine seeds and remember where nearly all of them are months later.
- Lewis described the brilliant flame-orange Western Tanager on the journey back through the Rockies.
- The men loved watching river otters slide and play along the banks of the Missouri.
- After two years and four months, the Corps paddled into St. Louis, which had given them up for lost.
- Every member of the Corps made it home except Sergeant Floyd, who had died early in the journey.
Completion EpilogueThe Corps of Discovery is home.
You have traced 8,000 miles of the greatest overland expedition in American history, from Camp Dubois to the Pacific Ocean and back again.
The real journey took 28 months.
Meriwether Lewis. William Clark. Sacagawea. York. Seaman. Jean-Baptiste. Sergeant Floyd. Old Toby. Cameahwait. Watkuweis. Chief Black Cat. Chief Twisted Hair. Chief Coboway. Chief Yelleppit.
They were real people. They crossed a real continent. And now you know their story.
You have traced 8,000 miles of the greatest overland expedition in American history, from Camp Dubois to the Pacific Ocean and back again.
The real journey took 28 months.
Meriwether Lewis. William Clark. Sacagawea. York. Seaman. Jean-Baptiste. Sergeant Floyd. Old Toby. Cameahwait. Watkuweis. Chief Black Cat. Chief Twisted Hair. Chief Coboway. Chief Yelleppit.
They were real people. They crossed a real continent. And now you know their story.
TodayThe Gateway Arch in St. Louis, built where the Corps came home in 1806, is a national park dedicated to America's westward expansion. The full Lewis and Clark Trail spans 4,900 miles across 11 states, and visitor centers along it tell pieces of the story you just lived.
🚂 Transcontinental Railroad
Two crews racing toward the Golden Spike
- Stages
- 6
- Trophy Artifact
- The Golden Spike
Milestones (6)
Stage 1 · The First Rails
Out of Sacramento, toward the mountains
Stage 2 · Carved Cape Horn
A ledge cut by hand above the river
Stage 3 · Through the Summit
Bored the granite tunnel in winter
Stage 4 · Across the Plains
A thousand miles of open country
Stage 5 · The Ten-Mile Day
A record never beaten by hand
Stage 6 · The Golden Spike
DONE, from coast to coast
Stage 1 of 6 · January 8, 1863 · Sacramento
The Dream & the Foothills
Sacramento, where the rails begin
"It will be built, and I am going to have something to do with it."
Theodore Judah, the engineer who dreamed the route
January 8, 1863. Sacramento, California.
You are a young worker on the Central Pacific Railroad. Ahead of you stands a wall of mountains no railroad has ever crossed: the Sierra Nevada.
The plan sounds impossible. Build a railroad east, over those peaks, until it meets another line racing west. Almost nobody believes it can be done.
Lay the first rails out of Sacramento and into the foothills, Explorer. The hardest, bravest work is just ahead.
You are a young worker on the Central Pacific Railroad. Ahead of you stands a wall of mountains no railroad has ever crossed: the Sierra Nevada.
The plan sounds impossible. Build a railroad east, over those peaks, until it meets another line racing west. Almost nobody believes it can be done.
Lay the first rails out of Sacramento and into the foothills, Explorer. The hardest, bravest work is just ahead.
Waypoints (3)
Sacramento Levee [0.24, 0.70]
On January 8, 1863, the very first rail of the Central Pacific went down here by the Sacramento River. A brass band played and the four Sacramento shopkeepers who paid for it made speeches, but almost nobody believed the tracks could ever climb the towering Sierra Nevada and push east to meet the railroad building toward them. The hard part, the mountains, was still ahead.
The Foothills [0.72, 0.51]
Past Roseville the land tilts upward and the easy miles end. From here on, every mile climbs. The crews start out small and hard to keep, until the company takes a chance and hires Chinese workers. They prove so skilled and steady that soon thousands are hired, and everything changes.
Bloomer Cut [0.82, 0.38]
To keep the tracks level, crews sliced a passage about 800 feet long and 60 feet deep straight through rock so hard it wore out their tools. They called it the Great Cut, and dug it almost entirely by hand with picks, shovels, and black blasting powder, one charge at a time. Trains still roll through it more than 150 years later.
Specimens (1)
Surveyor's Transit [0.24, 0.42] TOOL
The tool that found the route through mountains and desert. Surveyors sighted a path gentle enough for a train and staked the line for the crews to follow.
Cast (1)
Theodore "Crazy" Judah Chief Engineer
The brilliant, stubborn engineer who was certain a railroad could climb the Sierra Nevada when almost everyone said it was impossible. He hiked the mountains again and again until he found the one workable path, over what is now Donner Pass, and drew the careful maps to prove it. To pay for it he convinced four Sacramento shopkeepers, the "Big Four," to back the idea. People called him "Crazy Judah" for believing so fiercely. He caught a fever and died in 1863, before the first mountain miles were laid, never seeing the railroad he dreamed, but the tracks climbed his route to the very top.
"It will be built, and I am going to have something to do with it."
— Theodore Judah
Trigger Marker Facts (14)
- 🛤️ The Central Pacific started in Sacramento and built EAST.
- ⛰️ The Sierra Nevada was the biggest obstacle any railroad had ever faced.
- 👷 At its peak, about 9 in 10 Central Pacific workers were Chinese immigrants.
- 🔨 Bloomer Cut was so hard the crews wore out tools faster than they could sharpen them.
- 💡 Engineer Theodore Judah found the route. People called him Crazy Judah.
- 🎺 A brass band played at the groundbreaking in 1863.
- 💰 Four Sacramento shopkeepers, the "Big Four," paid to launch the railroad.
- 🚢 Iron rails sailed all the way around South America to reach California.
- 🧨 Crews blasted through solid rock with black powder, one charge at a time.
- 🤝 The goal was to meet the Union Pacific, building west from Nebraska.
- 🛠️ Every rail was lifted and hammered into place by hand.
- 🌲 Crews cleared thick forest just to make room for the tracks.
- 🗺️ Before the railroad, crossing the country took months by wagon.
- 🏔️ "Sierra Nevada" means "snowy mountain range" in Spanish.
Completion EpilogueThe first rails are down and pointed at the mountains. It seems impossible, a railroad over the Sierra Nevada. But the crews are growing, and the workers who will make it happen are arriving by the thousands.
Theodore Judah dreamed this route and fought to build it. He never saw it finished. But the line climbing into the foothills is his, and the hardest, bravest work is about to begin.
Theodore Judah dreamed this route and fought to build it. He never saw it finished. But the line climbing into the foothills is his, and the hardest, bravest work is about to begin.
TodayYou can see Bloomer Cut near Auburn, California, still in use, and visit the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento, where it all began.
Stage 2 of 6 · Spring 1866 · American River Canyon
Cape Horn
A ledge on the edge of the sky
"Wherever we put them, we found them good, and they worked themselves into our favor to such an extent that if we found we were in a hurry for a job of work, it was better to put Chinese on at once."
Charles Crocker, Central Pacific, testifying to Congress, 1877
Spring 1866. The American River Canyon, high in the Sierra Nevada.
Ahead, the mountain falls away in a sheer cliff high above the river. There is no way around it.
So the crews will do the impossible: carve a shelf for the tracks straight into the rock face, hanging over the drop. The Chinese workers lead the way.
Hold steady, Explorer. This is one of the boldest stretches of the whole railroad.
Ahead, the mountain falls away in a sheer cliff high above the river. There is no way around it.
So the crews will do the impossible: carve a shelf for the tracks straight into the rock face, hanging over the drop. The Chinese workers lead the way.
Hold steady, Explorer. This is one of the boldest stretches of the whole railroad.
Waypoints (3)
Colfax [0.75, 0.69]
A rough little supply town clinging to the mountainside, named for a famous politician of the day. Tools, food, rails, and blasting powder pile up here before the long haul upward. From Colfax the line creeps toward the most frightening stretch of the whole route.
Cape Horn [0.40, 0.75]
Here the cliff drops away far above the river. Chinese crews chipped a ledge just wide enough for a train into the bare rock face, hanging over the drop. Legend says they worked from woven baskets lowered over the edge, historians still debate that part, but the courage was real. Trains still curve around Cape Horn today.
The Canyon Overlook [0.21, 0.62]
From the finished ledge you can see the American River winding far below. Building this one stretch took months of dangerous work on the open cliff face. The crews did what engineers had called impossible, and the tracks held.
Specimens (1)
Blasting Powder Keg [0.45, 0.55] TOOL
Black powder, and risky new nitroglycerin, blew the path through solid rock. Workers set the charges by hand, even on the cliff face at Cape Horn.
Cast (1)
A Chinese Foreman Crew Foreman
When the railroad ran short of workers in 1865, it began hiring Chinese immigrants, most of them from villages in southern China. Some people doubted they were big enough for the job. They proved every doubter wrong, and soon about nine in ten of the mountain crews were Chinese.
They did the hardest, bravest work on the whole line. They cut the famous ledge at Cape Horn into a bare cliff. They hand-drilled and blasted tunnels straight through solid Sierra granite, sometimes gaining only inches a day. Through ferocious winters they kept the line open by living and working in tunnels carved beneath the deep snow.
They were clever as well as tough. They brought their own cooks and boiled their drinking water into tea, which helped keep them healthy. On the record-setting Ten-Mile Day, Chinese crews kept the iron, ties, and spikes flowing in a perfect rhythm so the track could race ahead. In 1867 thousands of them peacefully set down their tools for a week to ask for fairer pay and shorter days.
For almost 150 years their names were left out of the story. We name their courage now, and you can learn more about them at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento.
They did the hardest, bravest work on the whole line. They cut the famous ledge at Cape Horn into a bare cliff. They hand-drilled and blasted tunnels straight through solid Sierra granite, sometimes gaining only inches a day. Through ferocious winters they kept the line open by living and working in tunnels carved beneath the deep snow.
They were clever as well as tough. They brought their own cooks and boiled their drinking water into tea, which helped keep them healthy. On the record-setting Ten-Mile Day, Chinese crews kept the iron, ties, and spikes flowing in a perfect rhythm so the track could race ahead. In 1867 thousands of them peacefully set down their tools for a week to ask for fairer pay and shorter days.
For almost 150 years their names were left out of the story. We name their courage now, and you can learn more about them at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento.
Trigger Marker Facts (6)
- 🧗 At Cape Horn the tracks cling to a ledge high above the American River.
- 🧺 The lowered-in-baskets story is famous, but historians are not sure it really happened.
- 💥 Workers set blasting powder by hand on the cliff face.
- 🇨🇳 Many Chinese workers came from Guangdong, in southern China.
- 🪨 The ledge they carved is still part of the railroad today.
- 🤝 Crews trusted each other with their lives on the cliff.
Completion EpilogueThe tracks cling to the cliff at Cape Horn, a shelf of stone cut by hand, high above the river. It is one of the boldest feats of the whole railroad, and the Chinese workers did it with picks, drills, and steady nerves.
For years their courage went unnamed. We name it now. The line around Cape Horn exists because of them.
For years their courage went unnamed. We name it now. The line around Cape Horn exists because of them.
TodayCape Horn, near Colfax, California, is still part of the working railroad, and you can hike to viewpoints that look out over the ledge the crews carved.
Stage 3 of 6 · Winter 1867 · Donner Summit
The Summit & the Snow
Through granite, under the snow
"No one can face these storms when they are in earnest."
John Gilliss, Central Pacific engineer, on the Sierra winters
Winter 1867. Donner Summit, the High Sierra.
The top of the mountains is solid granite, and buried under snow deeper than houses.
Your crews must bore a tunnel straight through the peak by hand, drilling and blasting just inches a day, and keep working through blizzards that bury everything.
This is the hardest stretch of all, Explorer. Beat the mountain, and it's downhill to the desert.
The top of the mountains is solid granite, and buried under snow deeper than houses.
Your crews must bore a tunnel straight through the peak by hand, drilling and blasting just inches a day, and keep working through blizzards that bury everything.
This is the hardest stretch of all, Explorer. Beat the mountain, and it's downhill to the desert.
Waypoints (4)
Cisco [0.91, 0.91]
The last real town before the summit, nearly 6,000 feet up. Crews and supplies gather here for the final push over the top. Beyond it lies the worst winter any railroad crew ever faced, with snow piled higher than houses.
The Summit Tunnel [0.65, 0.73]
Tunnel No. 6: more than 1,600 feet bored through granite so hard the crews advanced only inches a day, drilling holes by hand and packing them with blasting powder, and later with dangerous new nitroglycerin. They even sank a deep shaft to work from the middle and both ends at the same time. It carried the line over the very crest of the Sierra.
The Snow Sheds [0.44, 0.76]
To keep the line open in winter, crews built nearly 40 miles of wooden tunnels, called snow sheds, roofing the tracks over. Through the worst storms the workers lived and labored under the snow itself, and the trains kept running. Some sheds guarded the line for a hundred years.
Donner Lake Overlook [0.12, 0.78]
From the summit you can see Donner Lake far below, named for an earlier wagon party trapped here by these same brutal winters. The crews beat the mountain that had defeated so many before them, and opened a path others could follow safely.
Specimens (2)
Snow Shed [0.32, 0.77] STRUCTURE
Miles of wooden tunnels that kept the mountain line open all winter. Crews lived and worked under them through the worst storms.
Wooden Tie [0.87, 0.84] TIE
Millions of these crossbeams held the rails, laid one after another, on and on across mountain and desert.
Cast (1)
A Chinese Foreman Crew Foreman
High at the top of the Sierra, Chinese crews bored the Summit Tunnel straight through solid granite, drilling and blasting by hand. To go faster they sank a deep shaft down to the middle and worked outward from four faces at once. The rock was so hard they sometimes gained only about a foot a day. Through one of the fiercest winters anyone could remember, more than 40 storms in a row, they kept working by living in rooms and passages carved beneath the packed snow, with chimneys and air shafts reaching up to the surface. Their endurance and skill carried the railroad over the very top of the mountains, the feat doubters had sworn was impossible.
Trigger Marker Facts (6)
- 🏔️ The Summit Tunnel is more than 1,600 feet of solid granite.
- 🐌 Some weeks the crews dug only a foot or two.
- ❄️ The winter of 1866 to 1867 brought 44 separate storms.
- 🏚️ Workers dug tunnels through the SNOW to reach the tracks.
- 🧨 Crews used both black powder and dangerous new nitroglycerin.
- 🪵 Snow sheds were wooden tunnels that kept the line open all winter.
Completion EpilogueThe tunnel is finished, a hole punched clean through the top of the Sierra Nevada. It took drilling by hand, blast by blast, through the deadliest winter the crews had ever seen.
The mountain that everyone said would stop the railroad has been beaten. From here it is downhill into the desert, and the race is on.
The mountain that everyone said would stop the railroad has been beaten. From here it is downhill into the desert, and the race is on.
TodayYou can hike to the old Summit Tunnel at Donner Pass, California, walk through the granite the crews carved, and visit Donner Memorial State Park nearby.
Stage 4 of 6 · Summer 1866 · Platte River Valley
Across the Plains
A thousand miles of open country
"It is a grand Anvil Chorus that those sturdy sledges are playing across the plains. It is in triple time, three strokes to the spike."
a newspaper correspondent watching the Union Pacific crews, 1866
Summer 1866. The Platte River Valley, Nebraska.
Far to the east, the other railroad, the Union Pacific, races WEST from Omaha across the flat open plains.
The land is easy and the track flies down at a furious pace. But the rails cut straight through homelands where nations have lived for thousands of years.
Build west, Explorer, and remember whose country this is.
Far to the east, the other railroad, the Union Pacific, races WEST from Omaha across the flat open plains.
The land is easy and the track flies down at a furious pace. But the rails cut straight through homelands where nations have lived for thousands of years.
Build west, Explorer, and remember whose country this is.
Waypoints (4)
Omaha [0.88, 0.49]
The Union Pacific's home base on the Missouri River. At first there wasn't even a bridge across the river, so everything arrived by steamboat. From here, crews of Irish immigrants and Civil War veterans, men who had just fought on opposite sides, build west together.
Fort Kearny [0.65, 0.69]
An army fort on the Platte River and a key stop on the old wagon trails west. For years pioneers, stagecoaches, and Pony Express riders all passed this way. Now the railroad follows the same valley the wagons walked, but ten times faster.
Hell on Wheels [0.34, 0.46]
The crews moved so fast that whole towns of tents and shacks rolled along behind them, packed with diners, stores, and trouble. When the tracks moved on, the town packed up and followed. People called these wild traveling towns Hell on Wheels. A few, like Cheyenne, stayed put and grew into real cities.
The Great Plains [0.11, 0.42]
This is the homeland of the Lakota, Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Pawnee, who had lived here for generations. The railroad, and the heavy hunting of the buffalo it brought, changed their world forever. These nations are still here today, keeping their languages and cultures alive on the northern plains.
Specimens (1)
Iron Rail [0.09, 0.69] RAIL
Each rail weighed hundreds of pounds. Crews carried and set them by hand, over and over, all the way across the plains.
Cast (1)
Grenville Dodge Union Pacific Chief Engineer
A tough former Civil War general who ran the Union Pacific's track-laying like a military campaign. He had explored much of the route years earlier as an army surveyor, so he knew the land, and he drove his crews, thousands of Irish immigrants and war veterans, west across the plains at a record pace. Rolling along behind the rails came the wild tent-and-shack towns the workers nicknamed "Hell on Wheels," packing up and leapfrogging ahead every few weeks. Dodge swore the railroad could be built faster than anyone believed, and he proved it. The main rail line still follows much of his route across Nebraska and Wyoming today.
Trigger Marker Facts (6)
- 🚂 The Union Pacific built west from Omaha, Nebraska.
- 🤝 Its crews included Irish immigrants and Civil War veterans from both sides.
- 🏕️ Hell on Wheels towns rolled along behind the tracks.
- 🦬 Huge buffalo herds once covered these plains.
- 🪶 The plains are the homeland of the Lakota, Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Pawnee, still here today.
- ⚡ Crews could lay four rails a minute at full speed.
Completion EpilogueThe Union Pacific has crossed the plains, mile after mile of track laid at a furious pace by crews who had been enemies in war and now built side by side.
But the same tracks cut through homelands that were never empty. The Lakota, Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Pawnee were here long before the railroad, and their descendants are here still. A whole country was being stitched together, and for the people of the plains, a way of life was being torn.
But the same tracks cut through homelands that were never empty. The Lakota, Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Pawnee were here long before the railroad, and their descendants are here still. A whole country was being stitched together, and for the people of the plains, a way of life was being torn.
TodayFort Kearny is now a state historical park in Nebraska, and the nations of the plains run cultural centers and powwows you can visit and learn from today.
Stage 5 of 6 · April 28, 1869 · the Utah desert
The Race to the Finish
Ten miles in a single day
"The scene is a most animated one. From the first pioneer to the last tamper there is a thin line of a thousand men advancing a mile an hour."
a correspondent of the San Francisco Evening Bulletin at the ten-mile day, 1869
April 28, 1869. The Utah desert.
The two railroads are almost touching now, racing across the desert, sometimes grading right past each other.
The Central Pacific crews make a bold bet: that they can lay ten miles of track in a single day. No crew has ever done it.
History is watching, Explorer. Make it count.
The two railroads are almost touching now, racing across the desert, sometimes grading right past each other.
The Central Pacific crews make a bold bet: that they can lay ten miles of track in a single day. No crew has ever done it.
History is watching, Explorer. Make it count.
Waypoints (3)
The Parallel Grades [0.34, 0.99]
Paid by the mile, the two companies refused to stop and graded right past each other in opposite directions, over 200 miles of double, wasted work. Finally Congress stepped in and chose the one spot where they had to meet: Promontory Summit, Utah.
The Ten-Mile Day [0.18, 0.82]
On April 28, 1869, after a boss made a bet it could be done, Central Pacific crews laid 10 miles and 56 feet of track between sunrise and sunset, a record never beaten by hand. Eight Irish rail-handlers set every one of the heavy rails, while Chinese crews kept the iron, ties, and spikes coming in a steady, thundering rhythm.
The Last Miles [0.16, 0.63]
Both crews can see each other's dust now, grading toward the same point from opposite directions. After six years and nearly two thousand miles of track, the end of the great race is finally in sight.
Specimens (1)
Spike Maul [0.42, 0.75] TOOL
The heavy hammer that drove the spikes. Three blows per spike, ten spikes per rail, all day long on the ten-mile day.
Trigger Marker Facts (8)
- 📏 On April 28, 1869, one crew laid more than 10 miles of track in a day.
- 💪 Eight men handled every single rail, about two million pounds of iron.
- 🤝 Chinese and Irish crews built this stretch side by side, in perfect rhythm.
- 💰 Crews were paid by the mile, so they raced.
- 🏁 Congress chose Promontory Summit as the meeting point.
- 🌵 The last stretch crossed the Utah desert.
- 🔩 Each iron rail was 30 feet long and weighed over 500 pounds.
- 🚂 Supply trains rolled right behind the crews, loaded with rails and ties.
Completion EpilogueTen miles of track in a single day, a record that has never been beaten by human hands. It took Irish rail-handlers and Chinese crews moving like one machine, all day, without stopping.
The two railroads are now just a few miles apart. After six years, thousands of workers, mountains and deserts and winters, the meeting is finally at hand.
The two railroads are now just a few miles apart. After six years, thousands of workers, mountains and deserts and winters, the meeting is finally at hand.
TodayThe ten-mile-day site is marked along the Golden Spike National Historical Park auto tour in Utah, where you can drive the old grades.
Stage 6 of 6 · May 10, 1869 · Promontory Summit
Promontory Summit
Done.
"DONE."
the signal telegraphed from Promontory, May 10, 1869
May 10, 1869. Promontory Summit, Utah.
Two locomotives face each other, nose to nose, across one last gap of track.
Lay the final rails and drive the last spike, and a continent that once took months to cross will be joined in a single line of iron.
This is the moment, Explorer. Finish it.
Two locomotives face each other, nose to nose, across one last gap of track.
Lay the final rails and drive the last spike, and a continent that once took months to cross will be joined in a single line of iron.
This is the moment, Explorer. Finish it.
Waypoints (3)
Jupiter & No. 119 [0.58, 0.60]
Two engines roll up to the summit: the Central Pacific's Jupiter from the west and the Union Pacific's No. 119 from the east, pulling up nose to nose. It is the first time the two railroads, and the two halves of the country's tracks, have ever touched.
The Golden Spike [0.17, 0.72]
A spike of gold is set in the last tie. Leland Stanford swings the hammer, and famously misses on the first try. A telegraph wire is tied to the spike so the whole country can hear the blow as it lands. When it does, a single word flashes by telegraph from coast to coast: DONE. Cities erupt in celebration.
The Photograph [0.42, 0.61]
A famous photo is taken to remember the day, two engines nose to nose with crowds of workers cheering. But the Chinese workers who built the hardest, most dangerous miles were left out of the picture. For a long time history forgot them. Today, we make sure they are remembered.
The picture above is the real photograph, taken by Andrew J. Russell on that very day in 1869.
The picture above is the real photograph, taken by Andrew J. Russell on that very day in 1869.
Specimens (4)
The Telegraph Key [0.58, 0.52] TOOL
The wire ran beside the tracks. It carried the word DONE across the whole country the moment the last spike was driven.
Locomotive Jupiter [0.66, 0.54] LOCOMOTIVE
The Central Pacific engine that came from the west to the meeting at Promontory.
Locomotive No. 119 [0.21, 0.84] LOCOMOTIVE
The Union Pacific engine that came from the east to the meeting at Promontory.
The Golden Spike [0.50, 0.90] ARTIFACT
The ceremonial last spike, made of gold, driven and then quickly removed for safekeeping. It joined the two railroads, and a whole country.
Cast (2)
Leland Stanford Central Pacific President
President of the Central Pacific and one of its "Big Four" owners, along with Collis Huntington, Mark Hopkins, and Charles Crocker, four Sacramento shopkeepers who gambled everything on Judah's dream. Stanford swung the hammer at the golden spike ceremony and famously missed the spike on his very first try. The owners grew enormously rich, while the crews who did the real work were paid little and often left out of the story. Years later, after his young son died, Stanford used part of his fortune to build a university in the boy's memory, Stanford University in California, still one of the most famous schools in the world.
Jupiter & No. 119 The Two Engines
The Central Pacific's Jupiter steamed in from the west; the Union Pacific's No. 119 rolled in from the east. On May 10, 1869, at Promontory Summit, they pulled up nose to nose, the first time the two railroads ever touched. Jupiter burned wood and No. 119 burned coal, so even the smoke from their stacks looked different. The famous photograph, with workers crowded on both engines and two men reaching across to share a bottle, was taken right between them. The originals are long gone, but gleaming working replicas steam up and meet at that very spot today, at Golden Spike National Historical Park in Utah, which you can visit.
Trigger Marker Facts (10)
- 🌟 The last spike was made of gold.
- 🚂 Jupiter (west) and No. 119 (east) met at Promontory.
- ⚡ One word, DONE, was telegraphed across the whole country.
- 🔨 Leland Stanford missed the spike on his first swing.
- 📷 The Chinese workers were left out of the famous photo.
- 🎉 Cities across America celebrated the same day.
- 🌲 The last tie was made of polished California laurel wood.
- 🔔 When the signal came, bells rang out from coast to coast.
- 🚂 Jupiter burned wood. No. 119 burned coal. Even their smoke looked different.
- 💰 The golden spike was pulled right back out for safekeeping.
Completion EpilogueDONE. After six years, two thousand miles, and the work of tens of thousands of hands, the Transcontinental Railroad is finished. A journey that once took months now takes days. The country is joined.
The golden spike and the famous photo got the glory, but the railroad was built by the workers: the Chinese crews who blasted the Sierra, and the Irish, the veterans, and the graders who raced across the plains and desert. This is their achievement. Remember their names, and the ones we never learned.
You earned the Golden Spike.
The golden spike and the famous photo got the glory, but the railroad was built by the workers: the Chinese crews who blasted the Sierra, and the Irish, the veterans, and the graders who raced across the plains and desert. This is their achievement. Remember their names, and the ones we never learned.
You earned the Golden Spike.
TodayGolden Spike National Historical Park in Utah has working replicas of Jupiter and No. 119, reenacts the ceremony, and now tells the story of the Chinese workers who built it.
Alabama (AL)
The Heart of Dixie
- Capital
- Montgomery
- Statehood
- December 14, 1819 (22nd state to join the Union)
- Population
- 5,157,699 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 52,420 square miles
- Highest Point
- Cheaha Mountain at 2,413 feet
- Famous Landmark
- USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
Overview
Step into Alabama, the Heart of Dixie! This southern gem stretches from the Appalachian foothills in the north down to the white sand beaches of the Gulf Coast. Alabama's landscape is as varied as its history: thick forests, fertile farmland, and winding rivers connect bustling cities like Birmingham and Huntsville with quiet countryside towns.
Alabama played a starring role in the American Civil Rights Movement. Montgomery, the state capital, is where Rosa Parks sparked the famous bus boycott and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led the march for equality. In Huntsville, NASA's rockets were built at the Marshall Space Flight Center, earning the city its nickname 'Rocket City.'
Music runs deep here too, from the blues of the Tennessee Valley to the legendary recording studios of Muscle Shoals, where artists like Aretha Franklin and The Rolling Stones came to capture a sound they couldn't find anywhere else. Whether you're exploring ancient Native American mounds or cheering on college football, Alabama is a state where history and heart come together.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Bird [0.56, 0.33]
Yellowhammer
Alabama's state bird is the Northern Flicker woodpecker, nicknamed the "Yellowhammer" for the flash of bright yellow under its wings when it flies. The nickname goes back to the Civil War. Soldiers from Huntsville showed up in uniforms trimmed with yellow, so everyone called them the Yellowhammer Company. The name stuck to the whole state!
Saltwater Fish [0.43, 0.46]
Tarpon
The Tarpon is Alabama's official state saltwater fish. This giant silver fish can grow eight feet long and weigh over 280 pounds! Tarpon are nicknamed "silver kings" for their shiny, mirror-like scales. When one gets hooked on a fishing line, it leaps completely out of the water, sometimes higher than a person.
Flower [0.65, 0.57]
Camellia
The Camellia became Alabama's state flower in 1959, replacing the goldenrod. Originally brought from Asia by explorers, camellias thrive in Alabama's mild winters and bloom in every color from pure white to deep crimson. The city of Mobile holds one of the country's oldest camellia shows, dating back to 1935.
Fruit [0.49, 0.61]
Blackberry
The blackberry became Alabama's state fruit in 2004. These wild berries grow all over the state, along roadsides, forest edges, and farms. Native Americans used blackberries for food, medicine, and dye long before settlers arrived. Here's a clever trick: early settlers planted thorny blackberry vines as natural fences!
Tree [0.38, 0.73]
Longleaf Pine
The Longleaf Pine became Alabama's state tree in 1997. These amazing trees can live 300 to 500 years. They once covered 90 million acres across the South. Today only a tiny slice of that old forest is left. A longleaf pine forest is home to more than 900 kinds of plants. That's more variety than almost anywhere else in North America!
Landmarks (6 total)
🚀 US Space & Rocket Center Huntsville [0.55, 0.29] Attraction
The US Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville is home to Space Camp, where kids train like real astronauts. Huntsville earned the nickname 'Rocket City' because NASA's Saturn V moon rockets were built here.
Fun fact: Space Camp has trained over 1 million kids since 1982, including several who grew up to become real astronauts!
🎸 Muscle Shoals Music Capital of the World [0.42, 0.28] Cultural
Tiny Muscle Shoals, Alabama became world-famous for its recording studios. FAME Studios and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio produced hit records for Aretha Franklin, The Rolling Stones, and many more.
Fun fact: The 'Muscle Shoals sound' was so special that British rock stars flew across the Atlantic just to record in this small Alabama town!
🏛️ Birmingham The Magic City [0.50, 0.47] Historic
Birmingham played a central role in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Today, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute preserves this powerful history. The city is also home to Vulcan, the world's largest cast-iron statue.
Fun fact: The Vulcan statue is 56 feet tall and stands on top of Red Mountain. He's been watching over Birmingham since 1904!
⭐ Montgomery State Capital [0.55, 0.57] Capital
Montgomery is Alabama's capital and the birthplace of the modern Civil Rights Movement. In 1955, Rosa Parks' brave refusal to give up her bus seat here sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Fun fact: Montgomery was actually the very first capital of the Confederate States, but today it's celebrated as the place where the fight for equality began!
✈️ Tuskegee Home of the Airmen [0.60, 0.58] Historic
Tuskegee is famous for the Tuskegee Airmen, the first Black military pilots in U.S. history. They trained at Tuskegee Army Airfield during World War II and became one of the most decorated fighter groups in the war.
Fun fact: The Tuskegee Airmen flew fighter planes with bright red tails. Their job was to protect big bomber planes over Europe. They were so good at it that bomber crews asked for the Red Tails by name!
🎭 Mobile Port City [0.37, 0.77] Cultural
Mobile is a port city on the Gulf Coast and home to the original Mardi Gras celebration in America, even older than New Orleans! The USS Alabama battleship is permanently docked here as a floating museum.
Fun fact: Mobile's Mardi Gras dates back to 1703, a full 15 years before New Orleans even existed as a city!
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
Which famous author and activist, who was both deaf and blind, was born in Tuscumbia, Alabama in 1880?
Helen Keller was born in Tuscumbia, Alabama. She lost her sight and hearing as a baby but learned to read, write, and speak with help from her teacher Anne Sullivan. Helen Keller is featured on the Alabama state quarter.
Standard
What is the official state bird of Alabama?
The Yellowhammer (a type of woodpecker) was adopted as Alabama's state bird in 1927 and is also a nickname for Alabama Civil War soldiers.
Standard
Which famous landmark is located in Alabama?
The USS Alabama served in World War II and is now a museum ship in Mobile Bay that you can actually walk through!
Standard
What is Alabama's state flower?
The Camellia was designated Alabama's state flower in 1959. Its beautiful blooms appear in winter and early spring.
Standard
Rosa Parks made a famous act of bravery on a bus in which Alabama city?
In 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery city bus, sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott and helping launch the Civil Rights Movement.
Standard
Which space center is located in Huntsville, Alabama?
The US Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville is home to Space Camp, where kids can train like real astronauts!
Standard
What is the highest point in Alabama?
Cheaha Mountain stands 2,413 feet tall and sits inside Cheaha State Park, the oldest state park in Alabama.
Standard
Alabama was the 22nd state to join the Union. In what year did it become a state?
Alabama became the 22nd state on December 14, 1819. Its name likely comes from a Native American tribe that once lived in the region.
Standard
What is Alabama's nickname?
Alabama is called 'The Heart of Dixie' because it sits right in the middle of the Deep South, truly the heart of the region.
Standard
True or False: The tiny town of Muscle Shoals, Alabama became world-famous for its recording studios.
FAME Studios and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio attracted legendary artists like Aretha Franklin and The Rolling Stones to record in this small Alabama town.
Standard
What were the Tuskegee Airmen famous for?
The Tuskegee Airmen trained at Tuskegee Army Airfield during WWII and became one of the most decorated fighter groups in the war.
Standard
True or False: Mobile, Alabama is home to the oldest Mardi Gras celebration in America, even older than New Orleans.
Mobile's Mardi Gras dates back to 1703, a full 15 years before New Orleans even existed as a city!
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
What is the name of the world's largest cast-iron statue, located in Birmingham?
The Vulcan statue is 56 feet tall and stands on top of Red Mountain, he's been watching over Birmingham since 1904!
Bonus Round
True or False: Space Camp in Huntsville has trained over 1 million kids since it opened in 1982.
Over 1 million kids have attended Space Camp, and several of them grew up to become real astronauts!
Bonus Round
Which Alabama city is known as 'Rocket City' because NASA's Saturn V moon rockets were built there?
Huntsville earned the nickname 'Rocket City' because NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center built the rockets that took astronauts to the moon.
Bonus Round
How many missions did the Tuskegee Airmen fly during World War II?
The Tuskegee Airmen flew over 15,000 missions and earned more than 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses, proving courage knows no color!
Did You Know? (15 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 About 5 million people live in Alabama.
- 🚀 NASA's rockets are built at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville.
- 🚌 Rosa Parks sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955.
- 🎵 Muscle Shoals studios recorded artists like Aretha Franklin and the Stones.
- 🏈 Alabama is famous for its passionate college football culture.
- 🌳 Alabama is one of the most biodiverse states east of the Mississippi.
- 📅 Alabama became the 22nd state on December 14, 1819.
- 🐦 The Yellowhammer is Alabama's state bird and statewide nickname.
- 🌺 The Camellia is the state flower of Alabama.
- 🏞️ Cheaha Mountain at 2,413 feet is Alabama's highest point.
- ⚓ The USS Alabama Battleship sits in Mobile Bay as a memorial park.
- 🚂 Birmingham was nicknamed the 'Magic City' for its rapid steel-era growth.
- 🎺 The Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame is in Birmingham.
- 🏛️ Montgomery has been Alabama's capital since 1846.
- ✍️ Helen Keller, the famous deaf and blind author, was born in Tuscumbia, Alabama in 1880.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- The first 911 call in the US was made in Haleyville, Alabama in 1968!
- Windshield wipers were invented by an Alabama native, Mary Anderson.
- Mobile, Alabama has the oldest Mardi Gras celebration in the US, older than New Orleans!
- Alabama's Muscle Shoals studios recorded hits for Aretha Franklin, The Rolling Stones, and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
- The Saturn V rocket that took astronauts to the moon was built in Huntsville, Alabama.
- Alabama has over 77,000 miles of rivers and streams, more than almost any other state.
- The Vulcan statue in Birmingham is the largest cast-iron statue in the world.
- Harper Lee, author of 'To Kill a Mockingbird,' was born in Monroeville, Alabama.
- Alabama was the first state to declare Christmas a legal holiday in 1836.
- The Tuskegee Airmen, the first Black military pilots, trained at Tuskegee Army Air Field.
- Helen Keller was born in Tuscumbia, Alabama in 1880.
- Hank Aaron, who broke Babe Ruth's home run record, was born in Mobile, Alabama.
- Alabama produces more catfish than any state except Mississippi.
- The world's largest office chair is in Anniston, Alabama, it's 33 feet tall!
- Conecuh sausage is so beloved in Alabama it's practically the unofficial state food.
Fun Fact
Alabama is historically significant for its role in the American Civil Rights Movement, particularly in the city of Montgomery, where Rosa Parks famously refused to give up her seat on a bus in 1955. This act of defiance became a pivotal event in the movement and led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which was crucial in the fight against racial segregation in the United States.
Alaska (AK)
The Last Frontier
- Capital
- Juneau
- Statehood
- January 3, 1959 (49th state to join the Union)
- Population
- 740,133 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 663,267 square miles
- Highest Point
- Denali (Mount McKinley) at 20,310 feet
Overview
Pack your bags for Alaska, the Last Frontier! This massive state is more than twice the size of Texas and is filled with some of the wildest, most untouched wilderness on Earth. Towering glaciers, volcanic peaks, vast tundra, and dense rainforests make Alaska a land of extremes.
Denali, the tallest mountain in North America at 20,310 feet, dominates the interior, while the northern Arctic coast is home to polar bears and the magical Northern Lights. Grizzly bears fish for salmon in rushing rivers, humpback whales breach in icy fjords, and bald eagles soar overhead.
Alaska's history is rich too: it was purchased from Russia in 1867 for just $7.2 million (about 2 cents per acre!), a deal many called 'Seward's Folly.' Today, Alaskans embrace a rugged, independent way of life. The capital, Juneau, can only be reached by plane or boat, and many communities rely on bush planes and dog sleds to get around. From the midnight sun of summer to the long polar nights of winter, Alaska is truly like nowhere else.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Fossil [0.57, 0.24]
Woolly Mammoth
Alaska's state fossil is the Woolly Mammoth. Frozen mammoths have been found in Alaska's icy ground, so well-preserved that scientists found ancient plants still in their stomachs! Some scientists are even studying mammoth DNA and dreaming of bringing the species back one day. Alaska has some of the best-preserved Ice Age fossils in the world.
Flower [0.43, 0.21]
Forget-Me-Not
The alpine Forget-Me-Not has been Alaska's state flower since 1917, even before Alaska became a state. Its tiny five-petaled blue blossoms bloom across the tundra and mountain meadows each summer. The flower was chosen to symbolize the memory of pioneers and the hope that Alaska's natural beauty would never be forgotten.
Marine Mammal [0.31, 0.62]
Bowhead Whale
The bowhead whale is Alaska's state marine mammal. This Arctic giant can grow over 60 feet long and weigh up to 200,000 pounds! Bowheads may be the longest-living mammals on Earth: some are thought to be over 200 years old. They use their huge, curved heads to smash breathing holes through sea ice two feet thick. The Iñupiat people of Alaska have hunted bowhead whales for thousands of years. The whale is a treasured part of their way of life.
Mythical Creature [0.63, 0.47]
Tizheruk
The Tizheruk is a sea serpent from Inuit legend. Stories describe a huge snake-like creature with a big head that sneaks up near icy shores and riverbanks. Coastal Alaskan villages have told Tizheruk tales for centuries. The stories say it appears in late summer, when the sea ice melts away and the water turns dark and deep.
Dog [0.34, 0.30]
Alaskan Malamute
The Alaskan Malamute is one of the oldest Arctic sled dog breeds. The Mahlemut Inuit people of Alaska raised them to haul heavy loads across the frozen land. Siberian Huskies are faster, but Malamutes are the strong ones: a team can pull over a thousand pounds of supplies! Their thick double coat keeps them warm even at 60 below zero, and their wide, snowshoe-like paws keep them from sinking in deep snow.
Landmarks (6 total)
🏔️ Juneau State Capital [0.81, 0.59] Capital
Juneau is Alaska's capital city, tucked between mountains and the sea in the southeast panhandle. It's the only U.S. state capital that can't be reached by road. You have to fly or take a boat to get there!
Fun fact: Juneau is bigger in area than the entire state of Rhode Island, but only about 30,000 people live there!
🏙️ Anchorage Alaska's Biggest City [0.49, 0.53] City
Anchorage is home to nearly half of all Alaskans. Sitting on Cook Inlet with the Chugach Mountains as a backdrop, it's the starting point for adventures across the state and host of the famous Iditarod sled dog race.
Fun fact: Moose wander through Anchorage neighborhoods so often that the city has official 'moose crossing' warning signs!
⛰️ Denali The Great One [0.45, 0.48] Nature
Denali is the tallest mountain in North America at 20,310 feet. Its name means 'the great one' in the native Athabascan language. Denali National Park surrounding it covers 6 million acres of wild Alaskan wilderness.
Fun fact: Denali is so massive it creates its own weather! Near the summit, climbers can face 100 mph winds and temperatures of 40 below zero.
🐻❄️ Polar Bears Arctic Coast [0.35, 0.19] Nature
Alaska's Arctic coast is one of the best places in the world to spot polar bears. They are the biggest meat-eating animals that walk on land! Thick fur and massive paws make them perfectly built for life on the sea ice.
Fun fact: Surprise: polar bear fur isn't actually white! Each hair is hollow and transparent. It only looks white because it reflects light, just like snow does.
🐻 Grizzly Bears Katmai Wilderness [0.27, 0.55] Nature
Southwest Alaska is grizzly bear country. At Katmai National Park, brown bears gather by the dozens at Brooks Falls to catch salmon leaping upstream. It's one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on Earth.
Fun fact: Before hibernation, an Alaskan brown bear can eat up to 90 pounds of food per day. That's like eating 360 hamburgers!
🌌 Fairbanks Golden Heart City [0.55, 0.40] City
Fairbanks sits deep in Alaska's interior and is one of the best places on Earth to see the Northern Lights. In summer, the sun barely sets, giving Fairbanks almost 24 hours of daylight around the solstice!
Fun fact: In winter, Fairbanks gets so cold that if you toss a cup of boiling water into the air, it instantly turns into a cloud of ice crystals!
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
What is the capital city of Alaska?
Juneau is Alaska's capital and can only be reached by plane or boat, there are no roads connecting it to the rest of Alaska!
Standard
What is the tallest mountain in North America, located in Alaska?
Denali stands 20,310 feet tall and is the highest peak in North America. Its name means 'the great one' in the Athabascan language. It was officially called Mount McKinley until 2015.
Standard
What is Alaska's state flower?
The Forget-Me-Not is Alaska's state flower. The tiny blue flowers grow wild across meadows and hillsides throughout the state.
Standard
Alaska is the largest state in the US. About how many times bigger is it than Texas?
Alaska is about 2.5 times the size of Texas. At 663,267 square miles, it is by far the largest state in the United States.
Standard
Which country did the United States buy Alaska from in 1867?
The US bought Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million, about 2 cents per acre! Many people called it 'Seward's Folly' at the time, thinking it was a bad deal.
Standard
What amazing natural light show can sometimes be seen in Alaska's night sky?
The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) create colorful ribbons of green, pink, and purple light in Alaska's sky. They are caused by particles from the sun hitting Earth's atmosphere.
Standard
What nickname is Alaska known by?
Alaska is called 'The Last Frontier' because it was the last major area of North America to be settled and explored by Americans.
Standard
Which ocean touches Alaska's northern coast?
Alaska's northern coast borders the Arctic Ocean, and its western coast reaches toward the Bering Sea. Alaska touches both the Pacific and Arctic oceans!
Standard
True or False: You can drive to Juneau, Alaska's capital, on a highway from the rest of the state.
False! Juneau can only be reached by plane or boat, no roads connect it to the rest of Alaska. It still covers about 3,255 square miles, more land than the entire state of Rhode Island!
Standard
Which famous sled dog race starts in Anchorage, Alaska each year?
The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race covers about 1,000 miles from Anchorage to Nome and is one of the most famous races in the world.
Standard
True or False: Polar bear fur is actually transparent, not white, it just looks white because it reflects light.
Each polar bear hair is hollow and transparent. It looks white because it reflects light, just like snow does.
Standard
What does the name 'Denali' mean in the native Athabascan language?
Denali means 'the great one' in the Athabascan language, a fitting name for the tallest mountain in all of North America!
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
How much did the US pay per acre when it purchased Alaska from Russia?
At $7.2 million for 663,267 square miles, the US paid roughly 2 cents per acre, one of the greatest bargains in history!
Bonus Round
True or False: In Fairbanks, Alaska, boiling water thrown into the air instantly turns into ice crystals during winter.
Fairbanks gets so cold in winter that boiling water flash-freezes into a cloud of ice crystals when tossed into the air!
Bonus Round
About how many acres does Denali National Park cover?
Denali National Park covers a staggering 6 million acres of wild Alaskan wilderness, bigger than the state of New Hampshire!
Bonus Round
Before hibernation, about how many pounds of food can an Alaskan brown bear eat per day?
An Alaskan brown bear can eat up to 90 pounds of food per day before hibernation, that's like eating 360 hamburgers!
Did You Know? (14 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 Alaska is the largest U.S. state, about 2.5 times bigger than Texas!
- 🏔️ Denali at 20,310 feet is the tallest mountain in North America.
- 🐻 More grizzly bears live in Alaska than in the rest of the U.S. combined.
- ❄️ The town of Utqiagvik (formerly Barrow) has about 65 days of darkness each winter.
- 🌅 Alaska has 17 of the 20 highest peaks in the United States.
- 🇷🇺 The U.S. bought Alaska from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million.
- 📅 Alaska became the 49th state on January 3, 1959.
- 🐟 Alaska produces over 60% of all wild salmon caught in the U.S.
- 🌊 Alaska has more coastline than all other states combined.
- 🛷 The Iditarod sled dog race covers about 1,000 miles every March.
- 🏛️ Juneau, the capital, can only be reached by boat or plane.
- 🌌 Alaska is one of the best places on Earth to see the northern lights.
- 🏞️ Alaska contains 17 national parks and preserves.
- 🦅 The bald eagle is far more common in Alaska than anywhere else.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- Alaska has more than 3 million lakes!
- There's a town called North Pole where streets have holiday names.
- Alaska has more coastline than all other US states combined!
- Utqiagvik (formerly Barrow) gets about 82 straight days of sunlight each summer.
- Alaska has over 100,000 glaciers, more than the rest of the US combined.
- The Northern Lights are visible about 243 days a year in Fairbanks.
- Alaska's flag was designed by a 13-year-old boy named Benny Benson.
- There are no roads connecting most Alaskan towns, you fly or boat everywhere.
- Alaska produces more wild-caught seafood than any other state.
- The state's name comes from the Aleut word 'Alyeska,' meaning 'great land.'
- Alaska has an annual festival where people race outhouses on wheels!
- One-third of Alaska lies within the Arctic Circle.
- Earthquakes are so common in Alaska, it averages about 1,000 per month!
- Dog mushing is the official state sport.
- Alaska has more bald eagles than all other states combined!
Fun Fact
Alaska is home to the highest peak in North America. Denali, also known as Mount McKinley, stands at 20,310 feet and is a major attraction for climbers and outdoor enthusiasts from around the world.
Arizona (AZ)
The Grand Canyon State
- Capital
- Phoenix
- Statehood
- February 14, 1912 (48th state to join the Union)
- Population
- 7,582,384 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 113,990 square miles
- Highest Point
- Humphreys Peak at 12,637 feet
- Famous Landmark
- Grand Canyon National Park
Overview
Welcome to Arizona, the Grand Canyon State! Stretching across the American Southwest, Arizona is a land of dramatic contrasts, from scorching desert valleys to cool pine-covered mountains. The crown jewel is the Grand Canyon, a mile-deep gorge carved by the Colorado River over millions of years that draws visitors from every corner of the globe.
Arizona's deserts are anything but empty. Towering saguaro cacti stand like silent sentinels across the Sonoran Desert, some growing over 40 feet tall and living for 150 years or more. The Painted Desert and Petrified Forest showcase ancient landscapes where fossilized trees have turned to colorful stone over thousands of centuries.
Long before Arizona became a state in 1912, it was home to Native American peoples whose history stretches back thousands of years. The Hopi village of Oraibi is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in all of North America. Today, Arizona's culture is a vibrant blend of Native American, Mexican, and Western frontier traditions, making it one of the most unique and fascinating states to explore.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Bird [0.65, 0.68]
Cactus Wren
The Cactus Wren is the largest wren in North America. It builds its football-shaped nest right inside the spines of a saguaro or cholla cactus. Smart move: no predator can reach the eggs without getting stabbed! This bird almost never drinks water. It gets all it needs from the insects and fruit it eats. Its loud, chattering call sounds like a car engine trying to start.
Flower [0.48, 0.69]
Saguaro Cactus
The Saguaro's creamy white blossom is Arizona's state flower. It blooms only at night, and each flower lasts less than 24 hours! The cactus itself is a slow-motion skyscraper: it takes 75 years to grow its first arm and can live 200 years, reaching 40 feet tall. After a good rain, a saguaro can weigh over a ton. Almost all of that weight is stored water!
Neckwear [0.26, 0.42]
Bolo Tie
In 1971, Arizona became the first state ever to pick an official state neckwear: the bolo tie. Legend says an Arizonan named Victor Cedarstaff invented it by accident in the 1940s. The wind blew off his hat, so he hung its silver band around his neck. People loved his new "necktie"! New Mexico, Texas, and Wyoming later made the bolo their state neckwear too.
Tree [0.35, 0.58]
Palo Verde
Palo Verde means "green stick" in Spanish. Here's its trick: the bark itself is green, so the tree can make food from sunlight even after it drops all its leaves in dry weather. Arizona has two kinds, the Blue Palo Verde and the Foothill Palo Verde. Every spring they explode with bright yellow blooms, turning the Sonoran Desert into a golden sea.
Local Legend [0.59, 0.61]
Mogollon Monster
The Mogollon Monster is Arizona's very own Bigfoot. This tall, hairy, ape-like creature is said to roam the Mogollon Rim, a 200-mile wall of cliffs across central Arizona. Sightings go back to the early 1900s. Witnesses describe a 7-foot-tall figure covered in dark hair, moving silently through the pine forests. With its deep canyons and thick woods, the Rim would make a pretty good hiding spot for a giant mystery creature!
Landmarks (6 total)
🏜️ Grand Canyon Natural Wonder [0.41, 0.33] Nature
The Grand Canyon is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. It's over a mile deep, up to 18 miles wide, and 277 miles long. The Colorado River carved it over roughly 6 million years, exposing rocks nearly 2 billion years old.
Fun fact: If you stacked 4 Empire State Buildings on top of each other, they still wouldn't reach from the bottom of the Grand Canyon to the rim!
🪨 Monument Valley Navajo Nation [0.62, 0.25] Nature
Monument Valley sits within the Navajo Nation and features towering sandstone buttes that rise hundreds of feet from the desert floor. Its dramatic landscape has appeared in countless movies, from old westerns to modern blockbusters.
Fun fact: The famous 'mittens' buttes in Monument Valley are about 1,000 feet tall. That's taller than the Eiffel Tower!
🔭 Flagstaff Mountain Town [0.50, 0.41] City
Flagstaff sits at 7,000 feet in the mountains of northern Arizona and is home to Lowell Observatory, where Pluto was discovered in 1930. It was the world's first International Dark Sky City, perfect for stargazing.
Fun fact: Flagstaff gets about 100 inches of snow each year, in the middle of the desert state! Its mountain elevation keeps things cool and snowy.
🎨 Sedona Red Rock Country [0.49, 0.45] Nature
Sedona is famous for its stunning red sandstone formations that glow brilliant orange and red at sunrise and sunset. The town is surrounded by nearly 2 million acres of national forest and is a world-famous destination for hiking and art.
Fun fact: Sedona's red rocks get their color from iron oxide in the sandstone. That's rust! The whole landscape is basically painted with nature's rust.
☀️ Phoenix State Capital [0.47, 0.59] Capital
Phoenix is Arizona's capital and the fifth-largest city in the United States. Named after the mythical bird that rises from ashes, it was built on the ruins of an ancient Hohokam canal system that irrigated the desert over 1,000 years ago.
Fun fact: Phoenix gets so hot that sometimes planes can't take off from the airport! When it hits 120°F, the air becomes too thin for some aircraft to fly.
🌵 Tucson Old Pueblo [0.56, 0.71] City
Tucson is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in North America, with over 4,000 years of human history. It's home to Saguaro National Park, where thousands of giant saguaro cacti dot the landscape like silent sentinels.
Fun fact: A saguaro cactus doesn't even grow its first arm until it's about 75 years old. Some of the biggest ones in Tucson are over 200 years old!
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
What is the capital city of Arizona?
Phoenix is Arizona's capital and largest city. Its name refers to the mythical bird that rises from the ashes, fitting, since it was built on an ancient Hohokam settlement.
Standard
What is the official state bird of Arizona?
The Cactus Wren is the largest wren in the United States and loves to build its nest inside thorny cactus plants for protection.
Standard
Which famous natural landmark is located in Arizona?
The Grand Canyon is over a mile deep and up to 18 miles wide! The Colorado River carved it over millions of years.
Standard
What is Arizona's state flower?
The white blossom of the Saguaro Cactus is Arizona's state flower. Saguaro cacti can grow up to 40 feet tall and live for 150 years!
Standard
What is the name of Arizona's nickname?
Arizona is called 'The Grand Canyon State' because the Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, is located there.
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Which Native American people built cliff dwellings that you can still visit in Arizona?
The Ancestral Puebloans built amazing cliff dwellings in Arizona over 700 years ago. You can visit them today at places like Canyon de Chelly National Monument.
Standard
Which Arizona city is famous for its red rock formations and art galleries?
Sedona is famous for its stunning red sandstone rock formations and is considered one of the most beautiful places in the American Southwest.
Standard
Arizona became a US state in 1912. What number state was it?
Arizona was the 48th state to join the Union, becoming a state on February 14, 1912, Valentine's Day! It was one of the last of the contiguous 48 states.
Standard
What is the highest point in Arizona?
Humphreys Peak stands at 12,637 feet and is located near Flagstaff in the San Francisco Peaks, a surprising mountain paradise in the desert state.
Standard
True or False: The Hopi village of Oraibi has been continuously inhabited since the year 1500 AD.
False! Oraibi has been continuously inhabited since at least 1100 AD, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in North America.
Standard
Which river carved the Grand Canyon over millions of years?
The Colorado River carved the Grand Canyon over roughly 6 million years, exposing rocks nearly 2 billion years old.
Standard
True or False: Flagstaff, Arizona gets about 100 inches of snow each year despite being in a desert state.
At 7,000 feet elevation in the mountains, Flagstaff stays cool and snowy, a surprising contrast to Arizona's desert image.
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
What was discovered at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona in 1930?
Pluto was discovered at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff in 1930. Flagstaff was later named the world's first International Dark Sky City!
Bonus Round
True or False: Phoenix is sometimes so hot that planes can't take off from the airport.
When temperatures hit 120°F, the air becomes too thin for some aircraft to generate enough lift to take off!
Bonus Round
What gives Sedona's red rocks their striking color?
Sedona's rocks get their famous red color from iron oxide, basically natural rust, in the sandstone!
Bonus Round
How old are the oldest rocks exposed at the bottom of the Grand Canyon?
The oldest rocks at the bottom of the Grand Canyon are nearly 2 billion years old, almost half the age of Earth itself!
Did You Know? (14 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 Arizona has over 7 million residents.
- 🏞️ The Grand Canyon stretches 277 miles across northern Arizona.
- ☀️ Arizona is one of the sunniest places in America.
- 🌵 The saguaro cactus only grows in the Sonoran Desert.
- 🏛️ Phoenix is the largest state capital in the U.S. by population.
- 📅 Arizona became the 48th state on February 14, 1912.
- 🌅 Arizona has 22 federally recognized Native American tribes.
- 🪨 Meteor Crater near Winslow is the best-preserved impact crater on Earth.
- 🌉 The original London Bridge was rebuilt in Lake Havasu City.
- ❄️ Arizona has ski resorts in Flagstaff, despite its desert reputation.
- 🦂 Arizona is home to over 30 species of scorpions.
- 🎬 Many classic Western movies were filmed in Monument Valley.
- 🤠 Tombstone was the site of the 1881 Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.
- 🌡️ Lake Havasu City often holds the highest U.S. temperature in summer.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- Arizona gets over 300 days of sunshine per year!
- The London Bridge was moved to Lake Havasu City in 1971.
- Meteor Crater near Flagstaff is 50,000 years old and almost a mile wide!
- Arizona is home to one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
- Tombstone's O.K. Corral gunfight lasted only 30 seconds!
- Arizona doesn't observe daylight saving time, except the Navajo Nation.
- The world's largest solar telescope is at Kitt Peak near Tucson.
- Arizona has more species of hummingbirds than any other US state!
- Petrified Forest National Park has trees turned to stone over 200 million years ago.
- The Arizona bark scorpion is the most venomous scorpion in North America.
- Arizona produces more copper than any other state.
- Havasu Falls inside the Grand Canyon is one of the most photographed waterfalls in the world.
- Route 66 passes through Arizona for over 400 miles!
- The saguaro cactus can live over 150 years and weigh over 6 tons.
- Horseshoe Bend near Page became Instagram-famous and now gets 2 million visitors a year!
Fun Fact
Arizona is home to one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the United States. The village of Oraibi, established by the Hopi tribe, has been continuously inhabited since at least the year 1100 AD.
Arkansas (AR)
The Natural State
- Capital
- Little Rock
- Statehood
- June 15, 1836 (25th state to join the Union)
- Population
- 3,088,354 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 53,179 square miles
- Highest Point
- Mount Magazine at 2,753 feet
- Famous Landmark
- Hot Springs National Park
Overview
Say hello to Arkansas, the Natural State! Tucked in the south-central United States, Arkansas is packed with beautiful scenery that lives up to its nickname. Rolling green hills, misty mountain ridges, sparkling lakes, and winding rivers create a paradise for anyone who loves the outdoors.
The Ozark Mountains in the northwest are some of the oldest highlands in North America, filled with caves, waterfalls, and hiking trails. Down south, the flat Delta farmland stretches toward the Mississippi River, where the soil is so rich that Arkansas became one of the top rice-producing states in the country. Hot Springs National Park, right in the middle of the state, has been drawing visitors to its warm, naturally heated waters for hundreds of years.
Arkansas has a special claim to fame: it is the only state where you can dig for real diamonds and keep what you find! Crater of Diamonds State Park near Murfreesboro sits on an ancient volcanic pipe, and lucky visitors have unearthed gems worth thousands of dollars. From its musical heritage in the Delta blues to the charm of its small towns, Arkansas is a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Bird [0.56, 0.65]
Northern Mockingbird
The Northern Mockingbird can copy over 200 different bird songs, plus frogs, insects, and even car alarms! Males sometimes sing all night long, especially under a full moon. It has been Arkansas's state bird since 1929. But here's the thing: four other southern states picked it too, making it the most popular state bird in America.
Flower [0.56, 0.56]
Apple Blossom
The Apple Blossom has been Arkansas's state flower since 1901, honoring the apple orchards that once made the state one of the top apple-producing regions in the country. The fragrant white-pink blossoms appear each spring in the Ozark Mountains, where apple production began thriving in the 1800s. The city of Lincoln hosts an annual Apple Blossom Festival that has been running for over 70 years.
Gemstone [0.41, 0.71]
Diamond
Arkansas is home to Crater of Diamonds State Park near Murfreesboro. It's the only diamond mine in the world where anyone can dig, and you keep what you find! More than 35,000 diamonds have been found since it became a state park. The largest diamond ever found in the US was discovered here in 1924: the "Uncle Sam," at just over 40 carats.
Tree [0.52, 0.71]
Loblolly Pine
The Loblolly Pine has been Arkansas's state tree since 1939. It's the fastest-growing of all southern pines and can shoot up 100 feet tall in just 50 years! Arkansas has more than 19 million acres of forests. More wood comes from loblolly pines than from any other tree in the Southeast.
Local Cryptid [0.35, 0.71]
Boggy Creek Monster
The Fouke Monster, also called the Boggy Creek Monster, is Arkansas's most famous mystery creature. People say this big, ape-like creature has been spotted near the town of Fouke since the 1940s. In 1972, a movie called "The Legend of Boggy Creek" made the monster famous across America. Footprint casts and eyewitness stories keep the legend alive today.
Landmarks (5 total)
🛒 Bentonville Walmart's Birthplace [0.31, 0.33] Attraction
Bentonville is where Sam Walton opened the very first Walmart in 1962. Today it's also home to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, a world-class museum nestled in the Ozark woods with free admission for everyone.
Fun fact: The original Walton's 5-10 store on the Bentonville town square is now a museum, you can still see Sam Walton's old office!
⭐ Little Rock State Capital [0.49, 0.52] Capital
Little Rock is Arkansas's capital, named after a small rock formation on the Arkansas River that French explorers used as a landmark. In 1957, the Little Rock Nine bravely integrated Central High School, a pivotal moment in Civil Rights history.
Fun fact: The 'little rock' that gave the city its name is still there! You can visit it on the riverbank in downtown Little Rock.
♨️ Hot Springs National Park [0.44, 0.55] Nature
Hot Springs National Park is the oldest area in the national park system, protected since 1832. Its 47 thermal springs produce about 700,000 gallons of 143°F water every day. Historic Bathhouse Row lets visitors soak just like people did over a century ago.
Fun fact: Hot Springs was so popular in the early 1900s that it was nicknamed 'The American Spa.' Even the famous gangster Al Capone had a favorite bathhouse here!
💎 Crater of Diamonds Diamond State Park [0.36, 0.64] Nature
Crater of Diamonds State Park is the only place in the world where the public can search for real diamonds and keep what they find. The site is an ancient volcanic crater, and over 35,000 diamonds have been discovered here since 1906.
Fun fact: In 2024, a visitor found a 2-carat diamond just lying on the surface after a rainstorm. Sometimes all you need is a little luck!
⛰️ Mount Magazine Highest Point in Arkansas [0.38, 0.49] Nature
Mount Magazine rises 2,753 feet above the Arkansas River Valley, making it the tallest point in the state. On clear days you can see for miles across the Ozark foothills, and the mountain is famous for excellent hang gliding, rock climbing, and butterfly watching.
Fun fact: How did Mount Magazine get its name? Early French explorers heard rockslides booming on the mountain. They thought it sounded like exploding "magazines," the old word for gunpowder storehouses!
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
What is the capital city of Arkansas?
Little Rock got its name from a small rocky outcropping on the south bank of the Arkansas River that explorers used as a landmark.
Standard
What is the official state bird of Arkansas?
The Northern Mockingbird can mimic the songs of dozens of other birds. It often sings all night long during mating season!
Standard
Which famous landmark is located in Arkansas?
Hot Springs National Park features 47 hot springs that produce about 700,000 gallons of 143-degree water every day!
Standard
What is Arkansas's state flower?
The Apple Blossom was chosen as Arkansas's state flower in 1901. Arkansas was once one of the top apple-producing states in the country.
Standard
Arkansas has a unique state park where visitors can search for and keep real diamonds. What is it called?
Crater of Diamonds State Park is the only place in the world open to the public where you can search for real diamonds and keep what you find!
Standard
Which famous Walmart store was founded in Arkansas?
Sam Walton opened the very first Walmart in Rogers, Arkansas in 1962. Today Walmart is one of the largest companies in the world, and its headquarters is still in Arkansas.
Standard
What is the highest point in Arkansas?
Mount Magazine rises 2,753 feet and is the highest point in Arkansas. It sits within Magazine Mountain State Park and offers amazing views.
Standard
The Arkansas River flows through the state. Which larger river does it eventually flow into?
The Arkansas River travels over 1,400 miles before emptying into the mighty Mississippi River near the town of Napoleon, Arkansas.
Standard
What is Arkansas's nickname?
Arkansas is called 'The Natural State' because of its beautiful rolling hills, forests, lakes, and rivers, a paradise for nature lovers.
Standard
True or False: The Ozark Mountains in Arkansas are some of the oldest highlands in North America.
The Ozarks are ancient highlands filled with caves, waterfalls, and hiking trails, they've been around for hundreds of millions of years.
Standard
In 1957, which historic Civil Rights event took place at Central High School in Little Rock?
The Little Rock Nine were nine brave Black students who became the first to attend Central High School, an important step toward equal schools for all American children.
Standard
True or False: Arkansas is one of the top rice-producing states in the country.
The flat Delta farmland near the Mississippi River has such rich soil that Arkansas became one of America's top rice-producing states.
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
How many hot springs are in Hot Springs National Park?
Hot Springs National Park has 47 thermal springs that produce about 700,000 gallons of 143°F water every single day!
Bonus Round
How many diamonds have been discovered at Crater of Diamonds State Park since 1906?
Over 35,000 diamonds have been found at the park since 1906, and the site is an ancient volcanic crater!
Bonus Round
Which world-class art museum in Bentonville, Arkansas offers free admission to everyone?
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is nestled in the Ozark woods and offers free admission, making great art accessible to all.
Bonus Round
True or False: Hot Springs, Arkansas was so popular in the early 1900s that even gangster Al Capone had a favorite bathhouse there.
Hot Springs was nicknamed 'The American Spa' and attracted visitors of all kinds, including some colorful characters from the era!
Did You Know? (14 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 About 3 million people live in Arkansas.
- 💎 Arkansas is the only place in the U.S. where you can dig for diamonds.
- 🍚 Arkansas grows about half of all rice produced in the United States.
- 🏞️ The Ozark Mountains cover much of northern Arkansas.
- 🏛️ Little Rock has been Arkansas's capital since 1821.
- 💧 The Buffalo National River, set aside in 1972, was the first National River in the U.S.
- 📅 Arkansas became the 25th state on June 15, 1836.
- 🎸 Johnny Cash was born in tiny Kingsland, Arkansas.
- ♨️ Hot Springs National Park is built around 47 natural hot springs.
- 🛒 Walmart was founded in Bentonville, Arkansas in 1962.
- 🐗 Razorback hogs are the mascot of the University of Arkansas.
- 🦃 The state hosts one of America's biggest wild turkey populations.
- 🪨 Crater of Diamonds State Park has yielded over 35,000 diamonds.
- 🌅 Arkansas's nickname 'The Natural State' was made official in 1995.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- The only active diamond mine in the US is in Arkansas, and you can keep what you find!
- Alma, Arkansas calls itself the Spinach Capital of the World.
- The first Walmart opened in Rogers, Arkansas in 1962.
- Arkansas is the top rice-producing state in the US.
- Hot Springs National Park is the only national park inside a city.
- Johnny Cash was born in Kingsland, Arkansas.
- The town of Toad Suck hosts an annual Toad Suck Daze festival.
- Arkansas has over 600,000 acres of natural lakes.
- The World Championship Duck Calling Contest is held in Stuttgart, Arkansas every year.
- Blanchard Springs Caverns is one of the most beautiful caves in America.
- Arkansas produces more bromine than any other state, used in everything from flame retardants to medicine.
- The Buffalo National River was the first national river in the US, designated in 1972.
- Hawksbill Crag in the Ozark National Forest is one of the most photographed spots in Arkansas!
- Crater of Diamonds has produced over 35,000 diamonds since it opened to the public.
- Arkansas is one of only a few places in the world where you can find natural quartz crystals.
Fun Fact
Arkansas is known for being the only state in the U.S. where diamonds have been discovered naturally. The site, now called Crater of Diamonds State Park, is also the only diamond- producing site in the world that is open to the public. Visitors to the park can search for diamonds in their original volcanic source and keep whatever gems they find, regardless of their value.
California (CA)
The Golden State
- Capital
- Sacramento
- Statehood
- September 9, 1850 (31st state to join the Union)
- Population
- 39,431,263 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 163,696 square miles
- Highest Point
- Mount Whitney at 14,505 feet
- Famous Landmark
- Golden Gate Bridge
Overview
Get ready for California, the Golden State! Stretching over 800 miles along the Pacific Coast, California is the most populous state in the nation and one of the most diverse places on Earth. Its geography is staggering: snow-capped mountains, ancient redwood forests, sun-baked deserts, and gorgeous sandy beaches all exist within the same state borders.
California is a powerhouse of creativity and innovation. Hollywood, in Los Angeles, is the entertainment capital of the world, while Silicon Valley, near San Francisco, is where many of the apps and technology you use every day were invented. The iconic Golden Gate Bridge, towering redwood trees, and stunning Yosemite Valley are just a few of the natural and man-made wonders that make this state unforgettable.
Before the Gold Rush of 1849 brought hundreds of thousands of fortune seekers west, California was home to more Native American tribes than any other region in North America. Today, the state produces nearly half of all the fruits, nuts, and vegetables grown in the United States. From surf culture to space exploration, California has shaped American life in countless ways.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Bird [0.36, 0.35]
California Quail
The California Quail wears a funny comma-shaped black plume on its forehead. It looks like one feather, but it's really six feathers bunched together! These birds love company: groups of up to 200 quail sleep together in bushes at night. While the flock hunts for food, one quail always stands guard. At the first alarm call, the whole flock bursts apart in every direction to confuse predators!
Flower [0.56, 0.69]
California Poppy
The bright orange California Poppy closes its petals every night and on cloudy days. It only opens back up when the sun returns! It has been California's state flower since 1903, and April 6 is officially California Poppy Day. And yes, it really is against the law to pick poppies in state parks and along highways, so leave them growing for everyone to enjoy.
Fruit [0.65, 0.82]
Avocado
California grows about 90% of the avocados eaten in the United States, and San Diego County grows the most of all. Here's an amazing story: nearly every Hass avocado in the world comes from one single "mother tree." A mail carrier named Rudolph Hass planted it in California in 1926. That original tree kept making avocados all the way until 2002!
Cryptid [0.39, 0.18]
Bigfoot
Bigfoot became famous in 1967, when two men filmed a large, hairy figure walking on two legs along Bluff Creek in Northern California. Scientists and monster hunters have studied and argued about that short film ever since. Is it real? Nobody has proved it either way! Northern California's deep forests are considered the heart of Bigfoot country, with sightings reported since the 1800s.
Tree [0.37, 0.29]
Coast Redwood
Coast Redwoods are the tallest living things on Earth. The record holder is a tree named Hyperion in Redwood National Park. It stands 380 feet tall! These trees can live over 2,000 years. Their bark grows up to a foot thick, and it's nearly fireproof. Bugs and rot can't hurt it either. No wonder redwoods live so long!
Landmarks (8 total)
🌲 Redwood National Park Home of the Tallest Trees on Earth [0.23, 0.20] Nature
Along California's far northern coast, Redwood National and State Parks protect old-growth coast redwoods, the tallest trees on Earth. Hyperion, the record holder, stands 380 feet tall, taller than the Statue of Liberty.
Fun fact: Some of these redwoods are over 2,000 years old, meaning they were already mature trees when the Roman Empire was at its peak.
🏛️ Sacramento California State Capital [0.38, 0.42] Capital
Sacramento became California's permanent state capital in 1854. It was also the western end of the line for the first Transcontinental Railroad, finished in 1869.
Fun fact: The Gold Rush put Sacramento on the map almost overnight. In under a year, it grew from a small fort into a booming town of 10,000 people. Nearly all of them came to chase gold in the nearby Sierra foothills!
🌉 San Francisco The City by the Bay [0.32, 0.47] City
The Golden Gate Bridge, opened in 1937, spans 1.7 miles across the entrance to San Francisco Bay. Its towers rise 746 feet, taller than the Washington Monument, and it was the world's longest suspension bridge for 27 years.
Fun fact: San Francisco sits on top of 13 hills, and the whole city is only 7 miles wide by 7 miles long. In 1906, a huge earthquake and fire destroyed most of the city. San Franciscans rebuilt almost all of it!
🏔️ Yosemite National Park Valley of Glaciers and Giants [0.50, 0.47] Nature
Yosemite Valley was carved by glaciers over millions of years and contains some of the world's tallest waterfalls, including Yosemite Falls at 2,425 feet, nearly 13 times the height of Niagara.
Fun fact: Yosemite helped invent the whole idea of national parks! In 1903, nature writer John Muir took President Theodore Roosevelt camping here for three nights. Those campfire talks helped convince America to protect its wild places.
🌲 Sequoia National Park Home of the World's Largest Trees [0.52, 0.58] Nature
The General Sherman Tree in Sequoia National Park is the biggest living tree on Earth. It holds enough wood to fill a 20-story building. And it's still growing!
Fun fact: Giant sequoias can live over 3,000 years, and they actually need fire to make new trees! Their cones stay sealed shut for up to 20 years. Only the heat of a wildfire dries them out and pops them open to release their seeds.
☀️ Death Valley Hottest Place on Earth [0.63, 0.57] Nature
Death Valley holds the world record for the hottest temperature ever measured: 134°F, back on July 10, 1913. It's also home to the lowest spot in North America. Badwater Basin sits 282 feet below sea level!
Fun fact: Don't let the scary name fool you: Death Valley is full of life! Over 1,000 kinds of plants and hundreds of animals live here. After spring rains, a "superbloom" of wildflowers can carpet the whole valley floor in color.
🎬 Los Angeles Entertainment Capital of the World [0.59, 0.75] City
Los Angeles is home to Hollywood, the movie capital of the world. About 40% of all American movies are made here, and more than 130,000 people work in showbiz!
Fun fact: L.A. is the only city in the world that has hosted the Summer Olympics twice, and it's set to host a third time in 2028!
🌵 Joshua Tree Where Two Deserts Meet [0.73, 0.74] Nature
Joshua Tree National Park is where two deserts meet: the Mojave and the Sonoran. That means two completely different worlds of plants and animals live side by side. Surprise: Joshua trees aren't really trees at all! They're giant yucca plants.
Fun fact: Joshua trees can live over 500 years, but they grow only 1 to 3 inches per year. They're picky bloomers too: flowers only appear after a cold winter followed by spring rains. That special weather combo is getting rarer, so scientists are working to protect these slow-growing giants.
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
What is the capital city of California?
Sacramento has been California's capital since 1854. It boomed during the Gold Rush as the main supply hub for miners.
Standard
What is the official state bird of California?
The California Quail has a cute little black plume on its head. It travels in groups called coveys and can run very fast!
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Which famous bridge is located in San Francisco, California?
The Golden Gate Bridge opened in 1937 and was the longest suspension bridge in the world at the time. Its iconic orange-red color is called 'International Orange.'
Standard
What is California's state flower?
The bright orange California Poppy is the state flower and grows wild all over the state. It is illegal to pick them along highways!
Standard
Which California national park is home to the world's tallest trees?
Redwood National Park is home to the coast redwoods, the tallest trees on Earth. The tallest known tree, Hyperion, stands over 380 feet tall!
Standard
During the 1849 Gold Rush, people rushed to California to search for gold. What were these miners nicknamed?
Miners who rushed to California in 1849 were called 'Forty-niners.' San Francisco's football team, the 49ers, is named after them!
Standard
California produces almost half of all fruits, nuts, and vegetables grown in the United States. Which crop is it most famous for?
California grows about 80% of the world's almonds! The state is also the top producer of avocados, strawberries, grapes, and many other foods.
Standard
Which California city is famous as the home of the movie industry?
Hollywood, a neighborhood in Los Angeles, became the center of the American film industry in the early 1900s because of its sunny weather and varied landscapes.
Standard
What is the highest point in California?
Mount Whitney stands at 14,505 feet and is the tallest peak in the contiguous United States, and it's less than 85 miles from Death Valley, the lowest point!
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True or False: California has more people than New York and Texas combined.
False! California has about 39.5 million people, while New York and Texas combined have over 50 million. California is still the most populous single state in the U.S.
Standard
What technology hub near San Francisco is known as the birthplace of many apps and devices you use every day?
Silicon Valley is home to companies like Apple, Google, and Meta. It got its name from silicon, the material used to make computer chips.
Standard
True or False: Before the Gold Rush, California was home to more Native American tribes than any other region in North America.
California's diverse landscapes supported an incredible variety of Native American peoples, with hundreds of distinct groups and languages.
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
How tall is the tallest known tree on Earth, Hyperion, located in California's Redwood National Park?
Hyperion stands over 380 feet tall, that's taller than the Statue of Liberty! Its exact location is kept secret to protect it.
Bonus Round
What is the iconic color of the Golden Gate Bridge officially called?
The Golden Gate Bridge's famous color is called 'International Orange', chosen because it's visible in San Francisco's frequent fog.
Bonus Round
True or False: Yosemite Falls is nearly 13 times taller than Niagara Falls.
At 2,425 feet, Yosemite Falls is about 13 times the height of Niagara Falls, making it one of the tallest waterfalls in the world!
Bonus Round
What percentage of the world's almonds does California grow?
California produces about 80% of the entire world's almond supply, the Central Valley is perfect for growing these tasty nuts!
Did You Know? (15 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 California has nearly 40 million people, the most of any state.
- ⛏️ Gold Rush miners of 1849 were nicknamed 'Forty-niners.'
- 🌰 California grows about 80% of the world's almonds!
- 🌲 California's giant sequoias are the largest trees on Earth by volume.
- 🏞️ Death Valley is the hottest, driest, and lowest national park.
- 🌉 The Golden Gate Bridge opened in San Francisco in 1937.
- 🎬 Hollywood is the heart of the global film industry.
- 🏛️ Sacramento has been the state capital since 1854.
- 📅 California became the 31st state on September 9, 1850.
- 🏔️ Mount Whitney at 14,505 feet is the tallest peak in the lower 48.
- 💻 Silicon Valley is the headquarters of much of the tech industry.
- 🐻 The grizzly bear on the state flag went extinct in California by 1924.
- 🌊 California has 840 miles of Pacific coastline.
- 🎢 Disneyland opened in Anaheim in 1955.
- 🌳 The General Sherman Tree is the world's largest single-stem tree.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- California has more people than all of Canada!
- The fortune cookie was invented in San Francisco.
- California produces nearly half of all US fruits and vegetables.
- More turkeys are raised in California than any other state!
- The highest and lowest points in the contiguous US are both in California.
- California's economy would rank 5th in the world if it were a country.
- Disneyland opened in Anaheim in 1955 with a ticket price of $1.
- California has an official state dinosaur: Augustynolophus.
- The Internet was born at UCLA in 1969 with the first ARPANET message.
- San Francisco's cable cars are the only mobile National Historic Landmark.
- It's illegal to eat an orange in the bathtub in California!
- Lake Tahoe is deep enough to cover the entire state of Texas with 14 inches of water.
- California grows 99% of the nation's artichokes, mostly in Castroville.
- The Monterey Bay Aquarium was built inside an old sardine cannery.
- Fresno is the raisin capital of the world, nearly half the world's supply!
Fun Fact
California is known for its vast size and diversity, but one particularly fun fact is that it is the world’s fifth-largest supplier of food and agricultural commodities. California alone produces nearly half of all fruits, nuts, and vegetables grown in the United States.
Colorado (CO)
The Centennial State
- Capital
- Denver
- Statehood
- August 1, 1876 (38th state to join the Union)
- Population
- 5,957,493 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 104,094 square miles
- Highest Point
- Mount Elbert at 14,440 feet
Overview
Step into Colorado, the Centennial State! Named for the Colorado River that runs through its western canyons, Colorado earned its nickname because it became a state in 1876, exactly one hundred years after the Declaration of Independence was signed. It is a state defined by its towering mountains and wide-open spaces.
The Rocky Mountains dominate Colorado's landscape, and the state boasts 53 peaks that rise above 14,000 feet, more than any other state. These 'fourteeners' are a magnet for hikers, skiers, and adventurers from around the world. Denver, the capital, is famously called the Mile High City because it sits exactly 5,280 feet above sea level. On a clear day, you can see the mountain skyline stretching across the entire western horizon.
Colorado is also home to dramatic natural formations like the Garden of the Gods, the Great Sand Dunes, and the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Ancient cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park reveal that the Ancestral Puebloans built thriving communities here over a thousand years ago. Whether you are skiing fresh powder, rafting a wild river, or stargazing from a mountain summit, Colorado is an outdoor wonderland.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Bird [0.65, 0.67]
Lark Bunting
The Lark Bunting is Colorado's state bird, and it's a quick-change artist. In summer, males turn jet black with bright white wing patches. In winter, they switch to speckled brown. To impress a mate, the male flies high into the sky, then floats down on spread wings while singing. These little songbirds nest right on the prairie ground and wander the Great Plains, going wherever the food is.
Flower [0.38, 0.45]
Rocky Mtn. Columbine
The Rocky Mountain Columbine became Colorado's state flower in 1899, chosen by a vote of Colorado schoolchildren. Its delicate petals are sky blue and white, mirroring the colors of Colorado's sky and snowcapped peaks. The flower grows at elevations between 6,000 and 11,500 feet, and picking a wild columbine on public land in Colorado is illegal to protect the species.
Animal [0.58, 0.29]
Bighorn Sheep
Colorado's state animal is the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep. A male's curled horns can weigh 30 pounds. That's as much as all the other bones in his body combined! When males compete for a mate, they crash horns at up to 40 miles per hour, and the crack can be heard a mile away. Their hooves are hard on the outside and soft in the middle, like built-in climbing shoes, so bighorns can scramble up cliffs that are almost straight up and down.
Fossil [0.45, 0.79]
Stegosaurus
Colorado's state fossil is the Stegosaurus, a plant-eating dinosaur with two rows of bony plates down its back and four sharp tail spikes called the "thagomizer." The first Stegosaurus fossil was found near Morrison, Colorado in 1877. Here's the wild part: Stegosaurus grew as big as a bus, but its brain was only the size of a walnut!
Insect [0.39, 0.65]
Hairstreak Butterfly
The Colorado Hairstreak Butterfly became the state insect in 1996, all thanks to a fourth-grade class at Wheeling Elementary School that convinced lawmakers to pick it! Its wings shimmer purple with orange spots, and it spends almost its whole life in oak woodlands. Surprise: unlike most butterflies, it doesn't sip from flowers. It drinks tree sap and sweet drops left behind by tiny insects instead.
Landmarks (6 total)
🏔️ Rocky Mountain NP Crown of the Continent [0.50, 0.37] Nature
Rocky Mountain National Park spans over 400 square miles of stunning mountain wilderness. Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous paved road in the U.S., climbs to 12,183 feet and offers views above the tree line where tiny alpine flowers bloom.
Fun fact: About 800 elk live in the park. Every fall the males put on a spectacular 'bugling' show, letting out eerie calls to attract mates!
⭐ Denver Mile High City [0.55, 0.43] Capital
Denver is Colorado's capital and sits exactly one mile (5,280 feet) above sea level. The 13th step of the State Capitol building is marked with a plaque at exactly that elevation. Denver has over 300 days of sunshine a year, more than San Diego!
Fun fact: At Coors Field, baseballs fly about 9% farther than at sea level. That's why Denver is known as a hitter's paradise!
⛷️ Aspen Ski Capital [0.38, 0.53] Attraction
Aspen is one of the most famous ski resorts in the world, nestled in a valley of the Rocky Mountains at 7,900 feet. Beyond skiing, it's known for golden aspen trees that blanket the mountainsides every autumn in brilliant yellow.
Fun fact: Aspen was a nearly abandoned silver mining ghost town before it was transformed into a world-class ski resort in the 1940s!
🏅 Colorado Springs Olympic City [0.58, 0.55] City
Colorado Springs is home to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center and sits at the base of Pikes Peak, the mountain that inspired the song 'America the Beautiful.' The stunning Garden of the Gods park features massive red rock formations.
Fun fact: Pikes Peak is so famous that over half a million people visit its summit every year, by car, cog railway, or on foot!
🏖️ Great Sand Dunes National Park [0.50, 0.72] Nature
Great Sand Dunes National Park has the tallest sand dunes in North America. Star Dune rises over 750 feet! These giant dunes sit at the base of the snow-capped Sangre de Cristo Mountains. It looks like a whole beach landed in the middle of the mountains.
Fun fact: You can actually sled and sandboard down these giant dunes. It's like snowboarding, but on sand!
🏚️ Mesa Verde Ancient Cliff Dwellings [0.18, 0.80] Historic
Mesa Verde National Park preserves over 5,000 archaeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings built by the Ancestral Puebloans over 700 years ago. The Cliff Palace is the largest cliff dwelling in North America with 150 rooms.
Fun fact: The Ancestral Puebloans lived at Mesa Verde for over 700 years, then mysteriously left around 1300 AD, and nobody knows exactly why!
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
What is the capital city of Colorado?
Denver is Colorado's capital and largest city, nicknamed the 'Mile High City' because it sits exactly one mile above sea level!
Standard
What is the official state bird of Colorado?
The Lark Bunting is a small songbird that lives on Colorado's prairies. The male is jet black with white wing patches in the summer.
Standard
What is Colorado's state flower?
The Rocky Mountain Columbine is Colorado's state flower. It features beautiful blue and white petals and grows naturally in mountain meadows.
Standard
Colorado is known for its Rocky Mountains. About how many peaks in Colorado reach 14,000 feet or higher?
Colorado has 53 mountain peaks over 14,000 feet, called 'fourteeners.' Hiking all of them is a popular challenge for outdoor adventurers!
Standard
Which famous national park in Colorado is known for ancient cliff dwellings?
Mesa Verde National Park preserves incredible cliff dwellings built by the Ancestral Puebloans over 700 years ago. The word 'mesa verde' means 'green table' in Spanish.
Standard
Colorado became a state in 1876, the same year the US celebrated its 100th birthday. What is Colorado's nickname because of this?
Colorado is called 'The Centennial State' because it became the 38th state in 1876, exactly 100 years after the United States declared independence.
Standard
Colorado is home to some of the best skiing in the world. Which Colorado ski town is world-famous for its slopes?
Aspen, Colorado is one of the most famous ski resorts in the world, attracting skiers from every country. It sits in a valley of the Rocky Mountains.
Standard
What is the highest paved road in North America, located in Colorado?
The road to Mount Blue Sky (formerly Mount Evans) reaches 14,130 feet above sea level, making it the highest paved road in North America!
Standard
What is the highest point in Colorado?
Mount Elbert stands at 14,440 feet and is the tallest peak in the entire Rocky Mountain range, and the second tallest peak in the contiguous US.
Standard
True or False: Denver enjoys more than 365 days of sunshine each year.
False! That would be more days than there are in a year. Denver does enjoy over 300 sunny days, which is still more than San Diego.
Standard
Which park near Colorado Springs features massive red rock formations?
Garden of the Gods has towering red sandstone formations up to 300 feet tall, set against the backdrop of snow-capped Pikes Peak.
Standard
True or False: Great Sand Dunes National Park contains the tallest sand dunes in North America.
Star Dune at Great Sand Dunes NP rises over 750 feet, you can even sled and sandboard down these giant dunes!
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
Why is Denver nicknamed the 'Mile High City'?
Denver sits exactly 5,280 feet (one mile) above sea level. The 13th step of the State Capitol building is marked at exactly that elevation!
Bonus Round
Which famous song was inspired by the view from Pikes Peak in Colorado?
Katharine Lee Bates wrote 'America the Beautiful' after being inspired by the view from the summit of Pikes Peak in 1893.
Bonus Round
True or False: Aspen was nearly an abandoned ghost town before becoming a world-class ski resort.
Aspen was a booming silver mining town that went bust in the 1890s and nearly became a ghost town, until skiing revived it in the 1940s!
Bonus Round
How many rooms does the Cliff Palace at Mesa Verde have?
The Cliff Palace is the largest cliff dwelling in North America with about 150 rooms, it was home to over 100 people more than 700 years ago!
Did You Know? (13 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 About 5.8 million people live in Colorado.
- 🏔️ Colorado has 53 mountain peaks taller than 14,000 feet, called 'fourteeners.'
- 📅 Colorado became the 38th state on August 1, 1876, the Centennial Year.
- 🏛️ Denver, the Mile High City, sits exactly 5,280 feet above sea level.
- ❄️ Colorado is home to over 25 ski resorts.
- 🦌 Colorado has the largest elk population in North America.
- 🌊 The Colorado River starts as snowmelt in Rocky Mountain National Park.
- 🪨 Mesa Verde preserves cliff dwellings built by Ancestral Puebloans.
- 🥔 Colorado grew the first commercially successful Russet potato.
- 🦁 Colorado has more mountain lions than any other state.
- ⛰️ Pikes Peak inspired the song 'America the Beautiful' in 1893.
- 🏜️ Great Sand Dunes contains the tallest sand dunes in North America.
- 🗳️ Colorado was the first state where women won the right to vote by popular vote, in 1893.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- The world's largest flat-top mountain is in Colorado, Grand Mesa!
- Cheeseburgers were trademarked in Denver in 1935.
- Colorado has the highest average elevation of any state, over 6,800 feet.
- The Eisenhower Tunnel on I-70 is the highest vehicular tunnel in the world.
- Colorado has 53 peaks over 14,000 feet, more than any other state.
- The Denver Mint produces about 50 million coins per day!
- Dinosaur bones are so common in Colorado that the state fossil is the Stegosaurus.
- Red Rocks Amphitheatre near Denver is the only naturally occurring acoustically perfect amphitheater.
- Colorado's Royal Gorge Bridge was the world's highest suspension bridge for 73 years.
- Coors Field in Denver has a 'mile high' marker in the upper deck, exactly 5,280 feet above sea level.
- The song 'America the Beautiful' was inspired by the view from Pikes Peak.
- Leadville, Colorado is the highest incorporated city in the US at 10,152 feet.
- Colorado gets over 300 days of sunshine per year, more than Miami!
- The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad has been running through the mountains since 1882.
- Cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde are over 700 years old, built by Ancestral Puebloans.
Fun Fact
Colorado is home to the highest paved road in North America. The road to Mount Blue Sky, formerly known as Mount Evans, ascends to a height of 14,130 feet above sea level, offering breathtaking views and access to one of the state's most prominent peaks.
Connecticut (CT)
The Constitution State
- Capital
- Hartford
- Statehood
- January 9, 1788 (5th state to join the Union)
- Population
- 3,688,496 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 5,567 square miles
- Highest Point
- Mount Frissell at 2,380 feet
- Famous Landmark
- Mystic Seaport
Overview
Meet Connecticut, the Constitution State! This small but mighty New England state packs an incredible amount of history, culture, and charm into just over 5,500 square miles. Connecticut earned its nickname because its colonial-era Fundamental Orders of 1639 are often considered the first written constitution in the Western world.
Despite its compact size, Connecticut's scenery is lovely: rolling hills, stone walls, covered bridges, and quaint village greens dot the countryside, while the Long Island Sound coastline offers sandy beaches and historic harbors. Mystic Seaport, one of the most famous maritime museums in America, brings the golden age of sailing ships and whaling to life.
Connecticut has long been a hub of invention and learning. The state is home to Yale University, one of the oldest and most prestigious colleges in the country. Hartford, the capital, became the insurance capital of the world, while inventors here created the first hamburger, the first color television, and the first helicopter. Small in size but giant in accomplishments, Connecticut proves that great things really do come in small packages.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Bird [0.50, 0.52]
American Robin
The American Robin became Connecticut's state bird in 1943. Here's a secret: most robins don't really fly south for the winter. They stay in Connecticut all year, trading lawns for forests and berry bushes, hiding in plain sight. And a surprise: the American Robin isn't a true robin at all! It belongs to the thrush family. Early colonists named it after a look-alike bird from back home in Europe.
Flower [0.38, 0.54]
Mountain Laurel
Mountain Laurel has been Connecticut's state flower since 1907, and it has a trick up its sleeve. Each flower holds its pollen on tiny spring-loaded stalks. When a bee lands, the springs pop and fling pollen right onto the visitor! One warning: the plant is poisonous, so never nibble it. Its wood is so hard, though, that Native Americans carved strong spoons and tools from it.
Ship [0.47, 0.59]
USS Nautilus
The USS Nautilus, launched in Groton, Connecticut in 1954, was the world's first nuclear-powered submarine. In 1958, it became the first ship ever to cruise beneath the ice at the North Pole! On its first load of fuel, it traveled 60,000 miles: the same distance the storybook submarine sailed in "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea," the book it was named after. Today you can visit the real Nautilus at its museum home in Groton.
Local Legend [0.33, 0.67]
The Melon Heads
The Melon Heads are mysterious, large-headed figures said to live deep in the forests around Shelton and Trumbull, Connecticut. According to local legend, they are shy woodland creatures who have lived hidden in the hills for generations, only spotted by the occasional hiker on a moonlit night. The legend has been passed down by Connecticut teenagers for decades, and similar stories exist in Michigan and Ohio, but Connecticut's version is considered the oldest and most famous.
Hero [0.64, 0.40]
Nathan Hale
Nathan Hale was born in Coventry, Connecticut in 1755. He was a schoolteacher who became a secret agent for General Washington's army during the Revolutionary War. When the British captured him in 1776, the 21-year-old bravely declared, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." Hale was one of America's very first spies, and American spies still honor his courage today.
Landmarks (5 total)
🍂 Litchfield Hills Historic New England [0.36, 0.45] Nature
The Litchfield Hills region in northwest Connecticut is famous for its charming colonial towns, covered bridges, and stunning fall foliage. Litchfield itself was founded in 1719 and is one of the best-preserved colonial towns in New England.
Fun fact: The nation's first law school opened in Litchfield in 1773. Students studied law in a tiny wooden building that still stands today!
⭐ Hartford State Capital [0.52, 0.44] Capital
Hartford is Connecticut's capital and known as the 'Insurance Capital of the World.' It's also where Mark Twain lived and wrote some of his greatest books. The Wadsworth Atheneum, founded in 1842, is the oldest public art museum in the United States.
Fun fact: Mark Twain loved his Hartford house so much he called it 'the loveliest home that ever was.' You can still visit it and see where he wrote Tom Sawyer!
🎓 New Haven Elm City [0.44, 0.61] Cultural
New Haven is home to Yale University, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world, founded in 1701. The city is also famous for its pizza, New Haven-style 'apizza' is considered some of the best in the country.
Fun fact: Louis' Lunch in New Haven claims to have served the very first hamburger in America back in 1900, and they still won't let you put ketchup on it!
⛵ Mystic Seaport Maritime Museum [0.73, 0.57] Cultural
Mystic Seaport is America's largest maritime museum, featuring a recreated 19th-century coastal village and historic sailing ships. The town of Mystic has been a shipbuilding center since the 1600s and launched over 600 vessels.
Fun fact: Mystic Seaport has a real working shipyard where craftspeople still build and repair wooden boats using techniques from hundreds of years ago!
🚂 Essex Village Historic Riverfront Town [0.60, 0.59] Cultural
Essex is a storybook riverfront town on the Connecticut River, once a center of American shipbuilding. You can still ride the Essex Steam Train through the river valley, pulled by a vintage coal-fired locomotive, just like people did over a century ago.
Fun fact: In 1814, British raiders sailed up to Essex and burned 27 American ships right in the harbor. It was the only time a Connecticut town was attacked in the War of 1812!
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
What is the capital city of Connecticut?
Hartford has been Connecticut's capital since 1875 and is also called the 'Insurance Capital of the World' because so many insurance companies are based there.
Standard
What is the official state bird of Connecticut?
The American Robin is a common sight in Connecticut's backyards and parks. It is one of the first birds to sing each morning!
Standard
Mystic Seaport in Connecticut is famous for preserving what kind of historic vessels?
Mystic Seaport is America's largest maritime museum and is best known for its restored 19th-century whaling ships and a recreated New England seafaring village from the same era.
Standard
What is Connecticut's state flower?
The Mountain Laurel is Connecticut's state flower. Its clusters of pink and white flowers bloom in late spring and are truly beautiful.
Standard
Connecticut was one of the original 13 colonies. What number state was it when it joined the Union?
Connecticut was the 5th state to ratify the US Constitution, on January 9, 1788. It is nicknamed 'The Constitution State.'
Standard
Which food invention is said to have been created in New Haven, Connecticut?
Louis' Lunch in New Haven claims to have made the first hamburger in 1900, serving ground beef between two slices of toast to a busy customer!
Standard
Connecticut is one of the smallest states by area. Which state is the smallest of all?
Rhode Island is the smallest state in the US, even smaller than Connecticut. Connecticut itself is still one of the smallest ten states.
Standard
What famous author who wrote 'Adventures of Tom Sawyer' lived in Hartford, Connecticut?
Mark Twain lived in Hartford from 1874 to 1891 and wrote some of his most famous books there. You can visit his beautiful Victorian house today!
Standard
What is Connecticut's nickname?
Connecticut is called 'The Constitution State' because its Fundamental Orders of 1639 are considered the first written constitution in the Western world.
Standard
Which prestigious university, founded in 1701, is located in New Haven, Connecticut?
Yale University is one of the oldest and most prestigious colleges in the country, and its campus is a beautiful part of downtown New Haven.
Standard
True or False: The first hamburger in America was served in New York City.
False! Louis' Lunch in New Haven, Connecticut claims the first hamburger, served way back in 1900. Connecticut inventors also created the first color TV and the first practical helicopter.
Standard
What is the highest point in Connecticut?
Mount Frissell reaches 2,380 feet on the Connecticut border, though its actual summit is in Massachusetts, the highest point in CT is on its slope.
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
True or False: Connecticut once had two capitals, Hartford and New Haven, at the same time.
Until 1875, Connecticut split its capital duties between Hartford and New Haven, the legislature alternated between the two cities!
Bonus Round
What is the oldest public art museum in the United States, located in Hartford?
The Wadsworth Atheneum was founded in 1842, making it the oldest public art museum in the entire United States.
Bonus Round
What did Mark Twain call his Hartford home?
Mark Twain loved his Hartford house so much he called it 'the loveliest home that ever was', and he wrote Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn there!
Bonus Round
True or False: The nation's first law school was founded in Litchfield, Connecticut in 1773.
The Litchfield Law School was America's first law school, students studied in a tiny wooden building that still stands today!
Did You Know? (15 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 About 3.6 million people live in Connecticut.
- 📏 You can drive across Connecticut in about 2 hours.
- 🤏 Connecticut is small, but Rhode Island is the smallest state of all.
- 🏛️ Hartford has been Connecticut's only capital since 1875.
- ⭐ Connecticut was the 5th state to ratify the Constitution.
- 📜 Its Fundamental Orders of 1639 were America's first written constitution.
- 🎓 Yale University was founded in New Haven in 1701.
- 🍔 The hamburger was invented at Louis' Lunch in New Haven in 1900.
- 🚁 The first practical helicopter was built by Sikorsky in Stratford.
- 📺 Color television was invented in Connecticut.
- 🏞️ Mystic Seaport is one of the largest maritime museums in America.
- 🎩 The first U.S. patent law was signed by a Connecticut governor.
- 🐦 The state bird is the American Robin.
- 🌳 The state tree is the White Oak, tied to the Charter Oak legend.
- 🚢 Submarines have been built in Groton since the early 1900s.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- The first lollipop machine was invented in Connecticut in 1908!
- PEZ candy headquarters is in Orange, Connecticut.
- The first phone book ever was published in New Haven, it had just 50 names.
- Connecticut's nickname 'The Constitution State' comes from the Fundamental Orders of 1639.
- The first Frisbee was a pie tin from the Frisbie Pie Company in Bridgeport.
- Noah Webster, who wrote the first American dictionary, was born in West Hartford.
- Connecticut has the highest per capita income in the United States.
- The first speed limit law in the US was passed in Connecticut in 1901, 12 mph in cities!
- Wiffle Ball was invented in Shelton, Connecticut in 1953.
- Lake Compounce in Bristol is the oldest continuously operating amusement park in the US.
- Connecticut is the only state where you can find both a beach and a ski slope within an hour's drive.
- The first insurance policy in America was written in Hartford in 1794.
- Katharine Hepburn was born and raised in Hartford, Connecticut.
- The submarine was first successfully tested in the Connecticut River in 1775.
- Connecticut's state song is 'Yankee Doodle', the only state anthem that's also a national patriotic song!
Fun Fact
Connecticut is home to the first hamburger, first color television, and first helicopter. These innovations highlight Connecticut's long history of ingenuity and invention. Louis' Lunch in New Haven claims to have made the first hamburger in 1900 when Louis Lassen placed ground beef between two slices of bread for a busy office worker.
Delaware (DE)
The First State
- Capital
- Dover
- Statehood
- December 7, 1787 (1st state to join the Union)
- Population
- 1,051,917 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 1,949 square miles
- Highest Point
- Ebright Azimuth at 447.85 feet
- Famous Landmark
- Rehoboth Beach
Overview
Welcome to Delaware, the First State! On December 7, 1787, Delaware became the very first state to ratify the United States Constitution, earning it a place of honor in American history. Though it is the second smallest state by area, Delaware has played an outsized role in shaping the nation from the very beginning.
Delaware's landscape is gentle and welcoming: flat coastal plains, peaceful farmland, and charming small towns make up much of the state. The beaches along the Atlantic coast, especially Rehoboth Beach, are beloved summer destinations for families from Washington D.C. and beyond. The state's northern tip, around Wilmington, is more urban and sits along the busy corridor between Philadelphia and Baltimore.
History comes alive in Delaware at every turn. Old Swedes Church in Wilmington, built in 1698, is one of the oldest churches in America still standing. Dover, the capital, hosts a popular NASCAR speedway and the impressive Dover Air Force Base. Delaware is also famous for being incredibly business-friendly: more than half of all publicly traded companies in the United States are incorporated here. Tiny but proud, Delaware reminds us that being first is something truly special.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Bird [0.44, 0.43]
Blue Hen
Delaware's state bird is the Blue Hen Chicken. During the Revolutionary War, Captain John Caldwell's Delaware soldiers brought their famously feisty blue hens along to camp. The soldiers fought so bravely that people said they battled just like their scrappy chickens! The Blue Hen became a symbol of Delaware courage, and the University of Delaware teams are still called the Fightin' Blue Hens today.
Cryptid [0.39, 0.32]
Selbyville Swamp Monster
The Selbyville Swamp Monster, also called the Burnt Swamp Beast, is Delaware's very own mystery creature. It's said to be big, smelly, and to stomp around on two legs in the Great Cypress Swamp. In the 1970s, people kept finding giant footprints in the mud, and the local newspapers loved every minute of it. With its dark swamps and thick forests, southern Delaware would be a pretty good hideout for a creature that doesn't want to be found!
Marine Animal [0.59, 0.81]
Horseshoe Crab
Every May, Delaware Bay hosts the biggest horseshoe crab gathering on Earth. Half a million of them crawl onto the beaches to lay their eggs! Horseshoe crabs are living fossils. They've barely changed in 450 million years, since long before the dinosaurs. Strangest of all: their blood is bright blue, and doctors use it to check that new medicines are safe for people.
Bug [0.41, 0.67]
Ladybug
The Ladybug became Delaware's official state bug in 1974, thanks to a campaign by second graders at Lulu M. Ross Elementary School. Ladybugs are a gardener's best friend. One ladybug can eat up to 5,000 plant-munching aphids in its lifetime! There are over 5,000 kinds of ladybugs around the world. And despite the name, they aren't really bugs at all. They're beetles!
Flower [0.41, 0.55]
Peach Blossom
Delaware's state flower is the Peach Blossom, chosen in 1895. Back then, Delaware was called the Peach State, long before Georgia claimed that nickname! In the 1800s, Delaware orchards grew millions of baskets of peaches, and pink-and-white blossoms covered the countryside every spring. A plant disease later wiped out most of the orchards, but the blossom is still the state flower in honor of those golden years.
Landmarks (5 total)
🏭 Wilmington Chemical Capital [0.45, 0.21] City
Wilmington is Delaware's largest city and was the longtime home of the DuPont company, one of the oldest and most influential chemical companies in American history. The Hagley Museum lets you explore the original DuPont gunpowder mills along the Brandywine River.
Fun fact: More than half of America's big public companies, including giants like Apple and Google, call Delaware their legal home. The state's business-friendly laws make it their favorite home base!
⭐ Dover State Capital [0.47, 0.50] Capital
Dover is Delaware's capital and home to the famous Dover International Speedway, nicknamed 'The Monster Mile.' On December 7, 1787, Delaware became the very first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution, earning its proud nickname 'The First State.'
Fun fact: Delaware was so eager to ratify the Constitution that it beat Pennsylvania by five days, and Delawareans have bragged about it ever since!
🏖️ Rehoboth Beach Nation's Summer Capital [0.64, 0.70] Nature
Rehoboth Beach is called 'The Nation's Summer Capital' because so many Washington D.C. politicians and families vacation here. Its famous mile-long boardwalk is lined with shops, arcades, and some of the best saltwater taffy on the East Coast.
Fun fact: The Dolles saltwater taffy sign has been a boardwalk landmark since 1927. It's one of the most photographed signs in Delaware!
🦢 Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge [0.51, 0.45] Nature
Bombay Hook is a national wildlife refuge along Delaware Bay. It's a rest stop for shorebirds on their long journeys, and thousands of snow geese spend the winter here. Visitors spot bald eagles, herons, and muskrats from the scenic driving loop.
Fun fact: Each autumn, as many as 100,000 snow geese can swirl in the sky above Bombay Hook in a single day!
🌲 Trap Pond State Park Northernmost Cypress Swamp [0.51, 0.80] Nature
Trap Pond is home to the northernmost natural stand of bald cypress trees in the United States. Paddlers can glide through a quiet, mossy swamp in southern Delaware that feels more like Louisiana than the mid-Atlantic.
Fun fact: Trap Pond's bald cypress trees have knobby 'knees' that poke up out of the water. Nobody is completely sure why they grow that way!
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
What is the capital city of Delaware?
Dover has been Delaware's capital since 1777. It is also home to Dover Air Force Base and the famous NASCAR Dover Speedway.
Standard
What is the official state bird of Delaware?
The Blue Hen Chicken became Delaware's state bird because soldiers from Delaware brought fighting blue hens with them during the Revolutionary War for entertainment.
Standard
Which popular beach destination is located in Delaware?
Rehoboth Beach is Delaware's most popular beach town, nicknamed the 'Nation's Summer Capital' because so many Washington D.C. residents visit.
Standard
Delaware was the first state to ratify the US Constitution in 1787. What nickname did this earn it?
Delaware ratified the US Constitution on December 7, 1787, becoming the first state in the Union. That is why it is proudly called 'The First State'!
Standard
What is Delaware's state flower?
The Peach Blossom is Delaware's state flower, chosen because Delaware was once so famous for growing peaches that it was called the 'Peach State' before Georgia took that title.
Standard
Delaware is the second smallest US state by area. About how many square miles is it?
Delaware covers only about 1,949 square miles, making it the second smallest state. Only Rhode Island is smaller! You could drive across it in about an hour.
Standard
Many big companies are registered in Delaware even if their offices are elsewhere. Why?
Delaware has very business-friendly laws, which is why more than half of all Fortune 500 companies are legally incorporated there, even if their offices are in other states.
Standard
Which river forms Delaware's eastern border with New Jersey?
The Delaware River forms Delaware's eastern border and the state is named after it. The river was named after Lord De La Warr, an early Virginia governor.
Standard
What is the highest point in Delaware?
Ebright Azimuth is only 447.85 feet above sea level, making it the lowest high point of any US state! Delaware is very flat.
Standard
True or False: Old Swedes Church in Wilmington, built in 1698, is one of the oldest churches in America still standing.
Old Swedes Church was built by Swedish settlers and has been standing for over 325 years, making it one of the oldest churches in the country.
Standard
What is Wilmington's largest city known for historically?
Wilmington was the longtime home of the DuPont company, one of the oldest and most influential chemical companies in American history.
Standard
True or False: Delaware has no state sales tax.
Delaware is one of only five states with no state sales tax, which makes it a popular shopping destination for people from neighboring states.
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
What is Rehoboth Beach's famous boardwalk landmark, a taffy sign that has been there since 1927?
The Dolles saltwater taffy sign has been a beloved boardwalk landmark since 1927, it's one of the most photographed signs in Delaware!
Bonus Round
True or False: Delaware beat Pennsylvania by five days to become the first state to ratify the Constitution.
Delaware ratified the Constitution on December 7, 1787, beating Pennsylvania by five days, and Delawareans have bragged about it ever since!
Bonus Round
What is the NASCAR speedway in Dover nicknamed?
Dover International Speedway is nicknamed 'The Monster Mile' and is one of the most exciting tracks on the NASCAR circuit.
Bonus Round
Who was Lord De La Warr, the person Delaware is named after?
Delaware is named after the Delaware River, which was named after Lord De La Warr (Thomas West), an early English governor of Virginia.
Did You Know? (14 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 Delaware has just under 1 million residents.
- 📅 Delaware was the 1st state to ratify the Constitution in 1787.
- 🏛️ Dover has been Delaware's capital since 1777.
- 🐔 The Blue Hen Chicken is Delaware's state bird.
- 🏢 More than half of U.S. public companies are incorporated in Delaware.
- 🏞️ Delaware is the second-smallest state by area.
- 🌳 The Big Oak in Wye Mills was over 460 years old when it fell in 2002.
- ⛵ Delaware Bay was scouted by Henry Hudson in 1609.
- 🍑 Peaches were once Delaware's biggest crop before disease wiped them out.
- 🏰 Wilmington was founded by Swedish settlers in 1638.
- 🦅 Bombay Hook is one of the East Coast's top bird-watching reserves.
- 🏟️ Delaware has no professional sports teams.
- 🏎️ Dover Downs hosts NASCAR races on its 'Monster Mile' track.
- 🌅 Rehoboth Beach is nicknamed the Nation's Summer Capital.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- Delaware was the very first state to join the United States!
- There's no sales tax on shopping in Delaware.
- More businesses are registered in Delaware than actual people who live there.
- Delaware is the second smallest state, you can drive across it in about 30 minutes.
- The DuPont family essentially built modern Delaware, their chemical empire started there in 1802.
- The Punkin Chunkin contest in Bridgeville, DE used air cannons to launch pumpkins over half a mile.
- Delaware Bay hosts the world's largest spawning of horseshoe crabs every spring.
- The Nanticoke Indian Powwow in Millsboro is one of the oldest in the eastern US.
- Pea Patch Island in the Delaware River was a Civil War prison for Confederate soldiers.
- Delaware's Winterthur Museum has the largest collection of American decorative arts in the country.
- Fenwick Island Lighthouse has been guiding ships since 1859.
- Delaware is called 'The First State' and gets to march first in every presidential inaugural parade!
- Rehoboth Beach's boardwalk has been a vacation spot for DC politicians since the 1800s.
- Delaware produced more gunpowder than any other state during the Civil War, thanks to DuPont.
- The town of Lewes, Delaware was once bombarded by the British Navy during the War of 1812!
Fun Fact
Delaware was the first state to ratify the United States Constitution on December 7, 1787. This historic event earned it the nickname "The First State." Delaware's quick ratification reflected its leaders' desire to support a strong central government, contrasting with other colonies' more cautious approach.
Florida (FL)
The Sunshine State
- Capital
- Tallahassee
- Statehood
- March 3, 1845 (27th state to join the Union)
- Population
- 23,372,215 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 65,758 square miles
- Highest Point
- Britton Hill at 345 feet
- Famous Landmark
- Walt Disney World
Overview
Explore Florida, the Sunshine State! Jutting out into the warm waters between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, Florida is a peninsula paradise famous for its year-round sunny weather, stunning beaches, and one-of-a-kind wildlife. It is the third most populous state in the nation and one of the top vacation destinations in the entire world.
Florida's natural wonders are truly extraordinary. The Everglades, a vast river of grass in the southern part of the state, is home to alligators, manatees, Florida panthers, and hundreds of bird species found nowhere else. Off the coast, the Florida Keys stretch like a necklace of islands into the turquoise sea, ending at Key West, the southernmost point in the continental United States. The state also protects the only living coral reef in North America.
From the magic of Walt Disney World and the rocket launches at Kennedy Space Center to the Latin-flavored culture of Miami and the history of St. Augustine, the oldest European-settled city in the country, Florida offers something for everyone. Spanish explorers first arrived here in 1513, and people have been drawn to its warmth and beauty ever since.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Bird [0.36, 0.20]
Northern Mockingbird
The Northern Mockingbird has been Florida's state bird since 1927. In Florida's warm weather, mockingbirds may sing all year long. Males without mates sing the loudest, sometimes all night under streetlights, which they mistake for the moon! One mockingbird can learn up to 200 songs, copying other birds, frogs, and even machines. Its scientific name, Mimus polyglottos, means "many-tongued mimic."
Animal [0.60, 0.24]
Florida Panther
The Florida Panther is the state animal. This tawny mountain lion lives only in the swamps and pine forests of southern Florida. Fewer than 200 wild panthers remain, making them one of the rarest cats in North America. Panthers are quiet nighttime hunters, sneaking up on deer, raccoons, and wild hogs.
Orange [0.67, 0.36]
Orange
Florida grows about 70% of America's oranges, more than any other state. Surprise: oranges aren't originally from Florida! Spanish explorers brought them across the ocean in the 1500s. Today the orange groves face a tough enemy: a plant sickness spread by a tiny insect. Farmers and scientists are working hard to protect the trees.
Marine Mammal [0.82, 0.67]
West Indian Manatee
Florida's West Indian Manatees are nicknamed sea cows. These gentle giants can weigh up to 1,200 pounds! Manatees have no natural enemies. Their biggest dangers are boat propellers and chilly water. In winter, they crowd into warm springs to stay cozy. Every January, hundreds of manatees gather at Three Sisters Springs in Crystal River, and thousands of people come to swim near them.
Fruit [0.76, 0.54]
Orange
Florida made the orange its official state fruit in 2005. The state's sandy soil, plentiful rain, and warm sunshine are just right for orange trees. Here's a fun secret: most Florida oranges never land in a fruit bowl. Their skins are thin and spotty, but the fruit inside is extra sweet and bursting with juice. That makes them perfect for squeezing into orange juice!
Landmarks (8 total)
🏛️ Tallahassee Florida's Capital City [0.47, 0.26] Capital
Chosen as Florida's capital in 1824 because it was midway between the two largest settlements at the time, St. Augustine and Pensacola.
Fun fact: Tallahassee is famous for its canopy roads, historic streets where giant live oaks draped in Spanish moss arch overhead, making the city feel like a fairy-tale forest!
🏰 St. Augustine Oldest City in the U.S. [0.73, 0.31] Historic
Founded by Spanish explorers in 1565, St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied European-established settlement in the United States.
Fun fact: The Castillo de San Marcos fort was built in 1672 from coquina, a soft shell-rock. When cannonballs hit it, the walls didn't shatter. The spongy stone just swallowed them up!
🚀 Kennedy Space Center Gateway to the Stars [0.80, 0.46] Attraction
NASA's premier launch facility at Cape Canaveral has sent every American astronaut into orbit since 1961, from Mercury through Artemis.
Fun fact: The Vehicle Assembly Building is so enormous that rain clouds can form inside it! The building has its own weather, and it's one of the biggest buildings in the world.
🏰 Orlando Theme Park Capital of the World [0.74, 0.47] Attraction
Home to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld, Orlando welcomes over 75 million visitors per year, more than any other U.S. city.
Fun fact: Walt Disney World is roughly the size of San Francisco. It has its own fire department, power plant, and even its own government district.
🌴 Tampa Pirate City on the Gulf [0.63, 0.54] City
Tampa sits on the shores of Tampa Bay, one of the largest natural harbors in the Gulf of Mexico. Each year the city throws Gasparilla, a massive pirate-themed festival with a fully crewed pirate ship invasion.
Fun fact: Tampa's historic Ybor City neighborhood is famous for its colorful brick streets, Cuban sandwiches, and wild chickens that roam free. The chickens are even protected by city law!
🐊 Everglades National Park River of Grass [0.79, 0.78] Nature
The Everglades is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States, a slow-moving 'river of grass' that flows 100 miles from Lake Okeechobee to Florida Bay.
Fun fact: The Everglades is the only place on Earth where alligators and crocodiles coexist in the wild. It's also home to the elusive Florida panther, with fewer than 200 left.
🌆 Miami Gateway to the Americas [0.84, 0.75] City
Miami is the only major U.S. city founded by a woman. After a terrible freeze hit northern Florida, Julia Tuttle mailed fresh orange blossoms to railroad boss Henry Flagler to prove Miami stayed warm and green. It worked! He built his railway south, and the city was born.
Fun fact: Over 70% of Miami residents speak Spanish at home, making it the most bilingual major city in the United States and earning it the nickname 'Capital of Latin America.'
🌅 Key West Southernmost Point in the Continental U.S. [0.70, 0.87] Nature
Key West is the end of the line! The Overseas Highway runs 113 miles and crosses 42 bridges over open ocean to reach it. Here's a wild one: Key West is closer to Havana, Cuba than it is to Miami.
Fun fact: In 1982, Key West jokingly declared itself its own tiny country: the Conch Republic! The 'war' lasted exactly one minute before Key West gave up. Then, as a joke, it asked the United States for money to help it recover.
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
What is the capital city of Florida?
Tallahassee has been Florida's capital since 1824. Many people are surprised it is not Miami or Orlando, those are much bigger cities!
Standard
What is the official state bird of Florida?
The Northern Mockingbird can imitate the calls of over 30 different bird species. It is so good at mimicking that it can fool even experienced birdwatchers!
Standard
Which world-famous theme park is located near Orlando, Florida?
Walt Disney World opened in 1971 and is the most visited theme park resort in the world, welcoming over 50 million guests every year!
Standard
What is Florida's state flower?
The Orange Blossom is Florida's state flower. Florida grows more oranges than any other state, and the sweet smell of orange blossom fills the air in spring.
Standard
Florida has the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States. Where is it?
The Florida Reef runs along the Florida Keys and is the third-largest coral barrier reef system in the world. It is home to thousands of sea creatures!
Standard
What large reptile is found living wild in Florida's swamps and is its official state reptile?
Florida is home to over 1.3 million American alligators! Florida is actually the only place in the world where both alligators and crocodiles naturally live together.
Standard
Which Florida city is known as the 'launch capital of the world' because of its NASA space center?
Cape Canaveral is home to Kennedy Space Center, where NASA has launched rockets to the Moon, Mars, and beyond since the 1960s.
Standard
Florida is known as the Sunshine State. About how many sunny days does it get per year?
Florida averages about 237 sunny days per year, making it one of the sunniest states in the country. That is why it is nicknamed 'The Sunshine State!'
Standard
The Everglades is a vast river of grass in southern Florida. What endangered big cat lives there?
The Florida panther is one of the most endangered mammals in the world, with fewer than 200 left in the wild. They live mostly in the Everglades region.
Standard
True or False: Key West is closer to Miami than it is to Havana, Cuba.
False! Key West is only about 90 miles from Havana but about 160 miles from Miami. It is the southernmost point in the continental United States.
Standard
What is the highest point in all of Florida?
Britton Hill is Florida's highest point at just 345 feet above sea level. That makes Florida the flattest state in the country!
Standard
True or False: St. Augustine, Florida is the oldest European-settled city in the United States.
True! St. Augustine was founded by Spanish explorers in 1565, making it the oldest continuously occupied European-established settlement in the United States.
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
What is the name of the famous highway that connects mainland Florida to Key West across the ocean?
The Overseas Highway is 113 miles long and crosses 42 bridges over the open ocean. It is one of the most scenic drives in the world!
Bonus Round
True or False: Florida is the third most populous state in the United States.
True! Florida is the third most populous state after California and Texas, with over 22 million residents.
Bonus Round
Which sport did Florida become famous for that involves wrestling alligators, originally practiced by the Seminole people?
Alligator wrestling has roots in the Seminole and Miccosukee peoples of Florida. It became a famous tourist attraction in the early 1900s.
Bonus Round
What is the name of the warm ocean current that flows along the coast of Florida and helps keep Europe warm?
The Gulf Stream is a powerful, warm ocean current that starts in the Gulf of Mexico, flows past Florida, and crosses the Atlantic Ocean all the way to Europe!
Did You Know? (15 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 Florida has about 22 million residents.
- 🏖️ Florida has more than 1,300 miles of coastline.
- ☀️ Florida soaks up about 237 sunny days every year!
- 🐊 Florida is the only place where alligators and crocodiles coexist.
- 🏛️ Tallahassee has been the capital since 1824.
- 📅 Florida became the 27th state on March 3, 1845.
- 🚀 NASA launches its rockets from Kennedy Space Center.
- 🎢 Walt Disney World near Orlando opened in 1971.
- 🏞️ The Everglades is the only subtropical wilderness in the U.S.
- ⛈️ Florida has more lightning strikes than any other state.
- 🏰 St. Augustine is the oldest continuously inhabited European-founded city in the U.S.
- 🌊 The Florida Keys stretch 113 miles south of the mainland.
- ⛳ Florida has more golf courses than any other state.
- 🍊 Florida produces about 70% of America's oranges.
- 🏝️ Florida has over 660 miles of beaches.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- Saint Augustine is the oldest city in America, founded in 1565!
- Gatorade was invented at the University of Florida, named after the Gators.
- Key West is closer to Cuba than to Miami.
- Florida has more golf courses than any other state, over 1,250!
- The Everglades is the only place on Earth where alligators and crocodiles coexist.
- Florida produces about 70% of the nation's oranges.
- Lightning strikes Florida more than any other state, it's called the Lightning Capital.
- There are more springs in Florida than any other state, over 700!
- The Florida Keys are made of ancient coral reef, the only living coral reef in the contiguous US.
- Florida's high point, Britton Hill, is only 345 feet, the lowest high point of any state.
- Sunscreen was invented in Miami Beach by a pharmacist named Benjamin Green.
- Walt Disney World is roughly the size of San Francisco.
- Florida has no state income tax.
- The Overseas Highway to Key West crosses 42 bridges over 113 miles of open ocean.
- More people visit Florida each year than any other state, over 130 million tourists!
Fun Fact
Florida is known for having the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States. The Florida Reef extends from Key Biscayne near Miami to the Dry Tortugas in the Gulf of Mexico. It is the third- largest coral barrier reef system in the world, after the Great Barrier Reef and the Belize Barrier Reef.
Georgia (GA)
The Peach State
- Capital
- Atlanta
- Statehood
- January 2, 1788 (4th state to join the Union)
- Population
- 11,180,878 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 59,425 square miles
- Highest Point
- Brasstown Bald at 4,784 feet
Overview
Meet Georgia, the Peach State! Georgia is the largest state east of the Mississippi River, stretching from the misty Blue Ridge Mountains in the north all the way down to the sunny barrier islands along the Atlantic coast. In between you will find rolling red-clay hills, vast pine forests, and the sprawling Okefenokee Swamp, one of the biggest freshwater wetlands in North America.
Atlanta, the state capital, is a booming modern city known as the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the home of Coca-Cola, CNN, and the world's busiest airport. Down south, the charming city of Savannah dazzles visitors with cobblestone streets, moss-draped oak trees, and 22 gorgeous garden squares laid out nearly 300 years ago.
Georgia is famous for its peaches, but peanuts are actually the state's top crop: about half of all peanuts grown in the United States come from here. From the roar of the Masters golf tournament in Augusta to the sweet sound of Southern music, Georgia blends rich history, natural beauty, and warm hospitality like no other state.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Bird [0.51, 0.63]
Brown Thrasher
The Brown Thrasher knows more songs than any other bird in North America: over 1,100 of them! That's more than twice as many as the mockingbird. Here's how to spot its song: a thrasher sings each phrase exactly twice before moving to the next. Georgia made it the state bird in 1970. The thrasher is shy and hides in thick bushes, so you'll usually hear one long before you see it.
Flower [0.71, 0.54]
Cherokee Rose
Georgia's state flower, the Cherokee Rose, carries a moving legend. In 1838, the Cherokee people were forced to leave their Georgia homeland on a long, sad journey called the Trail of Tears. The legend says roses bloomed wherever the tears of Cherokee mothers fell. The white petals stand for their tears, the gold center for the gold taken from their land, and the seven leaves for the seven Cherokee clans. The rose first came from far-away China, but today it grows wild all across the Southeast.
Fruit [0.40, 0.63]
Peach
Georgia is nicknamed the Peach State, even though other states actually grow more peaches! Georgia's peach fame goes back to the 1800s. That's when Elberta peaches, named after a farmer's wife, became the first peaches shipped across America, packed in ice on train cars. Georgia peaches are famous for their sweetness and smell, and the state grows over 40 kinds. There's even a Peach County, Georgia!
Reptile [0.33, 0.45]
Gopher Tortoise
The Gopher Tortoise is nature's greatest landlord. It digs burrows up to 40 feet long and 10 feet deep, and more than 350 other animals move in, including burrowing owls, indigo snakes, and gopher frogs! These ancient tortoises can live over 60 years, and their family has been around for 60 million years. Georgia made it the state reptile in 1989. Today the tortoise needs our help, because the sandy land where it digs its homes is disappearing.
Crop [0.53, 0.42]
Peanut
Georgia grows nearly half of all the peanuts in the United States. That makes it the Peanut Capital of the World! The town of Plains, Georgia sits surrounded by peanut fields. It's the hometown of President Jimmy Carter, who was a peanut farmer before he went into politics. Surprise: peanuts aren't nuts at all. They're legumes, like peas and beans, and they grow underground. One plant can make 25 to 50 peanut pods in a season!
Landmarks (5 total)
⭐ Atlanta State Capital [0.39, 0.39] Capital
Atlanta is Georgia's capital and the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It's also home to the world's busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson, and the headquarters of Coca-Cola, CNN, and The Home Depot.
Fun fact: Atlanta's street names are famously confusing. More than 70 streets have 'Peachtree' in the name!
💧 Amicalola Falls Tallest Waterfall in Georgia [0.40, 0.32] Nature
Amicalola Falls is Georgia's tallest waterfall, tumbling 729 feet down the north Georgia mountains. It's the third-tallest waterfall of its kind east of the Mississippi River! It's also where hikers begin the 8-mile trail to Springer Mountain, the very southern start of the famous Appalachian Trail.
Fun fact: 'Amicalola' is a Cherokee word meaning 'tumbling waters.' Every year, thousands of hikers start their 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail journey right here!
⛳ Augusta Home of The Masters [0.55, 0.30] Attraction
Augusta is world-famous as the home of Augusta National Golf Club and The Masters Tournament, one of the most prestigious events in all of sports. The city sits along the Savannah River and was Georgia's second capital from 1786 to 1795.
Fun fact: Each year, the winner of The Masters at Augusta National wears a special green jacket, and the jacket has to stay at the club until next year's tournament!
🌳 Savannah Hostess City [0.75, 0.62] City
Savannah is one of the most beautiful cities in America, famous for its cobblestone streets, moss-draped oak trees, and 22 garden squares laid out by founder James Oglethorpe in 1733. Its entire downtown is a National Historic Landmark District.
Fun fact: Savannah's Waving Girl statue honors Florence Martus, who waved at every ship entering the port for 44 years straight, over 50,000 ships!
🐊 Okefenokee Swamp Land of Trembling Earth [0.62, 0.78] Nature
The Okefenokee Swamp is one of the largest intact freshwater ecosystems in North America, covering nearly 700 square miles. Its name means 'Land of Trembling Earth' in the Hitchiti language because the ground literally shakes when you walk on it.
Fun fact: Over 15,000 alligators call the Okefenokee home, plus black bears, sandhill cranes, and hundreds of other species!
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
What is the capital city of Georgia?
Atlanta has been Georgia's capital since 1868. It is also the headquarters of Coca-Cola, CNN, and Delta Air Lines!
Standard
What is the official state bird of Georgia?
The Brown Thrasher can sing over 1,100 different song types, more than any other North American bird. It repeats each phrase twice as it sings.
Standard
What is Georgia's state flower?
The Cherokee Rose is Georgia's state flower. According to Cherokee legend, it grew from the tears shed by Cherokee mothers on the Trail of Tears.
Standard
Georgia is known as the Peach State. But which crop actually produces the most agricultural revenue in Georgia today?
Peanuts are Georgia's top crop today! Georgia produces about half of all peanuts grown in the United States. President Jimmy Carter was a peanut farmer from Georgia.
Standard
Which Georgia city is the oldest planned city in America, known for its beautiful squares and parks?
Savannah was founded in 1733 and carefully laid out with 22 beautiful public squares. It is considered America's first planned city and has one of the most gorgeous historic districts in the country.
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Which world-famous civil rights leader was born in Atlanta, Georgia?
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born in Atlanta in 1929. You can visit his birth home and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site in Atlanta today.
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Which famous golf tournament is held every year in Augusta, Georgia?
The Masters is one of golf's four major championships and is held at Augusta National Golf Club every April. Winners receive a famous green jacket!
Standard
What is the highest point in Georgia?
Brasstown Bald stands 4,784 feet tall and is Georgia's highest peak. On a clear day, you can see parts of four states from the top!
Standard
True or False: Georgia is the largest state in the entire American South.
False! Georgia is the largest state east of the Mississippi at 59,425 square miles, but Texas, much larger, is also part of the South.
Standard
The Okefenokee Swamp in southern Georgia is one of the largest freshwater wetlands in North America. What does its name mean?
Okefenokee means 'Land of Trembling Earth' in the Hitchiti language because the boggy ground literally shakes when you walk on it!
Standard
True or False: Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson is the world's busiest airport.
True! Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has been the busiest airport in the world for many years, serving over 90 million passengers annually.
Standard
Georgia was the ___th state to join the Union, making it one of the original 13 colonies.
Georgia was the 4th state to ratify the Constitution on January 2, 1788. It was named after King George II of England.
Bonus Trivia (5)
Bonus Round
Which famous soft drink was invented in Atlanta, Georgia in 1886?
Coca-Cola was invented by pharmacist John Pemberton in Atlanta in 1886. Today you can visit the World of Coca-Cola museum in downtown Atlanta!
Bonus Round
True or False: The Girl Scouts of the USA were founded in Savannah, Georgia.
True! Juliette Gordon Low founded the Girl Scouts in Savannah on March 12, 1912. Her birthplace is now a museum and a must-visit for Girl Scouts from around the country.
Bonus Round
Which US President was a peanut farmer from Plains, Georgia before entering politics?
Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, grew up on a peanut farm in Plains, Georgia. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
Bonus Round
What is the name of the massive granite mountain near Atlanta that features a giant carved relief of Confederate leaders?
Stone Mountain is a huge dome of granite rising 825 feet above the surrounding area. Its carving is the largest bas-relief sculpture in the world.
Bonus Round
Georgia flew three different state flags in just three years. When did that happen?
Georgia changed its state flag in 2001 and again in 2003, so three different flags flew over the state in three years. Flags are not permanent. States sometimes redesign them when people decide the old design no longer speaks for everyone who lives there.
Did You Know? (15 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 Over 11 million people call Georgia home.
- 📅 Georgia became the 4th state on January 2, 1788.
- 🏛️ Atlanta has been Georgia's capital since 1868.
- 🚩 Georgia flew three different state flags between 2001 and 2003.
- 🍑 Georgia is famous for its peaches, but it grows more peanuts.
- 🥤 Coca-Cola was invented in Atlanta in 1886.
- 🏞️ Georgia is the largest state east of the Mississippi by area.
- 🌳 Live oaks draped in Spanish moss are iconic Georgia trees.
- 🌹 The Cherokee Rose is the state flower of Georgia.
- 🏟️ The 1996 Summer Olympics were held in Atlanta.
- ✈️ Atlanta's airport is the world's busiest by passenger traffic.
- 🐦 The Brown Thrasher is Georgia's state bird.
- 🚂 Savannah is one of the largest historic districts in America.
- 🎬 Georgia has become a major hub for film and TV production.
- 🌅 Stone Mountain is the largest exposed granite dome in the world.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- Coca-Cola was invented in Atlanta in 1886 by a pharmacist!
- Georgia grows more peanuts than any other state, about 50% of the US supply.
- The Girl Scouts sold their first cookies in Georgia in 1917.
- Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta is the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic.
- The Savannah Bananas baseball team has become the most viral sports team in America, founded in Savannah, GA!
- Georgia is the largest state east of the Mississippi River.
- The first gold rush in America happened in Dahlonega, Georgia in 1828.
- Savannah's city plan with 22 public squares is considered one of the finest in the world.
- Jimmy Carter, the 39th president, was a peanut farmer from Plains, Georgia.
- Georgia is called the Peach State but actually ranks 3rd in peach production!
- The Varsity in Atlanta is the world's largest drive-in restaurant.
- Vidalia onions, famous for their sweetness, can only legally be grown in certain Georgia counties.
- Georgia has the most tree coverage of any state, about 67% forested.
- The world's largest aquarium, Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, holds 10 million gallons of water.
- Flannery O'Connor, one of America's greatest short story writers, was born in Savannah.
Fun Fact
Georgia is home to the city of Savannah, which has the distinction of being America's first planned city. Savannah was established in 1733 by General James Oglethorpe and was laid out in a series of grids that allowed for wide open streets intertwined with lush public squares and parks.
Hawaii (HI)
The Aloha State
- Capital
- Honolulu
- Statehood
- August 21, 1959 (50th state to join the Union)
- Population
- 1,434,952 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 10,931 square miles
- Highest Point
- Mauna Kea at 13,796 feet
- Famous Landmark
- Pearl Harbor
Overview
Aloha and welcome to Hawaii, the Aloha State! Hawaii is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands, and it sits more than 2,000 miles out in the Pacific Ocean, making it the most isolated chain of islands on Earth. The state has eight main islands, each with its own personality, from the lush rainforests of Kauai to the volcanic landscapes of the Big Island.
Hawaii was formed by underwater volcanoes, and you can still watch new land being created as lava from Kilauea flows into the sea. Mauna Kea, measured from its base on the ocean floor, is actually taller than Mount Everest! The islands are home to incredible wildlife found nowhere else, including the endangered Nene goose and colorful reef fish in crystal-clear waters.
Hawaiian culture is rich with traditions like hula dancing, surfing, and the spirit of aloha, a word that means love, peace, and compassion all at once. Before becoming the 50th state in 1959, Hawaii was an independent kingdom with its own royal palace. Today, its stunning beaches, towering sea cliffs, and warm tropical breezes make it one of the most magical places in the world.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Bird [0.78, 0.57]
Nēnē
The Nēnē is Hawaii’s state bird, and it almost disappeared: by 1952, only 30 were left. People raised nēnē chicks and set them free, and today about 3,000 live wild on Hawaii’s volcanic slopes. Unlike most geese, the nēnē rarely swims. Its feet have less webbing, which helps it grip rough lava rock. Its gentle call sounds like "nay-nay," and that’s how it got its name!
Flower [0.81, 0.63]
Yellow Hibiscus
Hawaii’s state flower is the Pua Aloalo, the Yellow Hibiscus (Prickly Mallow), one of the rarest hibiscus species on Earth and found naturally only on the island of Oahu. Each blossom lasts just a single day before falling. Hawaii is sometimes called the Hibiscus State, and the flower’s image appears on everything from the state quarter to traditional Hawaiian quilts. It’s one of seven native Hawaiian hibiscus, six of which are endangered.
Fish [0.75, 0.52]
Humuhumunukunukuapua’a
Hawaii’s state fish has the longest name of any state symbol in the US: Humuhumunukunukuapua’a. The name roughly means "fish that comes out of the water and sounds like a pig." It’s a type of triggerfish that grunts when frightened. When danger comes, it darts into a rock hole and locks a special fin spine in place so nothing can pull it out. It deadbolts itself inside!
Tree [0.28, 0.31]
Candlenut
The Kukui (Candlenut) tree is Hawaii’s state tree, and Native Hawaiians used every part of it. Its oily nuts burn like little candles. Hawaiians strung them on palm-leaf ribs to make torches. Each nut burned for about one minute, so the torch worked like a clock! The oil protected fishnets, roasted nuts became a tasty topping called inamona, and the charred shells made ink for traditional tattoos.
Local Myth [0.38, 0.33]
Hawaiian Nightmarchers
The Nightmarchers, called Huaka’i Pō in Hawaiian, are the spirits of ancient Hawaiian warriors. Legend says they march in a line through the islands at night, near sacred places and old battlegrounds. The stories warn: never watch them pass! Show respect by lying face-down and staying still until they’re gone. People say you’ll know they’re coming by flickering torches, chanting, and the beat of drums.
Landmarks (7 total)
🌺 Honolulu State Capital · O'ahu [0.44, 0.38] Capital
Honolulu is Hawaii's capital and largest city, home to world-famous Waikiki Beach and the historic Pearl Harbor memorial. It is the most remote major city in the world, sitting over 2,400 miles from the nearest mainland.
Fun fact: Honolulu's 'Iolani Palace is the only royal palace on U.S. soil. Hawaiian kings and queens really lived there!
🌋 Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park · Hawai'i [0.84, 0.72] Nature
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island is home to Kīlauea, one of the most active volcanoes on Earth. Lava flows from Kīlauea have added over 500 acres of new land to the island since 1983.
Fun fact: If you measure Mauna Kea from its base on the ocean floor, it's over 33,000 feet tall, making it taller than Mount Everest!
🌅 Haleakalā House of the Sun · Maui [0.69, 0.46] Nature
Haleakalā is a massive dormant volcano on Maui that rises over 10,000 feet above sea level. Its name means 'House of the Sun' in Hawaiian, and watching the sunrise from its summit is one of the most breathtaking experiences in the islands.
Fun fact: The inside of Haleakalā's crater looks so much like the surface of Mars that NASA once tested lunar and planetary rovers there!
⛰️ Nā Pali Coast Sea Cliffs · Kaua'i [0.16, 0.27] Nature
The Nā Pali Coast on Kaua'i features towering sea cliffs that soar up to 3,000 feet above the Pacific Ocean. This remote coastline is only accessible by boat, helicopter, or an 11-mile hiking trail and has been a filming location for Jurassic Park.
Fun fact: Kaua'i's Mount Waialeale is one of the wettest spots on Earth. It gets about 450 inches of rain per year. That's over 37 feet of rain!
🏛️ Kalaupapa Historical Park · Moloka'i [0.57, 0.40] Historic
Kalaupapa National Historical Park sits on a remote peninsula on Moloka'i, surrounded by the world's tallest sea cliffs. Long ago, people with a serious illness called leprosy were sent to live here, far from everyone else. A kind priest named Father Damien came in 1873 to care for them, and his story is remembered around the world.
Fun fact: The sea cliffs on Moloka'i's north shore rise over 3,600 feet. They're the tallest sea cliffs in the world!
🪨 Garden of the Gods Keahiakawelo · Lāna'i [0.61, 0.46] Nature
The Garden of the Gods on Lāna'i is an otherworldly landscape of red-orange boulders and rock towers shaped by centuries of wind erosion. According to Hawaiian legend, the formations were created during a contest between two priests on neighboring islands.
Fun fact: Lāna'i was once the world's largest pineapple plantation. Until the 1990s, the whole island was covered in pineapple fields!
🚫 Ni'ihau The Forbidden Island [0.07, 0.31] Nature
Ni'ihau is a privately owned island that has been closed to most outsiders since 1864. About 70 residents live there without paved roads, running water, or electricity, and Hawaiian is still the primary language spoken on the island.
Fun fact: Ni'ihau is famous for its rare shell lei, made from tiny shells found only on its beaches. A single lei can sell for thousands of dollars!
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
What is the capital city of Hawaii?
Honolulu is Hawaii's capital and largest city, located on the island of Oahu. It is home to the famous Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head volcano.
Standard
What is the official state bird of Hawaii?
The Nene (Hawaiian Goose) is Hawaii's state bird and is an endangered species found only in Hawaii. It is a cousin of the Canada Goose!
Standard
Which historic naval base was attacked by Japan on December 7, 1941, pulling the US into World War II?
The surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, was the event that led the United States into World War II. President Roosevelt called it 'a date which will live in infamy.'
Standard
What is Hawaii's state flower?
The Yellow Hibiscus (Pua Aloalo) is Hawaii's state flower. Hawaii is sometimes called the 'Hibiscus State.' The yellow hibiscus is the rarest variety and found only in Hawaii.
Standard
Hawaii is the only US state made entirely of islands. How many main islands does it have?
Hawaii has 8 main islands: Hawaii (the Big Island), Maui, Oahu, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Niihau, and Kahoolawe. There are also dozens of smaller islets!
Standard
What is the name of the active volcano on Hawaii's Big Island that has been erupting almost continuously since 1983?
Kilauea is one of the most active volcanoes on Earth! Its lava flows have added new land to the Big Island. Mauna Kea is actually the tallest mountain when measured from the sea floor.
Standard
Hawaii was the last state to join the United States. In what year did it become a state?
Hawaii became the 50th and final state on August 21, 1959. Alaska joined earlier the same year as the 49th state, both in 1959!
Standard
What does the Hawaiian word 'Aloha' mean?
'Aloha' is a powerful Hawaiian word that means hello, goodbye, love, and peace all at once. It reflects the warm and welcoming spirit of Hawaiian culture.
Standard
True or False: Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain in the world when measured from sea level.
False! From sea level, Mount Everest is taller. But measured from its underwater base, Mauna Kea is over 33,000 feet, taller than Everest.
Standard
What is the highest point in Hawaii?
Mauna Kea stands at 13,796 feet above sea level, making it the highest point in Hawaii. Its summit is home to some of the world's most powerful telescopes!
Standard
True or False: Hawaii is the most isolated population center on Earth.
True! Hawaii is over 2,000 miles from the nearest mainland, making it the most geographically isolated chain of populated islands on the planet.
Standard
Before becoming a US state, Hawaii was once ruled by what kind of government?
Hawaii was an independent kingdom with its own royal family. 'Iolani Palace in Honolulu is the only royal palace on US soil, where Hawaiian kings and queens once lived.
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
What traditional Hawaiian dance tells stories through graceful hand and body movements?
Hula is a beautiful Hawaiian dance that uses hand gestures and body movements to tell stories of nature, history, and legends. It has been practiced for centuries!
Bonus Round
True or False: Hawaii has its own alphabet with only 13 letters.
True! The Hawaiian alphabet has 13 letters: 5 vowels (A, E, I, O, U), 7 consonants (H, K, L, M, N, P, W), and the 'okina (a glottal-stop mark). It is one of the shortest alphabets in the world!
Bonus Round
What popular water sport was invented by ancient Hawaiians and is now enjoyed worldwide?
Surfing was invented by ancient Hawaiians, who called it 'he'e nalu' (wave sliding). Hawaiian royalty were especially known for their surfing skills!
Bonus Round
Which Hawaiian island is known as 'The Garden Isle' because of its lush green rainforests?
Kauai is called 'The Garden Isle' because it is the greenest and most lush of all the Hawaiian islands. Mount Waialeale on Kauai receives about 450 inches of rain per year!
Did You Know? (15 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 Hawaii has about 1.4 million residents.
- 🌋 Hawaii has the world's most active volcano, Kilauea.
- 🌺 'Aloha' means hello, goodbye, love, and peace all at once!
- 📅 Hawaii became the 50th state on August 21, 1959.
- 🏛️ Honolulu has been the capital since Hawaii joined the U.S.
- 🌺 The Hibiscus is the state flower of Hawaii.
- 🏝️ Hawaii is made up of 137 islands across 1,500 miles.
- 🐢 Hawaii's beaches are nesting sites for endangered green sea turtles.
- ⛰️ Mauna Kea, measured from the seafloor, is the tallest mountain on Earth.
- 🍍 Hawaii once produced 80% of the world's pineapples.
- 🤙 The shaka 'hang loose' hand sign originated in Hawaii.
- 🏄 Surfing was invented by ancient Hawaiians.
- 🗣️ Hawaii has its own state-level language: Olelo Hawaii.
- 🌈 Hawaiian license plates feature a rainbow design.
- 🏞️ Pearl Harbor on Oahu was attacked in 1941, drawing the U.S. into World War II.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- Hawaii is the only US state that grows coffee commercially!
- There are no snakes native to Hawaii.
- Hawaii has its own time zone and never observes daylight saving time.
- The Big Island grows by about 42 acres per year from lava flow!
- Hawaii is the widest US state if measured island to island.
- Spam is wildly popular in Hawaii, residents eat 7 million cans a year!
- The Hawaiian flag is the only US state flag to feature the Union Jack.
- Hawaii's state fish name has more letters than the alphabet has!
- The Hawaiian alphabet has just 13 letters: 5 vowels, 7 consonants, and the 'okina.
- Waikiki Beach is actually made of imported sand!
- Hawaii was an independent kingdom until 1893.
- The world's largest telescope sits atop Mauna Kea.
- Barack Obama is the only US president born in Hawaii.
- Hawaii is the most isolated population center on Earth.
- Molokini Crater off Maui is a crescent-shaped volcanic caldera you can snorkel in!
Fun Fact
Hawaii is the only U.S. state composed entirely of islands and is located over 2,000 miles (3,200 kilometers) from the continental United States, making it the most isolated population center on Earth. Its unique location contributes to a rich diversity of natural life, including more than 1,000 native species of plants and animals that can be found nowhere else on the planet.
Idaho (ID)
The Gem State
- Capital
- Boise
- Statehood
- July 3, 1890 (43rd state to join the Union)
- Population
- 2,001,619 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 83,569 square miles
- Highest Point
- Borah Peak at 12,662 feet
- Famous Landmark
- Shoshone Falls
Overview
Welcome to Idaho, the Gem State! Tucked into the rugged northwest corner of the country, Idaho is a land of towering mountain peaks, roaring whitewater rivers, and wide-open wilderness. Over 70 types of precious and semi-precious gemstones have been found here, including the rare star garnet, found almost nowhere else on Earth, which is how the state earned its sparkling nickname.
Idaho's landscapes are jaw-dropping. Hells Canyon, carved by the Snake River along the Oregon border, is the deepest river gorge in all of North America, even deeper than the Grand Canyon. Shoshone Falls plunges 212 feet, making it taller than Niagara Falls, and the Sawtooth Mountains look like something straight out of a postcard. The Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness covers over two million acres of untouched backcountry.
Of course, Idaho is also the potato capital of America, growing about one-third of all potatoes in the entire country. But there is so much more to discover, from Boise's lively downtown and tree-lined river trails to world-class skiing in Sun Valley, the very first ski resort in the United States. Idaho is an adventurer's paradise.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Bird [0.46, 0.41]
Mountain Bluebird
Idaho's state bird, the Mountain Bluebird, is blue all over: sky-blue wings AND a sky-blue body, which is rare even for bluebirds. It can hover in midair, scanning the ground for insects before dropping down to grab one. Mountain Bluebirds nest in holes: old woodpecker holes, fence posts, and nest boxes. Good holes are hard to find, so they often have to race Tree Swallows for the best spots!
Flower [0.54, 0.64]
Syringa
Idaho's state flower, the Syringa (mock orange), fills the air with a fragrance so similar to orange blossoms that early settlers believed they'd found a new citrus tree. The shrub blooms in May and June across Idaho's mountain slopes and canyons, and its white flowers were used by the Nez Perce people to make soap. Despite its name, Syringa is unrelated to the orange; it's actually a member of the hydrangea family.
Fossil [0.53, 0.54]
Hagerman Horse
Idaho's state fossil is the Hagerman Horse. The world's biggest collection of these 3.5-million-year-old horse fossils was found near the town of Hagerman in 1928. The Hagerman Horse is the oldest known relative of today's horses, so the modern horse family story begins in Idaho! The Smithsonian built a full skeleton using bones from over 200 different animals dug from the fossil beds. It was like solving a giant bone puzzle.
State Vegetable [0.42, 0.76]
Idaho Potato
Idaho grows about one-third of all potatoes in the United States: over 13 billion pounds per year! The state's volcanic soil, dry climate, and cool mountain nights are perfect for the Russet Burbank, Idaho's signature potato. The name "Idaho potato" is officially protected by law. A potato can only be called an Idaho potato if it really grew in Idaho!
Tree [0.37, 0.24]
Western White Pine
Idaho's state tree, the Western White Pine, grows tall and straight, so its wood was once prized for ship masts, matchsticks, and lumber. In the early 1900s, a tree sickness called blister rust arrived by accident from Europe and wiped out huge stretches of these forests. For decades, Idaho's foresters have been growing new white pines that can fight off the disease. It's one of the longest-running tree rescue projects in American history!
Landmarks (6 total)
⭐ Boise State Capital [0.32, 0.74] Capital
Boise is Idaho's capital and largest city, nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains along the Boise River. Its name comes from the French 'les bois,' meaning 'the woods,' given by French-Canadian fur trappers who were overjoyed to see trees after crossing the dry plains.
Fun fact: Downtown Boise is heated by naturally hot water piped up from deep underground! The city is also home to the World Center for Birds of Prey, where you can meet giant Andean condors.
💎 Coeur d'Alene Lake City · Panhandle [0.27, 0.21] Nature
Coeur d'Alene sits on the shores of one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Lake Coeur d'Alene stretches 25 miles long and is so crystal clear you can see the bottom in many places. The city's name is French for 'heart of the awl,' a nickname fur traders gave the local tribe for their sharp trading skills.
Fun fact: The Coeur d'Alene Resort has a floating golf green! The 14th hole sits on a movable island in the lake. It's the only golf hole in the world you reach by boat.
⛷️ Sun Valley America's First Ski Resort [0.51, 0.75] Attraction
Sun Valley became America's very first destination ski resort when it opened in 1936. Union Pacific Railroad built it to boost winter train travel, and it quickly attracted Hollywood stars like Clark Gable and Ernest Hemingway, who loved it so much he spent his final years there.
Fun fact: The world's first chairlift was invented right here at Sun Valley. The engineer got the idea from a machine used to load bananas onto ships!
🏞️ Hells Canyon Deepest Gorge in N. America [0.29, 0.19] Nature
Hells Canyon along the Snake River is the deepest river gorge in North America, plunging over 7,900 feet from peak to river, nearly 2,000 feet deeper than the Grand Canyon. This remote wilderness straddles the Idaho-Oregon border and is home to bighorn sheep, mountain lions, and black bears.
Fun fact: Hells Canyon got its name from early pioneers who found it brutally hard to cross. The walls are so steep that in some places, the sun only reaches the river for a few hours each day!
💧 Shoshone Falls Niagara of the West [0.49, 0.84] Nature
Shoshone Falls on the Snake River plunges 212 feet. That's 36 feet taller than Niagara Falls! Long before European explorers arrived, the Shoshone-Bannock people lived near these falls for thousands of years, catching the salmon that swam upriver in huge numbers.
Fun fact: Shoshone Falls is so powerful that when the water is at full flow in spring, the mist creates rainbows you can see from over a mile away!
🌑 Craters of the Moon National Monument [0.57, 0.80] Nature
Craters of the Moon National Monument is a vast lava field covering over 600 square miles of twisted black rock, cinder cones, and lava tubes. The landscape is so otherworldly that NASA sent Apollo 14 astronauts here in 1969 to train for walking on the Moon.
Fun fact: Some lava tubes at Craters of the Moon hold ice all year long, even in summer. Early settlers chipped out the ice to keep their food cold, like a natural freezer!
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
What is the capital city of Idaho?
Boise is Idaho's capital and largest city. The name 'Boise' comes from a French word meaning 'wooded', early French-Canadian trappers named it for the trees along the river.
Standard
What is the official state bird of Idaho?
The Mountain Bluebird has brilliant sky-blue feathers and lives in open meadows and mountain areas. The male is a vivid blue color.
Standard
Shoshone Falls on the Snake River is taller than Niagara Falls. How much taller is it?
Shoshone Falls drops 212 feet, which is 36 feet higher than Niagara Falls! It is called 'The Niagara of the West' and is especially impressive in spring.
Standard
What is Idaho's state flower?
The Syringa, also called Mock Orange, is Idaho's state flower. Its white blooms smell just like orange blossoms and fill the air with a wonderful fragrance.
Standard
Idaho is the top producer of which vegetable in the United States?
Idaho grows more potatoes than any other state, about one-third of all potatoes in the US! Idaho potatoes are famous for being especially fluffy and delicious.
Standard
What is the nickname of Idaho?
Idaho is called 'The Gem State' because 72 types of precious and semi-precious gemstones have been found there, including the rare star garnet found almost nowhere else on Earth.
Standard
Which river runs through the famous Hells Canyon, the deepest river gorge in North America?
The Snake River carved Hells Canyon, which is over 7,900 feet deep, deeper than the Grand Canyon! It forms part of the border between Idaho and Oregon.
Standard
What is the highest peak in Idaho?
Borah Peak rises 12,662 feet and is Idaho's highest mountain. It is also called Mount Borah. Climbing it is a popular challenge for hikers!
Standard
True or False: Hells Canyon in Idaho is the deepest canyon in the world.
False! Hells Canyon is deeper than the Grand Canyon, but several canyons in Asia and South America are deeper. Hells Canyon is North America's deepest river gorge.
Standard
The Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness is the second-largest wilderness area in the lower 48 states. About how big is it?
The Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness covers over 2.3 million acres of rugged Idaho backcountry. It is named after Senator Frank Church, who fought to protect it.
Standard
True or False: NASA sent astronauts to Craters of the Moon in Idaho to train for walking on the actual Moon.
True! NASA sent Apollo 14 astronauts to Craters of the Moon in 1969 because the volcanic landscape looks so much like the lunar surface.
Standard
What was the first destination ski resort in the United States, located in Idaho?
Sun Valley opened in 1936 as America's very first destination ski resort. The world's first chairlift was invented here, inspired by a system used to load bananas onto ships!
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
What rare gemstone is found in Idaho that can only be found in one other place in the world (India)?
The star garnet is an extremely rare gem that shows a four- or six-pointed star pattern when light hits it. Idaho and India are the only two places on Earth where they are found!
Bonus Round
True or False: Idaho's license plates say 'Famous Potatoes' on them.
True! Idaho is so proud of its potatoes that the state license plate features the slogan 'Famous Potatoes.' Idaho produces about 13 billion pounds of potatoes each year!
Bonus Round
Which famous author loved Sun Valley, Idaho so much that he spent his final years living there?
Ernest Hemingway, the Nobel Prize-winning author, fell in love with Sun Valley and spent his last years there. A memorial to him stands along Trail Creek.
Bonus Round
What is the name of the floating golf green at a resort in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho?
The Coeur d'Alene Resort has a famous floating golf green at the 14th hole, it is on a movable island in the lake, and you reach it by boat! It is the only hole like it in the world.
Did You Know? (14 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 About 1.9 million people live in Idaho.
- 🥔 Idaho grows roughly a third of all U.S. potatoes.
- 📅 Idaho became the 43rd state on July 3, 1890.
- 🏛️ Boise has been Idaho's capital since 1865.
- 🏞️ Hells Canyon is the deepest river gorge in North America.
- 💎 Idaho is nicknamed 'The Gem State' for its 72 varieties of gemstones.
- 🐑 Idaho is one of America's top sheep-producing states.
- 🚣 The Salmon River is also called the 'River of No Return.'
- 🛶 Idaho has more whitewater rivers than any other state.
- 🥔 Idaho potatoes are recognized worldwide for their quality.
- 🌲 More than 38% of Idaho is covered in national forests.
- ⛷️ Sun Valley was America's first destination ski resort, opened in 1936.
- 🌅 Idaho is the only state in the Pacific Northwest without an ocean coast.
- 💎 Idaho's rare star garnet is the official state gemstone.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- Idaho has more whitewater rapids than any other state in the lower 48!
- The first ski chairlift in the world was built in Sun Valley in 1936.
- Idaho's Shoshone Falls is actually higher than Niagara Falls!
- Boise is heated by geothermal water, one of the largest systems in the US.
- Idaho grows about 13 billion pounds of potatoes per year!
- The Sawtooth Mountains have over 40 peaks above 10,000 feet.
- Idaho has the largest contiguous dark sky reserve in the US.
- The Nez Perce people bred the Appaloosa horse in Idaho's grasslands.
- Balanced Rock near Buhl is a 40-foot boulder perched on a tiny pedestal.
- Idaho's Bruneau Sand Dunes are the tallest in North America at 470 feet!
- More land in Idaho is protected wilderness than in any other state except Alaska.
- The Salmon River is called the 'River of No Return' because it's too rough to travel upstream.
- Idaho produces 72 different types of precious and semi-precious gemstones.
- Thousand Springs in the Snake River Canyon flows right out of cliff walls!
- Idaho was the last of the 50 states to be explored by Europeans.
Fun Fact
Idaho is renowned for having one of the largest wilderness areas in the United States. The Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness Area is over 2.3 million acres, making it the second-largest wilderness area in the lower 48 states. This vast and rugged region is named after U.S. Senator Frank Church, who fought to protect Idaho's wild lands from development.
Illinois (IL)
The Prairie State
- Capital
- Springfield
- Statehood
- December 3, 1818 (21st state to join the Union)
- Population
- 12,710,158 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 57,914 square miles
- Highest Point
- Charles Mound at 1,235 feet
- Famous Landmark
- Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower)
Overview
Step into Illinois, the Prairie State! Stretching from the shores of Lake Michigan in the northeast to the rolling farmland of the south, Illinois is a state of surprising contrasts. Chicago, the state's crown jewel and the third-largest city in America, towers along the lakefront with a dazzling skyline that helped invent the modern skyscraper.
Illinois is deeply woven into American history. Springfield, the state capital, is where Abraham Lincoln lived and practiced law before becoming the 16th President. You can visit his home, his tomb, and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. The state also played a huge role in the growth of the railroads, connecting the East Coast to the western frontier.
Beyond the big city, Illinois is a land of wide-open prairies, mighty rivers, and fertile farmland that helps feed the nation. Chicago gave the world deep-dish pizza, the Chicago-style hot dog, and legendary blues and jazz music. Whether you are gazing up at Willis Tower, exploring Route 66, or watching the Chicago River turn green on St. Patrick's Day, Illinois has adventures around every corner.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Bird [0.48, 0.76]
Northern Cardinal
Illinois shares its state bird, the Northern Cardinal, with six other states. That makes it the most popular state bird in the US! The male's bright red feathers get even brighter as he grows older. For its size, the cardinal has one of the strongest beaks of any bird. It uses its tongue to spin a seed into just the right position, then cracks it open like a nutcracker.
State Snack Food [0.48, 0.52]
Popcorn
Illinois is one of the nation's top popcorn-growing states. Popcorn became its official state snack food in 2003. Popcorn pops because each kernel has a tiny drop of water inside a hard, moisture-sealed shell; when heated, the water turns to steam, pressure builds, and the kernel explodes, turning the starch inside into the fluffy white foam we eat.
Insect [0.58, 0.62]
Monarch Butterfly
Illinois adopted the Monarch as its state insect in 1975 after a class of third-graders campaigned for it. Each fall, millions of Monarchs migrate from Illinois all the way to central Mexico. That's a 3,000-mile journey for a creature that weighs less than a paperclip! Monarchs taste terrible to birds because of toxins they store from milkweed plants as caterpillars.
Amphibian [0.54, 0.50]
Eastern Tiger Salamander
The Eastern Tiger Salamander, Illinois's state amphibian, is one of the largest land-dwelling salamanders in North America, growing up to 13 inches long. Despite its size, it spends most of its life underground in burrows dug by rodents and other animals, emerging only at night and during rainstorms to breed. Amazingly, tiger salamanders can regrow lost legs, tails, and even parts of their heart and eyes!
Flower [0.48, 0.38]
Violet
The Violet has been Illinois's state flower since 1908, chosen by schoolchildren in a statewide vote. Wild violets bloom in purple clusters across Illinois prairies, woodlands, and lawns each spring. There are over 500 kinds of violets in the world. Illinois's Blue Violet has a secret trick: it can grow tiny hidden flowers near the ground that never open but still make seeds. That way the plant survives even in a bad year!
Landmarks (5 total)
🏙️ Chicago The Windy City [0.62, 0.28] City
Chicago is the third-largest city in America and sits on the shores of Lake Michigan. It is the birthplace of the modern skyscraper, deep-dish pizza, and the Chicago-style hot dog. The city's famous 'L' train has been rumbling through downtown since 1892.
Fun fact: Every St. Patrick's Day, Chicago dyes its entire river bright green, a tradition that has been going on since 1962!
⭐ Springfield State Capital · Land of Lincoln [0.40, 0.53] Capital
Springfield is Illinois's capital and the city where Abraham Lincoln lived for 24 years before becoming president. You can visit his home, his law office, and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, one of the most visited presidential libraries in the country.
Fun fact: Springfield is home to the Cozy Dog Drive In, which claims to have invented the corn dog in 1946, originally called a 'Crusty Cur'!
🏞️ Starved Rock State Park · Utica [0.49, 0.30] Nature
Starved Rock State Park features 18 stunning canyons carved by glacial meltwater, with waterfalls, towering sandstone bluffs, and lush forest along the Illinois River. Its name comes from a legend about a group of Illiniwek people who took refuge on the rock during a conflict.
Fun fact: The park's canyons were carved over 10,000 years ago by melting glaciers. In winter, some of the waterfalls freeze into incredible ice sculptures!
🏛️ Cahokia Mounds Ancient City · UNESCO Site [0.38, 0.67] Historic
Cahokia Mounds near East St. Louis was the largest ancient city north of Mexico. Around 1100 AD, over 20,000 people lived here. That's more than London at the time! Monks Mound, the centerpiece, is a 100-foot-tall earthen pyramid covering 14 acres.
Fun fact: Cahokia's ancient builders moved over 55 million cubic feet of earth by hand, one basketful at a time, without any wheeled vehicles or metal tools!
🎖️ Galena Home of Ulysses S. Grant [0.33, 0.18] Historic
Galena is a beautifully preserved 19th-century town in the rolling hills of northwest Illinois. It was once a booming lead-mining center and home to Ulysses S. Grant, the Civil War general who became the 18th President. His brick home still stands on a hillside overlooking Main Street.
Fun fact: Galena produced nine Civil War generals, more than any other town its size in the entire country!
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
What is the capital city of Illinois?
Springfield is Illinois's capital and is famous as the home of President Abraham Lincoln. You can visit his home, law office, and presidential library there.
Standard
What is the official state bird of Illinois?
The Northern Cardinal is a bright red bird that lives in Illinois year-round. Only the male is red, females are a brownish-red color.
Standard
Which famous tall building in Chicago was once the tallest in the world?
Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) was the tallest building in the world from 1973 to 1998. Its glass observation deck lets you stand on the outside edge 103 stories up!
Standard
What is Illinois's state flower?
The Violet is Illinois's state flower. The native blue violet grows in prairies, woodlands, and backyards all across Illinois in spring.
Standard
Which US president was born in Kentucky but grew up in Illinois and is nicknamed 'Honest Abe'?
Abraham Lincoln grew up in Illinois and became a lawyer in Springfield before becoming the 16th President. He led the country through the Civil War and ended slavery.
Standard
Chicago is famous for its deep-dish pizza. What makes it different from regular pizza?
Chicago deep-dish pizza has a thick, buttery crust that forms a deep bowl filled with cheese, toppings, and chunky tomato sauce on top. It was invented in Chicago in the 1940s!
Standard
The world's first skyscraper was built in which Illinois city in 1885?
The Home Insurance Building in Chicago, completed in 1885, is considered the world's first skyscraper at 10 stories tall. Chicago's fire of 1871 led to a building boom that created modern architecture.
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The famous Chicago River runs through downtown Chicago. What happens to it every year on St. Patrick's Day?
Every St. Patrick's Day, Chicago dyes the Chicago River bright green using an eco-friendly dye! This tradition has been going on since 1962 and draws huge crowds.
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True or False: Illinois was the 21st state to join the Union.
True! Illinois became the 21st state on December 3, 1818. It quickly grew in importance as railroads connected Chicago to the rest of the nation.
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What is the highest point in Illinois?
Charles Mound is the highest point in Illinois at 1,235 feet. It is located in the far northwest corner of the state near the Wisconsin border.
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Cahokia Mounds near East St. Louis was once a city of over 20,000 people. About when did it thrive?
Around 1100 AD, Cahokia was the largest city north of Mexico, with over 20,000 people, more than London at the time! Monks Mound there is a 100-foot-tall earthen pyramid.
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True or False: Chicago is called 'The Windy City' only because of the strong winds blowing off Lake Michigan.
False! While it is breezy near Lake Michigan, many historians believe the nickname actually refers to the city's boastful politicians!
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
What famous American highway, sometimes called the 'Mother Road,' starts in Chicago, Illinois?
Route 66, the legendary 'Mother Road,' begins in Chicago and stretches 2,448 miles to Santa Monica, California. It became a symbol of American freedom and adventure!
Bonus Round
Which famous comedy theater in Chicago launched the careers of many Saturday Night Live stars?
The Second City comedy club in Chicago has trained some of the funniest people in the world, including Tina Fey, Steve Carell, and many Saturday Night Live cast members!
Bonus Round
True or False: The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 destroyed about one-third of the entire city.
True! The Great Chicago Fire burned for two days in October 1871, destroying about 17,500 buildings and leaving 100,000 people homeless. But Chicago rebuilt bigger and better!
Bonus Round
What type of music became famous in Chicago's South Side clubs in the 1950s and influenced rock and roll?
Chicago blues electrified traditional blues music with amplified guitars and harmonicas. Artists like Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf helped create the sound that inspired rock and roll!
Did You Know? (15 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 Over 12 million people live in Illinois.
- 📅 Illinois became the 21st state on December 3, 1818.
- 🏛️ Springfield has been the capital since 1839.
- 🏙️ Chicago has the third-largest U.S. metro population.
- 💨 The 'Windy City' nickname may come from boastful politicians, not the breeze!
- 🏗️ The world's first skyscraper was built in Chicago in 1885.
- 🌽 Illinois grows the second-most corn of any state.
- 🦌 The state mammal of Illinois is the white-tailed deer.
- 🎩 Lincoln practiced law and is buried in Springfield.
- 🍕 Chicago invented deep-dish pizza in 1943.
- 🎬 Walt Disney was born in Chicago in 1901.
- 🌳 The state tree of Illinois is the white oak.
- 🏟️ Wrigley Field opened in 1914 and is MLB's second-oldest stadium.
- 🚇 The Chicago 'L' is one of America's oldest rail systems.
- 🎨 Chicago's Art Institute owns one of the world's great art collections.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- The ice cream sundae was invented in Evanston, Illinois!
- Chicago's roads could stretch to the moon and back.
- The first skyscraper was built in Chicago in 1885.
- Illinois is the pumpkin capital of the US, it grows 80% of the world's canned pumpkin.
- Deep-dish pizza was invented at Pizzeria Uno in Chicago in 1943.
- The Chicago River is dyed bright green every St. Patrick's Day.
- Twinkies were invented in Schiller Park, Illinois in 1930.
- The world's first Ferris wheel debuted at Chicago's 1893 World's Fair, it was 264 feet tall!
- Illinois has more nuclear power plants than any other state.
- The zipper was invented in Chicago in 1893.
- Walt Disney was born in Chicago in 1901.
- O'Hare International Airport was the world's busiest airport for decades.
- The first McDonald's franchise opened in Des Plaines, Illinois in 1955.
- Metropolis, Illinois is the official 'Hometown of Superman', there's a 15-foot statue in the town square.
- The Chicago-style hot dog has seven toppings, and ketchup is NEVER one of them!
Fun Fact
Illinois is known for having the world's first skyscraper. The Home Insurance Building, located in Chicago, was completed in 1885 and is often considered the first skyscraper ever built. It stood at 10 stories tall with a height of 138 feet, which was a significant architectural achievement at the time.
Indiana (IN)
The Hoosier State
- Capital
- Indianapolis
- Statehood
- December 11, 1816 (19th state to join the Union)
- Population
- 6,924,275 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 36,418 square miles
- Highest Point
- Hoosier Hill at 1,257 feet
- Famous Landmark
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Overview
Welcome to Indiana, the Hoosier State! Sitting right in the heart of the Midwest, Indiana is a land of rolling farmland, winding rivers, and friendly small towns, but it also has a need for speed. Indianapolis, the state capital, is home to the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where the legendary Indy 500 race has thrilled fans every Memorial Day weekend since 1911. It is the largest single-day sporting event in the entire world.
Indiana has a deep connection to American history and culture. The limestone quarries near Bedford have provided stone for some of the most famous buildings in the country, including the Empire State Building and the Pentagon. The state is also a powerhouse for basketball. From high school gyms to college arenas, Hoosiers take their hoops seriously.
Nobody is quite sure where the nickname 'Hoosier' came from, but Indiana residents wear it with pride. From the sand dunes along Lake Michigan in the north to the forested hills and caves of the south, Indiana offers covered bridges, historic canals, and a warmth and friendliness that make every visitor feel right at home.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Bird [0.54, 0.72]
Cardinal
Indiana's state bird, the Northern Cardinal, was chosen in 1933. Scientists have studied Indiana's cardinals for longer than almost anywhere else in the country. Here's something rare: female cardinals sing too! They even sing while sitting on the nest, possibly to tell the male what food to bring. Most female songbirds in North America don't sing at all.
Flower [0.40, 0.74]
Peony
Indiana's state flower, the Peony, was adopted in 1957, and gardens across the state celebrate it every spring. Peonies are some of the longest-living flowers anywhere. One well-planted peony can keep blooming for a hundred years! You'll often see ants crawling on peony buds. They come for the sweet nectar, and while the flowers don't need them to open, the ants do chase away harmful insects.
Tree [0.48, 0.36]
Tulip Tree
Indiana's state tree, the Tulip Tree (also called Yellow Poplar), is the tallest native hardwood in eastern North America. The biggest ones grow over 190 feet tall! Its orange-and-green flowers are shaped like cups, just like tulips, but they bloom way up near the treetop, so they're hard to spot from the ground. Native Americans carved entire canoes from single tulip tree trunks. One canoe could hold 20 people!
Common Wildlife [0.58, 0.30]
White-Tailed Deer
Indiana is one of the few states with no official state mammal, but white-tailed deer are everywhere: more than 600,000 live here. The deer is named for the flash of white fur under its tail, which it raises like a flag to warn other deer of danger. Fawns are born with white spots that help them hide in patches of sunlight. The spots fade by their first winter.
Unofficial State Pie [0.56, 0.48]
Sugar Cream Pie
Indiana's unofficial state pie is the Sugar Cream Pie, also called "Hoosier Pie." Shaker settlers invented it in the 1800s for times when there was no fruit to bake with. It's made from just cream, sugar, flour, and butter: the pie you made when you had nothing else! Today, Wick's Pies in Winchester, Indiana bakes over a million of them every year.
Landmarks (5 total)
🏖️ Indiana Dunes National Park [0.42, 0.31] Nature
Indiana Dunes National Park stretches 15 miles along the southern shore of Lake Michigan, with towering sand dunes up to 200 feet tall. Despite being in the Midwest, the beaches look like they belong on an ocean coast.
Fun fact: Indiana Dunes has "singing sand." When you walk on the dry sand, the grains vibrate and squeak under your feet!
🏰 Fort Wayne Summit City [0.61, 0.38] City
Fort Wayne is Indiana's second-largest city, named after Revolutionary War general "Mad Anthony" Wayne. It sits where three rivers meet: the St. Marys, the St. Joseph, and the Maumee. That's why it has been an important trading post since the 1700s.
Fun fact: The Fort Wayne Children's Zoo has been voted one of the top 10 zoos in the whole country!
🏎️ Indianapolis Racing Capital of the World [0.52, 0.53] Capital
Indianapolis, Indiana's capital, is famous for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home of the legendary Indy 500. The race has been held every Memorial Day weekend since 1911 and is the largest single-day sporting event on Earth, with over 300,000 spectators.
Fun fact: The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is so huge that you could fit the entire Vatican City, Yankee Stadium, the Roman Colosseum, and Churchill Downs inside it, all at once!
🎓 Bloomington Limestone Capital [0.48, 0.62] Cultural
Bloomington is home to Indiana University and the heart of Indiana's limestone country. The limestone quarried nearby built some of America's most famous buildings, including the Empire State Building, the Pentagon, and the National Cathedral.
Fun fact: The movie "Breaking Away" is about Bloomington kids racing bicycles against college students. The real race, the Little 500 at Indiana University, still happens every year!
🎵 Madison Music Capital of Indiana [0.59, 0.66] Cultural
Madison is a beautiful historic river town perched on the banks of the Ohio River in southeastern Indiana. Known as the Music Capital of Indiana, the town's vibrant music scene and well-preserved 19th-century architecture make it one of the most charming small towns in the state.
Fun fact: Madison's entire downtown is a National Historic Landmark District: over 130 blocks of beautifully preserved old buildings. It's one of the largest districts like it in the whole country!
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
What is the capital city of Indiana?
Indianapolis is Indiana's capital and largest city. It is sometimes called 'Indy' and is famous for hosting the Indianapolis 500 car race every year.
Standard
What is the official state bird of Indiana?
The Cardinal is Indiana's state bird. The bright red male is easy to spot at bird feeders in winter. Female Cardinals are brownish with red highlights.
Standard
Which famous racing track is located in Indianapolis, Indiana?
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, also called 'The Brickyard,' hosts the Indy 500 every Memorial Day weekend, the largest single-day sporting event in the world!
Standard
What is Indiana's state flower?
The Peony is Indiana's state flower. These big, beautiful flowers bloom in late spring in shades of white, pink, and red.
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Indianapolis is home to the world's largest museum made just for whom?
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is the largest children's museum in the world, packed with dinosaurs, trains, and hands-on adventures!
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Which basketball legend grew up in Indiana?
Larry Bird grew up in the small town of French Lick, Indiana, and became one of basketball's all-time greats. Hoosiers take their hoops seriously!
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The famous Indiana Limestone has been used to build many important US buildings. Which one is it NOT used in?
Indiana Limestone, quarried near Bedford, Indiana, was used in the Empire State Building, the Pentagon, the National Cathedral, and many other famous structures, but the White House is built from a different stone.
Standard
Indiana grows more of which snack food than any other U.S. state?
Indiana grows more popcorn than any other U.S. state. More than half of all popcorn consumed in America comes from Indiana farms!
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True or False: Indiana Dunes National Park has sand dunes up to 500 feet tall.
False! Indiana Dunes has dunes up to about 200 feet tall along Lake Michigan. The beaches stretch 15 miles and look like they belong on the ocean.
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What is the highest point in Indiana?
Hoosier Hill stands at 1,257 feet above sea level. It is located in Wayne County in eastern Indiana near the Ohio border.
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True or False: Indiana became the 19th state to join the Union in 1816.
True! Indiana became the 19th state on December 11, 1816. Its name literally means 'Land of the Indians.'
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The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is so huge that which of the following could fit inside it?
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is enormous! Vatican City, Yankee Stadium, the Roman Colosseum, and Churchill Downs could all fit inside it at the same time.
Bonus Trivia (5)
Bonus Round
How did the fictional movie adventurer Indiana Jones get his first name?
Indiana Jones was named after director George Lucas's pet dog, an Alaskan Malamute also named Indiana. Harrison Ford played the character in the famous film series.
Bonus Round
What sport is Indiana most passionate about, sometimes called 'Hoosier Hysteria'?
Basketball is practically a religion in Indiana! 'Hoosier Hysteria' describes the state's obsession with basketball, from high school gyms to college arenas.
Bonus Round
What traditional Indy 500 victory celebration involves the winner drinking a bottle of what beverage?
Since 1936, the winner of the Indianapolis 500 drinks a cold bottle of milk in Victory Lane! This tradition started when driver Louis Meyer requested buttermilk after his win.
Bonus Round
True or False: Indiana has more covered bridges than almost any other state in the country.
True! Parke County, Indiana is known as the 'Covered Bridge Capital of the World' with 31 covered bridges. The county holds a famous Covered Bridge Festival every October!
Bonus Round
Which city in Indiana is home to the University of Notre Dame and its famous Fighting Irish football team?
The University of Notre Dame is located in South Bend, Indiana. Its Fighting Irish football team is one of the most famous in college sports, and its golden dome is an iconic landmark!
Did You Know? (14 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 About 6.8 million people live in Indiana.
- 📅 Indiana became the 19th state on December 11, 1816.
- 🏛️ Indianapolis has been the capital since 1825.
- 🏎️ The Indianapolis 500 has run every May since 1911.
- 🛣️ Indiana is famously called 'the Crossroads of America.'
- 🌽 Indiana is the 5th-largest corn-producing state.
- 🥛 Indiana is one of the top dairy states in the Midwest.
- 🌳 Indiana's nickname is the Hoosier State.
- 🐦 The state bird of Indiana is the cardinal.
- 🌷 The state flower is the peony.
- 🌟 Larry Bird, Michael Jackson, and David Letterman all grew up in Indiana.
- 🧸 Indianapolis hosts the Children's Museum, the world's largest of its kind.
- 🏞️ Indiana Dunes National Park sits on Lake Michigan's southern shore.
- 🍿 Indiana grows the most popcorn of any U.S. state.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- Santa Claus, Indiana gets half a million letters every December!
- The first professional baseball game was played in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
- Indiana produces more popcorn than any other state.
- David Letterman grew up in Indianapolis.
- Indiana's nickname 'Hoosier' has no confirmed origin, nobody knows for sure what it means!
- The Indianapolis 500 is the largest single-day sporting event in the world.
- James Dean was born in Marion, Indiana.
- Parke County, Indiana is the 'Covered Bridge Capital of the World' with 31 covered bridges.
- The first long-distance auto race in America was held in Indiana in 1911.
- Eli Lilly, one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies, was founded in Indianapolis in 1876.
- Indiana's state pie is sugar cream pie, made without any fruit!
- The world's first theme park, Santa Claus Land (now Holiday World), opened in Indiana in 1946.
- Larry Bird, one of basketball's greatest players, is from French Lick, Indiana.
- Wabash, Indiana was the first city in the world to be lit by electric streetlights in 1880.
- The Indiana limestone belt provided stone for the Empire State Building, Pentagon, and 35 state capitols.
Fun Fact
Indiana has a unique geological feature known as "Indiana Limestone," which has been used in various iconic buildings across the United States. Indiana Limestone, also known as Bedford limestone, has been the building material of choice for many significant structures, including the Empire State Building and the Pentagon.
Iowa (IA)
The Hawkeye State
- Capital
- Des Moines
- Statehood
- December 28, 1846 (29th state to join the Union)
- Population
- 3,238,387 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 56,272 square miles
- Highest Point
- Hawkeye Point at 1,670 feet
- Famous Landmark
- Field of Dreams
Overview
Welcome to Iowa, the Hawkeye State! Nestled between the mighty Mississippi River on the east and the Missouri River on the west, Iowa is one of the most fertile farming states in all of America. Its gently rolling prairies produce enormous amounts of corn, soybeans, pork, and eggs, making it a true breadbasket of the nation.
Don't let the peaceful farmland fool you: Iowa is full of surprises. The famous Field of Dreams movie site in Dyersville lets you step right onto a magical baseball diamond carved out of a cornfield. Des Moines, the state capital, is a lively city with world-class art museums, a thriving food scene, and the legendary Iowa State Fair, which draws over a million visitors every summer.
Iowa holds a special place in American politics because it hosts the first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses every four years, giving this heartland state an outsized voice in choosing who runs for president. From the rolling Loess Hills along the Missouri River to charming river towns along the Mississippi, Iowa proves that the heart of America beats strong and proud.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Bird [0.43, 0.64]
Eastern Goldfinch
Iowa’s state bird, the American Goldfinch (also called the Eastern Goldfinch), is one of the strictest vegetarians in the bird world. It eats almost nothing but seeds, and it even feeds seeds to its babies instead of bugs. Males are bright canary yellow in summer, then swap those feathers for dull olive-green in winter. You might not recognize them as the same bird! Goldfinches wait to build their nests until thistle plants make seeds, because thistles give them both food and soft nest lining.
Flower [0.54, 0.61]
Wild Prairie Rose
The Wild Prairie Rose has been Iowa’s state flower since 1897, growing naturally across prairies and roadsides throughout the state. Unlike cultivated roses, the wild prairie rose has only five simple pink petals surrounding a yellow center, and its fragrance is delicate and sweet. The hip, the fruit left behind after the flower, is one of the richest natural sources of Vitamin C in the plant world, and was used by Native Americans as both food and medicine.
Tree [0.40, 0.57]
Bur Oak
Iowa’s state tree, the Bur Oak, is the great survivor of the prairie. Its thick, cork-like bark makes it the most fire-resistant oak in North America. Long ago, wildfires swept across Iowa’s grasslands again and again, and the tough Bur Oaks stood strong through the flames. A Bur Oak can live over 400 years. Some trees standing in Iowa today were alive during the American Revolution!
Most-Caught Fish [0.32, 0.60]
Channel Catfish
Iowa has never named an official state fish, but the Channel Catfish is the one anglers pull out of its rivers most. It has over 25,000 taste buds covering its whole body! Its whiskers are extra sensitive, letting it taste and smell its way through muddy water. A channel catfish can detect a single drop of blood in 10 billion drops of water. The Iowa record channel catfish was a 38-pound monster, and catfish are the most popular fish to catch in the whole state.
Famous Location [0.67, 0.59]
Iowa 80 Truck Stop
Iowa 80 in Walcott is the world’s largest truck stop. It covers 225 acres along Interstate 80 and serves over 5,000 trucks a day! Besides fuel and food, it has a dentist, a movie theater, a barber shop, and even a trucking museum. Every July it throws the Truckers Jamboree, drawing tens of thousands of visitors and the world’s largest display of antique trucks.
Landmarks (5 total)
⛰️ Loess Hills Ancient Landform [0.30, 0.53] Nature
Iowa's Loess Hills are one of only two places on Earth with hills like these. The only other place is in China! The steep, golden bluffs along the Missouri River are made of powdery soil that ancient winds piled up over thousands of years.
Fun fact: The Loess Hills protect some of the rarest prairie habitat left in North America. Plants and animals live here that are found almost nowhere else!
⭐ Des Moines State Capital [0.47, 0.58] Capital
Des Moines is Iowa's capital and largest city, sitting where the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers meet. The gold-domed State Capitol gleams above the skyline, and every August the legendary Iowa State Fair draws over a million visitors with its famous Butter Cow sculpture.
Fun fact: The Iowa State Fair's Butter Cow is a life-size cow sculpted from 600 pounds of butter! It takes about six full days to carve and has been a tradition since 1911.
🏘️ Amana Colonies German Heritage Villages [0.62, 0.60] Cultural
The Amana Colonies are seven historic villages founded in 1855 by German immigrants who lived communally, sharing everything from meals to work. Today the colonies preserve this unique heritage with traditional crafts, bakeries, and the Amana woolen mill.
Fun fact: The Amana Society also started the Amana Corporation, which became famous for making refrigerators. Your fridge at home might be an Amana, born right here in Iowa!
⚾ Field of Dreams Dyersville [0.66, 0.50] Attraction
The Field of Dreams movie site near Dyersville is a real baseball diamond carved out of an Iowa cornfield. The 1989 film starring Kevin Costner made this spot world-famous, and today visitors can walk onto the field and hit baseballs where the movie magic happened.
Fun fact: In 2021, Major League Baseball played a real official game at the Field of Dreams cornfield. The White Sox and Yankees played under the Iowa stars!
🐻 Effigy Mounds Ancient Earthen Sculptures [0.65, 0.44] Historic
Effigy Mounds National Monument protects more than 200 ancient earthen mounds built by Native American peoples over a thousand years ago. Some mounds are shaped like bears, birds, and other animals: giant sculptures best seen from the air or along the park's scenic trails.
Fun fact: The largest bear-shaped mound at the park is 137 feet long from nose to tail, longer than a blue whale!
Standard Trivia (12)
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What is the capital city of Iowa?
Des Moines is Iowa's capital and largest city. The name comes from the French 'Rivière des Moines,' which means 'River of the Monks.'
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What is the official state bird of Iowa?
The Eastern Goldfinch, also called the American Goldfinch, is bright yellow with black wings in summer. It loves to eat sunflower seeds!
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Which famous movie site in Iowa features a baseball diamond carved out of a cornfield?
The Field of Dreams movie site in Dyersville, Iowa, was where the 1989 film was made. You can still visit and play ball on the real field today!
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Iowa is ranked first in the nation for which of these?
Iowa has the highest literacy rate of any U.S. state. The state has long invested in strong public education and reading programs.
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Iowa is one of the top farming states in the US. What three products does it lead the nation in producing?
Iowa leads the nation in producing soybeans, pork, and eggs! It also grows enormous amounts of corn. Iowa truly is the 'food basket' of America.
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Iowa is one of only a few states bordered by two rivers on its east and west sides. Which rivers are they?
The Mississippi River forms Iowa's entire eastern border, while the Missouri River forms its western border. Iowa is the only state with two navigable rivers as its borders!
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Who was the 31st US President and was born in West Branch, Iowa?
Herbert Hoover was born in West Branch, Iowa in 1874, making him the first US President born west of the Mississippi River. You can visit his tiny birth cottage there today.
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Iowa's Hawkeye State nickname honors which historic Native American leader from the early 1800s?
The Hawkeye State nickname honors Black Hawk, a leader of the Sauk people who lived in what is now Iowa in the early 1800s. The University of Iowa's Hawkeyes sports teams are named after him too.
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True or False: Iowa's Loess Hills are one of only two places on Earth with this rare wind-deposited landform.
True! Iowa's Loess Hills along the Missouri River are made of wind-deposited soil called loess. The only other place on Earth with similar formations is in China.
Standard
What is the highest point in Iowa?
Hawkeye Point is the highest point in Iowa at 1,670 feet above sea level. It is located in Osceola County in the northwest corner of the state.
Standard
What famous sculpture made of 600 pounds of butter is displayed at the Iowa State Fair every year?
The Butter Cow has been a tradition at the Iowa State Fair since 1911! A life-size cow is sculpted from 600 pounds of butter and takes about six days to carve.
Standard
True or False: The Amana Colonies in Iowa were founded by German immigrants who lived communally, sharing everything.
True! The Amana Colonies are seven historic villages founded in 1855 by German immigrants who shared meals, work, and property. Today they preserve this unique heritage.
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
Iowa holds a special political event every four years that is the first in the nation. What is it?
Iowa hosts the first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses every four years, giving this heartland state an important early voice in choosing who runs for president!
Bonus Round
True or False: In 2021, Major League Baseball held an official game at the Field of Dreams site in Iowa.
True! The White Sox and Yankees played an official MLB game at the Field of Dreams cornfield in Dyersville, Iowa in 2021. Players walked through the corn to reach the field!
Bonus Round
The Amana Colonies also founded a company that makes what household items?
The Amana Society founded the Amana Corporation, which became famous for making refrigerators and other home appliances. Your fridge at home might be an Amana brand!
Bonus Round
What famous American artist painted 'American Gothic,' one of the most recognized paintings in the world, while living in Iowa?
Grant Wood painted 'American Gothic' in 1930, inspired by a house in Eldon, Iowa. The painting shows a farmer and his daughter and is one of the most famous images in American art!
Did You Know? (15 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 About 3.2 million people live in Iowa.
- 🌽 Iowa grows more corn than any other state.
- 🦅 The Hawkeye nickname honors Black Hawk, a leader of the Sauk people.
- 📅 Iowa became the 29th state on December 28, 1846.
- 🏛️ Des Moines has been the capital since 1857.
- 🐷 Iowa is the nation's largest pork producer.
- 🐍 Burlington's Snake Alley is sometimes called the most crooked street in the world.
- 🥚 Iowa is the top egg-producing state in America.
- 🌊 Iowa is the only state bordered by two navigable rivers.
- 🎡 The Iowa State Fair draws over a million visitors every August.
- 📚 Iowa has the highest literacy rate of any U.S. state.
- 🎬 The film 'Field of Dreams' was filmed near Dyersville, Iowa.
- 🏟️ The Iowa Caucus is the first event in the U.S. presidential primaries.
- 🐦 The American Goldfinch is Iowa's state bird.
- 🦅 Iowa's nickname is 'The Hawkeye State.'
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- Iowa has more pigs than people, about 24 million hogs!
- The shortest and steepest railroad in the US is in Dubuque, Iowa.
- Sliced bread was... wait, that's Missouri! But Iowa DID invent the electronic computer, at Iowa State in 1937.
- Iowa produces more corn and soybeans than any other state.
- The Iowa State Fair inspired the novel 'State Fair' and three Hollywood movies.
- Quaker Oats has been made in Cedar Rapids since 1873.
- Iowa is the only state whose east and west borders are both formed entirely by rivers.
- The Field of Dreams movie site in Dyersville hosted a real MLB game in 2021!
- Iowa caucuses have been the first presidential nominating contest since 1972.
- Strawberry Point, Iowa has the world's largest strawberry, a 15-foot fiberglass sculpture.
- RAGBRAI is the oldest, largest, and longest recreational bicycle touring event in the world.
- Iowa's Maquoketa Caves State Park has more caves than any other state park in the Midwest.
- Grant Wood painted 'American Gothic' using his sister and his dentist as models, in Iowa!
- Herbert Hoover, the 31st president, was born in West Branch, Iowa.
- The Amana Colonies were one of the longest-lived communal societies in America, over 80 years!
Fun Fact
Iowa is known as the top producer of corn in the United States and has been for many years. But here's an interesting twist: despite its famous association with corn, Iowa actually leads the nation in the production of several other agricultural products. It ranks first in the production of soybeans, pork, and eggs.
Kansas (KS)
The Sunflower State
- Capital
- Topeka
- Statehood
- January 29, 1861 (34th state to join the Union)
- Population
- 2,970,606 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 82,278 square miles
- Highest Point
- Mount Sunflower at 4,039 feet
- Famous Landmark
- Monument Rocks
Overview
There's no place like Kansas, the Sunflower State! Sitting right in the geographic center of the lower 48 states, Kansas is a vast expanse of golden prairies, endless skies, and fields of wheat and sunflowers that seem to stretch on forever. This is the Breadbasket of America: Kansas grows more wheat than any other state, enough each year to bake 36 billion loaves of bread.
Kansas played a huge role in the story of the American West. The Santa Fe and Oregon Trails crossed through here, carrying thousands of pioneers to new lives on the frontier. Wild West legends came alive in towns like Dodge City, where cowboys drove massive herds of cattle up from Texas and legendary lawmen like Wyatt Earp kept the peace. Monument Rocks, towering 70-foot chalk formations rising from the flat plains, are over 80 million years old and look like ancient castles.
Of course, Kansas is also the home of Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz, who clicked her ruby slippers and declared there's no place like home. From spectacular prairie sunsets and powerful thunderstorms to the bustling cities of Wichita and Topeka, Kansas has a bold spirit and a big heart at the very center of it all.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Flower [0.28, 0.58]
Sunflower
Kansas is called the Sunflower State, and the sunflower has been its state flower since 1903. Young sunflowers actually follow the sun! They turn from east to west all day, then swing back east overnight. Grown-up sunflowers stop turning and face east forever. That warms them up faster in the morning, which brings more bees. Native peoples in the Americas grew sunflowers for food, dye, and oil for over 5,000 years before Europe ever saw one.
Reptile [0.37, 0.40]
Ornate Box Turtle
The Ornate Box Turtle is Kansas's state reptile, a small prairie turtle with a beautiful patterned shell. Its bottom shell has a hinge, so when danger comes, the turtle snaps shut like a locked box. Predators can't pry it open! Box turtles can live a very long time: some have reached over 100 years old. Each turtle knows its own little patch of prairie and stays there its whole life, so if you ever see one, let it stay right where it is.
Famous Landmark [0.73, 0.44]
Largest Ball of Twine
Cawker City, Kansas is home to the World's Largest Ball of Twine, started by farmer Frank Stoeber in 1953. He worked on it for four years, adding sisal twine until it weighed over 17,000 pounds. After his death, the community adopted the ball and holds an annual Twine-a-Thon where visitors add to it. Today the ball is over 44 feet around and holds millions of feet of twine. The whole town is proud of it!
Bird [0.45, 0.59]
Western Meadowlark
Kansas designated the Western Meadowlark as its state bird in 1937. This prairie songbird's flute-like, bubbling melody is so beloved on the plains that six western states chose it as their official bird. The male perches on fence posts, utility poles, and rocks to broadcast his song across the grasslands, and his bright yellow breast with its distinctive black V-shaped bib makes him easy to spot. Meadowlarks need wild prairie grass to make their nests, so protecting Kansas's prairies helps keep their song around.
Animal [0.47, 0.40]
American Buffalo
The American Bison, usually called the buffalo, once roamed the Kansas plains in herds so huge they could take days to pass a single spot. By the 1880s, over-hunting had nearly wiped them out. But the story doesn't end there: today protected herds roam Kansas again, and in 2016 the bison was named the National Mammal of the United States.
Landmarks (5 total)
⭐ Topeka State Capital [0.73, 0.49] Capital
Topeka is Kansas's capital, and it helped change America. The famous court case Brown v. Board of Education started here in 1954. The Supreme Court ruled that separating students by race in schools was against the law, and the whole country changed.
Fun fact: Topeka's Kansas State Capitol has a stunning interior dome, and if you climb all 296 steps to the top, you get a panoramic view of the entire city!
🤠 Dodge City Queen of the Cowtowns [0.36, 0.60] Historic
Dodge City was one of the wildest frontier towns in the Old West. In the 1870s and 1880s, it was the end of the line for massive cattle drives from Texas, and legendary lawmen like Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson kept the peace on its rowdy streets.
Fun fact: Dodge City is the windiest city in the entire United States! Winds average 14 miles per hour all year long. No wonder Kansas has a reputation for wind.
🪨 Monument Rocks Chalk Pyramids [0.30, 0.50] Nature
Monument Rocks are towering chalk formations rising up to 70 feet from the flat Kansas prairie. These 80-million-year-old pillars were once the floor of an ancient inland sea that covered Kansas, and fossils of giant sea creatures are still found nearby.
Fun fact: Monument Rocks was the very first National Natural Landmark in the United States. Kansas beat every other state to the honor in 1968!
✈️ Wichita Air Capital of the World [0.60, 0.62] City
Wichita is Kansas's largest city and earned the title 'Air Capital of the World' because more aircraft are designed and built here than anywhere else on Earth. Companies like Cessna, Beechcraft, and Learjet all started in Wichita.
Fun fact: The first Pizza Hut restaurant opened in Wichita in 1958. The original tiny building was later moved to the Wichita State University campus, and you can still see it today!
🌾 Flint Hills Last Tallgrass Prairie [0.67, 0.53] Nature
The Flint Hills of east-central Kansas hold the last big stretch of tallgrass prairie left on Earth. Tallgrass prairie once covered 170 million acres of North America. Today less than 4% remains, and most of it is right here in Kansas.
Fun fact: Ranchers have carefully burned the Flint Hills every spring for over a century. The fires are so big you can see them from space! Surprise: the burns actually keep the prairie healthy and growing.
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
What is the capital city of Kansas?
Topeka has been Kansas's capital since 1861. The name comes from a Kaw/Sioux word that may mean 'a good place to dig potatoes.'
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What is the official state bird of Kansas?
The Western Meadowlark has a beautiful flute-like song and a bright yellow chest with a black V shape. It is the state bird of six different states!
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Which natural rock formation in Kansas looks like ancient stone towers rising from the plains?
Monument Rocks, also called Chalk Pyramids, are towering chalk formations that rise up to 70 feet from the flat Kansas plains. They are over 80 million years old!
Standard
What is Kansas's state flower?
The Sunflower is Kansas's state flower, which is why Kansas is nicknamed 'The Sunflower State.' Wild sunflowers cover Kansas's fields in summer in a sea of golden yellow.
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Kansas is sometimes called the breadbasket of the US. Which grain does it grow more of than any other state?
Kansas is the top wheat-producing state in the US! It grows enough wheat each year to bake 36 billion loaves of bread. No wonder it is called the Breadbasket of America.
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Where is the geographic center of the contiguous 48 United States?
The geographic center of the contiguous US is in Smith County, Kansas, near the town of Lebanon. There is a small monument there to mark the spot!
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Which famous fictional character clicked her ruby slippers together and said 'There's no place like home' to get back to Kansas?
Dorothy from 'The Wizard of Oz' lived in Kansas! The book was written by L. Frank Baum in 1900, and the famous 1939 movie starred Judy Garland.
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Dodge City, Kansas was a famous Wild West town. What was it known for?
Dodge City was the end of the Chisholm Trail, where cowboys drove millions of longhorn cattle from Texas. Famous lawmen like Wyatt Earp kept the peace there in the 1870s.
Standard
True or False: Monument Rocks was the very first National Natural Landmark in the United States.
True! Monument Rocks was designated the first National Natural Landmark in the United States in 1968, beating every other state to the honor.
Standard
Wichita, Kansas earned what famous title because of its airplane manufacturing history?
Wichita is called the 'Air Capital of the World' because more aircraft are designed and built there than anywhere else on Earth. Companies like Cessna and Learjet started there!
Standard
The Flint Hills of Kansas contain the last large expanse of what type of prairie?
The Flint Hills contain the last large expanse of tallgrass prairie on Earth. Once, tallgrass prairie covered 170 million acres of North America, today, less than 4% remains.
Standard
True or False: Kansas became the 34th state to join the Union in 1861, just before the Civil War began.
True! Kansas became the 34th state on January 29, 1861. It joined as a free state, and the fierce debate over slavery in Kansas before statehood earned it the nickname 'Bleeding Kansas.'
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
What famous fast-food pizza chain opened its very first restaurant in Wichita, Kansas in 1958?
Pizza Hut opened its first restaurant in Wichita, Kansas in 1958! The original tiny building was later moved to the Wichita State University campus.
Bonus Round
Which landmark Supreme Court case that began in Topeka, Kansas declared school segregation unconstitutional?
Brown v. Board of Education began in Topeka in 1954. The Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, changing America forever!
Bonus Round
True or False: Dodge City, Kansas is the windiest city in the entire United States.
True! Dodge City has average wind speeds of about 14 miles per hour year-round, making it the windiest city in the United States!
Bonus Round
Kansas was once covered by an ancient inland sea millions of years ago. What kind of fossils are commonly found in the chalk beds?
Kansas's chalk beds contain fossils of giant sea creatures like mosasaurs, plesiosaurs, and huge fish from the ancient Western Interior Seaway that covered Kansas 80 million years ago!
Did You Know? (14 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 About 2.9 million people live in Kansas.
- 🌾 Kansas grows more wheat than any other state.
- 📅 Kansas became the 34th state on January 29, 1861.
- 🏛️ Topeka has been the capital since 1861.
- 🦬 The American bison is the state mammal of Kansas.
- 🌪️ Kansas sees an average of 96 tornadoes per year.
- 🎬 Dorothy and Toto in 'The Wizard of Oz' famously hailed from Kansas.
- 🤠 Dodge City was a wild cow town in the 1870s and 1880s.
- 🌻 The sunflower is the state flower of Kansas.
- ✈️ Amelia Earhart was born in Atchison, Kansas in 1897.
- 🏈 Kansas State and KU have one of college sports' top rivalries.
- 🌅 Kansas is the geographic center of the lower 48 states.
- 🍕 The first Pizza Hut opened in Wichita, Kansas in 1958.
- 🐄 Kansas is also a top producer of beef and grain sorghum.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- Dodge City is the windiest city in the United States!
- Pizza Hut and White Castle both started in Kansas.
- Helium was discovered at the University of Kansas.
- Kansas produces enough wheat each year to bake 36 billion loaves of bread!
- Amelia Earhart was born in Atchison, Kansas in 1897.
- The geographic center of the contiguous 48 states is near Lebanon, Kansas.
- Kansas has more prairie land than any other state.
- Dwight D. Eisenhower grew up in Abilene, Kansas, his presidential library is there.
- The Wizard of Oz made Kansas famous, Dorothy's house is a tourist attraction in Liberal, KS.
- Kansas was called 'Bleeding Kansas' in the 1850s during the fierce national debate over whether it would allow slavery.
- The first woman mayor in the US was elected in Argonia, Kansas in 1887.
- Kansas has a real-life Superman, the town of Smallville held a Superman celebration for years.
- The Cosmosphere in Hutchinson has one of the largest collections of space artifacts outside the Smithsonian.
- Kansas grows more sorghum than any other state, it's used in syrup, animal feed, and ethanol.
- Boot Hill Museum in Dodge City is built on the site of the famous Wild West cemetery.
Fun Fact
Kansas is geographically the center of the contiguous United States. The geographic center is located in a rural area in Smith County, near the small town of Lebanon. This central location has historical significance as well; during the 19th century, Kansas was often the crossing point for numerous trails such as the Santa Fe and Oregon trails, which were pivotal in the westward expansion of the United States.
Kentucky (KY)
The Bluegrass State
- Capital
- Frankfort
- Statehood
- June 1, 1792 (15th state to join the Union)
- Population
- 4,588,372 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 40,408 square miles
- Highest Point
- Black Mountain at 4,145 feet
- Famous Landmark
- Mammoth Cave National Park
Overview
Explore Kentucky, the Bluegrass State! Named for the blue-green grass that blankets its famous rolling hills, Kentucky is a land of natural wonders, deep traditions, and legendary hospitality. Beneath the surface lies Mammoth Cave, the longest cave system in the entire world with over 400 miles of explored passages, and scientists believe hundreds more miles remain hidden in the darkness.
Kentucky is horse country through and through. The Kentucky Derby, held at Churchill Downs in Louisville every first Saturday in May, is the most famous horse race in America and has been running since 1875. The Bluegrass Region around Lexington is dotted with pristine horse farms surrounded by white wooden fences, where champion thoroughbreds graze on those rolling green hills.
Pioneer Daniel Boone blazed the Wilderness Road through the Cumberland Gap to open Kentucky to settlement, and that adventurous spirit still runs strong. From the misty peaks of the Appalachian Mountains in the east to the lakes and forests of the west, Kentucky also holds Fort Knox, the famous gold reserve that safeguards much of the nation's gold supply. With its mix of underground caves, horse racing glory, and mountain beauty, Kentucky is truly one of a kind.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Bird [0.68, 0.37]
Cardinal
Kentucky named the Northern Cardinal its state bird in 1926. The male's bright red feathers come from the berries and seeds he eats: the better he eats, the redder he gets! Unlike most songbirds, female cardinals sing too, often calling from the nest to tell their mate what food to bring. Cardinals never fly south for winter, so their bold, clear whistles fill Kentucky all year long.
Flower [0.57, 0.36]
Goldenrod
Goldenrod has been Kentucky's state flower since 1926. Goldenrod gets blamed for making people sneeze, but it's innocent! Its pollen is too heavy to float into your nose. The real sneeze-maker is ragweed, which blooms at the same time. Here's a wild one: goldenrod contains natural rubber, and inventor Thomas Edison grew a 14-foot-tall variety. He even gave Henry Ford a set of car tires made from it!
Instrument [0.74, 0.40]
Appalachian Dulcimer
The Appalachian dulcimer is the only stringed instrument invented in North America. Settlers in Kentucky's mountain valleys created it in the 1700s. It's easier to learn than a fiddle: you lay it flat on your lap and strum the strings with a pick. Its sweet, humming sound became the music of the mountains, and you can still hear it at folk festivals across Kentucky today.
Mineral [0.79, 0.43]
Coal
Coal is Kentucky's official state mineral, mined from the Appalachian Mountains for over 200 years. A chunk of coal is made of ancient plants: ferns, swamp trees, and giant mosses from 300 million years ago, all pressed by the earth into shiny black stone. Kentucky coal once powered trains, steamships, and entire cities.
Horse [0.62, 0.33]
Thoroughbred
Kentucky is the Horse Capital of the World, with over 1,000 horse farms across the rolling Bluegrass region. Thoroughbreds are built for speed, and they've made Kentucky famous for horse racing since the first Kentucky Derby in 1875. Churchill Downs in Louisville hosts the famous two-minute race every year, and over 150,000 fans come to watch. Here's Kentucky's secret: the limestone under the bluegrass fills the grass with minerals, and grazing on it helps young horses grow strong bones. Champions really are grown here!
Landmarks (8 total)
🦇 Mammoth Cave World's Longest Cave System [0.45, 0.54] Nature
Mammoth Cave is the longest cave system in the world, with over 400 miles of explored passages. Scientists think hundreds more miles are still hidden in the dark, waiting to be mapped.
Fun fact: Mammoth Cave has had some surprising jobs! Long ago it was a hospital for people sick with a lung illness called tuberculosis, then a mine, and even an underground mushroom farm.
🏇 Churchill Downs Home of the Kentucky Derby [0.49, 0.43] Attraction
The Kentucky Derby has been run here every year since 1875. That makes it America's oldest major sporting event!
Fun fact: The track's iconic twin spires were added in 1895 and are now one of the most recognizable landmarks in sports.
⛰️ Cumberland Gap The Wilderness Road's Mountain Pass [0.69, 0.62] Historic
Cumberland Gap is a natural V-shaped notch in the Appalachian Mountains, right where Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee meet. Daniel Boone blazed the Wilderness Road through this pass in 1775. Over the next decades, more than 300,000 settlers followed his trail west.
Fun fact: Buffalo and Native peoples used this same gap for thousands of years before Boone. The trail through the mountains was already a well-worn path when the first settlers arrived.
🌲 Daniel Boone National Forest Over 700,000 Acres of Wilderness [0.69, 0.47] Nature
This huge forest has 3,400 miles of sandstone cliffs, more than 250 natural stone arches, and the beloved Red River Gorge.
Fun fact: Red River Gorge is a world-class rock-climbing destination with over 100 natural arches, more than any other eastern U.S. forest.
⛪ Abbey of Gethsemani Oldest Cistercian Monastery in the U.S. [0.51, 0.50] Cultural
Monks from France founded this peaceful abbey in 1848. It sits tucked into the quiet Rolling Fork River valley, and monks still live and work there today.
Fun fact: A famous writer named Thomas Merton lived here as a monk for 27 years. He wrote more than 70 books from his quiet room at the abbey!
🥇 Fort Knox Home of the U.S. Gold Vault [0.47, 0.47] Historic
The famous gold vault at Fort Knox holds thousands of tons of gold bars, about half of all the gold the United States owns.
Fun fact: No intruder has ever gotten inside the vault. The secret combination is split among several trusted keepers, so no single person on Earth knows the whole code!
🏛️ Frankfort Kentucky State Capital Since 1792 [0.57, 0.43] Capital
One of the smallest U.S. state capitals, Frankfort has served as Kentucky's seat of government since statehood in 1792.
Fun fact: Daniel Boone and his wife Rebecca are buried in Frankfort Cemetery, on a hill overlooking the Kentucky River. The frontiersman who blazed the Wilderness Road rests in the state he helped settle.
🦌 Land Between the Lakes 170,000-Acre National Recreation Area [0.26, 0.58] Nature
This forested peninsula sits between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley. It's one of the largest inland peninsulas in the eastern United States!
Fun fact: At the Elk & Bison Prairie, you can ride in a car right through a 700-acre meadow full of free-roaming bison. Their ancestors once numbered 30 million across North America!
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
What is the capital city of Kentucky?
Frankfort has been Kentucky's capital since 1792. It is one of the smallest state capitals in the US, nestled along the Kentucky River.
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What is the official state bird of Kentucky?
The Cardinal is Kentucky's state bird. The bright red male is easy to spot at backyard bird feeders all year long, even in snow!
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What is Kentucky's state flower?
Goldenrod is Kentucky's state flower. The bright yellow plumes bloom across Kentucky's fields and roadsides every fall.
Standard
How many miles of surveyed passageways does Mammoth Cave have?
Mammoth Cave has over 400 miles of surveyed passages, making it the longest cave system in the world. Scientists believe hundreds more miles remain hidden in the darkness.
Standard
True or False: Kentucky's famous bluegrass is bright blue all year round.
False! Kentucky's famous bluegrass isn't actually blue, its seed heads have a blue-purple tint that gives fields a blue-green shimmer in the spring.
Standard
Which famous horse race has been held at Churchill Downs since 1875?
The Kentucky Derby has been run at Churchill Downs every first Saturday in May since 1875, making it America's oldest major sporting event!
Standard
What precious metal is stored in massive quantities at Fort Knox?
The US Bullion Depository at Fort Knox holds about 147 million troy ounces of gold, roughly half of all US gold reserves. No single person knows the vault's full combination!
Standard
True or False: Daniel Boone National Forest has over 250 natural arches.
True! Daniel Boone National Forest features over 250 natural arches, 3,400 miles of sandstone cliffs, and the beloved Red River Gorge, a world-class rock-climbing destination.
Standard
Which famous explorer blazed the Wilderness Road through the Cumberland Gap into Kentucky?
Daniel Boone helped blaze the Wilderness Road through the Cumberland Gap in 1775, opening Kentucky to settlement. He and his wife Rebecca are buried in Frankfort Cemetery.
Standard
Where in Kentucky was Abraham Lincoln born?
Abraham Lincoln was born in a one-room log cabin near Hodgenville, Kentucky on February 12, 1809. The site is now Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park.
Standard
What is the name of the 170,000-acre recreation area located between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley?
Land Between the Lakes is one of the largest inland peninsulas in the eastern United States. Its Elk & Bison Prairie lets visitors drive through and watch free-roaming bison!
Standard
True or False: Mammoth Cave once served as a tuberculosis hospital.
True! Mammoth Cave has had many surprising uses over the years, it's served as a tuberculosis hospital, a saltpeter mine, and even a mushroom farm.
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
What is the highest point in Kentucky?
Black Mountain stands at 4,145 feet and is the highest point in Kentucky, located in Harlan County in the Appalachian Mountains near the Virginia border.
Bonus Round
Which Kentucky city is known as the 'Horse Capital of the World'?
Lexington is the Horse Capital of the World! The surrounding Bluegrass Region is home to over 450 horse farms where champion thoroughbreds are bred and trained.
Bonus Round
Which famous boxing champion was born in Louisville, Kentucky in 1942?
Muhammad Ali was born Cassius Clay in Louisville on January 17, 1942. He became a three-time world heavyweight champion and is widely considered the greatest boxer of all time.
Bonus Round
True or False: The song 'Happy Birthday to You' was written by two sisters from Louisville, Kentucky.
True! Sisters Mildred and Patty Hill, both Louisville schoolteachers, wrote the melody in 1893. It became the most recognized song in the English language.
Did You Know? (13 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 About 4.5 million people live in Kentucky.
- 📅 Kentucky became the 15th state on June 1, 1792.
- 🏛️ Frankfort has been the capital since Kentucky's founding.
- 🐎 The Kentucky Derby has run at Churchill Downs since 1875.
- 🐎 Kentucky has more horses per person than any other state.
- 🪨 Mammoth Cave is the longest cave system in the world.
- 🌊 Kentucky has more navigable miles of water than any state besides Alaska.
- 🐦 The state bird is the cardinal.
- 🌳 The tulip poplar is Kentucky's state tree.
- 🏀 Kentucky is famous for college basketball, especially the UK Wildcats.
- 🍗 Colonel Sanders began selling his famous fried chicken in Corbin, Kentucky in 1930.
- 🪙 Fort Knox stores most of the U.S. gold reserves.
- 📜 Daniel Boone helped settle Kentucky in the 1770s.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- Kentucky has more thoroughbred horses than any other state, over 240,000!
- The 'Happy Birthday' song was written by two Louisville sisters in 1893.
- Fort Knox holds over 4,500 tons of gold, about half of all US gold reserves.
- Kentucky Fried Chicken was founded in Corbin, KY by Colonel Sanders at age 65!
- Corvettes have been made exclusively in Bowling Green, KY since 1981.
- Post-it Notes were almost called 'Press-n-Peel' before 3M renamed them.
- Kentucky is the only state bordered by rivers on three sides, the Ohio, Mississippi, and Big Sandy.
- Abraham Lincoln was born in a one-room log cabin in Hodgenville, Kentucky.
- The Louisville Slugger baseball bat factory produces about 1.8 million bats per year.
- Kentucky's Bluegrass region gets its name from the blue-purple seed heads of the grass in spring.
- Cumberland Falls is one of the few places in the world where you can see a 'moonbow', a nighttime rainbow!
- Kentucky was the 15th state, the first on the western frontier.
- The Kentucky Derby is the longest continuously held sporting event in America, since 1875.
- Ale-8-One is a ginger-citrus soda invented in Winchester, Kentucky in 1926, where it's still made today.
- Lost River Cave in Bowling Green has the shortest and deepest underground river in the US.
Fun Fact
Kentucky is famous for hosting the longest cave system in the world, Mammoth Cave. This UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts more than 400 miles (640 km) of surveyed passageways, making it nearly twice as long as the second-longest cave system known.
Louisiana (LA)
The Pelican State
- Capital
- Baton Rouge
- Statehood
- April 30, 1812 (18th state to join the Union)
- Population
- 4,597,740 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 52,378 square miles
- Highest Point
- Driskill Mountain at 535 feet
- Famous Landmark
- French Quarter, New Orleans
Overview
There's nowhere quite like Louisiana, the Pelican State! Louisiana is one of the most colorful and culturally unique states in America, shaped by a blend of French, Spanish, African, and Caribbean traditions found nowhere else in the country. From the lively streets of New Orleans to the mysterious cypress swamps of the bayou, Louisiana is a feast for all the senses.
New Orleans, the state's most famous city, is the birthplace of jazz music and home to the legendary Mardi Gras celebration, with its dazzling parades, elaborate costumes, and showers of colorful beads. The historic French Quarter dazzles visitors with its iron-lace balconies, street musicians, and the irresistible smell of beignets and gumbo drifting through the air.
Louisiana's landscape is unlike any other state. Vast bayous and swamps teem with alligators, herons, and ancient cypress trees draped in Spanish moss. The state is the only one in America whose legal system is based on the French Napoleonic Code instead of English common law. Whether you are tasting world-famous Cajun and Creole cooking, exploring plantation history along the Mississippi River, or listening to zydeco music under the stars, Louisiana wraps you in a warm, spicy, unforgettable embrace.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Bird [0.42, 0.38]
Brown Pelican
Louisiana loves its state bird so much it's called the Pelican State. But in the 1960s, a harmful farm chemical nearly wiped Brown Pelicans off the Gulf Coast completely. The chemical was banned in 1972, and the pelicans came roaring back: from zero nests in Louisiana to tens of thousands today! Brown Pelicans are the only pelicans that dive headfirst for fish, plunging from 65 feet up. Built-in air pockets cushion the splash like a crash helmet.
Flower [0.45, 0.41]
Magnolia
Louisiana's state flower, the Magnolia, is one of the most ancient flowers on Earth. Magnolia fossils go back 100 million years, from before bees even existed! With no bees around, magnolias let beetles do the pollinating, and their petals are still tough and leathery so crawling beetles can't hurt them. The blooms can grow as big as a dinner plate, and their sweet smell can drift a quarter mile on a warm Louisiana evening.
Reptile [0.35, 0.46]
American Alligator
Louisiana has more alligators than any other state: over 2 million of them live in its vast wetlands! Alligators were once nearly extinct. They were declared endangered in 1967, but they recovered so well they were off the list just 20 years later. An alligator can go through 3,000 teeth in a lifetime. When one wears down, a new one simply grows in its place!
Crustacean [0.43, 0.54]
Crawfish
Louisiana catches about 90% of all the crawfish eaten in the United States, around 100 million pounds a year! Crawfish (also called crayfish or mudbugs) dig burrows up to three feet deep to reach underground water. Their little mud doorways, called chimneys, dot Louisiana's rice fields. The crawfish boil is a favorite Louisiana party: crawfish are boiled with spices, potatoes, corn, and sausage, then dumped in a big steaming heap right on the table!
Legend [0.64, 0.54]
The Rougarou
The Rougarou is Louisiana's very own werewolf, a legendary shapeshifter said to prowl the bayous and swamps. French-speaking settlers brought the tale from Canada in the 1700s, and parents told it to keep kids on their best behavior. In some stories, the Rougarou's spell lasts exactly 101 days before it can pass to someone else. Every October, the town of Houma throws Rougarou Fest, where thousands of fans dress up as the swamp monster!
Landmarks (6 total)
🎺 New Orleans The Big Easy [0.65, 0.64] Cultural
New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz music and home to the world-famous Mardi Gras celebration. The city's historic French Quarter features wrought-iron balconies, legendary restaurants, and live music pouring out of every doorway along Bourbon Street and Frenchmen Street.
Fun fact: Most of New Orleans sits below sea level! The city uses a giant system of pumps, walls, and canals to keep the water out. There's no other city quite like it on Earth.
⭐ Baton Rouge State Capital [0.56, 0.59] Capital
Baton Rouge is Louisiana's capital, and its capitol building is the tallest in the whole country. The 34-story skyscraper went up in just 14 months during the Great Depression!
Fun fact: Baton Rouge means 'red stick' in French. Early explorers spotted a red-stained cypress pole that marked the boundary between two Native American nations' hunting grounds, and the name stuck!
🎰 Shreveport Gateway to the South [0.30, 0.34] Attraction
Shreveport sits on the Red River in northwest Louisiana and was once a booming riverboat port. Today it's known for its vibrant music scene, riverboat casinos, and the Louisiana State Fair, one of the oldest and biggest fairs in the South.
Fun fact: Shreveport earned the nickname 'Hollywood South.' For a while, so many big movies were filmed here that movie stars were a common sight around town!
🦞 Lafayette Heart of Cajun Country [0.47, 0.61] Cultural
Lafayette is the heart of Cajun Country. French-speaking families called Acadians were forced to leave Canada in the 1700s, and many made new homes here. Their descendants filled Lafayette with Cajun and zydeco music, crawfish boils, and a culture found nowhere else in America.
Fun fact: Lafayette hosts the world's largest Cajun and Zydeco music festival, Festivals Acadiens et Créoles, where hundreds of thousands gather to dance, eat, and celebrate!
🏛️ Natchitoches Oldest Settlement in Louisiana [0.35, 0.40] Historic
Natchitoches (pronounced NAK-uh-tish) is the oldest permanent settlement in the entire Louisiana Purchase territory, founded in 1714, four years before New Orleans. Its charming brick streets and Creole architecture along the Cane River make it a living time capsule.
Fun fact: The movie 'Steel Magnolias' was filmed right here in Natchitoches, and the town's famous meat pies have been a local delicacy for over 200 years!
🌶️ Avery Island Home of Tabasco [0.48, 0.65] Attraction
Avery Island is a salt dome rising from the Louisiana marshes and the birthplace of Tabasco hot sauce, which has been made here since 1868 using the same family recipe. The island is also home to Jungle Gardens, a 170-acre nature preserve with alligators and snowy egrets.
Fun fact: Every single bottle of Tabasco in the world, sold in over 195 countries, is still made on this tiny Louisiana island using peppers aged in oak barrels for up to three years!
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
What is the capital city of Louisiana?
Baton Rouge is Louisiana's capital. The name means 'red stick' in French, named after a red pole that marked a tribal hunting boundary when French explorers arrived.
Standard
What is the official state bird of Louisiana?
The Brown Pelican is Louisiana's state bird and appears on the state flag and seal. It is shown feeding its young and represents the state's caring spirit.
Standard
Which famous neighborhood in New Orleans is known for jazz music, Mardi Gras, and historic buildings?
The French Quarter is the oldest neighborhood in New Orleans, founded in 1718. Its colorful buildings with iron balconies and its lively music scene are world-famous.
Standard
What is Louisiana's state flower?
The Magnolia is Louisiana's state flower. The large, creamy white flowers grow on magnolia trees throughout the South and have a sweet, lemony fragrance.
Standard
Louisiana's bayous are famous for which large reptile that lives in the swamps?
American alligators thrive in Louisiana's bayous and swamps. Louisiana actually has more alligators than almost any other state, around 2 million of them!
Standard
What famous celebration happens every year in New Orleans before Lent, featuring parades, costumes, and colorful beads?
Mardi Gras (which means 'Fat Tuesday' in French) is a massive carnival celebration with elaborate floats, costumes, and parades. New Orleans has celebrated it since 1699!
Standard
Louisiana is the only state with a unique legal system NOT based on English common law. Which country's law system does it follow?
Louisiana's legal system is based on the French Napoleonic Code from when it was a French colony. This makes Louisiana unique among all 50 states!
Standard
What type of spicy, flavorful food is Louisiana famous for that mixes French, African, and Spanish cooking traditions?
Louisiana's Creole and Cajun cuisines are world-famous for dishes like gumbo, jambalaya, red beans and rice, and crawfish etouffee. Louisiana cooking is its own unique food culture!
Standard
True or False: New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz music.
New Orleans is widely considered the birthplace of jazz, which developed in the early 1900s from a blend of African, Caribbean, and European musical traditions.
Standard
What is the highest point in Louisiana?
Driskill Mountain at just 535 feet is Louisiana's highest point, making it one of the flattest states in the country!
Standard
True or False: Louisiana was the 18th state to join the Union.
Louisiana became the 18th state on April 30, 1812. It was carved from the vast Louisiana Purchase territory that the United States bought from France in 1803.
Standard
Which Louisiana city on the Red River is the starting point of the maze?
Shreveport, in northwest Louisiana, is the starting point of the maze. It sits on the Red River and is known for its music scene and the Louisiana State Fair.
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
What popular fried pastry covered in powdered sugar is a New Orleans specialty served at Cafe Du Monde?
Beignets are square French-style donuts covered in a mountain of powdered sugar. Cafe Du Monde in the French Quarter has been serving them since 1862!
Bonus Round
True or False: Louisiana is divided into counties, just like every other state.
Louisiana is the only state that uses 'parishes' instead of counties! This tradition comes from its French and Spanish Catholic heritage.
Bonus Round
Which Louisiana product is aged in oak barrels on Avery Island and sold in over 195 countries?
Tabasco hot sauce has been made on Avery Island since 1868 using the same family recipe. Every single bottle sold worldwide still comes from this tiny Louisiana island!
Bonus Round
What musical style, featuring accordion and washboard, originated in Louisiana's Creole communities?
Zydeco music blends Creole, blues, and rhythm & blues with instruments like the accordion and washboard. It originated in southwest Louisiana and is a joyful, danceable tradition!
Did You Know? (14 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 About 4.6 million people live in Louisiana.
- 📅 Louisiana became the 18th state on April 30, 1812.
- 🏛️ Baton Rouge has been the capital since 1849.
- 🎺 New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz music.
- 🪩 Mardi Gras parades have been a New Orleans tradition since the 1830s.
- 🐊 Louisiana has more alligators than any other U.S. state.
- 🪶 The Brown Pelican is Louisiana's state bird.
- 🌹 The Magnolia is the state flower.
- 📜 Louisiana uses the only legal system in the U.S. based on French Napoleonic code.
- 🌊 The Mississippi River ends in Louisiana, emptying into the Gulf of Mexico.
- 🦞 Louisiana produces about 90% of America's crawfish.
- 🗺️ The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the U.S. in 1803.
- 🌳 Bald cypress is Louisiana's state tree.
- 🎷 Louis Armstrong was born in New Orleans in 1901.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- Louisiana doesn't have counties, it uses parishes instead!
- Jazz music was born in New Orleans in the early 1900s.
- The world's longest bridge over water is Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, nearly 24 miles!
- Louisiana is the only state with a legal system based on the Napoleonic Code.
- Mardi Gras has been celebrated in Louisiana since 1699.
- Louisiana produces 90% of all crawfish eaten in the US.
- The beignet, a powdered sugar doughnut, is Louisiana's official state doughnut.
- The oldest streetcar line in the world is the St. Charles line in New Orleans.
- Louisiana has over 2 million wild alligators.
- The po'boy sandwich was invented in New Orleans in 1929 for striking streetcar workers.
- Louisiana's Atchafalaya Basin is the largest river swamp in the US.
- Drive-through daiquiri shops are legal in Louisiana, as long as the straw isn't in the cup!
- Tabasco sauce has been made on Avery Island since 1868 using the same family recipe.
- Louis Armstrong, one of the greatest musicians ever, was born in New Orleans in 1901.
- Louisiana's state insect is the honeybee, fitting for a state this sweet!
Fun Fact
Louisiana is unique in the United States for its use of a legal system based on the Napoleonic Code, rather than English Common Law, which is the foundation of the legal system in the other 49 states. This legal heritage dates back to the period when Louisiana was a French and Spanish colony.
Maine (ME)
The Pine Tree State
- Capital
- Augusta
- Statehood
- March 15, 1820 (23rd state to join the Union)
- Population
- 1,405,012 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 35,385 square miles
- Highest Point
- Mount Katahdin at 5,267 feet
- Famous Landmark
- Acadia National Park
Overview
Pack your bags for Maine, the Pine Tree State! Perched at the far northeastern tip of the United States, Maine is a rugged and beautiful land of rocky coastlines, dense evergreen forests, and sparkling lakes. It is the only state in the country that borders just one other state, New Hampshire, with Canada to the north and the vast Atlantic Ocean to the east and south.
Maine's coastline is a marvel of nature, stretching over 3,400 miles when you count all the bays, inlets, and islands. About 65 historic lighthouses still stand along these shores, guiding ships through fog and around dangerous rocks. Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island is one of the most visited national parks in the country, and Cadillac Mountain within it is the first spot in the United States to see the sunrise each morning.
Maine is world-famous for its delicious lobster. The cold, clean waters of the Gulf of Maine produce some of the sweetest lobster on Earth. Towering Mount Katahdin marks the northern end of the 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail, drawing hikers from around the globe. With its charming fishing villages, brilliant fall foliage, and the call of loons echoing across quiet lakes, Maine feels like stepping into a storybook of wild, unspoiled America.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Bird [0.52, 0.59]
Black-capped Chickadee
Maine's state bird, the Black-capped Chickadee, uses a remarkable alarm call system: the number of "dee" notes at the end of its famous "chick-a-dee-dee-dee" call signals the danger level of a predator. A small, agile hawk might trigger seven or eight dee notes while a large, slow owl gets only two or three. Other birds in the forest listen for chickadee alarms too. The chickadee is the whole woodland's lookout!
Animal [0.30, 0.72]
Moose
Maine has more moose than any other state in the lower 48. About 75,000 of them roam the northern forests! A bull moose's antlers can stretch six feet wide and weigh 40 pounds. They grow up to an inch per day in summer, then fall off completely every winter and grow back. Moose stand so tall on their long legs that drivers can have trouble spotting them at night, so Maine highways post special "Brake for Moose" warning signs.
Tree [0.50, 0.65]
Eastern White Pine
Maine's state tree, the Eastern White Pine, grew so tall and straight that the King of England claimed the best ones for his navy's ship masts. He marked them with a "broad arrow" symbol, and colonists who cut one down were punished. Mainers did not like that one bit! Their anger over the Pine Tree Laws helped fuel the American Revolution. Today Maine is over 90% forest, more than any other state, earning it the nickname "The Pine Tree State."
Berry [0.34, 0.67]
Wild Blueberry
Maine grows about 90% of America's wild blueberries. Farm blueberries can be as big as marbles, but wild ones are tiny and packed with flavor. Maine's blueberry fields turn brilliant red and orange every fall! Pickers still harvest the berries with special rakes that comb them off the low bushes, just like they did 150 years ago. The wild blueberry has been Maine's official state berry since 1991.
Cat [0.46, 0.61]
Maine Coon Cat
The Maine Coon is Maine's official state cat. It's one of the largest cat breeds in the world, with a thick shaggy coat, tufted ears, and a long bushy tail. Legend says they're descended from seafaring cats brought ashore by Maine sailors, though scientists think they evolved from European farm cats adapting to the snowy New England winters. They're gentle and curious, often called "the gentle giants" of the cat world.
Landmarks (5 total)
⭐ Augusta State Capital [0.42, 0.67] Capital
Augusta is Maine's capital, sitting on the banks of the Kennebec River. It's one of the smallest state capitals in the country. The Maine State House shines with a golden dome you can spot from all over town!
Fun fact: Augusta's Old Fort Western, built in 1754, is the oldest surviving wooden fort in all of New England, and you can still visit it today!
🏔️ Acadia National Park [0.59, 0.66] Nature
Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island is one of the most visited national parks in America. Cadillac Mountain within the park is the first place in the United States to see the sunrise from October through March, and the park's rugged coastline meets crashing Atlantic waves.
Fun fact: Acadia was the first national park east of the Mississippi River, and it was created almost entirely from land donated by private citizens, including the Rockefeller family!
🦞 Portland Maine's Largest City [0.36, 0.76] City
Portland is Maine's largest city, famous for fresh lobster rolls and the cobblestone streets of the Old Port district along the waterfront. Nearby stands Portland Head Light, built in 1791 by order of George Washington. It's the most photographed lighthouse in America!
Fun fact: For its size, Portland has more restaurants than almost any city in America. Food experts once crowned it the best restaurant city in the whole country!
🌅 Lubec Easternmost Town in the U.S. [0.77, 0.60] Cultural
Lubec sits on a rocky point at the easternmost edge of the continental United States. The sun rises here first every morning! Its candy-cane-striped West Quoddy Head Lighthouse was built in 1808. For over 200 years it has guided ships through some of the foggiest waters on the Atlantic coast.
Fun fact: If you stand at West Quoddy Head at dawn, you're the first person in the country to see the sunrise!
⚓ Kennebunkport Classic New England Coast [0.33, 0.82] Cultural
Kennebunkport is a classic seaside village of shipbuilders' homes, rocky coves, and lobster shacks. The town has been a summer getaway for presidents and artists alike for more than a century.
Fun fact: The Bush family's seaside home at Walker's Point in Kennebunkport has hosted visiting world leaders from all over the globe.
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
What is the capital city of Maine?
Augusta is Maine's capital, though Portland is the largest city. Augusta is one of the least-populated state capitals in the US.
Standard
What is the official state bird of Maine?
The Black-capped Chickadee is Maine's state bird. These tiny birds stay in Maine all winter and are known for their cheerful 'chick-a-dee-dee-dee' call!
Standard
Which national park in Maine sits on a beautiful island and is one of the most visited in the US?
Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island has stunning ocean cliffs, granite peaks, and the famous Cadillac Mountain, the first place in the US to see the sunrise from October through March!
Standard
What is Maine's state flower?
Maine's state flower is actually the cone and tassel of the White Pine tree! Maine is nicknamed 'The Pine Tree State,' and its flag and seal both feature a white pine.
Standard
Maine is famous for which delicious seafood that has large claws and a sweet taste?
Maine lobster is world-famous! Maine catches more lobster than almost any other state. The cold, clean waters of the Gulf of Maine produce especially delicious lobsters.
Standard
Maine is the only US state that shares its land border with only one other state. Which state is that?
Maine shares its only US land border with New Hampshire. The rest of Maine's borders are Canada to the north and west, and the Atlantic Ocean to the south and east.
Standard
Maine has more lighthouses than any other state in New England. About how many historic lighthouses still stand there?
Maine has about 65 historic lighthouses along its rocky coastline, many still operational. They helped sailors navigate the dangerous rocky shores and fog of the Maine coast.
Standard
Which Maine landmark marks the easternmost point of the continental United States?
West Quoddy Head Lighthouse in Lubec, Maine marks the easternmost point of the continental US. It is the first place on the mainland to see the sunrise each day!
Standard
True or False: Maine's coastline stretches over 3,400 miles when you count all the bays and islands.
Maine's coastline is incredibly jagged with thousands of bays, inlets, and islands, stretching over 3,400 miles. That is far more than most people would guess for such a small state!
Standard
What is Maine's highest point?
Mount Katahdin at 5,267 feet is Maine's highest point and also the northern end of the 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail. Its name means 'The Greatest Mountain' in the Penobscot language.
Standard
True or False: Maine used to be part of Massachusetts before becoming its own state.
Maine was part of Massachusetts until 1820, when it became the 23rd state as part of the Missouri Compromise. It was admitted as a free state to balance Missouri entering as a slave state.
Standard
What is Maine's nickname?
Maine is called 'The Pine Tree State' because vast forests of white pine trees cover the state. The pine tree appears on Maine's flag and state seal.
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
Which famous horror author lives in Bangor, Maine and has set many of his novels in the state?
Stephen King has lived in Bangor, Maine for decades and has set dozens of his famous novels in fictional Maine towns. His house with its iron bat-and-spider fence is a tourist attraction!
Bonus Round
True or False: Maine produces about 90% of all the blueberries grown in the United States.
Maine is by far the largest producer of wild blueberries in the country, growing about 90% of the nation's supply in its rocky, acidic soil!
Bonus Round
What is the name of the famous long-distance hiking trail that ends at Mount Katahdin in Maine?
The Appalachian Trail stretches 2,190 miles from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine. Thousands of hikers attempt to walk the entire trail each year!
Bonus Round
What colorful bird with a large orange beak nests on islands off the coast of Maine?
Atlantic Puffins nest on several islands off Maine's coast, including Machias Seal Island. These adorable 'sea clowns' were nearly wiped out but have been brought back through conservation efforts!
Did You Know? (18 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 Only about 1.4 million people live in Maine, fewer than many single cities.
- 📏 Maine is nearly as big as all the other New England states combined!
- 🏛️ Augusta is one of the least populated state capitals in the U.S.
- ⭐ Maine became the 23rd state in 1820, when it split off from Massachusetts.
- 🦞 Maine lobstermen pull in over 100 million pounds of lobster a year.
- 🌊 Maine's coast has more than 3,000 islands.
- 🌅 Cadillac Mountain is the first U.S. spot to see the sunrise in winter.
- 🥧 90% of America's wild blueberries come from Maine.
- 🪵 90% of Maine is covered in forest, more than any other state.
- 🦌 Maine has more moose than any other state in the lower 48.
- 🍩 The donut hole was invented by a Maine sea captain in 1847.
- 📚 Stephen King has set 30+ of his books in Maine.
- 🍾 Moxie, America's first mass-produced soda, was invented in Maine.
- 🗺️ Maine borders only one other state, New Hampshire.
- ❄️ Earmuffs were invented by 15-year-old Chester Greenwood of Maine.
- 🌐 The world's largest rotating globe is in Yarmouth, Maine.
- 🎣 Eastport is the easternmost city in the United States.
- 🏔️ Mount Katahdin is the northern end of the Appalachian Trail.
Trigger Marker Facts (14)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- Maine is the closest US state to Africa!
- 90% of America's toothpicks come from Maine!
- Maine has over 60 lighthouses!
- Stephen King has set 30+ books in Maine.
- Maine lobstermen catch 100 million pounds a year!
- Eastport is the easternmost city in the United States.
- Maine's coast has over 3,000 islands!
- The first sawmill in America was built in Maine.
- Moxie, America's first mass-produced soda, is from Maine!
- Maine is the only state that borders just one other state.
- Earle Dickson of Maine helped invent Band-Aids!
- Donut holes were invented by a Maine sea captain!
- Chester Greenwood of Maine invented earmuffs at age 15!
- Maine once had its own high-seas pirate: Dixie Bull.
Fun Fact
Maine is famous for its lighthouses, with more lighthouses than any other state in New England. There are 65 historic lighthouses still standing across the state's rugged coastline, many of which are still operational and help to navigate the challenging maritime routes.
Maryland (MD)
The Free State
- Capital
- Annapolis
- Statehood
- April 28, 1788 (7th state to join the Union)
- Population
- 6,263,220 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 12,407 square miles
- Highest Point
- Backbone Mountain at 3,360 feet
- Famous Landmark
- Fort McHenry
Overview
Welcome to Maryland, the Free State! Nestled along the mid-Atlantic coast, Maryland may be one of the smaller states, but it packs a huge punch. The Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States, splits the state nearly in half and provides some of the best blue crab in the world. From sandy beaches on the Eastern Shore to the rolling Appalachian Mountains in the west, Maryland's geography is wonderfully diverse.
Maryland played a key role in American history. The Star-Spangled Banner was written by Francis Scott Key as he watched the British bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor during the War of 1812. Annapolis, the state capital, once served as the temporary capital of the entire United States and is home to the prestigious U.S. Naval Academy.
Today, Maryland is a hub of science and discovery. The Goddard Space Flight Center and the National Institutes of Health are both located here. Whether you are cracking open steamed crabs seasoned with Old Bay, exploring the cobblestone streets of historic Annapolis, or hiking along the Appalachian Trail, Maryland offers adventure at every turn.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Bird [0.56, 0.49]
Baltimore Oriole
The Baltimore Oriole got its name from Lord Baltimore, whose family colors were the same orange and black as the bird's feathers. It's been Maryland's state bird since 1947, and the Baltimore Orioles baseball team is named after it. Female orioles weave amazing hanging-basket nests out of plant fibers and string. Some nests are built so well they stay hanging in the branches for two or three winters after the birds move out!
Crustacean [0.72, 0.55]
Blue Crab
The Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab is Maryland's state crustacean and maybe its most famous symbol. Maryland produces more blue crabs than any other state! A blue crab outgrows and sheds its shell up to 25 times in its life. Right after shedding, it's a famous "soft shell crab," soft enough to eat whole. A mother blue crab swims to the salty mouth of the bay to release her eggs: up to 8 million at a time!
Tree [0.33, 0.38]
White Oak
Maryland's state tree is the White Oak, and one of them became famous: the Wye Oak lived over 460 years before a storm finally toppled it in 2002. At its biggest, it stood 96 feet tall with branches spreading 119 feet wide. White Oak acorns are sweeter than most, and Native Americans ground them into flour for food. A single White Oak can drop 20,000 acorns in one year!
Reptile [0.71, 0.39]
Diamondback Terrapin
The Diamondback Terrapin is Maryland's state reptile, a turtle whose shell is patterned with diamond-shaped rings. It lives only where the Chesapeake Bay's fresh water mixes with salty ocean water. Terrapins were hunted for soup so heavily in the early 1900s that they nearly vanished, but people worked hard to bring them back. The Diamondback is also the beloved mascot of the University of Maryland. His name is Testudo!
Sport [0.53, 0.43]
Jousting
Maryland's official state sport is jousting, and it has held that title since 1962, making it the oldest official state sport in America. Maryland-style jousting isn't the medieval collision of armored knights; instead, riders on horseback charge at full gallop and try to spear small hanging rings with a lance. The tradition dates back to colonial Maryland, and tournaments are still held across the state. The National Jousting Association, headquartered in Maryland, governs the sport nationwide.
Landmarks (5 total)
⭐ Annapolis State Capital [0.62, 0.52] Capital
Annapolis is Maryland's capital and home to the U.S. Naval Academy, where future Navy and Marine Corps officers have trained since 1845. The city sits right on the Chesapeake Bay. Its historic streets have more 1700s brick buildings than any other American city, and sailboats fill the waterfront all year long.
Fun fact: Annapolis briefly served as the capital of the entire United States in 1783 and 1784! The Treaty of Paris was approved here, officially ending the Revolutionary War.
🦀 Baltimore Charm City [0.63, 0.44] City
Baltimore is Maryland's largest city and famous for its Inner Harbor, world-class National Aquarium, and Chesapeake Bay blue crabs. Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor is where Francis Scott Key wrote 'The Star-Spangled Banner' during the War of 1812.
Fun fact: Baltimore's National Aquarium has over 20,000 animals, and the city eats so many blue crabs that Old Bay seasoning is practically the official spice of Maryland!
🏖️ Ocean City Atlantic Beach Resort [0.81, 0.63] Nature
Ocean City is Maryland's famous Atlantic coast beach town with 10 miles of sandy beaches and a legendary three-mile boardwalk. Every summer, millions of visitors flock here for the surf, saltwater taffy, Thrasher's french fries, and amusement rides along the shore.
Fun fact: Ocean City's boardwalk was built in 1902, and back then it was taken apart and stored away every winter! Today it stays up year-round and is one of the best boardwalks in America.
⚔️ Antietam National Battlefield [0.45, 0.42] Historic
Antietam National Battlefield near Sharpsburg is one of the most important Civil War sites in America. The Union army's victory here in 1862 gave President Lincoln the confidence to issue the Emancipation Proclamation, the first big step toward ending slavery. Today the rolling fields are quiet, and visitors come to learn the history.
Fun fact: The historic Burnside Bridge at Antietam still stands today, and you can walk right across the same stones soldiers crossed more than 160 years ago!
🦀 Chesapeake Bay America's Largest Estuary [0.62, 0.60] Nature
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States, a vast, shallow sea where fresh river water mixes with salty ocean water. It's world-famous for blue crabs, oysters, skipjack sailboats, and more than 150 rivers and streams that feed into it.
Fun fact: Over 3,600 species of plants and animals call the Chesapeake Bay home, including the state sport fish, the striped bass (locals call them 'rockfish').
Standard Trivia (12)
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Francis Scott Key wrote the U.S. national anthem in 1814 while watching the British attack which Maryland location?
Francis Scott Key watched the British bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor during the War of 1812. Seeing the American flag still flying at dawn inspired him to write 'The Star-Spangled Banner.'
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What is the official state bird of Maryland?
The Baltimore Oriole is a bright orange-and-black bird named after Lord Baltimore, whose family colors were orange and black. The Baltimore baseball team is also named after this bird!
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Which historic fort in Baltimore inspired the writing of 'The Star-Spangled Banner'?
Fort McHenry successfully defended Baltimore from a British attack in 1814. Francis Scott Key watched the battle from a ship and was so inspired he wrote what became the US national anthem.
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What is Maryland's state flower?
The Black-eyed Susan is Maryland's state flower. This cheerful yellow flower with a dark center blooms across Maryland's fields and roadsides every summer.
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Maryland borders which large body of water that is the largest estuary in the United States?
Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the US and is famous for its blue crabs. Maryland blue crabs are a beloved local delicacy cooked with Old Bay seasoning!
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Maryland's Fort McHenry inspired Francis Scott Key to write what important American piece of writing?
Francis Scott Key watched the British attack on Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor in 1814 during the War of 1812. Seeing the American flag still flying at dawn inspired him to write 'The Star-Spangled Banner,' which later became the U.S. national anthem.
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Which famous abolitionist who escaped slavery and helped other enslaved people escape was born in Maryland?
Harriet Tubman was born enslaved in Dorchester County, Maryland around 1822. She escaped to freedom and then made 13 missions back to rescue about 70 enslaved family members and friends via the Underground Railroad.
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Maryland is called 'America in Miniature' because it has many different landscapes. Which one does it NOT have?
Maryland has mountains, ocean beaches, forests, farms, wetlands, and bay islands, but no deserts! Its varied geography in a small area is why it is called 'America in Miniature.'
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True or False: Annapolis once served as the temporary capital of the entire United States.
Annapolis served as the temporary capital of the United States from November 1783 to August 1784. The Treaty of Paris, which ended the Revolutionary War, was ratified there!
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What is Maryland's highest point?
Backbone Mountain at 3,360 feet is Maryland's highest point, located in the far western panhandle of the state near the West Virginia border.
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Maryland was the 7th state to join the Union. In what year was it ratified?
Maryland ratified the Constitution on April 28, 1788, making it the 7th state. It was one of the original thirteen colonies that formed the United States.
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True or False: The United States Naval Academy is located in Baltimore.
False! The US Naval Academy has been located in Annapolis, Maryland's capital, since it was established on October 10, 1845. It trains officers for both the Navy and the Marine Corps.
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
What famous spice blend, originally created in Baltimore, is used to season Maryland's blue crabs?
Old Bay seasoning was created in Baltimore in 1939 by German immigrant Gustav Brunn. It is practically the official seasoning of Maryland and is used on crabs, fries, chips, and more!
Bonus Round
Which famous Civil War battle in Maryland was one of the most important single days in American history?
The Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862, near Sharpsburg, Maryland was one of the most consequential single days of the Civil War. The Union's stand here gave President Lincoln the moment he needed to issue the Emancipation Proclamation.
Bonus Round
True or False: The Chesapeake Bay Bridge, connecting Maryland's Eastern and Western shores, is over 4 miles long.
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge (officially the William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial Bridge) stretches 4.3 miles across the bay. It is so long and high that some drivers hire people to drive them across!
Bonus Round
Which NASA facility located in Maryland manages many of the agency's space science missions?
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland manages missions like the Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope. It is one of NASA's largest research centers!
Did You Know? (16 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 About 6.2 million people live in Maryland.
- 📅 Maryland became the 7th state on April 28, 1788.
- 🌟 Underground Railroad hero Harriet Tubman was born in Maryland.
- 🏛️ Annapolis has been the capital since 1694.
- 📜 Maryland is nicknamed 'America in Miniature' for its varied geography.
- 🏞️ Maryland has mountains, beaches, forests, and farms, but no deserts.
- 🦀 Maryland is famous for blue crabs from the Chesapeake Bay.
- 🚂 The first U.S. railroad was the B&O, founded in Baltimore in 1827.
- 🐦 The Baltimore Oriole is Maryland's state bird.
- 🌹 The Black-eyed Susan is the state flower.
- 🌳 The white oak is Maryland's state tree.
- 🚢 Annapolis is home to the U.S. Naval Academy, founded in 1845.
- 📜 The U.S. national anthem was written about Fort McHenry in Baltimore.
- 🏛️ Annapolis briefly served as the U.S. capital in 1783-1784.
- 🌊 Maryland has more shoreline than the entire West Coast of the U.S.
- 🚩 Maryland's flag is one of the most distinctive of any state.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- The National Anthem was written about the Battle of Baltimore's Fort McHenry!
- The first dental school in the world opened in Baltimore in 1840.
- Smith Island cake has at least 8 super-thin layers, it's Maryland's state dessert!
- Maryland is called 'America in Miniature' because it has mountains, beaches, and farmland.
- The first telegraph message, 'What hath God wrought', was sent from Baltimore to DC in 1844.
- Maryland's state sport is jousting, the oldest official state sport in the US!
- The USS Constellation in Baltimore's Inner Harbor is the last Civil War-era vessel afloat.
- Babe Ruth was born in Baltimore in 1895.
- The Chesapeake Bay produces more blue crabs than anywhere else in the world.
- Maryland hosted the first railroad station in America, the Mount Clare Station in 1830.
- Assateague Island has wild horses that have lived there for over 300 years.
- The first umbrella factory in the US opened in Baltimore in 1828.
- Maryland's flag is the only US state flag based on English heraldry.
- Thurgood Marshall, the first Black Supreme Court Justice, was born in Baltimore.
- The Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course is the second jewel of horse racing's Triple Crown.
Fun Fact
Maryland is home to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, which was established on October 10, 1845. The Naval Academy is one of the oldest military institutions in the United States and serves as a critical training ground for officers in the Navy and Marine Corps.
Massachusetts (MA)
The Bay State
- Capital
- Boston
- Statehood
- February 6, 1788 (6th state to join the Union)
- Population
- 7,136,171 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 10,565 square miles
- Highest Point
- Mount Greylock at 3,489 feet
Overview
There's nowhere quite like Massachusetts, the Bay State! This New England powerhouse is where America's story truly began. The Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock in 1620, the Boston Tea Party ignited the spark of revolution in 1773, and the first shots of the American Revolutionary War rang out in Lexington and Concord. History is around every corner here.
Massachusetts is also a world leader in education and innovation. Harvard University, founded in 1636, is the oldest college in the country, and MIT is one of the top science and technology schools on the planet. The city of Boston blends old brick buildings with modern skyscrapers, and its Freedom Trail walking tour takes you past sixteen historic sites in a single afternoon.
Beyond the cities, Massachusetts offers the sandy dunes of Cape Cod, the charming islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, and the beautiful Berkshire Mountains in the west. The state is also crazy about sports. From the Red Sox at Fenway Park to the Celtics and Patriots, fans here are among the most passionate in the country.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Flower [0.78, 0.64]
Mayflower
The Mayflower, also called trailing arbutus, became Massachusetts's state flower in 1918. This little creeping plant blooms with sweet-smelling pink-and-white flowers in early spring, sometimes pushing right up through the snow. The Pilgrims named their ship after it because the flower was one of the first signs of spring they saw after their hard first winter. The Mayflower is very tricky to grow: it needs a special fungus in the soil to survive, so moving one to a garden almost never works. It has become so rare that picking one is against the law in several New England states.
Dessert [0.48, 0.42]
Boston Cream Pie
Boston Cream Pie, Massachusetts's official state dessert, isn't a pie at all. It was created at the Parker House Hotel in Boston in 1856 by French chef M. Sanzian, who baked two sponge cake layers, filled them with pastry cream, and topped them with chocolate glaze. In the 1800s, cakes and pies were baked in the same pans and often used interchangeably in names. The Parker House (now the Omni Parker House) still serves the original recipe today.
Tree [0.60, 0.51]
American Elm
The American Elm has been Massachusetts's state tree since 1941. It honors a famous elm in Cambridge: George Washington took command of the Continental Army under its branches in 1775. Elm trees once shaded almost every main street in New England. Then a tree sickness called Dutch elm disease arrived in the 1930s and wiped out millions of them. Scientists in Massachusetts spent decades breeding tougher elms, and in 2019 they finally released the first American elm that can beat the disease.
Sport [0.19, 0.36]
Basketball
Basketball was invented in Springfield, Massachusetts in December 1891 by Canadian-American gym teacher Dr. James Naismith, who needed an indoor winter activity for restless students. The first game used a soccer ball and two peach baskets nailed to a gymnasium balcony, and someone had to climb a ladder to retrieve the ball each time a point was scored. The Basketball Hall of Fame is located in Springfield, enshrining the sport's birthplace.
Cookie [0.31, 0.42]
Chocolate Chip Cookie
Massachusetts adopted the chocolate chip cookie as its state cookie in 1997. It was invented in 1938 at the Toll House Inn in Whitman, Massachusetts. Innkeeper Ruth Wakefield chopped a chocolate bar into her cookie dough, expecting the chocolate to melt and spread through the cookies. Surprise: the chips held their shape, and her happy accident became the world's most famous cookie.
Landmarks (5 total)
🏛️ Boston The Cradle of Liberty [0.65, 0.45] Capital
Boston is Massachusetts's capital and one of America's oldest cities, founded in 1630. The Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile red-brick walking path, connects 16 historic sites from the American Revolution including Paul Revere's house and the Old North Church.
Fun fact: Boston's subway system, the 'T,' opened in 1897 and was the very first underground transit system in North America. It is still running today!
🧙 Salem The Witch City [0.68, 0.39] Historic
Salem is forever linked to the witch trials of 1692, when fear spread through the town and innocent people were wrongly accused of witchcraft. Today a quiet memorial honors them, and the city's museums teach visitors why fairness matters. Salem also throws the biggest Halloween celebration in America!
Fun fact: Salem's police cars have a witch on a broomstick on their logo. The city fully owns its nickname as the Witch City!
⛵ Plymouth America's Hometown [0.73, 0.57] Historic
Plymouth is where the Pilgrims landed in 1620 and built the first lasting European settlement in New England. Plymouth Rock, the legendary landing spot, sits under a stone shelter on the waterfront. Docked nearby is the Mayflower II, a full-size copy of the original ship.
Fun fact: Plymouth Rock is surprisingly small. Visitors are often shocked that the famous stone is only about the size of a car engine!
🐋 Cape Cod National Seashore [0.83, 0.53] Nature
Cape Cod is a hook-shaped peninsula stretching 65 miles into the Atlantic Ocean, with stunning sand dunes, lighthouses, and whale-watching waters. The Cape Cod National Seashore, established by President Kennedy in 1961, protects 40 miles of pristine coastline.
Fun fact: In 1903, inventor Guglielmo Marconi stood at a station in Wellfleet on Cape Cod and sent a radio message all the way across the Atlantic Ocean to England. No wires needed!
🏀 Springfield City of Firsts [0.29, 0.51] City
Springfield is where Dr. James Naismith invented basketball in 1891 at the local YMCA training school. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame stands here today, honoring the greatest players and coaches in the sport's history.
Fun fact: Naismith's original basketball game used a soccer ball and two peach baskets nailed to a balcony. Someone had to climb a ladder to get the ball out after every score!
Standard Trivia (12)
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What is the capital city of Massachusetts?
Boston has been Massachusetts's capital since colonial times. It was the scene of famous events like the Boston Tea Party and the Boston Massacre that helped spark the American Revolution.
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Which famous holiday celebration did the Pilgrims and Wampanoag share in Massachusetts in 1621?
The Pilgrims and Wampanoag people gathered in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1621 for a three-day harvest feast. That gathering is remembered today as the first Thanksgiving.
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Which famous ship brought the Pilgrims to Massachusetts in 1620?
The Mayflower carried 102 Pilgrims from England to Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620. A full-size replica of the Mayflower is on display at Plymouth today.
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What is Massachusetts's state flower?
The Mayflower (Trailing Arbutus) is Massachusetts's state flower, named after the famous ship. It blooms early in spring and has a sweet fragrance.
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Which famous harbor event in 1773, where colonists dumped tea into the water to protest British taxes, happened in Boston?
The Boston Tea Party happened on December 16, 1773, when colonists disguised as Mohawk Indians dumped 342 chests of British tea into Boston Harbor to protest unfair taxes.
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Which sport was invented in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1891 by Dr. James Naismith?
Basketball was invented in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1891! Dr. Naismith nailed a peach basket to a gym balcony and wrote 13 rules for the new game. The Basketball Hall of Fame is in Springfield.
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The first public school in America was founded in Boston in 1635. What was it called?
Boston Latin School, founded in 1635, is the oldest public school in America and is still open today! Famous alumni include Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, and Samuel Adams.
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Paul Revere made his famous midnight ride through Massachusetts to warn colonists of what?
On April 18, 1775, Paul Revere rode through the night warning colonists that British troops were marching to capture colonial weapons. His ride helped the Minutemen prepare for the battles of Lexington and Concord.
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True or False: Massachusetts was one of the original thirteen colonies.
Massachusetts was the 6th state to ratify the Constitution on February 6, 1788. It was one of the original thirteen colonies and played a central role in the American Revolution.
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What is Massachusetts's nickname?
Massachusetts is called 'The Bay State' after the Massachusetts Bay Colony, which was one of the earliest and most important English settlements in New England.
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Which hook-shaped peninsula stretches 65 miles into the Atlantic Ocean from Massachusetts?
Cape Cod is a famous hook-shaped peninsula with stunning sand dunes, lighthouses, and whale-watching waters. The Cape Cod National Seashore protects 40 miles of its pristine coastline.
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True or False: The Freedom Trail in Boston connects 16 historic sites along a 2.5-mile walking path.
The Freedom Trail is a red-brick walking path through Boston that takes you past sixteen historic sites including Paul Revere's house, the Old North Church, and Faneuil Hall.
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
Which university in Cambridge, Massachusetts is the oldest college in the United States?
Harvard University was founded in 1636, making it the oldest institution of higher education in the United States. It was named after its first benefactor, John Harvard.
Bonus Round
What city in Massachusetts is famous for the witch trials of 1692?
During the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, the town's leaders unfairly punished 20 people who were wrongly accused of witchcraft. Today Salem embraces its spooky history and hosts one of America's biggest Halloween celebrations.
Bonus Round
True or False: Boston's subway system, called the 'T,' was the first underground transit system in North America.
The Boston subway, known as the 'T,' opened in 1897, making it the very first underground rapid transit system in North America. It is still running strong today!
Bonus Round
Which famous baseball stadium, home of the Red Sox and the oldest in Major League Baseball, is located in Boston?
Fenway Park opened in 1912 and is the oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball. Its famous left-field wall, the 'Green Monster,' is 37 feet tall and one of the most iconic features in sports!
Did You Know? (19 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 Over 7 million people call Massachusetts home, more than in 35 other states.
- 📏 Massachusetts is so small you could fit it inside Indiana more than 3 times.
- 🐎 Paul Revere rode at midnight to warn that British troops were coming!
- 🏛️ Boston is one of America's oldest cities, founded way back in 1630.
- ⭐ Massachusetts was the 6th state to join the Union on February 6, 1788.
- 🏫 Harvard University, founded in 1636, is the oldest college in America.
- 🏀 Basketball was invented in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1891.
- 🏐 Volleyball was also invented in Massachusetts, in Holyoke in 1895.
- 🚂 The first U.S. subway system opened in Boston in 1897.
- 📚 The Boston Latin School, founded in 1635, is the oldest school in the U.S.
- 🦃 The first Thanksgiving was held in Plymouth in 1621.
- 📜 Massachusetts is the only state with a Latin motto on its flag.
- 🎯 The Massachusetts state sport is basketball.
- 🐟 Cape Cod gets its name from the abundant cod fish off its shores.
- 🦞 Massachusetts is one of the top lobster-producing states.
- 🍫 The first chocolate factory in America opened in Massachusetts in 1765.
- 🗼 The first U.S. lighthouse was built in Boston Harbor in 1716.
- 🏟️ Fenway Park, home of the Red Sox, opened in 1912 and is the oldest MLB park.
- 🍩 The chocolate chip cookie was invented in Whitman, Massachusetts in 1938.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- Basketball was invented in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1891!
- The first subway in America opened in Boston in 1897.
- Fig Newtons are named after Newton, Massachusetts.
- Harvard is the oldest college in the US, founded in 1636.
- Massachusetts has the oldest Thanksgiving celebration tradition in the country.
- The chocolate chip cookie was invented in Whitman, MA at the Toll House Inn!
- Boston's Big Dig was the most expensive highway project in US history at $24 billion.
- Dr. Seuss was born in Springfield, Massachusetts.
- The first American lighthouse was built in Boston Harbor in 1716.
- Massachusetts is the only state named after a Native American tribe, the Massachusett people.
- Volleyball was also invented in Massachusetts, in Holyoke in 1895!
- The first public park in America was Boston Common, established in 1634.
- Dunkin' Donuts was founded in Quincy, MA in 1950.
- Martha's Vineyard was the first deaf community in America, where nearly everyone knew sign language.
- The first Thanksgiving lasted three days, not one!
Fun Fact
Massachusetts played a pivotal role in the development of the American public school system. It established the first public school in America, the Boston Latin School, in 1635. This school is the oldest existing school in the U.S. and laid the groundwork for public education. Following this, Massachusetts also set up the first American public secondary school, the English High School of Boston, which opened in 1821.
Michigan (MI)
The Great Lakes State
- Capital
- Lansing
- Statehood
- January 26, 1837 (26th state to join the Union)
- Population
- 10,140,459 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 96,716 square miles
- Highest Point
- Mount Arvon at 1,979 feet
- Famous Landmark
- Mackinac Bridge
Overview
Meet Michigan, the Great Lakes State! Michigan is the only state made up of two separate peninsulas, the mitten-shaped Lower Peninsula and the wild, rugged Upper Peninsula, connected by the mighty Mackinac Bridge. Surrounded by four of the five Great Lakes, Michigan has more freshwater coastline than any other state in the country. If you love beaches, lighthouses, and water adventures, this is the place to be.
Detroit, Michigan's largest city, is known as the Motor City because it became the center of the American automobile industry. Companies like Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler all got their start here, changing the way the world travels. Detroit is also the birthplace of Motown music, the legendary sound that launched artists like Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, and Marvin Gaye.
The Upper Peninsula is a nature lover's paradise, with dense forests, stunning waterfalls like Tahquamenon Falls, and the remote beauty of Isle Royale National Park. In the fall, Michigan's forests explode with brilliant reds, oranges, and golds, making it one of the best places in America to watch the leaves change.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Bird [0.24, 0.32]
American Robin
Michigan's state bird, the American Robin, was chosen in 1931 by a vote of Michigan schoolchildren. Robins are famous as a sign of spring, but many never leave! They spend the cold months hiding in Michigan's forests, switching from earthworms to berries. Here's the wild part: a robin's red-orange breast comes from the color hidden inside those berries. A robin that never ate them would have a pale yellowish chest.
Flower [0.51, 0.35]
Apple Blossom
Michigan's state flower is the Apple Blossom, and it fits: Michigan is one of the top apple-growing states in America, picking over 900 million pounds of apples a year. Apple trees have a built-in clock. They must feel enough cold winter days before they will bloom, so a warm spell in January can't trick them into flowering early. The Great Lakes help too, shielding the blossoms from late frosts.
Fish [0.69, 0.42]
Brook Trout
Michigan's state fish, the Brook Trout, is picky in the best way: it can only live in cold, crystal-clear water. If you spot a brook trout in a stream, you know that water is super clean! Michigan's Upper Peninsula has some of the best brook trout streams in the Midwest. They're also stunning to look at. Their olive-green sides are covered in red spots ringed with tiny blue halos, making them one of the most beautiful freshwater fish in North America.
Fossil [0.67, 0.60]
Mastodon
Michigan's state fossil is the Mastodon, a shaggy elephant cousin from the Ice Age. Over 300 mastodon fossils have been found in Michigan, more than almost any other state. Most were dug up by accident from farm ponds, bogs, and construction sites! Mastodons disappeared about 10,000 years ago. Unlike mammoths, which grazed on grass, mastodons munched shrubs and tree branches. You can tell them apart by their teeth: mastodon teeth have bumpy points like a tiny mountain range.
Known For [0.42, 0.39]
Automotive Industry
Detroit, Michigan is the birthplace of the American automobile industry and still the headquarters of Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis (Chrysler), known as the "Big Three." Henry Ford's moving assembly line, introduced at the Highland Park plant in 1913, reduced the time to build a Model T from over 12 hours to just 93 minutes, making cars affordable for the average American. At its peak, Michigan's auto industry employed 400,000 workers in Detroit alone.
Landmarks (5 total)
⭐ Lansing State Capital [0.63, 0.69] Capital
Lansing became Michigan's capital in 1847, chosen partly because its inland location made it harder for enemy forces from British Canada to attack. Today it is home to Michigan State University in neighboring East Lansing, one of the largest universities in the country.
Fun fact: When Lansing was chosen as the state capital, it was basically wilderness. Lawmakers picked it on a map, and many had never even been there!
🚗 Detroit The Motor City [0.72, 0.73] City
Detroit is the birthplace of the American automobile industry and Motown music. Henry Ford built his first car here in 1896, and the city became the car capital of the world. The Motown Record label launched legends like Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, and Marvin Gaye.
Fun fact: Detroit's Michigan Central Station, abandoned for decades, was restored by Ford and reopened in 2024 as a high-tech innovation campus!
🐴 Mackinac Island No Cars Allowed [0.62, 0.37] Attraction
Mackinac Island sits in the Straits of Mackinac between Michigan's two peninsulas. Cars have been banned here since 1898! Everyone gets around by horse-drawn carriage, bicycle, or on foot. The island is also famous for the fudge shops lining Main Street.
Fun fact: Mackinac Island has so many fudge shops that tourists are nicknamed 'fudgies' by the locals!
🏖️ Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore [0.52, 0.50] Nature
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore features massive sand dunes towering up to 450 feet above Lake Michigan. The dunes were formed by glaciers thousands of years ago and offer breathtaking views of crystal-clear turquoise water that rivals tropical beaches.
Fun fact: The dunes are named after a Chippewa legend about a mother bear who climbed a bluff to watch for her cubs lost in a lake crossing. The legend says she is still waiting there today.
💧 Tahquamenon Falls Upper Peninsula Waterfall [0.57, 0.30] Nature
Tahquamenon Falls in the Upper Peninsula is one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi. The Upper Falls spans 200 feet across and drops nearly 50 feet. The water is the color of root beer! Cedar and hemlock trees upstream release natural plant dyes called tannins that stain the river amber-brown.
Fun fact: Tahquamenon Falls appears in Longfellow's famous poem 'The Song of Hiawatha.' In the poem, Hiawatha builds his canoe on the banks of this very river!
Standard Trivia (12)
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What is the capital city of Michigan?
Lansing is Michigan's capital, though Detroit is the largest city. The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor has one of the largest football stadiums in the world!
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What is the official state bird of Michigan?
The American Robin is Michigan's state bird. These familiar birds with their red-orange bellies are a sign of spring when they return after winter.
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Which long suspension bridge connects Michigan's two peninsulas over the Straits of Mackinac?
The Mackinac Bridge ('Mighty Mac') is about 5 miles long and connects Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas. When it opened in 1957, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world!
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What is Michigan's state flower?
The Apple Blossom is Michigan's state flower. Michigan is one of the top apple-producing states, and the pink and white blossoms covering orchards in spring are breathtaking.
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Michigan is the only state made up of two separate peninsulas. What are they called?
Michigan's Upper Peninsula (UP) and Lower Peninsula are separated by the Straits of Mackinac. People from the UP are called 'Yoopers' and from the Lower Peninsula 'Trolls' (because they live under the bridge)!
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Michigan borders four of the five Great Lakes. Which Great Lake does it NOT touch?
Michigan touches Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and Lake Erie, four of the five Great Lakes! Only Lake Ontario doesn't touch Michigan.
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Michigan is known as the 'Motor City State' because which city is the center of the American automobile industry?
Detroit is called 'Motor City' because Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler (the 'Big Three' auto companies) were all founded there. Henry Ford revolutionized car manufacturing with the moving assembly line.
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Which Great Lakes island in Michigan is famous for having no cars and getting around only by horse and bicycle?
Mackinac Island banned cars in 1898! Today visitors get around by horse-drawn carriage or bicycle. The island is also famous for its delicious Mackinac fudge.
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True or False: Michigan has more total coastline than any other U.S. state.
False! Michigan has the most freshwater coastline, but Alaska has far more total coastline once you count saltwater. Michigan still touches four of the five Great Lakes.
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What is Michigan's highest point?
Mount Arvon at 1,979 feet is Michigan's highest point, located in the Upper Peninsula. It is a relatively modest peak compared to western states, but a fun hike through the north woods!
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True or False: Detroit is the birthplace of Motown music.
The Motown Record label was founded in Detroit in 1959 by Berry Gordy Jr. It launched legendary artists like Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, and The Temptations.
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What is Michigan's nickname?
Michigan is called 'The Great Lakes State' because it is bordered by four of the five Great Lakes. It has more than 11,000 inland lakes as well!
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
Which massive sand dunes along Lake Michigan tower up to 450 feet high and were voted the most beautiful place in America?
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore was voted 'Most Beautiful Place in America' by Good Morning America. The dunes offer breathtaking views of crystal-clear turquoise water!
Bonus Round
What cereal company has its headquarters in Battle Creek, Michigan, known as the 'Cereal Capital of the World'?
Kellogg's was founded in Battle Creek, Michigan in 1906 by W.K. Kellogg. The city became known as the Cereal Capital of the World and you can still smell cereal being made there!
Bonus Round
True or False: The Upper Peninsula waterfall called Tahquamenon Falls has distinctive root-beer colored water.
Tahquamenon Falls has amber-brown water that looks like root beer! The color comes from tannins released by cedar and hemlock trees along the riverbanks upstream.
Bonus Round
Which remote island national park in Lake Superior, accessible only by boat or seaplane, is home to wolves and moose?
Isle Royale National Park is one of the least-visited national parks in the US because you can only get there by boat or seaplane. Scientists have studied its wolf and moose populations for over 60 years!
Did You Know? (15 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 About 10 million people live in Michigan.
- 📅 Michigan became the 26th state on January 26, 1837.
- 🌊 Michigan touches Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, and Erie, but not Ontario.
- 🏛️ Lansing has been the capital since 1847.
- 🌊 Michigan has more freshwater coastline than any other state.
- 🚗 Detroit is known as the Motor City for its auto industry.
- 🎵 Motown Records began in Detroit in 1959.
- 🌉 The Mackinac Bridge is one of the world's longest suspension bridges.
- 🌊 Michigan touches four of the five Great Lakes.
- 🏖️ Sleeping Bear Dunes are towering sand cliffs along Lake Michigan.
- 🦌 The Upper Peninsula is one of America's wildest regions.
- 🌳 The white pine is Michigan's state tree.
- ❄️ Houghton, MI averages 200 inches of snow per winter.
- 🏝️ Isle Royale is one of the most remote U.S. national parks.
- 🍒 Michigan grows more tart cherries than any other state.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- Michigan has over 11,000 inland lakes!
- The world's first traffic light was installed in Detroit in 1918.
- Vernors ginger ale, America's oldest soda, was created in Detroit in 1866.
- Michigan's state stone is the Petoskey stone, a 350-million-year-old fossil coral.
- The UP has its own time zone, parts run on Central Time!
- Frankenmuth, Michigan is known as 'Little Bavaria' with authentic German architecture.
- Michigan produces 75% of the nation's tart cherries.
- The first Meijer store opened in Greenville, Michigan in 1934.
- Pictured Rocks was America's first National Lakeshore.
- Grayling, Michigan is named after a fish that went extinct there in the early 1900s.
- Hell, Michigan exists, and it freezes over every winter!
- The Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie move more cargo than the Panama Canal.
- Michigan's mitten shape makes it the only state you can point to on your hand.
- The world's largest weathervane is in Montague, Michigan, 48 feet tall!
- Houghton, Michigan averages over 200 inches of snow per year.
Fun Fact
Michigan is the only state in the United States that consists of two peninsulas, the Upper Peninsula and the Lower Peninsula. These two peninsulas are connected by the iconic Mackinac Bridge, one of the longest suspension bridges in the world. The bridge, often referred to as "Mighty Mac," spans approximately 5 miles (8 km) over the Straits of Mackinac, where Lakes Huron and Michigan meet.
Minnesota (MN)
The North Star State
- Capital
- St. Paul
- Statehood
- May 11, 1858 (32nd state to join the Union)
- Population
- 5,793,151 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 86,936 square miles
- Highest Point
- Eagle Mountain at 2,301 feet
- Famous Landmark
- Mall of America
Overview
Explore Minnesota, the Land of 10,000 Lakes! That nickname is actually an undercount: the state has more than 11,800 lakes, making it a paradise for fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and swimming. The mighty Mississippi River begins its 2,340-mile journey to the Gulf of Mexico right here, starting as a tiny stream you can walk across at Lake Itasca.
Minnesota's Twin Cities, Minneapolis and St. Paul, sit side by side along the Mississippi and form a vibrant cultural hub. Minneapolis is home to the famous Guthrie Theater and the sprawling Mall of America, one of the largest shopping centers in the world. St. Paul, the state capital, features beautiful Victorian architecture and the annual Winter Carnival, a celebration of the state's famously cold winters.
The northern part of the state is covered in thick boreal forests and is home to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, one of the most pristine wilderness areas in the entire country. Minnesota is also known for its friendly people, its love of hockey, and a proud Scandinavian heritage that shows up in everything from local festivals to lefse on the dinner table.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Bird [0.54, 0.60]
Common Loon
Minnesota’s state bird, the Common Loon, is the sound of the north woods. Its haunting wail carries across the lakes for miles. Loons are built for diving, not walking. Their legs sit so far back on their bodies that they can barely stand on land, but they can dive 200 feet deep and hold their breath for five minutes! More loons nest in Minnesota than in any other state except Alaska: over 12,000 birds on its 10,000-plus lakes.
Flower [0.28, 0.34]
Pink & White Lady’s Slipper
Minnesota’s state flower, the Showy Lady’s Slipper orchid, is one of the rarest and most beautiful wildflowers in North America. It takes up to 16 years to grow its first flower, and it can live over 100 years! The flower plays a sneaky trick on bees. Its sweet smell and bright colors invite a bee inside its puffy pouch, but there’s no nectar in there. The bee has to squeeze out through a narrow exit, picking up pollen on the way. Picking a wild lady’s slipper is against the law in Minnesota.
Fish [0.44, 0.48]
Walleye
The Walleye is Minnesota’s state fish and the fish everyone wants to catch. Its big, glassy eyes have a shiny mirror layer inside, the same thing that makes a cat’s eyes glow in the dark. That gives walleye amazing night vision! They hunt best at dawn and dusk, which is exactly when smart anglers go fishing for them. Minnesota fishers catch more walleye every year than any other state.
Fruit [0.50, 0.55]
Honeycrisp Apple
The Honeycrisp apple, Minnesota’s state fruit, was invented by scientists at the University of Minnesota and shared with the world in 1991. Its famous mega-crunch comes from extra-large cells inside the apple that pop when you bite, releasing a burst of juice. The Honeycrisp became so popular that orchards everywhere raced to grow it. It even earned the university over 9 million dollars!
Mythical Creature [0.32, 0.38]
The Wendigo
The Wendigo is a legendary monster from Algonquin and Ojibwe storytelling traditions, a towering winter spirit tied to cold, hunger, and greed. In the old stories, the Wendigo is never satisfied: the more it takes, the bigger and hungrier it grows. Storytellers used the Wendigo as a warning about selfishness, a reminder to share with others through the long, hard winters. Minnesota’s deep north woods and fierce snowstorms made these fireside tales feel extra real.
Landmarks (5 total)
⭐ St. Paul State Capital [0.57, 0.67] Capital
St. Paul is Minnesota's capital and one half of the famous Twin Cities. The city is known for its beautiful Victorian architecture, the Cathedral of Saint Paul perched on a hilltop, and the annual Winter Carnival, one of the oldest winter festivals in America, dating back to 1886.
Fun fact: St. Paul's Winter Carnival was started to prove a New York reporter wrong after he called Minnesota 'another Siberia, unfit for human habitation'!
🏙️ Minneapolis City of Lakes [0.54, 0.68] City
Minneapolis is the larger twin of the Twin Cities and is built around a chain of beautiful urban lakes. The city is home to the famous Guthrie Theater, the Walker Art Center, and Prince's beloved First Avenue nightclub where he filmed 'Purple Rain.'
Fun fact: Minneapolis has more skyways (enclosed walking bridges between buildings) than any other city in the world: 11 miles of them! You can cross downtown in winter without ever stepping outside.
🏥 Rochester Home of Mayo Clinic [0.62, 0.78] Attraction
Rochester is home to the world-famous Mayo Clinic, one of the top medical centers on Earth. Founded in 1889 by Dr. William Worrall Mayo and his sons, the clinic treats over a million patients each year and is a pioneer in medical research and innovation.
Fun fact: Rochester has a network of underground tunnels and skyways connecting most of the downtown, originally built so Mayo Clinic patients wouldn't have to brave the cold!
🎿 Lake Pepin Birthplace of Waterskiing [0.65, 0.75] Nature
Lake Pepin is a naturally wide stretch of the Mississippi River on the Minnesota-Wisconsin border. In 1922, 18-year-old Ralph Samuelson strapped on a pair of homemade wooden skis and had a boat pull him across the lake, inventing waterskiing on the spot.
Fun fact: Lake Pepin sits right across from Pepin, Wisconsin, the birthplace of author Laura Ingalls Wilder. Her 'Little House on the Prairie' books were inspired by this very region!
💧 Itasca State Park Headwaters of the Mississippi [0.38, 0.43] Nature
Lake Itasca is the tiny glacial lake where the mighty Mississippi River begins its 2,340-mile journey to the Gulf of Mexico. Visitors can wade or hop across the river at its headwaters, where it's only a few inches deep and narrow enough to step over.
Fun fact: A single drop of water leaving Lake Itasca takes about 90 days to flow all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico!
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
What is the capital city of Minnesota?
St. Paul is Minnesota's capital. It sits right next to Minneapolis, together they are called the 'Twin Cities.' The two cities are home to about half of Minnesota's population.
Standard
What is the official state bird of Minnesota?
The Common Loon is famous for its haunting, wailing call that echoes across Minnesota's many lakes. Loons are expert divers and can stay underwater for up to five minutes!
Standard
Which giant shopping mall in Bloomington, Minnesota has its own theme park and aquarium inside?
The Mall of America is one of the largest malls in the United States, with over 500 stores, a full indoor amusement park, an aquarium, and a mini golf course, all inside one building!
Standard
What is Minnesota's state flower?
The Pink and White Lady's Slipper is Minnesota's state flower. This rare wild orchid is protected by law, it is illegal to pick them because they take up to 16 years to bloom for the first time!
Standard
Minnesota is called the 'Land of 10,000 Lakes.' How many lakes does it actually have?
Minnesota has over 11,800 lakes, even more than its nickname suggests! These lakes cover about one-fifth of the state's area and are great for fishing, swimming, and boating.
Standard
Which musician, born in Minneapolis, recorded most of his music at the famous Paisley Park studio in Chanhassen, Minnesota?
Prince (Prince Rogers Nelson) was born in Minneapolis in 1958 and recorded most of his music at Paisley Park in Chanhassen. He is one of the greatest musicians of all time.
Standard
The Mississippi River begins in Minnesota. Where does it start?
The mighty Mississippi River begins as a small stream flowing out of Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota. From there it travels about 2,340 miles to the Gulf of Mexico!
Standard
An 18-year-old from Minnesota invented which sport on Lake Pepin in 1922?
Waterskiing was invented on Lake Pepin in Minnesota in 1922 by 18-year-old Ralph Samuelson. He thought if you could ski on snow you could ski on water, and he was right!
Standard
True or False: Minnesota's Twin Cities are Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Minneapolis and St. Paul sit side by side along the Mississippi River and together form the Twin Cities metro area. Minneapolis is the larger of the two, while St. Paul is the state capital.
Standard
What is Minnesota's highest point?
Eagle Mountain at 2,301 feet is Minnesota's highest point. It is located near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in the northeastern part of the state.
Standard
True or False: Minnesota became the 32nd state to join the Union in 1858.
Minnesota became the 32nd state on May 11, 1858. Before statehood, it was part of several different territories as the United States expanded westward.
Standard
Minnesota is known for its love of which winter sport that involves skating on ice and hitting a puck with a stick?
Minnesota is crazy about ice hockey! The state is called 'The State of Hockey' and has produced more NHL players than almost any other state. High school hockey tournaments are a huge deal there.
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
Which pristine wilderness area in northern Minnesota has over 1,000 lakes and is one of the most popular canoeing destinations in the world?
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) has over 1,000 lakes and is the most visited wilderness area in the entire country. Motorboats are banned in most of it!
Bonus Round
Which world-famous medical center is located in Rochester, Minnesota?
The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota is one of the top medical centers on Earth. Founded in 1889, it treats over a million patients each year from around the world!
Bonus Round
True or False: Minnesota has a strong Scandinavian heritage because many immigrants came from Norway and Sweden in the 1800s.
Hundreds of thousands of Scandinavian immigrants settled in Minnesota in the 1800s. Their influence shows up in local festivals, food (like lefse and lutefisk), and even the Minnesota accent!
Bonus Round
What annual winter celebration in St. Paul was started to prove a New York reporter wrong about Minnesota being too cold?
The St. Paul Winter Carnival began in 1886 after a New York reporter called Minnesota 'another Siberia, unfit for human habitation.' The festival has been proving him wrong ever since!
Did You Know? (14 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 About 5.7 million people live in Minnesota.
- 📅 Minnesota became the 32nd state on May 11, 1858.
- 🏛️ Saint Paul has been the capital since 1849.
- 🌊 Minnesota actually has more than 11,800 lakes, not just 10,000.
- 🛒 The Mall of America in Bloomington is North America's largest mall.
- 🌲 Boundary Waters is one of the most pristine wildernesses in the U.S.
- 🚣 The Mississippi River begins at Lake Itasca in Minnesota.
- 🐦 The common loon is Minnesota's state bird.
- 🌾 Minnesota is one of America's largest sugar-beet producers.
- ❄️ Minnesota's coldest recorded temperature is minus 60 degrees.
- 🏒 Minnesota has more hockey rinks per capita than any other state.
- 🌸 The pink and white lady's slipper is Minnesota's state flower.
- 📚 The Twin Cities are known for their literary scene.
- 🎺 Bob Dylan and Prince both grew up in Minnesota.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- Rollerblades were invented by two Minnesota hockey players!
- Minnesota has more shoreline than California, Florida, and Hawaii combined.
- The stapler was invented in Minneapolis.
- Minnesota is called the Land of 10,000 Lakes, but it actually has over 11,800!
- The Boundary Waters has over 1,000 lakes and is one of the most pristine wildernesses in the US.
- The first open-heart surgery was performed at the University of Minnesota in 1952.
- Spam is made in Austin, Minnesota, there's even a Spam Museum!
- Post-it Notes were accidentally invented at 3M headquarters in Maplewood, MN.
- Minnesota's state muffin is the blueberry muffin.
- The Mall of America in Bloomington has its own zip code and no central heating, body heat from shoppers keeps it warm!
- Bob Dylan was born in Duluth, Minnesota.
- The Mississippi River begins in Minnesota at Lake Itasca, you can walk across it there!
- Minnesota has the largest Somali population in the US.
- The Greyhound bus company started in Hibbing, Minnesota in 1914.
- Tonka trucks were named after Lake Minnetonka, 'Tonka' means 'great' in the Dakota language.
Fun Fact
Minnesota is officially known as the "Land of 10,000 Lakes," but in reality, it has even more, over 11,800 lakes! These lakes cover about one-fifth of the state's area, creating a rich environment for outdoor activities like fishing, boating, and swimming.
Mississippi (MS)
The Magnolia State
- Capital
- Jackson
- Statehood
- December 10, 1817 (20th state to join the Union)
- Population
- 2,946,779 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 48,430 square miles
- Highest Point
- Woodall Mountain at 807 feet
- Famous Landmark
- Vicksburg National Military Park
Overview
Welcome to Mississippi, the Magnolia State! Named after the great river that forms its western border, Mississippi is a land of rich soil, slow-moving bayous, and deep cultural roots. The Mississippi Delta, a wide, flat region in the northwest part of the state, is one of the most fertile farming areas on Earth and is famous as the birthplace of the blues.
Music is woven into Mississippi's very soul. Legends like B.B. King, Muddy Waters, and Robert Johnson all came from this state, and their music shaped rock and roll, jazz, and gospel around the world. The city of Tupelo is the birthplace of Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, and you can still visit the tiny two-room house where he was born.
Mississippi's natural beauty is something special too. Towering magnolia trees bloom with huge, fragrant white flowers, and the Natchez Trace Parkway winds through 444 miles of stunning scenery following an ancient trail once used by Native Americans. From the grand historic mansions of Natchez to the vibrant seafood culture along the Gulf Coast, Mississippi is a state full of stories waiting to be discovered.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Bird [0.62, 0.70]
Northern Mockingbird
Mississippi shares the Northern Mockingbird as its state bird with four other southern states. Mockingbirds are bold little guardians. If a cat, dog, or person wanders too close to a nest, they'll swoop and dive-bomb until the intruder backs off! Mockingbirds are also amazing copycats: they can learn the songs of dozens of other birds. Their Latin name, Mimus polyglottos, means "many-tongued mimic."
Flower [0.52, 0.68]
Magnolia
Mississippi has been called the Magnolia State since the early 1900s, and the Magnolia has been its state flower since 1952. The Southern Magnolia's glossy, waxy leaves shed water like a raincoat, and its huge white blooms can be a foot across. Their lemony smell is so strong you can catch it from half a mile away! Magnolias are also living fossils. These flowers are so ancient that beetles pollinated them millions of years before bees even existed.
Tree [0.57, 0.47]
Magnolia Tree
The Magnolia Tree is both Mississippi's state flower AND its state tree. Very few states give one plant both jobs! The tree earned its official title in 1938. Old magnolias can grow 90 feet tall and 50 feet wide, and some live for well over 100 years. The University of Mississippi, known as Ole Miss, is famous for its beautiful magnolia-lined campus.
Birthplace of the Blues [0.63, 0.43]
Delta Blues Music
The Mississippi Delta is the birthplace of the blues. The music grew from the work songs and church songs of African American farm workers in the Delta over a century ago. Clarksdale claims the famous crossroads where, legend says, Robert Johnson traded his soul for amazing guitar skills. Listen closely to rock and roll, jazz, R&B, or country: nearly all of American music traces its roots back to the Delta blues. The Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale keeps that story alive.
Fish [0.35, 0.53]
Largemouth Bass
Mississippi's state fish, the Largemouth Bass, is the most popular catch in American fishing. Bass have a secret sense: a special stripe of cells along each side of their body feels tiny ripples in the water. It lets them sense a swimming snack from yards away, even in total darkness! Mississippi's Ross Barnett Reservoir and the Delta's lakes are legendary bass-fishing spots that draw anglers from across the country.
Landmarks (5 total)
⭐ Jackson State Capital [0.45, 0.59] Capital
Jackson is Mississippi's capital and largest city, named after President Andrew Jackson. It played a major role in both the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement. Today the Medgar Evers Home Museum and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum tell powerful stories of courage and change.
Fun fact: Jackson was burned three times during the Civil War by Union troops, earning it the nickname 'Chimneyville' because only the chimneys were left standing!
🏛️ Vicksburg Civil War Battlefield [0.38, 0.60] Historic
Vicksburg National Military Park preserves the site of one of the most important battles of the Civil War. In 1863, Union forces surrounded the city for 47 days until it surrendered. Winning Vicksburg gave the Union complete control of the Mississippi River and split the Confederacy in two.
Fun fact: After surrendering on July 4, 1863, the people of Vicksburg refused to celebrate Independence Day for over 80 years!
🎸 Tupelo Birthplace of Elvis [0.60, 0.36] Cultural
Tupelo is the birthplace of Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll. Born on January 8, 1935, in a tiny two-room shotgun house, Elvis grew up singing in church and listening to the blues before moving to Memphis and changing music forever.
Fun fact: The hardware store where Elvis's mother bought him his first guitar (instead of the bicycle he wanted) is still standing in Tupelo!
🏰 Natchez Historic River Town [0.32, 0.67] Historic
Natchez is the oldest settlement on the Mississippi River and is famous for its stunning collection of grand 1800s-era mansions, more than any other city in the South. It sits high on a bluff overlooking the river and marks the southern end of the Natchez Trace Parkway.
Fun fact: Natchez was named after the Natchez people, and the city has been governed under the flags of France, England, Spain, the Confederacy, and the United States!
🎸 Clarksdale Birthplace of the Blues [0.39, 0.36] Cultural
Clarksdale sits in the heart of the Mississippi Delta and is considered the birthplace of the blues. Legendary musicians like Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, and Son House lived and played here. The town is still packed with small music clubs called juke joints, where live blues pours out onto the sidewalks every night.
Fun fact: According to local legend, bluesman Robert Johnson traded his soul for musical talent at the crossroads of Highways 61 and 49 right in Clarksdale.
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
What is the capital city of Mississippi?
Jackson is Mississippi's capital and largest city, named after President Andrew Jackson. It was a key city during the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement.
Standard
What is the official state bird of Mississippi?
The Northern Mockingbird can memorize and sing the songs of dozens of other birds. It will even mimic car alarms and other mechanical sounds it hears!
Standard
Which Civil War battle site in Mississippi is now a national military park?
Vicksburg National Military Park marks where Union forces besieged the city of Vicksburg for 47 days in 1863. Capturing Vicksburg gave the Union control of the Mississippi River.
Standard
What is Mississippi's state flower?
The Magnolia is Mississippi's state flower and also its state tree! The large, creamy white magnolia blossoms are a symbol of the Deep South.
Standard
Mississippi is famous for the birth of what type of music, especially in the Delta region?
The Mississippi Delta is considered the birthplace of the Blues, a music style born from African American folk music and work songs. Famous blues musicians like B.B. King and Robert Johnson came from Mississippi.
Standard
Which famous King of Rock and Roll was born in Tupelo, Mississippi?
Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi on January 8, 1935. You can visit his tiny two-room birthplace there today. He later moved to Memphis, Tennessee and became a global superstar.
Standard
The Mississippi River forms the western border of Mississippi. What does 'Mississippi' mean in the Ojibwe language?
Mississippi comes from the Ojibwe words 'misi-ziibi' meaning 'great river.' The Mississippi River is about 2,340 miles long and drains about 40% of the continental United States.
Standard
Mississippi has the lowest average elevation of any US state. What is its highest point?
Woodall Mountain at 807 feet is the highest point in Mississippi, making it one of the flattest states in the country. Much of Mississippi is low-lying Delta and coastal plain.
Standard
True or False: Mississippi was the 19th state to join the Union.
False! Mississippi became the 20th state on December 10, 1817. It was named after the great river that forms its entire western border.
Standard
What is Mississippi's nickname?
Mississippi is called 'The Magnolia State' after the beautiful magnolia trees that grow throughout the state. The magnolia is both the state flower and the state tree!
Standard
Which scenic 444-mile parkway through Mississippi follows an ancient trail once used by Native Americans?
The Natchez Trace Parkway winds through 444 miles of stunning scenery from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee, following a trail used by Native Americans for thousands of years.
Standard
True or False: The city of Natchez is the oldest settlement on the Mississippi River.
Natchez is the oldest settlement on the Mississippi River and is famous for its stunning pre-Civil War mansions, more than any other city in the South. It has been governed under five different national flags!
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
According to legend, blues musician Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil at a crossroads in which Mississippi town?
Legend says Robert Johnson went to the crossroads in Clarksdale, Mississippi at midnight and traded his soul for extraordinary guitar skills. Today the crossroads is marked with a sign and guitar-shaped markers!
Bonus Round
Which famous American writer, born in Mississippi, wrote novels set in the fictional Yoknapatawpha County?
William Faulkner was born in New Albany, Mississippi and set most of his novels in fictional Yoknapatawpha County, based on the real Lafayette County. He won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1949!
Bonus Round
True or False: After surrendering on July 4, 1863, the people of Vicksburg refused to celebrate Independence Day for over 80 years.
The people of Vicksburg were so bitter about surrendering on the Fourth of July that the city did not officially celebrate Independence Day again until the 1940s, over 80 years later!
Bonus Round
What famous American civil rights leader was assassinated in Jackson, Mississippi in 1963?
Medgar Evers was the NAACP field secretary in Mississippi who fought for civil rights and voter registration. He was assassinated outside his home in Jackson in 1963. His home is now a national historic landmark.
Did You Know? (14 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 About 2.9 million people live in Mississippi.
- 📅 Mississippi became the 20th state on December 10, 1817.
- 🏛️ Jackson has been the capital since 1822.
- 🌊 The Mississippi River runs along the entire western state border.
- 🎶 Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo in 1935.
- 🎸 The Delta blues style was born in northern Mississippi.
- 🐦 The mockingbird is Mississippi's state bird.
- 🌳 The southern magnolia is the state tree and flower.
- 🍨 Barq's Root Beer was first bottled in Biloxi in 1898.
- 📚 Nobel-winning author William Faulkner lived in Oxford, Mississippi most of his life.
- 🏖️ Mississippi has the longest stretch of human-made beach in the world.
- 🌅 The Natchez Trace, an ancient trail-turned-scenic road, runs 444 miles through the state.
- 🌳 Mississippi is one of America's most heavily forested states.
- 🐊 Mississippi is one of the few states where alligators are common.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- Teddy bears were named after a hunting trip in Mississippi!
- Barq's Root Beer was first bottled in Biloxi, Mississippi in 1898.
- Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets, was born in Greenville, Mississippi.
- Mississippi has more churches per capita than any other state.
- The first lung transplant was performed at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in 1963.
- Coca-Cola was first bottled in Vicksburg, Mississippi in 1894.
- Mississippi's name comes from the Ojibwe word meaning 'great river.'
- Pine Sol cleaner was invented in Jackson, Mississippi.
- Oprah Winfrey was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi.
- Mississippi catfish farms produce more farm-raised catfish than any other state.
- The International Checkers Hall of Fame is in Petal, Mississippi.
- Mississippi didn't officially ratify the 13th Amendment (abolishing slavery) until 2013!
- Belzoni, Mississippi calls itself the Catfish Capital of the World.
- B.B. King was born on a cotton plantation near Itta Bena, Mississippi.
- Mississippi's Petrified Forest in Flora has ancient trees turned to stone over 36 million years ago.
Fun Fact
Mississippi was the site of one of the major events in the development of the blues genre, particularly the Delta blues. The state is home to the famous crossroads at Clarksdale, where, according to legend, blues musician Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil in exchange for extraordinary musical talent.
Missouri (MO)
The Show-Me State
- Capital
- Jefferson City
- Statehood
- August 10, 1821 (24th state to join the Union)
- Population
- 6,245,466 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 69,715 square miles
- Highest Point
- Taum Sauk Mountain at 1,772 feet
- Famous Landmark
- Gateway Arch
Overview
Say hello to Missouri, the Show-Me State! Sitting right in the heart of America, Missouri has long been a crossroads of exploration and adventure. The famous Gateway Arch in St. Louis towers 630 feet above the Mississippi River and stands as a symbol of America's westward expansion. It was from this very spot that Lewis and Clark launched their epic expedition to explore the western frontier in 1804.
Missouri's landscape is full of surprises. The Ozark Mountains in the south are covered in thick forests and riddled with over 6,000 caves, earning Missouri the nickname the Cave State as well. The state's two biggest cities, St. Louis in the east and Kansas City in the west, sit on opposite sides and offer very different flavors. St. Louis is famous for its toasted ravioli and Cardinals baseball, while Kansas City is legendary for its slow-smoked barbecue and jazz heritage.
Missouri also has deep ties to American literature. The great author Mark Twain grew up in Hannibal, a small town on the Mississippi that inspired the adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. Whether you are exploring underground caverns, floating down a lazy Ozark river, or cheering at a ballgame, Missouri always has something to show you.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Bird [0.34, 0.67]
Eastern Bluebird
Missouri's state bird, the Eastern Bluebird, almost disappeared. Bluebirds nest in tree holes, and newcomer birds like House Sparrows and Starlings kept stealing their homes. So people across the country built millions of little wooden nest boxes just for bluebirds, and it worked! Today the Eastern Bluebird is thriving again. The male's sky-blue back and rusty chest inspired the saying "bluebird of happiness."
Flower [0.47, 0.40]
Hawthorn
Missouri's state flower is the White Hawthorn Blossom, adopted in 1923. Missouri grows more kinds of hawthorn trees than any other state: over 75! Even plant scientists have trouble telling them all apart. Hawthorn berries, called haws, were an important winter food for wildlife and Native Americans. The trees' thick, thorny branches also make perfect hideouts where small birds can shelter safely.
Dessert [0.70, 0.60]
Ice Cream Cone
Missouri claims the ice cream cone as its state dessert. It was born at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, when an ice cream vendor ran out of paper bowls. A waffle-maker at the next booth rolled his fresh waffles into cones to help! Within days, every booth at the fair was selling them. Missouri is also home to the largest ice cream cone factory in the country.
Fish [0.31, 0.54]
Channel Catfish
Missouri's state fish, the Channel Catfish, is the most common catfish in North America and Missouri's favorite fish to catch. Catfish have a superpower for finding food in muddy water: their whole body is covered in taste buds! A single catfish can taste with its skin better than your entire tongue. Channel catfish are nicknamed "river cats," and the Missouri River grows giants weighing over 40 pounds.
Insect [0.55, 0.67]
Honeybee
Missouri named the Honeybee its state insect in 1985. A single honeybee visits over a million flowers in its six-week life, yet makes just 1/12th of a teaspoon of honey. It takes a whole hive of 50,000 bees flying 55,000 miles to make one pound! Bees even tell each other where the best flowers are with a "waggle dance." The direction and length of their figure-eight wiggle work like a map to the flowers.
Landmarks (6 total)
🏗️ St. Louis Gateway to the West [0.65, 0.53] City
St. Louis sits on the Mississippi River and is home to the iconic Gateway Arch, the tallest monument in the United States at 630 feet. The city was the starting point of the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1804 and became the gateway for hundreds of thousands of pioneers heading west.
Fun fact: The 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis introduced Americans to the ice cream cone, cotton candy, and iced tea, all in one summer!
⭐ Jefferson City State Capital [0.50, 0.51] Capital
Jefferson City is Missouri's capital, named after President Thomas Jefferson, who made the Louisiana Purchase that brought this land into the United States. The city sits on bluffs above the Missouri River. Its stunning capitol building holds giant wall paintings by Thomas Hart Benton, one of America's greatest painters.
Fun fact: Jefferson City's capitol building has a mural so detailed and massive that it took artist Thomas Hart Benton an entire year to paint it!
🎭 Branson Live Entertainment Capital [0.41, 0.71] Cultural
Branson is a small city in the Ozark Mountains that has become one of America's top entertainment destinations, with dozens of live music theaters, theme parks like Silver Dollar City, and beautiful Table Rock Lake. It draws millions of visitors each year.
Fun fact: Branson has more theater seats than Broadway in New York City, over 80,000 seats in more than 100 shows performing every week!
🎷 Kansas City BBQ & Jazz Capital [0.31, 0.46] Cultural
Kansas City straddles the Missouri-Kansas border and is legendary for two things: slow-smoked barbecue and jazz music. The city was the starting point for the Oregon and Santa Fe Trails, where pioneers began their westward journeys in the 1800s.
Fun fact: For its size, Kansas City has more barbecue restaurants than any other city in America. Over 100 BBQ joints compete for the title of best ribs and burnt ends!
📖 Hannibal Mark Twain's Hometown [0.55, 0.38] Cultural
Hannibal is the boyhood home of Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain. This charming Mississippi River town inspired the adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. You can visit Twain's boyhood home, the famous whitewashed fence, and even explore the caves that inspired the books.
Fun fact: Every year Hannibal holds a fence-painting contest inspired by the scene where Tom Sawyer tricks his friends into whitewashing a fence for him!
🌊 Lake of the Ozarks Missouri's Inland Sea [0.46, 0.59] Nature
Lake of the Ozarks is one of the largest man-made lakes in America, with over 1,150 miles of shoreline, more than the coast of California. Created by damming the Osage River in 1931, it winds through the Ozark hills and is a paradise for boating, fishing, and swimming.
Fun fact: The lake's dragon-shaped outline on a map has earned it the nickname 'The Magic Dragon', and its twisting coves are so complex that GPS sometimes gets confused!
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
What is the capital city of Missouri?
Jefferson City is Missouri's capital, named after President Thomas Jefferson. It sits on a bluff above the Missouri River and has a beautiful state capitol building.
Standard
What is the official state bird of Missouri?
The Eastern Bluebird is Missouri's state bird. These beautiful sky-blue birds with rusty-red chests nest in tree holes and birdhouses across Missouri.
Standard
Which famous arch in St. Louis is the tallest monument in the United States?
The Gateway Arch in St. Louis stands 630 feet tall, the tallest monument in the US. You can ride a tiny tram inside the arch all the way to the top for amazing views!
Standard
What is Missouri's state flower?
The White Hawthorn blossom is Missouri's state flower. Hawthorn trees bloom with clusters of tiny white flowers in spring and grow wild throughout the Ozarks.
Standard
Missouri is called the 'Show-Me State.' Which major city was the starting point of the famous Oregon and Santa Fe Trails westward?
Kansas City was the starting point for both the Oregon Trail and the Santa Fe Trail, where thousands of pioneers began their journey west in covered wagons in the 1800s.
Standard
Which famous author who wrote 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer' grew up in Hannibal, Missouri?
Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) grew up in Hannibal, Missouri, and the town inspired his famous Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn books. You can visit his boyhood home there today.
Standard
Legend says the ice cream cone became popular at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair after an ice cream vendor ran out of dishes. How did he keep selling?
When the ice cream vendor ran out of dishes, a nearby waffle vendor rolled his waffles into cones, and that's how the ice cream cone became popular across America!
Standard
Missouri borders eight different states, more than almost any other state. Which two rivers form its borders?
The Mississippi River forms Missouri's eastern border and the Missouri River cuts across the state. Missouri is perfectly placed between the east and west of the country.
Standard
True or False: The Gateway Arch in St. Louis is the tallest monument in the world.
False! At 630 feet, the Gateway Arch is the tallest monument in the United States, but several monuments in other countries are taller.
Standard
What is Missouri's highest point?
Taum Sauk Mountain at 1,772 feet is Missouri's highest point, located in the Ozark Mountains in the southeastern part of the state.
Standard
True or False: Missouri became the 24th state to join the Union in 1821.
Missouri became the 24th state on August 10, 1821, as part of the Missouri Compromise. It was admitted as a slave state while Maine was admitted as a free state to maintain balance.
Standard
The Ozark Mountains in southern Missouri are famous for having over 6,000 of what natural underground feature?
Missouri has over 6,000 caves, earning it the nickname 'The Cave State' in addition to 'The Show-Me State.' The Ozark limestone is perfect for forming caves over millions of years.
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
Which Kansas City food is world-famous for being slow-smoked over wood and served with thick, sweet sauce?
Kansas City barbecue is legendary! The city has over 100 BBQ restaurants competing for the best ribs, brisket, and burnt ends. KC BBQ is known for its thick, sweet tomato-based sauce.
Bonus Round
Which expedition, launching from St. Louis in 1804, explored the western territories all the way to the Pacific Ocean?
Meriwether Lewis and William Clark set out from St. Louis in May 1804 on their famous expedition. They traveled over 8,000 miles to the Pacific Ocean and back, mapping the American West!
Bonus Round
True or False: Branson, Missouri has more theater seats than Broadway in New York City.
Branson has over 80,000 theater seats in more than 100 shows, more than Broadway! This small Ozark Mountain town draws millions of visitors each year for its live entertainment.
Bonus Round
Which President of the United States was from Independence, Missouri and made the famous decision to end World War II?
Harry S. Truman grew up in Independence, Missouri and became the 33rd President. He made the difficult decision to use atomic weapons to end World War II in 1945. His presidential library is in Independence.
Did You Know? (15 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 About 6.2 million people live in Missouri.
- 📅 Missouri became the 24th state on August 10, 1821.
- 🏛️ Jefferson City has been the capital since 1821.
- 🏛️ The Gateway Arch in St. Louis is the tallest U.S. monument at 630 feet.
- ✍️ Mark Twain was born in Florida, Missouri in 1835 and grew up in Hannibal.
- 🐕 The Boone and Crockett Club was founded in Missouri.
- 🐦 The eastern bluebird is Missouri's state bird.
- 🌽 Missouri is a top producer of corn, soybeans, and rice.
- 🍦 The ice cream cone was popularized at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair.
- 🧇 A St. Louis Fair ice cream seller ran out of dishes, so waffles became cones!
- 🏞️ Missouri is the Cave State, with more than 6,000 recorded caves.
- 🎸 Chuck Berry was a St. Louis native.
- 🐴 The Missouri Mule has been Missouri's state animal since 1995.
- 🍶 Anheuser-Busch was founded in St. Louis in 1852.
- 📜 The Missouri Compromise was a major pre-Civil War political deal.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- The ice cream cone was popularized at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair!
- Missouri is called the 'Cave State', it has over 6,000 recorded caves.
- The tallest monument in the US is the Gateway Arch at 630 feet.
- Sliced bread was first sold in Chillicothe, Missouri in 1928.
- Walt Disney grew up in Marceline, Missouri, it inspired Main Street USA at Disneyland.
- Missouri is the only state with two Federal Reserve Banks (St. Louis and Kansas City).
- The Pony Express started in St. Joseph, Missouri in 1860.
- Jesse James, America's most famous outlaw, was born in Missouri and lived much of his outlaw life there.
- The first public kindergarten in the US opened in St. Louis in 1873.
- Missouri's official state dessert is the ice cream cone!
- Lake of the Ozarks has more shoreline than the coast of California.
- Kansas City has more barbecue restaurants per capita than any city in the US.
- The first successful parachute jump from an airplane happened in St. Louis in 1912.
- Missouri mules were once so famous they were exported worldwide, the state animal is the mule.
- Hallmark Cards has been headquartered in Kansas City since 1910.
Fun Fact
Missouri is known for the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, which is not only the tallest man-made monument in the United States but also the tallest arch in the world. The Gateway Arch stands at 630 feet high and wide, and it was constructed as a monument to the westward expansion of the United States. Interestingly, it is often referred to as the "Gateway to the West."
Montana (MT)
Big Sky Country
- Capital
- Helena
- Statehood
- November 8, 1889 (41st state to join the Union)
- Population
- 1,137,223 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 147,040 square miles
- Highest Point
- Granite Peak at 12,807 feet
- Famous Landmark
- Glacier National Park
Overview
Explore Montana, the Treasure State! Big Sky Country is one of the wildest and most breathtaking places in America. Montana is the fourth-largest state by area, yet it has one of the smallest populations, meaning there is an incredible amount of wide-open space. Snow-capped mountain ranges, vast prairies, crystal-clear rivers, and endless blue skies stretch in every direction.
Glacier National Park, in the northwest corner of the state, is one of the crown jewels of the national park system. Known as the Crown of the Continent, it features towering peaks, ancient glaciers, and over 700 miles of hiking trails. Montana is also home to the largest grizzly bear population in the lower 48 states, along with wolves, elk, mountain lions, and bald eagles roaming free.
Montana has a rich frontier history. Gold was discovered here in the 1860s, sparking a massive rush that created boomtowns almost overnight. The Battle of the Little Bighorn, one of the most famous events in the American West, took place in southeastern Montana in 1876. Today, ranching and farming remain a big part of life here, and cowboys and rodeos are still very much alive in Montana's culture.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Bird [0.67, 0.39]
Western Meadowlark
The Western Meadowlark has one of the most amazing songs of any American bird. A male can learn up to 100 different tunes, and his special voice box lets him sing two notes at the same time! His flute-like song carries more than a mile across the open grasslands. Six states picked the meadowlark as their state bird, more than any other bird in the West.
Flower [0.11, 0.38]
Bitterroot
The Bitterroot was an important food for the Salish, Nez Perce, and other Native peoples of this region. The root tastes very bitter raw, but boiling makes it mild and filling, a big help during long winters. Lewis and Clark collected the flower in 1806, and its scientific name, Lewisia, honors Meriwether Lewis. Montana's Bitterroot Range is named after this little pink flower.
Fish [0.57, 0.44]
Cutthroat Trout
The Westslope Cutthroat Trout gets its name from the red slash marks under its jaw, which look like a cut throat. It is the only trout that has always lived in Montana's mountain streams. Today it is getting rare: Rainbow Trout brought from other places mix with it and crowd it out. Montana's famous fly-fishing rivers, like the Blackfoot, are cutthroat country.
Local Legend [0.18, 0.42]
Flathead Lake Monster
Flathead Lake is one of the largest natural freshwater lakes in the western United States. It is also said to be home to the Flathead Lake Monster! Since 1889, people have reported a dark, snake-like creature 15 to 30 feet long gliding through the water. The lake is 370 feet deep, with plenty of cold, dark water where a very large animal could hide. If one is really there, that is.
Animal [0.46, 0.33]
Grizzly Bear
Montana is one of the last strongholds of the Grizzly Bear in the lower 48 states. A grizzly can weigh over 800 pounds, run 35 miles per hour, and smell seven times better than a bloodhound. Before its long winter sleep, a grizzly goes on a giant eating spree: up to 20,000 calories a day. That is like eating 40 cheeseburgers!
Landmarks (5 total)
⭐ Helena State Capital [0.36, 0.56] Capital
Helena became Montana's capital after gold was discovered here in 1864. The main street, Last Chance Gulch, is named for the miners who struck gold on their very last try before giving up. By the late 1800s, Helena had more millionaires for its size than any other city in America.
Fun fact: Helena's main street is literally called 'Last Chance Gulch', because the four miners who found gold there had agreed it was their last try before quitting!
🏔️ Glacier National Park Crown of the Continent [0.25, 0.33] Nature
Glacier National Park in northwest Montana features over a million acres of pristine wilderness, with towering peaks, turquoise lakes, and the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road, one of the most spectacular drives in the world. The park once had 150 glaciers; only about 25 remain today.
Fun fact: The Going-to-the-Sun Road took 11 years to build and crosses the Continental Divide at 6,646 feet. Snowplows need up to 10 weeks each spring to clear it!
⚔️ Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument [0.68, 0.67] Historic
The Battle of the Little Bighorn took place here on June 25, 1876, when Lakota, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors defeated General George Custer and his 7th Cavalry. It was one of the greatest victories for Native American forces and one of the most famous battles in American history.
Fun fact: The battle lasted less than two hours, but it became one of the most studied military engagements in American history, with more books written about it than almost any other battle!
🦬 Yellowstone Country Gateway to Yellowstone [0.38, 0.70] Nature
Montana's southwest corner is the northern gateway to Yellowstone National Park. The town of West Yellowstone and the Gallatin Valley provide access to the world's first national park, where geysers, hot springs, grizzly bears, and vast herds of bison roam across a volcanic landscape.
Fun fact: Yellowstone sits on top of one of the world's largest volcano systems. The pool of melted rock underneath is big enough to fill the Grand Canyon more than 11 times!
🌲 Missoula Garden City [0.20, 0.50] City
Missoula sits in a valley surrounded by five mountain ranges and is home to the University of Montana. It also has the largest active smokejumper base in the country. Smokejumpers are brave firefighters who parachute out of planes to fight wildfires!
Fun fact: The Carousel for Missoula is a real working carousel, hand-carved entirely by community volunteers. It took four years and over 100,000 volunteer hours!
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
What is the capital city of Montana?
Helena is Montana's capital and was originally called 'Last Chance Gulch' during the 1864 gold rush. Miners found gold there on their last chance before giving up!
Standard
What is the official state bird of Montana?
The Western Meadowlark has a joyful, flute-like song that fills Montana's wide-open prairies in summer. It is one of the most recognizable bird calls in the West.
Standard
Which national park in Montana is nicknamed 'The Crown of the Continent' and has over 700 lakes?
Glacier National Park has stunning mountains, 700+ lakes, and over 25 remaining glaciers. Scientists believe the glaciers may be completely gone by 2030 due to climate change.
Standard
What is Montana's state flower?
The Bitterroot is Montana's state flower. It is a small but beautiful pink flower that blooms in rocky soils. Lewis and Clark brought specimens of it back East when they explored Montana.
Standard
Montana is nicknamed 'Big Sky Country.' Compared to other states, how does its population size rank?
Montana is the 4th largest state by area but one of the least populated, with only about 1 million people. There are more cattle and deer than people in Montana!
Standard
Montana is home to the largest grizzly bear population in the lower 48 states. About how many grizzly bears live there?
Montana has around 1,000 grizzly bears, the most of any state in the lower 48. Grizzlies were once near extinction there but conservation efforts helped them make a great comeback!
Standard
Which famous battle of 1876, where General George Custer was defeated by Lakota and Cheyenne warriors, took place in Montana?
The Battle of the Little Bighorn (also called Custer's Last Stand) took place in June 1876. Lakota, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors led by Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse defeated General Custer and the part of the 7th Cavalry under his command.
Standard
Glacier National Park in Montana is nicknamed what, because its peaks send meltwater toward three different oceans?
Glacier National Park is nicknamed the 'Crown of the Continent' because its peaks send meltwater toward three different oceans: the Pacific, the Atlantic, and the Arctic.
Standard
True or False: Montana is the third-largest state in the United States by area.
False! Montana is the fourth-largest state at 147,040 square miles, behind Alaska, Texas, and California.
Standard
What is Montana's highest point?
Granite Peak at 12,807 feet is Montana's highest point, located in the Beartooth Mountains. It is considered one of the most difficult state high points to climb in the entire country!
Standard
True or False: Gold was discovered in Montana in the 1860s, sparking a massive gold rush.
Gold was discovered in Montana in the early 1860s, creating boomtowns almost overnight. Helena's main street is still called 'Last Chance Gulch' from the gold rush days!
Standard
Montana became the 41st state to join the Union. In what year did it achieve statehood?
Montana became the 41st state on November 8, 1889. It was one of four states admitted that year, along with North Dakota, South Dakota, and Washington.
Bonus Trivia (5)
Bonus Round
Montana borders Canada to the north. Which Canadian provinces does it share a border with?
Montana's northern border touches three Canadian provinces: British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Montana is one of only a handful of US states that border three different provinces.
Bonus Round
What famous scenic road in Glacier National Park crosses the Continental Divide at over 6,600 feet?
The Going-to-the-Sun Road is one of the most spectacular drives in the world. It took 11 years to build and snowplows need up to 10 weeks each spring to clear it!
Bonus Round
Which Montana city is home to the largest active smokejumper base in the country, where firefighters parachute into wildfires?
Missoula is home to the largest active smokejumper base in the nation. Smokejumpers are elite wildfire fighters who parachute from planes into remote wilderness to fight fires!
Bonus Round
True or False: Montana's southwest corner provides the northern gateway to Yellowstone National Park.
The town of West Yellowstone, Montana is one of the main gateways to Yellowstone National Park. Three of Yellowstone's five entrances are in Montana!
Bonus Round
What precious stone was discovered in Montana's rivers and mountains during the 1860s gold rush, giving Montana the nickname 'The Treasure State'?
Gold was the original treasure that gave Montana its nickname. Later, Montana also became famous for copper mining in Butte and is now the only source of natural sapphires in the United States!
Did You Know? (14 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 About 1.1 million people live in Montana.
- 📅 Montana became the 41st state on November 8, 1889.
- 🏛️ Helena has been the capital since 1875.
- 🏞️ Glacier National Park is nicknamed the Crown of the Continent.
- 🐻 The grizzly bear is Montana's state animal.
- 🐻 Montana has the largest population of grizzly bears in the lower 48.
- ⛰️ Granite Peak at 12,807 feet is Montana's highest point.
- 🦅 Montana is one of the few places with all five North American grouse.
- 🏔️ Montana has 56 named mountain ranges.
- 🛢️ Montana sits atop the Bakken oil formation.
- 🐄 More cattle than people live in Montana.
- 🌾 Montana is a top wheat-producing state.
- 📚 Montana was nicknamed 'Big Sky Country' by author A.B. Guthrie.
- 🦣 The dinosaur Maiasaura was discovered in Montana.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- Montana has three times more cows than people!
- Grasshopper Glacier is full of frozen ancient grasshoppers millions of years old.
- Montana is the only state with a river system that flows to three oceans, Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic!
- The town of Butte was once known as 'the richest hill on Earth' for its copper.
- Montana's nickname 'Big Sky Country' was inspired by a 1947 novel by A.B. Guthrie Jr.
- Flathead Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi.
- Montana has no sales tax.
- The Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier took 11 years to build through the mountains.
- Evel Knievel was born in Butte, Montana.
- Montana's Roe River in Great Falls is one of the shortest rivers in the world, just 201 feet!
- The first national park campground was established at Yellowstone, just across the Montana gateway.
- Pompeys Pillar near Billings has the only physical evidence of the Lewis & Clark expedition, Clark's carved signature.
- Montana has more elk than any state except Colorado.
- The Berkeley Pit in Butte is a former copper mine now filled with toxic water, and it's a Superfund site.
- Montana's state lullaby is 'Montana Lullaby', one of the only states with an official lullaby!
Fun Fact
Montana is home to the largest grizzly bear population in the lower 48 states. The state’s vast wilderness areas provide a sanctuary for these magnificent creatures. Grizzly bears, once nearly extinct in the contiguous United States, have made a remarkable comeback in Montana, thanks to dedicated conservation efforts. These efforts ensure that the grizzly bear continues to thrive.
Nebraska (NE)
The Cornhusker State
- Capital
- Lincoln
- Statehood
- March 1, 1867 (37th state to join the Union)
- Population
- 2,005,465 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 77,348 square miles
- Highest Point
- Panorama Point at 5,424 feet
- Famous Landmark
- Chimney Rock
Overview
Welcome to Nebraska, the Cornhusker State! Stretching across the Great Plains, Nebraska is a land of wide-open prairies, rolling sand hills, and golden fields of corn and wheat as far as the eye can see. The state sits right in the middle of the country and has been a vital corridor for travelers heading west since the days of the Oregon Trail and the Pony Express.
The Sand Hills region in central and western Nebraska is one of the largest grass-covered dune systems in the Western Hemisphere, covering nearly a quarter of the state. Beneath the surface lies the Ogallala Aquifer, one of the world's largest underground water reserves, which helps make Nebraska one of the top agricultural states in the nation. Chimney Rock, a towering natural spire near Scottsbluff, was one of the most famous landmarks for pioneers on the Oregon Trail.
Nebraska's cities have plenty of character too. Omaha is home to the Henry Doorly Zoo, consistently ranked among the best zoos in the world, and it is the headquarters of several major companies including Berkshire Hathaway. Lincoln, the state capital, is where the beloved Cornhuskers play college football in front of some of the most dedicated fans in the country. In Nebraska, hard work, open spaces, and big hearts define the way of life.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Bird [0.30, 0.54]
Western Meadowlark
The Western Meadowlark is one of the great voices of the Great Plains. Even Lewis and Clark wrote about its beautiful flute-like song. Meadowlarks nest right on the ground, building little grass domes hidden in tall grass that are almost impossible to spot from above. As prairies have turned into farm fields, meadowlarks have become rarer, so Nebraska's wild prairie is one of their most important homes.
Flower [0.37, 0.52]
Goldenrod
Goldenrod became Nebraska's state flower in 1895. People blame it for fall sneezing, but goldenrod is innocent! Its pollen is heavy and carried by insects, not the wind. The real sneeze-maker is ragweed, which blooms at the same time. Goldenrod's scientific name, Solidago, means "to make whole," because people used it as a healing plant for centuries.
Insect [0.47, 0.56]
Honeybee
Nebraska made the Honeybee its state insect in 1975. The state's huge fields of clover, alfalfa, and sunflowers are perfect honey country, and Nebraska beekeepers make millions of pounds of honey every year. Bees also help Nebraska's crops grow by spreading pollen. Best of all, a honeybee does a "waggle dance" to tell its hive-mates exactly which way to fly to find flowers, and how far!
Famous Crop [0.66, 0.66]
Corn
Nebraska is called the Cornhusker State after cornhusking: stripping the leaves off each ear of corn by hand. The University of Nebraska's teams are the Cornhuskers, and the nickname stuck to the whole state. Nebraska is the third-largest corn-growing state in America, harvesting over 1.8 billion bushels a year. The flat, well-watered Platte River Valley is some of the best corn land on the Great Plains.
State Soft Drink [0.62, 0.58]
Kool-Aid
Kool-Aid was invented in 1927 by Edwin Perkins of Hastings, Nebraska. He turned his popular Fruit Smack liquid drink into a powder so it would cost less to ship. Two years later the Great Depression hit, and at 10 cents a packet, Kool-Aid became a small treat families could still afford. Nebraska made it the official state soft drink in 1998, and Hastings throws a Kool-Aid Days festival every August!
Landmarks (5 total)
⭐ Lincoln State Capital [0.72, 0.59] Capital
Lincoln is Nebraska's capital and home to the University of Nebraska, where the Cornhuskers play football in Memorial Stadium. On game days, the stadium becomes the third-largest 'city' in Nebraska with over 85,000 fans packed in, all wearing red.
Fun fact: Memorial Stadium gets so loud on game days that the university's earthquake sensors can actually feel the fans jumping up and down!
🏙️ Omaha Heart of the Heartland [0.77, 0.55] City
Omaha is Nebraska's largest city and sits on the Missouri River. It is home to the Henry Doorly Zoo, consistently ranked one of the best zoos in the world, and is the headquarters of Berkshire Hathaway, run by legendary investor Warren Buffett.
Fun fact: Warren Buffett, one of the richest people in the world, still lives in the same Omaha house he bought in 1958 for $31,500!
🪨 Chimney Rock Oregon Trail Landmark [0.23, 0.52] Nature
Chimney Rock is a towering spire of ancient clay and volcanic ash rising 325 feet above the North Platte River valley near Scottsbluff. It was the most frequently mentioned landmark in pioneer journals along the Oregon Trail and signaled to travelers that they were making real progress westward.
Fun fact: Chimney Rock was so famous that more pioneers wrote about it in their diaries than any other landmark on the entire 2,000-mile Oregon Trail!
🦅 Platte River Sandhill Crane Migration [0.52, 0.62] Nature
Each spring, about 500,000 Sandhill Cranes land along an 80-mile stretch of the Platte River in central Nebraska. It is one of the greatest wildlife shows in North America! The wide, shallow river is the perfect resting spot for these ancient birds on their long trip from Texas to the Arctic.
Fun fact: Sandhill Cranes have been around for over 2.5 million years, making them one of the oldest living bird species on Earth. They were here long before humans!
🦏 Ashfall Fossil Beds Rhinos Buried by Volcanic Ash [0.62, 0.43] Nature
Ashfall Fossil Beds is a Nebraska state park where, 12 million years ago, a distant volcano erupted and buried hundreds of animals under a blanket of ash. Paleontologists have since uncovered perfectly preserved skeletons of rhinos, horses, camels, and sabertooth deer, all found together at a prehistoric waterhole.
Fun fact: The ancient rhinos at Ashfall were short, barrel-shaped, and stubby-legged. They looked nothing like the rhinos alive in Africa today!
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
What is the capital city of Nebraska?
Lincoln is Nebraska's capital, named after President Abraham Lincoln. It is home to the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers and their famously passionate football fans.
Standard
What is the official state bird of Nebraska?
The Western Meadowlark's beautiful flute-like song echoes across Nebraska's vast prairies and farmland. It is also the state bird of five other states!
Standard
Which towering rock formation in Nebraska was a famous landmark for pioneers traveling the Oregon Trail?
Chimney Rock is a tall spire of ancient clay and volcanic ash that rises 325 feet above the surrounding plains. Pioneers on the Oregon Trail were thrilled to see it, it meant they were making progress west!
Standard
What is Nebraska's state flower?
Goldenrod is Nebraska's state flower. The bright yellow flowers bloom along roadsides and prairies across Nebraska every fall.
Standard
Nebraska's official state soft drink is Kool-Aid. Where was Kool-Aid invented?
Kool-Aid was invented by Edwin Perkins in Hastings, Nebraska in 1927! He started by making a liquid drink mix and later made it a powder to reduce shipping costs. Nebraska is so proud of this that Kool-Aid is the official state soft drink.
Standard
The famous Platte River runs through Nebraska and every spring hosts one of nature's great spectacles. What comes to the river?
Each spring, about 500,000 Sandhill Cranes stop along the Platte River in Nebraska during their migration, one of the greatest wildlife spectacles in North America!
Standard
Nebraska's state legislature is unique among all 50 states. What makes it different?
Nebraska is the only state with a one-chamber (unicameral) legislature, instead of the usual two chambers (Senate and House). It adopted this system in 1937 to be more efficient and save money.
Standard
Which major pioneer trail ran through Nebraska, taking settlers from Missouri all the way to Oregon?
The Oregon Trail passed right through Nebraska, following the Platte River valley westward. Between 1843 and 1869, about 400,000 pioneers traveled through Nebraska in covered wagons heading for a new life in the West.
Standard
True or False: Nebraska's nickname is 'The Wheat State.'
False! Nebraska is the Cornhusker State because of its long history of growing corn. Cornhusking, stripping the husks off ears of corn by hand, used to be a popular competitive sport in the state.
Standard
What is the highest point in Nebraska?
Panorama Point stands at 5,424 feet and is Nebraska's highest point. It sits in the far western corner of the state near the Colorado and Wyoming borders.
Standard
Which Nebraska city is home to the Henry Doorly Zoo, one of the best zoos in the world?
Omaha is home to the Henry Doorly Zoo, which features the world's largest indoor desert, the largest indoor rainforest, and an incredible underground aquarium tunnel.
Standard
True or False: The Sand Hills region covers nearly a quarter of Nebraska.
True! The Sand Hills are one of the largest grass-covered dune systems in the Western Hemisphere, stretching across about 19,600 square miles of central and western Nebraska.
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
Which famous billionaire investor lives in Omaha, Nebraska and is known as the 'Oracle of Omaha'?
Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, has lived in Omaha his whole life. He still lives in the same house he bought in 1958 for $31,500!
Bonus Round
True or False: Nebraska's Ogallala Aquifer is one of the world's largest underground water reserves.
True! The Ogallala Aquifer stretches beneath eight states, but a huge portion lies under Nebraska. It provides water for irrigation that helps make Nebraska one of the top agricultural states.
Bonus Round
What communication system used riders on horseback to deliver mail across the western US, passing through Nebraska?
The Pony Express operated from 1860 to 1861, using a relay of horseback riders to carry mail from Missouri to California. Several stations were located along the route through Nebraska.
Bonus Round
Nebraska became the 37th state on March 1, 1867. Which year did that happen?
Nebraska joined the Union in 1867, just two years after the Civil War ended. It was named from an Oto Indian word meaning 'flat water,' referring to the Platte River.
Did You Know? (14 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 About 2 million people live in Nebraska.
- 📅 Nebraska became the 37th state on March 1, 1867.
- 🏛️ Lincoln has been the capital since 1867.
- 🌽 Nebraska is in the heart of America's Corn Belt.
- 🐄 Nebraska leads the nation in cattle on feed, with more cattle in feedlots than any other state.
- 🥩 Omaha is famous for its steakhouses and stockyards.
- 🏛️ Nebraska is the only state with a unicameral legislature.
- 🐦 The western meadowlark is Nebraska's state bird.
- 🌳 The cottonwood is Nebraska's state tree.
- 🏈 The Nebraska Cornhuskers have one of college football's biggest fanbases.
- 🌾 Nebraska's name comes from a Native American word meaning 'flat water.'
- 🦣 Ashfall Fossil Beds preserves a 12-million-year-old ash burial site.
- 🚂 The transcontinental railroad's eastern half built west across Nebraska.
- 🌅 Chimney Rock was a key landmark on the Oregon Trail.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- Kool-Aid was invented in Hastings, Nebraska in 1927!
- The world's largest indoor rainforest is at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo.
- Nebraska is the only state with a unicameral (one-chamber) legislature.
- Arbor Day was founded in Nebraska City in 1872, over 1 million trees planted on the first one!
- Carhenge near Alliance is a replica of Stonehenge made entirely of vintage cars.
- Nebraska has more miles of river than any other state.
- The Reuben sandwich was invented at a poker game in Omaha.
- Nebraska's 911 system handles more tornado-related calls than any other state.
- Warren Buffett still lives in the same Omaha house he bought in 1958 for $31,500.
- The world's largest porch swing is in Hebron, Nebraska, it seats 25 people!
- Nebraska's Sand Hills are the largest grass-stabilized dune system in the Western Hemisphere.
- Boys Town, the famous home for at-risk youth, was founded near Omaha in 1917.
- Nebraska has more center-pivot irrigators than anywhere else, visible from space!
- The state Capitol in Lincoln is called 'The Tower on the Plains' and is 400 feet tall.
- Runza, a bread pocket stuffed with meat and cabbage, is a Nebraska-only fast food chain.
Fun Fact
Nebraska has an official state soft drink: Kool-Aid. Kool-Aid was invented in Hastings, Nebraska, by Edwin Perkins in 1927. Originally developed as a liquid concentrate called "Fruit Smack," it was later powdered to reduce shipping costs, leading to the Kool-Aid we know today.
Nevada (NV)
The Silver State
- Capital
- Carson City
- Statehood
- October 31, 1864 (36th state to join the Union)
- Population
- 3,282,188 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 110,577 square miles
- Highest Point
- Boundary Peak at 13,147 feet
- Famous Landmark
- Las Vegas Strip
Overview
Pack your bags for Nevada, the Silver State! Nevada is a land of striking contrasts, from the dazzling neon lights of Las Vegas to some of the most remote and rugged desert wilderness in America. The state earned its nickname during the great silver mining boom of the 1800s, when the famous Comstock Lode near Virginia City produced enormous amounts of silver and gold that helped fund the Union during the Civil War.
Nevada's landscape is unlike anywhere else. The state is the driest in the nation, with vast stretches of sagebrush desert, dramatic mountain ranges, and alien-looking rock formations. Despite the arid climate, Nevada has more than 300 natural hot springs scattered across its terrain. The Black Rock Desert in the north hosts the annual Burning Man festival and is so flat and empty that it has been used to set land speed records.
Of course, Las Vegas is what most people think of first. Known as the Entertainment Capital of the World, it draws millions of visitors each year with its incredible shows, towering hotels, and bright lights. But beyond the Strip, Nevada offers amazing outdoor adventures, from boating on Lake Tahoe and Lake Mead to stargazing in Great Basin National Park, where the night skies are among the darkest and most spectacular in the entire country.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Bird [0.59, 0.59]
Mountain Bluebird
The male Mountain Bluebird is a brilliant sky blue from head to tail, one of the most colorful birds in North America. These birds can hover in midair while they scan the grass for insects, then drop straight down to grab their catch. They nest in tree holes, often ones woodpeckers carved first, and birdhouses people put up have helped their numbers grow.
Fossil [0.50, 0.47]
Ichthyosaur
A sea reptile fossil in the desert? It fits! 225 million years ago, Nevada was covered by a warm, shallow sea. The largest ichthyosaur ever found, Shonisaurus, was 50 feet long and was discovered at Nevada's Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park, home to more ichthyosaur fossils than anywhere else on Earth. These dolphin-shaped sea reptiles died out 90 million years ago, but Nevada keeps their bones safe in the rock.
Flower [0.72, 0.34]
Sagebrush
Sagebrush is Nevada's official state flower: a gray-green desert shrub with silvery, fuzzy leaves that perfume the whole Great Basin. Crush a leaf and the spicy smell will stay on your fingers for hours! Sagebrush covers more of the American West than any other plant, and sage-grouse, pronghorn, and pygmy rabbits all depend on it to survive.
Animal [0.66, 0.26]
Desert Bighorn
The Desert Bighorn Sheep is built for Nevada's toughest country. In summer heat it can go up to five days without drinking, getting water from desert plants instead. A ram's curved horns never stop growing: they can weigh 30 pounds and curl into a full circle by age 7. When rams battle, they crash head-first at 40 miles per hour. Their extra-thick skulls soak up the hit, and the CRACK can be heard a mile away!
Tree [0.38, 0.10]
Single-Leaf Piñon
The Single-Leaf Piñon is the only pine in the world with just one needle per bundle. Every other pine grows them in clusters of two to five. Its seeds are pine nuts, the most important food for the Great Basin's Native peoples, who gathered thousands of pounds every fall. People still love pine nuts today: they are the star ingredient in pesto. Piñons grow very slowly. A tree just one foot tall can already be 50 years old!
Landmarks (6 total)
🎰 Las Vegas Entertainment Capital [0.67, 0.77] Attraction
Las Vegas is world-famous for its massive casinos, dazzling neon lights, and non-stop entertainment along the iconic Strip. Originally a small desert railroad town, it exploded in popularity after Nevada legalized gambling in 1931 and is now visited by over 40 million tourists each year.
Fun fact: The bright lights of the Las Vegas Strip are so powerful that it is the brightest spot on Earth when viewed from outer space!
⭐ Carson City State Capital [0.26, 0.45] Capital
Carson City is Nevada's capital, named after legendary frontiersman Kit Carson. Nestled at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountains, it served as a key stop on the way to California during the Gold Rush and was home to a US Mint that produced silver and gold coins from the famous Comstock Lode.
Fun fact: Coins minted in Carson City are stamped with a tiny 'CC' mark. Coin collectors treasure them today, and some are worth thousands of dollars!
🔥 Black Rock City Home of Burning Man [0.31, 0.24] Attraction
Black Rock City is a temporary metropolis that springs up each year in the Black Rock Desert for the Burning Man festival. Over 70,000 people gather to create massive art installations, share gifts, and build a community from scratch, then take it all down, leaving no trace behind.
Fun fact: Black Rock City has its own airport, post office, and newspaper, even though the entire city only exists for about one week each year!
🏔️ Reno The Biggest Little City [0.26, 0.38] City
Reno sits at the foot of the Sierra Nevada and calls itself 'The Biggest Little City in the World.' Today it is an outdoor adventure hub, with Lake Tahoe, world-class skiing, and the wild beauty of the high desert all close by.
Fun fact: Reno is actually farther west than Los Angeles! Most people assume Nevada is entirely east of California, but Reno sits so close to the border that it's west of LA.
🏗️ Hoover Dam Engineering Marvel [0.71, 0.85] Historic
Hoover Dam is a giant concrete dam on the Colorado River at the Nevada-Arizona border. Built during the Great Depression and finished in 1936, it stands 726 feet tall. The dam created Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States, and it sends water and electricity to millions of people.
Fun fact: Hoover Dam contains enough concrete to build a two-lane highway stretching all the way from San Francisco to New York City!
👽 Area 51 Top Secret Base [0.55, 0.63] Attraction
Area 51 is a highly classified US Air Force facility in the Nevada desert that has fueled decades of UFO conspiracy theories. The government kept its very existence secret until 2013. In reality, it is used for testing experimental aircraft and weapons systems, but its extreme secrecy has made it the most famous military base in the world.
Fun fact: In 2019, a joke Facebook event called 'Storm Area 51' went viral, and over 2 million people said they would come 'see them aliens.' Only about 150 actually showed up!
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
What is the capital city of Nevada?
Carson City is Nevada's capital, named after famous frontiersman Kit Carson. Many people are surprised the capital is not Las Vegas, Las Vegas is much bigger but Carson City is the seat of government.
Standard
What is the official state bird of Nevada?
The Mountain Bluebird is a brilliant sky-blue bird that lives in Nevada's open sagebrush country and mountain meadows. The male looks like a piece of blue sky come to life!
Standard
Which famous street in Las Vegas, Nevada is lined with giant hotels, casinos, and neon lights?
The Las Vegas Strip (officially Las Vegas Boulevard South) is about 4.2 miles of world-famous hotels and entertainment. Las Vegas is nicknamed 'The Entertainment Capital of the World.'
Standard
What is Nevada's state flower?
Sagebrush is Nevada's state flower! It is the most common plant in the Great Basin and gives off a wonderful earthy smell after rain. Nevada is sometimes called the 'Sagebrush State.'
Standard
Nevada is the driest state in the US. About how many inches of rain does it get on average each year?
Nevada averages less than 10 inches of rain per year, making it the driest state in the US. Yet surprisingly it has more than 300 natural hot springs!
Standard
The Hoover Dam on the border of Nevada and Arizona was completed in 1936. What did it create?
Hoover Dam created Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States. The dam provides water and electricity to millions of people in Nevada, Arizona, and California.
Standard
Nevada means 'snow-capped' in Spanish. What mountain range runs along its western edge?
The Sierra Nevada mountains run along Nevada's western border. Their name means 'snowy mountains' in Spanish, and they receive heavy snowfall in winter that provides water for the dry region.
Standard
Which famous annual outdoor arts festival takes place in the Nevada desert and creates a temporary city?
Burning Man is held every year in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, where over 70,000 people build and then dismantle a temporary city in the desert, ending with the burning of a giant wooden figure.
Standard
True or False: Nevada is nicknamed 'The Gold State.'
False! Nevada's nickname is the Silver State, earned during the 1800s silver mining boom. Gold mining did happen too, but silver gave the state its name.
Standard
What is the highest point in Nevada?
Boundary Peak stands at 13,147 feet and is Nevada's highest point. It sits on the border with California in the White Mountains.
Standard
True or False: Nevada has more than 300 natural hot springs.
True! Despite being the driest state in the US, Nevada has over 300 natural hot springs scattered across its landscape, more than any other state.
Standard
Which highly classified US Air Force base in the Nevada desert is famous for UFO conspiracy theories?
Area 51 is a top-secret military facility in the Nevada desert. The government kept its existence secret until 2013. It is used for testing experimental aircraft, but its extreme secrecy fueled decades of UFO theories.
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
True or False: Reno, Nevada is actually farther west than Los Angeles, California.
True! Even though Nevada is east of California, Reno sits so far west and so close to the border that it is actually farther west than Los Angeles. Most people find this very surprising!
Bonus Round
What was the famous silver deposit discovered near Virginia City, Nevada in 1859 called?
The Comstock Lode was one of the richest silver deposits ever found. It produced over $300 million in silver and gold and helped fund the Union during the Civil War.
Bonus Round
Nevada became the 36th state on October 31, 1864. What holiday does that date fall on?
Nevada became a state on Halloween! It was rushed into the Union during the Civil War so its electoral votes could support Abraham Lincoln's re-election and the passage of the 13th Amendment.
Bonus Round
Which beautiful lake on the Nevada-California border is famous for its crystal-clear blue water?
Lake Tahoe is one of the deepest and clearest lakes in the world, sitting at over 6,200 feet in the Sierra Nevada mountains. It is a popular destination for skiing, hiking, and swimming.
Did You Know? (14 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 About 3.2 million people live in Nevada.
- 📅 Nevada became the 36th state on October 31, 1864.
- 🏛️ Carson City has been the capital since statehood.
- 🎰 Las Vegas is the most-visited gambling and entertainment city in the U.S.
- 🏜️ Nevada is the driest state in the nation.
- 🪙 The Comstock Lode silver strike of 1859 helped fund the Civil War.
- 🐦 The mountain bluebird is Nevada's state bird.
- 🌳 The bristlecone pine is the state tree.
- 🌵 Most of Nevada is covered by the Great Basin Desert.
- 🏔️ Boundary Peak is Nevada's highest at 13,147 feet.
- 💧 Hoover Dam helped power the Las Vegas boom.
- ⛰️ Nevada has the most mountain ranges of any U.S. state.
- 🚀 Area 51 sits in the Nevada desert.
- 🐎 Nevada is one of the top wild horse and burro habitats.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- Las Vegas uses enough neon to make signs stretching 15,000 miles!
- Nevada became a state on Halloween, October 31, 1864.
- The Extraterrestrial Highway (Route 375) runs past Area 51.
- Nevada has more mountain ranges than any other state in the lower 48!
- Fly Geyser near Gerlach is an accidental man-made geyser that glows with rainbow colors!
- Nevada is the largest gold-producing state in the US.
- The Hoover Dam contains enough concrete to build a two-lane highway from coast to coast.
- Las Vegas means 'The Meadows' in Spanish.
- Nevada legalized gambling during the Great Depression to raise revenue.
- The International Car Forest in Goldfield has over 40 cars buried nose-down in the desert.
- Lake Tahoe is so deep it could cover all of California in 14 inches of water.
- Wild mustangs roam free across Nevada, more than any other state.
- Nevada tested over 900 nuclear devices at the Nevada Test Site.
- Lamoille Canyon in the Ruby Mountains is called Nevada's Yosemite.
- The Lehman Caves in Great Basin National Park have formations over 500 million years old!
Fun Fact
Nevada is the driest state in the United States, with less than 10 inches of rain annually on average. Despite its arid climate, Nevada boasts over 300 natural hot springs, more than any other state in the country. These geothermal wonders are scattered throughout the state, offering serene retreats and a unique way to experience Nevada's vast and varied landscapes.
New Hampshire (NH)
The Granite State
- Capital
- Concord
- Statehood
- June 21, 1788 (9th state to join the Union)
- Population
- 1,409,032 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 9,349 square miles
- Highest Point
- Mount Washington at 6,288 feet
Overview
Step into New Hampshire, the Granite State! This rugged New England gem is famous for its towering mountains, pristine lakes, and fiercely independent spirit. New Hampshire was one of the original thirteen colonies and the first to adopt its own state constitution, a full six months before the Declaration of Independence was signed. The state motto, Live Free or Die, captures that bold attitude perfectly.
The White Mountains dominate the northern part of the state and are home to Mount Washington, which stands at 6,288 feet and is the tallest peak in the northeastern United States. Mount Washington is also famous for having some of the most extreme weather on Earth. Winds there once reached a staggering 231 miles per hour! The surrounding region offers world-class skiing, hiking, and leaf-peeping, as the forests put on a spectacular show of color every autumn.
New Hampshire punches above its weight in American politics too. Every four years, it hosts the first presidential primary election in the nation, putting this small state in the national spotlight. The charming capital of Concord, the lively college town of Hanover, and the seacoast town of Portsmouth all offer a blend of history, culture, and natural beauty that makes New Hampshire a truly special place to explore.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Bird [0.54, 0.24]
Purple Finch
Surprise: the Purple Finch is not really purple! One famous bird expert said the male looks like "a sparrow dipped in raspberry juice." Females are streaky brown and look so different that scientists once thought they were a whole different bird. The finch's thick, strong beak can crack open even the toughest wild cherry pits.
Flower [0.52, 0.53]
Purple Lilac
The Purple Lilac became the state flower in 1919 to stand for the toughness of New Hampshire's people. Lilacs are champions of the cold. They sail through brutal winters and actually need a stretch of deep cold to bloom their best! Some lilac bushes in New Hampshire have grown in the same spot for over 200 years, longer than the families who planted them. Their sweet spring smell is one of the most famous scents in New England.
Amphibian [0.56, 0.57]
Red-Spotted Newt
The Red-Spotted Newt lives three lives in one! It starts as a swimming baby, then becomes a bright orange land-walker called a "red eft" for two to seven years, then returns to the water as an olive-green adult. That flashy orange skin is a warning to predators: it carries the same poison as a puffer fish. Going from egg to grown-up can take seven whole years.
Rock [0.55, 0.29]
Granite
New Hampshire is called the Granite State because granite rock lies under nearly the whole state, poking up through the soil and forming its mountain peaks. In the 1800s, New Hampshire granite was shipped far and wide. The Library of Congress in Washington, DC is built from it! The Old Man of the Mountain, a granite face on Cannon Mountain that appeared on the state quarter, sadly crumbled down in 2003 even though engineers had tried for years to hold it together.
Motto [0.58, 0.79]
Live Free or Die
"Live Free or Die" has been New Hampshire's official motto since 1945. The words come from a toast written by Revolutionary War General John Stark in 1809. Stark believed freedom was worth more than anything else. New Hampshire takes the motto seriously: it has no income tax and no sales tax, and in 1788 it cast the ninth and deciding vote that made the U.S. Constitution official.
Landmarks (5 total)
⭐ Concord State Capital [0.51, 0.65] Capital
Concord is New Hampshire's capital, sitting along the Merrimack River. It has been the seat of government since 1808. Concord is famous for the Concord Coach, a stagecoach built so well and riding so smoothly that pioneers called it 'the coach that won the West.'
Fun fact: Concord's famous stagecoaches were so popular that Mark Twain wrote about riding in one, calling it a 'cradle on wheels' because of its smooth ride!
🏔️ Mount Washington Highest Peak in the Northeast [0.56, 0.41] Nature
Mount Washington stands at 6,288 feet and is the tallest peak in the northeastern United States. It is famous for having some of the most extreme weather on the planet. In 1934, winds at the summit were clocked at 231 miles per hour, which held the world record for decades. A historic cog railway built in 1869 still carries visitors to the top.
Fun fact: The weather on Mount Washington changes so fast that the observatory staff once recorded a temperature drop of 50°F in just a few hours!
⚓ Portsmouth Historic Seaport [0.62, 0.72] Historic
Portsmouth is New Hampshire's only seaport city and one of the oldest settlements in the country, founded in 1623. Its historic downtown is packed with colonial-era buildings, and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard has been building and repairing submarines for the US Navy since 1800.
Fun fact: In 1905, a peace treaty ending a war between Russia and Japan was signed at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. President Theodore Roosevelt helped the two sides make peace, and it won him the Nobel Peace Prize!
💧 The Flume Gorge Granite Canyon & Waterfalls [0.49, 0.46] Nature
The Flume is a narrow granite canyon inside Franconia Notch State Park, with walls rising 70 to 90 feet on either side and a boardwalk winding alongside a rushing mountain brook. Waterfalls, covered bridges, and glacial boulders make it one of New Hampshire's most beloved natural wonders.
Fun fact: The Flume was discovered in 1808 by a 93-year-old woman out fishing. She kept insisting her family come see it until they finally believed her!
🎓 Hanover Home of Dartmouth College [0.38, 0.58] Cultural
Hanover is a classic New England college town on the Connecticut River. It is home to Dartmouth College, one of the eight Ivy League schools, founded way back in 1769. The lively green at the center of town is surrounded by historic brick buildings and bookshops.
Fun fact: Dartmouth is so old that it was founded before the United States itself. King George III was still on the British throne!
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
What is the capital city of New Hampshire?
Concord is New Hampshire's capital. The city's name was chosen to honor peace and agreement between two groups that had been fighting over the land. 'Concord' means harmony.
Standard
What is the official state bird of New Hampshire?
The Purple Finch is actually more raspberry-red than purple! The male has a beautiful reddish head and chest. It is a cheerful winter bird visitor to backyard feeders.
Standard
Mount Washington in New Hampshire once held the world record for the highest wind speed on Earth's surface. How fast was the wind?
On April 12, 1934, Mount Washington recorded a wind speed of 231 mph, the highest ever recorded on Earth's surface at the time. The mountain is famous for extremely dangerous weather.
Standard
What is New Hampshire's state flower?
The Purple Lilac is New Hampshire's state flower. Lilac bushes bloom throughout New Hampshire in May, filling the air with their wonderful fragrance. New Hampshire hosts a famous Lilac Festival!
Standard
Each fall, millions of visitors flock to New Hampshire's forests just to see the colorful leaves. What are these visitors nicknamed?
Leaf-peepers are people who travel just to see the fall foliage. New Hampshire is one of the most popular leaf-peeping destinations in America, drawing millions of visitors every October.
Standard
New Hampshire's state motto is 'Live Free or Die.' Who wrote these famous words?
General John Stark, a hero of the Revolutionary War from New Hampshire, wrote 'Live Free or Die' in a letter in 1809. It became the state motto and is printed on New Hampshire license plates!
Standard
New Hampshire holds the first presidential primary election every four years. Why is this important?
New Hampshire holds the first presidential primary, so it is the first real test of which candidates are popular with voters. Winning in New Hampshire can give a candidate a big boost toward the presidency!
Standard
New Hampshire was one of the original 13 colonies. What number state was it when it joined the Union?
New Hampshire was the 9th state to ratify the US Constitution on June 21, 1788, the crucial 9th vote needed to make the Constitution official! That is why June 21 is sometimes called 'Constitution Day.'
Standard
True or False: New Hampshire's nickname is 'The Granite State.'
True! New Hampshire is called the Granite State because of its extensive granite formations and quarries. Granite from New Hampshire was used to build the Library of Congress.
Standard
What is the highest point in New Hampshire?
Mount Washington stands at 6,288 feet and is the tallest peak in the entire northeastern United States. A historic cog railway built in 1869 still carries visitors to the top.
Standard
True or False: New Hampshire was the first colony to adopt its own state constitution, six months before the Declaration of Independence.
True! New Hampshire adopted its own state constitution in January 1776, a full six months before the Declaration of Independence was signed in July 1776.
Standard
Which historic New Hampshire seaport city was founded in 1623 and has a famous Naval Shipyard?
Portsmouth is one of the oldest settlements in America and New Hampshire's only seaport. Its Naval Shipyard has been building and repairing submarines for the US Navy since 1800.
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
Which famous New Hampshire rock formation, once featured on the state quarter, collapsed in 2003?
The Old Man of the Mountain was a natural rock formation on Cannon Mountain that looked like a man's face in profile. Sadly, it collapsed on May 3, 2003, but it remains on New Hampshire's state quarter and highway signs.
Bonus Round
True or False: New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.
True! New Hampshire is one of the few states with no general income tax and no sales tax, making it very popular with shoppers from neighboring states like Massachusetts.
Bonus Round
Which US President was born in Hillsborough, New Hampshire and served from 1853 to 1857?
Franklin Pierce, the 14th President of the United States, was born in Hillsborough, New Hampshire. He is the only president from New Hampshire.
Bonus Round
What is the name of the large, mysterious region of forest in the White Mountains known for its scenic waterfalls and covered bridges?
Franconia Notch is a dramatic mountain pass in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. It features the Flume Gorge, Echo Lake, and was once home to the Old Man of the Mountain.
Did You Know? (18 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 About 1.4 million people live in New Hampshire, fewer than the city of San Diego.
- 📏 New Hampshire's 18-mile coastline is the shortest of any coastal state.
- 🚌 The Concord Coach was so well built it was called the coach that won the West.
- ⭐ New Hampshire was the 9th state to ratify the Constitution, sealing its passage.
- 🌬️ Mount Washington once recorded a wind speed of 231 mph, a world record.
- 🗳️ New Hampshire holds the first presidential primary in the country.
- 🪨 So much granite lies under New Hampshire that it earned the Granite State nickname.
- 🍁 Autumn leaf colors in New Hampshire draw millions of visitors each fall.
- 🪨 The Old Man of the Mountain rock face collapsed unexpectedly in 2003.
- 🛡️ New Hampshire's motto is Live Free or Die.
- ⛷️ Skiing was first introduced to America in New Hampshire in the 1870s.
- 🚗 New Hampshire has no sales tax and no general income tax.
- 📜 New Hampshire declared independence from Britain six months before the rest.
- 🏔️ Mount Washington is the tallest peak in the northeastern United States.
- 🌲 Over 80 percent of New Hampshire is covered in forest.
- 🦌 The state's white-tailed deer is the most abundant large mammal.
- 🏒 New Hampshire's frozen lakes draw skaters and ice fishers from across New England every winter.
- 🛶 New Hampshire's Lake Winnipesaukee has 264 islands.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- The first free public library in America opened in Peterborough, NH in 1833!
- Winds on Mount Washington once hit 231 miles per hour, a world record for decades.
- Alan Shepard, the first American in space, was born in Derry, New Hampshire.
- New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.
- The Old Man of the Mountain collapsed in 2003 but is still on the state quarter.
- New Hampshire holds the first presidential primary every election cycle.
- The Kancamagus Highway is one of the most scenic drives in America during fall foliage.
- New Hampshire declared independence from England 6 months before the Declaration of Independence!
- The state motto 'Live Free or Die' was written by Revolutionary War hero General John Stark.
- New Hampshire has over 40,000 miles of stone walls, built by farmers clearing fields over centuries!
- New Hampshire has only 18 miles of ocean coastline, the shortest of any coastal state.
- Levi Hutchins of Concord invented the first alarm clock in 1787.
- The first potato planted in the US was in Londonderry, NH in 1719.
- New Hampshire's Mount Monadnock is one of the most climbed mountains in the world, with over 125,000 hikers per year!
- New Hampshire granite was used to build the Library of Congress.
Fun Fact
Mount Washington in New Hampshire is famous for its extreme weather and once held the record for the highest wind speed ever recorded on Earth’s surface at 231 miles per hour, observed on April 12, 1934.
New Jersey (NJ)
The Garden State
- Capital
- Trenton
- Statehood
- December 18, 1787 (3rd state to join the Union)
- Population
- 9,500,851 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 8,723 square miles
- Highest Point
- High Point at 1,803 feet
- Famous Landmark
- Atlantic City Boardwalk
Overview
Say hello to New Jersey, the Garden State! Do not let its small size fool you: New Jersey is packed with history, culture, and natural beauty from shore to skyline. It is the most densely populated state in the country, yet it also has lush farmland, rolling hills, and 130 miles of gorgeous Atlantic coastline with famous beach towns like Cape May, Asbury Park, and the legendary Atlantic City Boardwalk.
New Jersey played a huge role in the American Revolution. General George Washington and his troops famously crossed the Delaware River on Christmas night in 1776 to launch a surprise attack at the Battle of Trenton, a turning point in the war. The state is also a birthplace of invention: Thomas Edison built his famous laboratory in Menlo Park, where he developed the phonograph and perfected the electric light bulb.
Today, New Jersey sits between two major cities, New York and Philadelphia, giving it a unique cultural blend. The state is famous for its diners, its pizza and bagels, its boardwalk amusement parks, and its incredible diversity. From the Pine Barrens, a vast, mysterious forest in the southern part of the state, to the stunning views from the Palisades cliffs along the Hudson River, New Jersey is full of surprises for anyone willing to explore.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Bird [0.56, 0.32]
Eastern Goldfinch
The American Goldfinch is one of the strictest vegetarians in the bird world. It eats almost nothing but seeds, and it even feeds seeds to its babies instead of bugs. Goldfinches nest later than any other songbird, waiting until mid-summer when thistle plants go to seed. Thistle gives them both food and soft nest lining! Males are bright yellow in summer but fade to dull olive in winter. The bird that dazzled you in July is nearly invisible by December.
Animal [0.55, 0.39]
Horse
New Jersey made the Horse its state animal in 1977. Horses have deep roots here: during the Revolutionary War, they were so important to Washington's army that caring for them was one of the most serious jobs a soldier could have. Today, New Jersey has more horses per square mile than any other state, with beautiful horse farms rolling across Hunterdon and Monmouth Counties.
Shell [0.58, 0.45]
Knobbed Whelk
The Knobbed Whelk is the largest sea snail on the East Coast. Its shell can grow 12 inches long! A whelk eats clams and oysters by slowly drilling through their shells with a tongue covered in tiny teeth. Native Americans used whelk shells as wampum, a kind of money, and carved them into tools. Some whelk shells scientists have found are 9,000 years old.
Local Cryptid [0.56, 0.51]
Jersey Devil
The Jersey Devil is America's oldest monster legend. Stories of a horse-headed, bat-winged creature in the Pine Barrens go all the way back to 1735! The most famous tale says it was the thirteenth child of "Mother Leeds," who turned into a monster and flew up the chimney. In January 1909, more than 100 people across New Jersey and Pennsylvania claimed they saw or heard the Devil in a single week. It made national news! The NHL's New Jersey Devils hockey team is named after it.
Veggie [0.52, 0.70]
Tomato
New Jersey is called the Garden State partly because of its legendary tomatoes. The state's sandy coastal soil grows tomatoes that are extra sweet and full of flavor. Campbell's Soup built its first factory in Camden, New Jersey in 1869 just to be near those tomatoes, and it still uses them today. Here's a twist: the tomato is New Jersey's state vegetable AND its state fruit, because scientists say a tomato is really a fruit!
Landmarks (5 total)
⭐ Trenton State Capital [0.48, 0.50] Capital
Trenton is New Jersey's capital, sitting on the Delaware River. It played a pivotal role in the American Revolution when George Washington famously crossed the icy Delaware River on Christmas night 1776 to launch a surprise attack on Hessian soldiers stationed there, turning the tide of the war.
Fun fact: The Trenton Battle Monument stands 150 feet tall and marks the exact spot where Washington's troops began their surprise attack, and you can ride an elevator to the top for views of the city!
🎡 Atlantic City Boardwalk Capital [0.62, 0.74] Attraction
Atlantic City is home to the first boardwalk in the United States, built in 1870, and its famous beach resort culture inspired the street names in the board game Monopoly. The city's Boardwalk stretches over four miles along the Atlantic Ocean and features casinos, shops, and the iconic Steel Pier amusement park.
Fun fact: The game Monopoly uses real Atlantic City street names. Boardwalk, Park Place, Baltic Avenue, and Mediterranean Avenue are all real streets you can walk on!
🎓 Princeton Ivy League Town [0.49, 0.46] Cultural
Princeton is home to Princeton University, one of the oldest and most famous universities in the world, founded in 1746. Albert Einstein spent the last 22 years of his life here, working at the Institute for Advanced Study. The town is full of historic buildings and beautiful tree-lined streets.
Fun fact: Albert Einstein loved Princeton so much that he walked to work every day and would often be spotted wandering the streets in his slippers, deep in thought!
🏖️ Cape May Victorian Beach Town [0.52, 0.92] Nature
Cape May sits at the very southern tip of New Jersey and is one of America's oldest seaside resorts, with visitors coming since the 1700s. The entire town is a National Historic Landmark, packed with over 600 beautifully preserved Victorian-era gingerbread houses painted in bright, cheerful colors.
Fun fact: Cape May's beaches are famous for 'Cape May Diamonds.' They are not real diamonds: they are smooth, clear quartz pebbles, polished by ocean waves until they sparkle like gems!
🏙️ Newark New Jersey's Largest City [0.61, 0.26] City
Newark is New Jersey's largest city and one of the oldest in the United States, founded in 1666 by settlers from Connecticut. Today it is a major travel hub with one of the busiest airports in the country. It also has a great art museum and a famous performing arts center.
Fun fact: Newark's airport was one of the first commercial airports in the United States. It opened in 1928, before most Americans had ever seen an airplane up close!
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
What is the capital city of New Jersey?
Trenton is New Jersey's capital. Its city slogan is 'Trenton Makes, The World Takes', a nod to its history as a major manufacturing city.
Standard
What is the official state bird of New Jersey?
The Eastern Goldfinch (American Goldfinch) is a bright yellow bird in summer and olive-yellow in winter. It loves to eat thistle seeds and sunflower seeds.
Standard
Which famous beachfront promenade in New Jersey is known for its boardwalk, casinos, and Atlantic Ocean views?
Atlantic City's Boardwalk has been a famous seaside resort since 1870, it was the first boardwalk in the United States! The board game Monopoly uses Atlantic City street names.
Standard
What is New Jersey's state flower?
The Common Blue Violet is New Jersey's state flower. These small purple flowers bloom in lawns and forests across New Jersey each spring.
Standard
Which famous inventor who created the light bulb and phonograph had his laboratory in Menlo Park, New Jersey?
Thomas Edison set up his famous 'invention factory' in Menlo Park, New Jersey in 1876. He invented or improved over 1,000 things there, earning the nickname 'The Wizard of Menlo Park.'
Standard
New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the US. What does 'densely populated' mean?
New Jersey has more people per square mile than any other state, about 1,200 people per square mile! Even though it is one of the smallest states, it has nearly 9 million residents.
Standard
Which US President crossed the icy Delaware River on Christmas night 1776 to surprise enemy soldiers in New Jersey?
George Washington crossed the freezing Delaware River on Christmas night 1776 and surprised Hessian soldiers at the Battle of Trenton, a turning point in the Revolutionary War.
Standard
New Jersey is nicknamed 'The Garden State.' Which crop is it most famous for?
New Jersey tomatoes are famous for being especially flavorful! But New Jersey is also the number-one blueberry producer among the eastern states and grows huge quantities of cranberries.
Standard
True or False: New Jersey was the 1st state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.
False! New Jersey was the 3rd state, ratifying on December 18, 1787, just five days after Pennsylvania. Delaware was the first.
Standard
What is the highest point in New Jersey?
High Point stands at 1,803 feet in the far northwestern corner of New Jersey. A 220-foot monument at the top honors New Jersey's war veterans.
Standard
True or False: The board game Monopoly uses street names from Atlantic City, New Jersey.
True! Boardwalk, Park Place, Baltic Avenue, and Mediterranean Avenue are all real streets in Atlantic City. You can visit them in person!
Standard
Which vast, mysterious forest covers much of southern New Jersey?
The Pine Barrens is a heavily forested area covering over a million acres in southern New Jersey. Despite being in the most densely populated state, it is a wild and largely uninhabited wilderness.
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
Which famous physicist lived in Princeton, New Jersey for the last 22 years of his life?
Albert Einstein moved to Princeton in 1933 and worked at the Institute for Advanced Study until his death in 1955. He loved the town so much he became a US citizen in 1940.
Bonus Round
Thomas Edison built the first movie studio in New Jersey in 1893. What was it nicknamed?
Edison's first movie studio in West Orange, New Jersey was called the Black Maria because it looked like a police paddy wagon. It was where some of the very first movies were made!
Bonus Round
True or False: New Jersey has 130 miles of Atlantic Ocean coastline.
True! New Jersey's 130-mile coastline is known as the Jersey Shore and features famous beach towns like Cape May, Asbury Park, Wildwood, and Point Pleasant.
Bonus Round
Which tall cliff formation along the Hudson River in northeastern New Jersey offers stunning views of New York City?
The Palisades are dramatic cliff formations along the Hudson River that rise up to 540 feet. They provide spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline and are protected as a national natural landmark.
Did You Know? (15 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 About 9.3 million people live in New Jersey.
- 📅 New Jersey became the 3rd state on December 18, 1787.
- 🍅 New Jersey's most famous crop is its flavorful tomato!
- 🏛️ Trenton has been the capital since 1790.
- 🌳 The Pine Barrens cover 1.1 million acres in southern New Jersey.
- 🏖️ Atlantic City built America's first boardwalk in 1870.
- 💡 Thomas Edison built his lab in Menlo Park, New Jersey.
- 🌉 The Holland Tunnel was the first underwater car tunnel in the U.S.
- 🐦 The American Goldfinch is the state bird.
- 🌷 The violet is New Jersey's state flower.
- 🍅 New Jersey is nicknamed the Garden State for its produce.
- 🌅 New Jersey has the most densely populated land of any U.S. state.
- 🏟️ The Meadowlands is home to the Giants and Jets NFL teams.
- 🏖️ The Jersey Shore is one of the most popular beach destinations.
- 🐦 Cape May is one of America's best bird-watching sites.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- The lightbulb was invented in Menlo Park, NJ by Thomas Edison!
- Saltwater taffy was accidentally made in Atlantic City after a flood.
- New Jersey has more diners than any other state in the country.
- The first baseball game was played in Hoboken, NJ in 1846.
- New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the US.
- Campbell's Soup has been made in Camden, NJ since 1869.
- The first drive-in movie theater opened in Camden, NJ in 1933.
- New Jersey's Pine Barrens cover over a million acres of forests and wetlands.
- Bruce Springsteen was born and raised in Freehold, New Jersey.
- New Jersey grows more blueberries per acre than any other state.
- The Jersey Shore stretches 130 miles along the Atlantic Ocean.
- SOS, the international distress signal, was first used by a ship near New Jersey in 1909.
- New Jersey is home to the longest boardwalk in the world, in Atlantic City.
- Lucy the Elephant in Margate is a 65-foot wooden elephant built in 1881, and you can go inside!
- New Jersey was the 3rd state to ratify the Constitution, just 11 days after Delaware.
Fun Fact
New Jersey has a significant place in the history of motion pictures. Thomas Edison built the first movie studio in West Orange, New Jersey, in 1893. This studio, known as the Black Maria because of its resemblance to a police paddy wagon, was the site where Edison and his team developed many early movie technologies and produced some of the first commercial motion pictures.
New Mexico (NM)
Land of Enchantment
- Capital
- Santa Fe
- Statehood
- January 6, 1912 (47th state to join the Union)
- Population
- 2,130,256 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 121,590 square miles
- Highest Point
- Wheeler Peak at 13,161 feet
- Famous Landmark
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Overview
Meet New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment! This breathtaking southwestern state is a place where ancient history meets wide-open desert skies. From the rust-colored mesas and dramatic canyons to the snow-capped peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, New Mexico's landscape looks like a painting come to life. The state sits on a high plateau, and its sunsets are legendary for their blazing oranges, pinks, and purples.
New Mexico has one of the richest cultural histories in the United States. Native American Pueblo peoples have lived here for over a thousand years, and you can still visit ancient cliff dwellings and thriving pueblos today. Spanish explorers arrived in the 1500s, making Santa Fe one of the oldest capital cities in the country. This blend of Native American, Spanish, and Mexican heritage gives New Mexico its unique art, food, and traditions, including its world-famous green and red chile peppers.
The state is also a hub of science and mystery. The first atomic bomb was developed at Los Alamos during World War II, and Roswell became famous for a reported UFO crash in 1947. White Sands National Park dazzles visitors with miles of brilliant white gypsum dunes, and Carlsbad Caverns hides enormous underground chambers filled with spectacular rock formations and hundreds of thousands of bats.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Bird [0.56, 0.73]
Roadrunner
New Mexico's state bird, the Greater Roadrunner, can run up to 26 mph. That's fast enough to outrun a human! It even hunts rattlesnakes, grabbing them behind the head and swallowing them whole. Sometimes the snake's tail is still hanging from its beak an hour later. Desert nights get cold, so in the morning a roadrunner turns a patch of dark skin on its back toward the sun and uses it like a solar panel to warm up.
Flower [0.68, 0.45]
Yucca Flower
New Mexico's state flower, the Yucca Blossom, has a best friend: the Yucca Moth, the only insect that can pollinate it. The moth rolls pollen into a little ball, carries it to another yucca flower, and presses it in place on purpose. In return, she lays her eggs inside the flower. Her babies eat a few of the seeds but always leave enough for new yucca plants to grow. This amazing teamwork has been going on for over 40 million years!
State Cookie [0.58, 0.58]
Bizcochito
New Mexico's Bizcochito became the first official state cookie in the United States in 1989. This anise-and-cinnamon-flavored shortbread cookie, brought to New Mexico by Spanish colonists in the 16th century, is traditionally served at weddings, baptisms, and Christmas celebrations. In New Mexico, biscochito recipes are closely guarded family secrets. Every family claims theirs is the real deal! The name comes from the Spanish word bizcocho, meaning biscuit.
Famous Crop [0.56, 0.67]
Hatch Green Chiles
Hatch, New Mexico is the "Chile Capital of the World." This tiny town of 1,600 people grows peppers famous all across the country. Hatch green chiles get their special flavor from the Mesilla Valley's soil, altitude, and big temperature swings. Grow the very same peppers anywhere else and they just don't taste the same! Every Labor Day weekend, the Hatch Chile Festival draws 30,000 visitors for chile roasting, cooking contests, and the crowning of the Chile Queen.
Aircraft [0.49, 0.52]
Hot Air Balloon
New Mexico's state aircraft is the Hot Air Balloon. Every October, Albuquerque hosts the world's largest balloon festival, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, with over 500 balloons and 800,000 spectators. Albuquerque has a special weather trick called "the Box": winds near the ground blow one way, and winds up high blow the other way. Pilots can ride the winds in a big square and land right back where they started! That's why Albuquerque is the balloon capital of the world.
Landmarks (5 total)
🎈 Albuquerque Balloon Capital of the World [0.46, 0.45] Attraction
Albuquerque is New Mexico's largest city and hosts the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta every October, the biggest hot air balloon festival on Earth. Over 500 colorful balloons fill the sky at dawn while hundreds of thousands of spectators watch from below. The city sits along the Rio Grande at over 5,000 feet elevation.
Fun fact: During the Balloon Fiesta, so many balloons launch at once that air traffic controllers have to manage them just like airplanes at an airport!
⭐ Santa Fe State Capital [0.51, 0.40] Capital
Santa Fe is the oldest state capital in the United States. Spanish colonists founded it in 1610, a full ten years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock! Its adobe buildings, colorful art galleries, and mix of Native American, Spanish, and Mexican traditions make it one of the most unique cities in America.
Fun fact: Santa Fe sits at 7,199 feet above sea level, making it the highest state capital in the United States, even higher than Denver, the Mile High City!
👽 Roswell UFO Capital [0.65, 0.62] Attraction
Roswell became world-famous in 1947 when something crashed on a ranch nearby. At first the military announced they had found a 'flying disc.' Then they quickly changed the story to a weather balloon. People have wondered about UFOs ever since! Today, Roswell loves its alien fame, with alien-themed shops and the International UFO Museum.
Fun fact: Even the McDonald's in Roswell is shaped like a flying saucer, and the streetlights downtown have alien eyes on them!
🦇 Carlsbad Caverns Underground Wonder [0.65, 0.73] Nature
Carlsbad Caverns is a giant network of over 119 caves. Over millions of years, acid in the underground water slowly ate away the rock and hollowed them out. The Big Room is the largest natural cave chamber in North America: you could fit six football fields inside! Every summer evening at dusk, hundreds of thousands of bats spiral out of the cave entrance.
Fun fact: A teenager named Jim White discovered the caves in 1898. He saw what he thought was smoke from a volcano. Surprise: it was a massive cloud of bats flying out of the cave!
🏜️ White Sands Gypsum Dune Field [0.49, 0.70] Nature
White Sands National Park holds the world's largest gypsum dune field: 275 square miles of brilliant white dunes that look like snowy hills in the middle of the desert. The white sand is so unusual that many plants and animals here have turned lighter in color over time, helping them blend in.
Fun fact: The white sand stays cool even in blazing summer heat, because gypsum doesn't soak up the sun's energy like regular sand. You can walk barefoot on it when regular sand would burn your feet!
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
What is the capital city of New Mexico?
Santa Fe is the oldest state capital in the US, founded by Spanish colonists in 1610, ten years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth! It is also the highest-elevation state capital.
Standard
What is the official state bird of New Mexico?
The Greater Roadrunner is New Mexico's state bird. This fast bird can run up to 26 mph! It mostly runs rather than flies and eats rattlesnakes, lizards, and other creatures.
Standard
Which New Mexico national park features stunning caves full of stalactites, stalagmites, and millions of bats?
Carlsbad Caverns has a cave chamber so large it could fit six football fields! Every evening at sunset, about 400,000 Mexican free-tailed bats spiral out of the cave to hunt insects, an amazing sight!
Standard
What is New Mexico's state flower?
The Yucca flower is New Mexico's state flower. The tall white flower stalks of the yucca plant bloom across New Mexico's desert landscapes. Yucca plants were very useful to Native Americans.
Standard
Which secret World War II facility in New Mexico was where scientists developed the first atomic bomb?
Los Alamos National Laboratory was built in secret in 1943 in the New Mexico mountains. Scientists working there as part of the Manhattan Project developed the world's first atomic bomb, which was then tested at the Trinity Site in 1945.
Standard
Roswell, New Mexico is famous for what mysterious 1947 event?
In 1947, the US military reported recovering a crashed 'flying disc' near Roswell, sparking UFO legends that continue today! Roswell now has a famous UFO museum and alien-themed shops.
Standard
New Mexico's landscape includes white sand dunes that look like snow. What are the dunes made of?
White Sands National Park features the world's largest gypsum dune field, 275 square miles of brilliant white gypsum crystal dunes! They feel cool even in hot weather because gypsum doesn't heat up like regular sand.
Standard
New Mexico is one of four states that meet at a single point called the Four Corners. Which other states does it meet there?
The Four Corners is where New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Utah all meet at one point, the only place in the US where four states share a single corner. You can stand in four states at once!
Standard
True or False: Santa Fe is the largest state capital in the United States.
False! Santa Fe is the highest-elevation state capital at 7,199 feet, but it is one of the smallest by population, with only about 90,000 residents.
Standard
What is the highest point in New Mexico?
Wheeler Peak stands at 13,161 feet in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains near Taos. It is part of the southern Rocky Mountains.
Standard
Which New Mexico city hosts the world's largest hot air balloon festival every October?
Albuquerque hosts the International Balloon Fiesta every October, with over 500 colorful hot air balloons filling the sky at dawn. It is the biggest balloon festival on Earth!
Standard
True or False: Native American Pueblo peoples have lived in New Mexico for over a thousand years.
True! Pueblo peoples have deep roots in New Mexico, with ancient cliff dwellings and thriving communities that continue today. Some pueblos, like Taos Pueblo, have been continuously inhabited for over 1,000 years.
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
New Mexico is famous for its spicy cuisine. What question do servers in New Mexico restaurants always ask?
In New Mexico, you are always asked 'Red or green?', referring to whether you want red or green chile on your food. If you want both, you say 'Christmas!' Green chile is the unofficial state vegetable.
Bonus Round
New Mexico became the 47th state in 1912. In what month was it admitted to the Union?
New Mexico was admitted on January 6, 1912, just a few weeks before Arizona joined as the 48th state on February 14, 1912. Together they completed the contiguous 48 states.
Bonus Round
Which ancient Native American site in New Mexico was a major center of Ancestral Puebloan culture and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Chaco Canyon was the center of a thriving civilization from about 850 to 1250 AD. Its massive multi-story stone buildings were the largest structures in North America until the 1800s.
Bonus Round
True or False: New Mexico has more PhDs per capita than any other state in the US.
True! Thanks to major research institutions like Los Alamos National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories, New Mexico has the highest concentration of PhDs per person in the country.
Did You Know? (15 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 About 2.1 million people live in New Mexico.
- 📅 New Mexico became the 47th state on January 6, 1912.
- 🧭 At Four Corners, New Mexico meets Arizona, Colorado, and Utah!
- 🏛️ Santa Fe has been the capital since 1610, the oldest U.S. capital.
- 🌅 New Mexico is nicknamed 'The Land of Enchantment.'
- 🛸 Roswell is famous for the alleged 1947 UFO incident.
- 💣 The first atomic bomb was tested at the Trinity Site in 1945.
- 🌶️ Hatch, NM is the chile capital of the world.
- 🦇 Carlsbad Caverns has over 119 caves discovered so far.
- 🎨 Georgia O'Keeffe painted the New Mexico landscape for decades.
- 🐦 The state bird is the roadrunner.
- 🌹 The yucca is the state flower.
- 🏜️ White Sands National Park has gypsum dunes 60 feet tall.
- 🌅 New Mexico is the 5th-largest state by area.
- 🪶 New Mexico has 23 federally recognized Native American tribes.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- Smokey Bear was a real cub rescued from a wildfire in New Mexico!
- New Mexico's official question is 'Red or green?', referring to chile.
- The first atomic bomb was detonated at Trinity Site in New Mexico in 1945.
- Santa Fe has been a capital city longer than any other in the US, since 1610!
- New Mexico has more PhDs per capita than any other state.
- The Rio Grande runs the entire length of New Mexico, over 400 miles!
- Taos Pueblo has been continuously inhabited for over 1,000 years.
- Frito pie, chili poured right into a bag of Fritos, was invented in Santa Fe!
- Very Large Array near Socorro has 27 giant radio telescope dishes.
- Billy the Kid's outlaw days came to an end at Fort Sumner, NM, where he was caught up with by Sheriff Pat Garrett in 1881.
- New Mexico has more than 300 days of sunshine per year!
- The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta launches over 500 hot air balloons!
- Shiprock, a sacred Navajo landmark, rises 1,583 feet from the desert floor.
- Meow Wolf in Santa Fe is one of the most unique immersive art experiences in the world.
- New Mexico was the 47th state but has been inhabited for over 10,000 years.
Fun Fact
New Mexico is known as the "Land of Enchantment" for its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. An interesting fact about New Mexico is that it has more PhDs per capita than any other state in the U.S.
New York (NY)
The Empire State
- Capital
- Albany
- Statehood
- July 26, 1788 (11th state to join the Union)
- Population
- 19,867,248 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 54,555 square miles
- Highest Point
- Mount Marcy at 5,344 feet
- Famous Landmark
- Statue of Liberty
Overview
Welcome to New York, the Empire State! From the towering skyscrapers of New York City to the wild forests of the Adirondack Mountains, this state is a land of incredible contrasts. New York City is the biggest city in the United States and one of the most famous cities in the world, home to the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Central Park, and Broadway. But beyond the big city, the state stretches hundreds of miles north and west, filled with farmland, lakes, and mountains.
New York has played a starring role in American history. It was one of the original thirteen colonies, and the Battle of Saratoga during the Revolutionary War was a turning point that helped America win its independence. Ellis Island in New York Harbor was the gateway for over 12 million immigrants who came to America between 1892 and 1954, making New York one of the most culturally diverse places on Earth.
The state's natural wonders are just as impressive as its cities. Niagara Falls, on the border with Canada, is one of the most powerful waterfalls in North America. The Finger Lakes region is famous for its long, narrow glacial lakes and beautiful gorges. And the Adirondack Park is larger than Yellowstone, Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, and the Everglades combined, offering endless wilderness to explore.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Animal [0.29, 0.55]
Beaver
New York's state animal, the Beaver, practically built the colony that became New York. Dutch settlers started New Amsterdam in 1624 to trade beaver fur. Back in Europe, everyone wanted hats made of beaver felt, so the pelts were worth more than gold! There is still a beaver on New York City's official seal today. Beavers are amazing engineers: their dams create wetlands that clean water, stop floods, and give homes to more kinds of animals than almost any other habitat in North America.
Flower [0.75, 0.74]
Rose
The Rose became New York's state flower in 1955. It's a popular pick: the rose became the national flower of the whole United States in 1986! New York grows over 30 million rose plants a year, mostly in greenhouses on Long Island. People have grown roses for over 5,000 years. Ancient Romans covered banquet floors with rose petals, bathed in rose water, and wore crowns of roses. To them, roses meant pure luxury.
Reptile [0.50, 0.64]
Snapping Turtle
The Common Snapping Turtle has been New York's official state reptile since 2006, picked by a group of schoolkids who lobbied the state legislature for it. Snappers have powerful jaws, dinosaur-like spiked tails, and can live more than 50 years in the wild. They mostly hang out in muddy lakes and ponds. These patient hunters haven't changed much since the age of dinosaurs!
Shell [0.66, 0.73]
Bay Scallop
New York's state shell, the Bay Scallop, has up to 200 tiny blue eyes peeking out along the edge of its shell. Most shellfish can't move much, but scallops can swim! They clap their shells together fast and jet away from hungry sea stars. Peconic Bay on Long Island was once one of the best places in the world to find bay scallops. Pollution and disease wiped out most of them in the 1980s, and scientists are still working hard to bring them back.
Fruit [0.66, 0.46]
Apple
New York grows more apples than every state except Washington: over 29 million bushels a year, mostly in the Hudson Valley and near Lake Ontario. Scientists at Cornell University even invented a new apple in 1966, the Empire, made to love New York's climate. And the nickname "the Big Apple"? Jazz musicians spread it in the 1920s. To them, playing New York City meant playing the top prize, the biggest and best city of all.
Landmarks (8 total)
💧 Niagara Falls Thundering Waters on the Western Border [0.16, 0.48] Nature
Surprise: Niagara is actually three waterfalls! American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Horseshoe Falls together move more water than any other waterfall in North America.
Fun fact: About 750,000 gallons of water rush over Niagara Falls every second! All that water slowly wears away the rock, so the falls creep backward about a foot every year. Today, engineers carefully protect the falls to slow the wear.
🏝️ Thousand Islands Where the St. Lawrence Meets the Great Lakes [0.47, 0.36] Nature
The region contains 1,864 islands straddling the U.S.–Canada border. To count as an island, a landmass must stay above water year-round and support at least one tree.
Fun fact: Thousand Island salad dressing was invented here in the early 1900s. One story says a local fishing guide's wife created it. Another says it was a fancy hotel chef. Either way, the dressing is named after these very islands!
⛰️ Adirondack Park Largest Park in the Lower 48 [0.62, 0.40] Nature
At 6.1 million acres, Adirondack Park is larger than Yellowstone, Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, and the Everglades combined, and is home to 130,000 year-round residents.
Fun fact: Almost half of Adirondack Park is protected as 'forever wild' forest. New York wrote that promise into its state constitution way back in 1894. It's one of the strongest protections any wild place has anywhere in the world!
💧 Finger Lakes Eleven Glacial Lakes Carved by Ice [0.37, 0.57] Nature
These 11 long, skinny lakes were carved by glaciers during the Ice Age. Seneca Lake plunges 618 feet deep. That's deeper than many parts of the ocean near the shore!
Fun fact: A Native American legend says the Great Spirit pressed his hands into the earth to bless the land. The lakes are the marks his fingers left behind!
🏇 Saratoga Springs Queen of Spas and Thoroughbred Racing [0.72, 0.51] Attraction
The Saratoga Race Course opened in 1863 and is the oldest major horse racing track in the United States. It's nicknamed the 'Graveyard of Champions' because famous champion horses keep losing here to surprise winners!
Fun fact: The Battle of Saratoga in 1777 was the great turning point of the American Revolution. When the Americans won here, France decided to join their side. With France's help, America went on to win its independence!
🏛️ Albany New York State Capital [0.72, 0.55] Capital
Albany has been New York's state capital since 1797. It's one of the oldest cities in the whole United States!
Fun fact: Dutch colonists first settled here as Fort Nassau in 1614. That's six years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth! It's one of the earliest European settlements in North America.
🌄 The Catskills Mountain Muse of the Hudson Valley [0.65, 0.65] Nature
The Catskill Mountains rise to 4,180 feet. Their misty peaks were so beautiful that they inspired America's first famous group of painters, called the Hudson River School. Those paintings helped Americans fall in love with protecting wild places.
Fun fact: Writer Washington Irving set his famous tale of Rip Van Winkle right here in the Catskills. In the story, Rip falls asleep in these mountains and doesn't wake up for twenty years!
🗽 Statue of Liberty Beacon of Freedom in New York Harbor [0.72, 0.85] Historic
Lady Liberty stands 305 feet from the ground to the tip of her torch. Her copper skin is only as thick as two pennies! It's attached to an iron skeleton designed by Gustave Eiffel, the same engineer who built the Eiffel Tower.
Fun fact: The statue's seven crown spikes stand for the seven seas and seven continents. And look at her feet: her right heel is lifted! Lady Liberty isn't standing still. She's walking forward, a symbol of freedom always moving ahead.
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
What is the capital city of New York?
Albany is New York's capital, not New York City! Albany has been the capital since 1797 and is one of the oldest cities in the US, founded by Dutch settlers in the 1600s.
Standard
Which famous landmark stands on an island in New York Harbor, a gift from France?
The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France, dedicated in 1886. Lady Liberty stands 305 feet tall from the ground to her torch and has welcomed millions of immigrants arriving in America.
Standard
What is New York's state flower?
The Rose is New York's state flower, adopted in 1955. Roses grow in many colors and are one of the most beloved flowers in the world.
Standard
Before it became New York, the city was a Dutch settlement founded in 1626. What was its original name?
Dutch settlers founded New Amsterdam in 1626 on the southern tip of Manhattan Island. The English captured it in 1664 and renamed it New York after the Duke of York.
Standard
Which famous waterfall on New York's border with Canada is one of the most powerful in North America?
Niagara Falls, on the border between New York and Ontario, Canada, is one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world. About 750,000 gallons of water flow over it every second!
Standard
Which iconic New York City park sits in the middle of Manhattan, offering a green escape in the big city?
Central Park is a famous 843-acre park in the middle of Manhattan, one of the world's greatest cities. It has walking paths, a zoo, lakes, and hosts millions of visitors each year.
Standard
The Erie Canal opened in 1825 and connected which two bodies of water, boosting trade and the growth of New York City?
The Erie Canal connected the Hudson River to Lake Erie, making it possible to ship goods cheaply from the Midwest to the Atlantic coast. It made New York City the most important trading city in America.
Standard
New York City's Times Square is famous for which annual celebration watched by millions around the world?
Every New Year's Eve, a famous glittering ball drops at Times Square in New York City as the clock strikes midnight. About a million people gather in person and billions more watch on TV worldwide!
Standard
True or False: New York is nicknamed 'The Empire State.'
True! New York has been called the Empire State since at least the early 1800s, reflecting its wealth, resources, and importance. The famous Empire State Building in Manhattan is named after this nickname.
Standard
What is the highest point in New York?
Mount Marcy stands at 5,344 feet in the Adirondack Mountains and is New York's highest peak. It is named after Governor William Marcy, who served in the 1830s.
Standard
True or False: The Adirondack Park in New York is larger than Yellowstone, Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, and the Everglades combined.
True! At 6.1 million acres, Adirondack Park is the largest park in the contiguous United States. It is protected by the New York State Constitution as 'forever wild.'
Standard
Which island in New York Harbor served as the gateway for over 12 million immigrants to America?
Ellis Island was the main immigration processing center from 1892 to 1954. Over 12 million people passed through its doors seeking a new life in America, making New York one of the most diverse places on Earth.
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
Which Revolutionary War battle fought in New York in 1777 is considered the turning point that helped America win independence?
The Battle of Saratoga was a crucial American victory that convinced France to enter the war as an ally. Without French support, America might not have won its independence.
Bonus Round
New York City was briefly the capital of the United States. In what year was George Washington inaugurated there as the first President?
George Washington was inaugurated as the first President at Federal Hall in New York City on April 30, 1789. New York City served as the nation's capital from 1785 to 1790.
Bonus Round
True or False: Broadway in New York City is the longest street in the world.
False! While Broadway is very long at about 13 miles through Manhattan and extends further into the Bronx, it is not the longest street in the world. However, Broadway's Theater District is the most famous theater district on Earth!
Bonus Round
Which region in central New York State features 11 long, narrow lakes carved by glaciers during the last Ice Age?
The Finger Lakes are 11 narrow glacial lakes that stretch across central New York. Seneca Lake is the deepest at 618 feet. The region is famous for its gorges, waterfalls, and state parks.
Did You Know? (16 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 About 19.5 million people live in New York State.
- 📅 New York became the 11th state on July 26, 1788.
- 🏙️ New York City began as a Dutch town called New Amsterdam.
- 🎉 A glittering ball drops in Times Square every New Year's Eve!
- 🏛️ Albany has been the capital since 1797.
- 🗽 The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France in 1886.
- 🏙️ NYC is the most populous city in the United States.
- 🚇 The NYC Subway is one of the largest rapid transit systems in the world.
- 🌉 The Brooklyn Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world in 1883.
- 💧 Niagara Falls sits on the New York-Ontario border.
- 🍎 New York City is nicknamed 'The Big Apple.'
- 🚢 The Erie Canal opened in 1825 and reshaped American trade.
- 🦅 Bald eagles nest along the Hudson River and the Adirondacks.
- 🌹 The rose is New York's state flower.
- 🏞️ The Adirondacks contain the largest park in the contiguous U.S.
- 🍕 New York-style pizza was invented in NYC in 1905.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- Toilet paper was invented in New York City in 1857!
- The Statue of Liberty's nose is over four feet long.
- New York City's subway system has 472 stations, more than any other city on Earth.
- The first pizzeria in America opened in NYC's Little Italy in 1905.
- New York was the US capital from 1785 to 1790.
- The teddy bear was first made by a Brooklyn toy store owner in 1903.
- More than 800 languages are spoken in New York City, the most linguistically diverse city in the world.
- The FDR Drive in Manhattan was built partly on rubble from bombed London buildings shipped as ballast.
- Grand Central Terminal has a secret tennis court on the 4th floor.
- New York's state muffin is the apple muffin.
- The Bronx is the only NYC borough attached to the US mainland.
- Cooperstown's Baseball Hall of Fame draws half a million visitors a year.
- New York produces more yogurt than any other state.
- The Brooklyn Bridge took 14 years to build and was the longest suspension bridge in the world when it opened in 1883.
- Schenectady, NY was where GE was founded, Thomas Edison's company!
Fun Fact
The Erie Canal, an engineering marvel that opened in 1825, was the first canal in the United States that connected the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. This canal was a pivotal development of U.S. transportation and had a profound impact on the growth and expansion of the United States westward.
North Carolina (NC)
The Tar Heel State
- Capital
- Raleigh
- Statehood
- November 21, 1789 (12th state to join the Union)
- Population
- 11,046,024 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 53,819 square miles
- Highest Point
- Mount Mitchell at 6,684 feet
- Famous Landmark
- Biltmore Estate
Overview
Get ready for North Carolina, the Tar Heel State! Stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Smoky Mountains, this southeastern state offers an incredible range of landscapes all in one place. The eastern coast features the famous Outer Banks, a chain of sandy barrier islands with wild horses, historic lighthouses, and some of the best beaches on the East Coast. Inland, you will find rolling Piedmont hills, and to the west rise the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.
North Carolina holds a special place in the history of flight. On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright made the world's first successful powered airplane flight at Kitty Hawk on the Outer Banks, forever changing how humans travel. The state is also home to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, the largest privately owned house in America with 250 rooms, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the oldest public university in the nation.
The Great Smoky Mountains along the western border are the most visited national park in the United States, named for the misty blue haze that clings to their ancient peaks. North Carolina is the top producer of sweet potatoes in the country and is famous for its slow-smoked barbecue. With thriving cities like Charlotte and Raleigh, rich Cherokee heritage, and stunning natural beauty, North Carolina truly has something for everyone.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Mammal [0.51, 0.41]
Gray Squirrel
North Carolina's state mammal, the Eastern Gray Squirrel, is secretly a champion tree planter. Squirrels bury acorns for winter but forget about one in four of them. Those forgotten acorns grow into oaks, hickories, and beech trees: thousands of new trees per squirrel every year! A squirrel's teeth never stop growing, so it has to gnaw constantly to keep them short. And a squirrel can smell a buried nut under a whole foot of snow.
Flower [0.35, 0.44]
Dogwood
The Dogwood has been North Carolina's state flower since 1941. Here's a trick: those big white or pink "petals" aren't petals at all! They're special leaves. The real flowers are the tiny yellow-green cluster in the center. Dogwood wood is super hard and tough, so people once used it for golf club heads and tool handles.
Plant [0.78, 0.46]
Venus Flytrap
The Venus Flytrap grows wild in only one place on Earth: the area around Wilmington, North Carolina. The trap is smart, too. If a bug touches a trigger hair once, nothing happens. Two touches within 20 seconds? SNAP! That way a raindrop can't fool it. Wild flytraps are so rare and special that taking one is a serious crime in North Carolina.
Vegetable [0.55, 0.60]
Sweet Potato
The sweet potato is North Carolina's state vegetable, and the state grows more of them than any other in the country. Despite the name, sweet potatoes aren't related to regular potatoes; they're in the morning glory family. Native Americans grew them long before Europeans arrived, and they became a vital food during the American Civil War.
Boat [0.77, 0.60]
Shad Boat
North Carolina's state historic boat, the Shad Boat, was invented on the Outer Banks in the 1870s for catching a fish called the American Shad. The waters between the islands and the mainland are tricky: shallow one minute, rough the next. The Shad Boat's clever flat bottom let it float in just inches of water and still handle big waves. Fishermen loved it for 50 years! Only one original boat survives today, kept safe at Roanoke Island Festival Park.
Landmarks (6 total)
⭐ Raleigh State Capital [0.61, 0.47] Capital
Raleigh is North Carolina's capital and one corner of the famous Research Triangle, along with Durham and Chapel Hill. This region is one of the largest research parks in the world, home to over 300 companies and thousands of scientists working on cutting-edge technology, medicine, and environmental science.
Fun fact: Raleigh is called the 'City of Oaks' because hundreds of massive oak trees line its streets. Some of them are over 200 years old!
🏙️ Charlotte Queen City [0.41, 0.54] City
Charlotte is North Carolina's largest city and the second-largest banking center in the United States, right behind New York City. It's named after Queen Charlotte of England. The city also starred in America's very first gold rush: gold was found in nearby Cabarrus County in 1799, fifty years before the famous California Gold Rush!
Fun fact: Charlotte is home to the NASCAR Hall of Fame and most NASCAR racing teams are headquartered in the Charlotte area. It's the unofficial capital of stock car racing!
🏔️ Asheville Mountain City [0.24, 0.51] City
Asheville is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina and is home to the Biltmore Estate, the largest privately owned house in the United States. Built by George Vanderbilt in 1895, this French Renaissance château has 250 rooms, 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, and 65 fireplaces spread across 178,926 square feet.
Fun fact: The Biltmore Estate is so large that it has its own zip code, its own dairy, and its own farm. George Vanderbilt basically built a small town for himself!
✈️ Kitty Hawk Birthplace of Flight [0.87, 0.45] Historic
Kitty Hawk and nearby Kill Devil Hills on the Outer Banks is where Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first successful powered airplane flight on December 17, 1903. The Wright Brothers chose this remote, windy stretch of beach because of its strong, steady winds and soft sand for landing. Their first flight lasted just 12 seconds and covered 120 feet.
Fun fact: The Wright Brothers' first flight was shorter than a modern Boeing 747 airplane. The whole flight would have fit inside the cabin!
🏖️ Outer Banks Barrier Islands [0.90, 0.51] Nature
The Outer Banks is a 200-mile-long chain of narrow barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina. Wild horses have roamed these windswept islands for centuries. Cape Hatteras has the tallest brick lighthouse in America. And the waters here are so dangerous that sailors call them the 'Graveyard of the Atlantic.'
Fun fact: The wild horses of the Outer Banks are believed to be descendants of Spanish mustangs that swam ashore from shipwrecks over 400 years ago!
🎓 Durham Bull City [0.58, 0.45] Cultural
Durham is home to Duke University, one of the top research universities in the world, and is a key part of the Research Triangle, a hub of biotech, education, and food culture.
Fun fact: Durham's nickname 'Bull City' comes from a famous bull picture that a local company put on its products in the 1800s. That bull became one of the most famous pictures in America!
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
What is the capital city of North Carolina?
Raleigh is North Carolina's capital and part of the 'Research Triangle' with Durham and Chapel Hill, home to three major universities and many technology companies.
Standard
Which enormous private mansion in Asheville, North Carolina is the largest house in the United States?
The Biltmore Estate, built by George Vanderbilt in 1895, has 178,926 square feet and 250 rooms! It is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains and is still privately owned.
Standard
Which famous aviation breakthrough happened at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina in 1903?
On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright made the world's first successful powered airplane flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The first flight lasted only 12 seconds and covered 120 feet!
Standard
What is North Carolina's state flower?
The Dogwood blossom is North Carolina's state flower. The flowering dogwood tree produces beautiful white or pink flowers in spring and bright red berries in fall.
Standard
North Carolina is one of the top producers of which agricultural product in the United States?
North Carolina is the number-one producer of sweet potatoes in the US, growing about half of all sweet potatoes in the country! It is also a major producer of hogs and Christmas trees.
Standard
Which North Carolina university claims to be the oldest public university in the United States?
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, founded in 1789, was the first public university to hold classes and graduate students in the US. It opened its doors to students in 1795.
Standard
The Great Smoky Mountains are shared between North Carolina and which neighboring state?
Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee. It is the most visited national park in the US, known for its ancient mountains and diverse wildlife.
Standard
North Carolina's Outer Banks is famous for which dangerous geographical feature?
The Outer Banks coastline around Cape Hatteras is called the 'Graveyard of the Atlantic' because over 2,000 ships have wrecked there due to strong currents and constantly shifting sandbars!
Standard
True or False: North Carolina is nicknamed 'The Pine Tree State.'
False! North Carolina is the Tar Heel State, after its history of producing tar, pitch, and turpentine from its pine forests. The Pine Tree State is Maine.
Standard
What is the highest point in North Carolina?
Mount Mitchell at 6,684 feet is the highest point in North Carolina and the highest peak east of the Mississippi River! It is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Standard
Which North Carolina city is the largest in the state and the second-largest banking center in the United States?
Charlotte is North Carolina's largest city and the second-biggest banking center in the US, right behind New York City. It is named after Queen Charlotte of England.
Standard
True or False: The Outer Banks is a chain of barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina.
True! The Outer Banks is a 200-mile-long chain of narrow barrier islands with wild horses, historic lighthouses, and beautiful beaches.
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
North Carolina's license plates say 'First in Flight.' Which other state also claims a connection to the Wright Brothers?
Ohio also claims the Wright Brothers because Orville and Wilbur Wright were born and raised in Dayton, Ohio. Ohio's license plates say 'Birthplace of Aviation,' while North Carolina claims 'First in Flight.'
Bonus Round
True or False: America's first gold rush happened in North Carolina, decades before the famous California Gold Rush.
True! Gold was discovered in Cabarrus County, North Carolina in 1799 when a boy found a 17-pound gold nugget in a creek. North Carolina was the leading gold-producing state until the California Gold Rush of 1849.
Bonus Round
Which Native American people have lived in the mountains of western North Carolina for thousands of years?
The Cherokee people have lived in western North Carolina for thousands of years. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians still lives on the Qualla Boundary reservation near the Great Smoky Mountains.
Bonus Round
What scenic highway runs through the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, offering stunning views and no traffic lights for 469 miles?
The Blue Ridge Parkway is called 'America's Favorite Drive.' It runs 469 miles through Virginia and North Carolina with no traffic lights, connecting Shenandoah National Park to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Did You Know? (15 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 About 10.8 million people live in North Carolina.
- 📅 North Carolina became the 12th state on November 21, 1789.
- ⛰️ North Carolina shares the Great Smoky Mountains with Tennessee.
- 🏛️ Raleigh has been the capital since 1792.
- ✈️ The Wright Brothers flew the first airplane at Kitty Hawk in 1903.
- 🏔️ Mount Mitchell is the tallest peak east of the Mississippi.
- 🍠 North Carolina is the largest sweet potato producer in the U.S.
- 🍠 North Carolina grows about half of all sweet potatoes in the U.S.
- 🐦 The state bird is the cardinal.
- 🌳 The longleaf pine is North Carolina's state tree.
- 🏞️ The Blue Ridge Parkway runs 469 miles, mostly through North Carolina.
- 🌊 The Outer Banks is the longest barrier island chain on the East Coast.
- 🏀 College basketball thrives in North Carolina with 4 ACC schools.
- 🚢 The USS North Carolina battleship is moored at Wilmington.
- 🍑 North Carolina is one of America's top peach-growing states.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- The first airplane flight happened at Kitty Hawk, just 12 seconds long!
- Pepsi was invented in New Bern, North Carolina in 1893.
- Krispy Kreme doughnuts started in Winston-Salem in 1937.
- North Carolina had America's first gold rush, in 1799, decades before California!
- The Venus flytrap grows wild in only one place on Earth, within 75 miles of Wilmington, NC.
- The Blue Ridge Parkway runs 469 miles through NC with zero traffic lights.
- North Carolina produces more sweet potatoes than any other state.
- Blackbeard the pirate made his home base at Ocracoke Island on the Outer Banks.
- The Biltmore Estate in Asheville is the largest privately owned house in America at 178,926 square feet.
- North Carolina's state motto is 'Esse quam videri', 'To be rather than to seem.'
- Grandfather Mountain's Mile High Swinging Bridge is one of the highest pedestrian bridges in the US.
- Michael Jordan was born in Brooklyn but grew up playing basketball in Wilmington, NC.
- The town of Bat Cave, NC is a real place, named after a nearby cave full of bats.
- Lexington, NC calls itself the BBQ Capital of the World and hosts a festival drawing 100,000+ visitors.
- The Lost Colony of Roanoke is one of America's oldest unsolved mysteries, the settlers vanished in 1590.
Fun Fact
North Carolina is home to the oldest public university in the United States. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was the first public university to hold classes and graduate students, with its doors opening to students in 1795. This institution has been a leader in educational innovation since its inception.
North Dakota (ND)
The Peace Garden State
- Capital
- Bismarck
- Statehood
- November 2, 1889 (39th state to join the Union)
- Population
- 796,568 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 70,704 square miles
- Highest Point
- White Butte at 3,506 feet
- Famous Landmark
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Overview
Welcome to North Dakota, the Peace Garden State! Named for the International Peace Garden on the border with Canada, this Great Plains state is a land of wide-open prairies, golden wheat fields, and enormous skies that seem to stretch on forever. North Dakota is one of the least populated states in the country, which means there is plenty of room to roam and explore its wild, untouched landscapes.
North Dakota has a fascinating history tied to exploration and the frontier. The Lewis and Clark Expedition spent the winter of 1804-1805 at Fort Mandan near present-day Washburn, where they met Sacagawea, the young Shoshone woman who became their invaluable guide. The state's western Badlands are a rugged, colorful landscape of layered rock formations, and it was here that a young Theodore Roosevelt fell in love with the outdoors, an experience that inspired him to become America's greatest conservation president.
Today, North Dakota is the top producer of sunflowers in the United States, and in summer, fields of bright yellow blooms stretch to the horizon in every direction. The state also sits atop the massive Bakken oil formation, making it one of the nation's leading oil producers. From the wild bison herds of Theodore Roosevelt National Park to the Scandinavian heritage festivals that celebrate its immigrant roots, North Dakota is a place of quiet beauty and big surprises.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Grass [0.50, 0.32]
Western Wheatgrass
North Dakota's state grass, Western Wheatgrass, is one tough plant. Drought, hungry grazers, brutal winters: nothing stops it for long. When times get hard, it simply goes to sleep, then springs back to life when conditions improve. Its blue-green color comes from a waxy coating that helps it hold onto water. This grass once covered the prairies of North Dakota, feeding herds of bison, elk, and pronghorn.
Fruit [0.28, 0.43]
Chokecherry
North Dakota's state fruit, the Chokecherry, earns its name. Bite a raw berry and your mouth puckers up so hard it's tough to swallow! Cooked, though, chokecherries turn rich and delicious in jams and syrups. The fruit was a treasure to Plains Indigenous peoples like the Lakota. They dried and pounded the berries to make pemmican, a food that lasted all winter long.
Dance [0.71, 0.31]
Square Dance
Square Dancing became North Dakota's official state dance in 1995. It honors the folk dances brought by German-Russian and Scandinavian settlers in the 1800s. American square dancing mixes old English, French, and Scottish country dances, with a "caller" shouting out the moves as you go. On the wide-open prairie, neighbors lived far apart. Square dances were where everyone finally got together!
Tree [0.76, 0.36]
American Elm
North Dakota's state tree, the American Elm, once shaded streets in cities all across America with its tall, vase-shaped branches. Then a sickness called Dutch elm disease, spread by tiny bark beetles, killed millions of elms starting in the 1960s. But North Dakota's cold northern weather kept most of those beetles away! Groves of big, healthy old elms still grow across the state today.
Fish [0.44, 0.47]
Northern Pike
The Northern Pike is North Dakota's prized game fish, lurking in the weedy shallows of lakes and rivers. A pike hunts by hiding: it lies perfectly still in the plants, then strikes like lightning! It can swallow a fish half its own size in one gulp, and its mouth holds over 700 backward-pointing teeth. Once a pike bites, almost nothing escapes. Devils Lake and Lake Sakakawea are famous for giant pike over 40 inches long.
Landmarks (6 total)
🏛️ Bismarck State Capital [0.46, 0.60] Capital
Bismarck is North Dakota's capital, located on the east bank of the Missouri River in the center of the state. The North Dakota State Capitol, completed in 1934 after the original burned down, is a striking 19-story Art Deco skyscraper, the tallest building in the state and one of only a handful of skyscraper-style capitols in America.
Fun fact: Bismarck was originally called 'Edwinton' but was renamed after German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck to attract German immigrant railroad investors, and it worked!
🏙️ Fargo Gateway to the Plains [0.83, 0.61] City
Fargo is North Dakota's largest city, sitting on the western bank of the Red River across from Moorhead, Minnesota. Founded in 1871 as a railroad town, it was named after William Fargo of Wells Fargo Express. Today it's a thriving college town home to North Dakota State University, whose Bison football team has won multiple national championships.
Fun fact: There's a famous movie called 'Fargo.' Funny thing: almost none of it happens in Fargo! Most of the story takes place in Minnesota.
🦬 Theodore Roosevelt NP Badlands Beauty [0.19, 0.60] Nature
Theodore Roosevelt National Park protects the rugged Badlands that young Theodore Roosevelt fell in love with. After a heartbreaking year in 1884, Roosevelt came to his ranch here to heal, and the wild land changed him forever. He later said, 'I would not have been president had it not been for my experience in North Dakota.' He became America's greatest conservation president!
Fun fact: The park is home to wild horses and a herd of free-roaming bison. Visitors often have to stop and wait while bison casually stroll across the road!
🌷 International Peace Garden US-Canada Border [0.60, 0.32] Nature
The International Peace Garden sits right on the border between North Dakota and Manitoba, Canada. It celebrates the long friendship between the two countries. Started in 1932, the 2,339-acre garden is filled with flower displays, fountains, and a Peace Chapel. It is the only garden in the world located on an international border!
Fun fact: North Dakota's license plates say 'Peace Garden State', making it the only US state whose nickname comes from a garden shared with another country!
🎓 Grand Forks Fork of the Rivers [0.80, 0.43] Cultural
Grand Forks sits where the Red River and the Red Lake River meet in eastern North Dakota. It's home to the University of North Dakota, which has one of the top schools in the country for learning to fly airplanes. In 1997, a huge flood and a fire damaged much of the city, but the community pulled together and rebuilt it all.
Fun fact: Grand Forks' Ralph Engelstad Arena, built for the UND hockey team, cost $104 million and has Italian marble floors and leather seats. Some call it the finest college hockey arena ever built!
🎨 Enchanted Highway World's Largest Sculptures [0.32, 0.66] Cultural
The Enchanted Highway is a 32-mile stretch of road in southwestern North Dakota lined with the world's largest scrap metal sculptures. Created by local artist Gary Greff starting in 1989 to attract tourists to the tiny town of Regent (population 160), the massive sculptures include a 110-foot-tall tin family, giant grasshoppers, geese in flight, and Theodore Roosevelt on horseback.
Fun fact: Gary Greff taught himself metalworking just to build these sculptures. His 'Geese in Flight' is 110 feet wide, and Guinness World Records named it the world's largest scrap metal sculpture!
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
What is the capital city of North Dakota?
Bismarck is North Dakota's capital, named after German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck. Railroad officials hoped a German name would attract European investors to buy land in the area.
Standard
What is the official state bird of North Dakota?
The Western Meadowlark has a beautiful, bubbling song that fills North Dakota's prairies in summer. It is one of the most recognized bird songs of the Great Plains.
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Which national park in North Dakota was a favorite place of President Theodore Roosevelt, who once ranched there?
Theodore Roosevelt National Park in western North Dakota was where young Theodore Roosevelt came to ranch and hunt. The wild landscape inspired his lifelong love of conservation and the outdoors.
Standard
What is North Dakota's state flower?
The Wild Prairie Rose is North Dakota's state flower. The delicate pink flowers grow wild across the prairies and have a sweet rose fragrance.
Standard
North Dakota is the leading producer of which bright, tall flower that is also used to make cooking oil?
North Dakota grows more sunflowers than any other state in the US! Fields of sunflowers stretching to the horizon are a beautiful and common sight in North Dakota in summer.
Standard
North Dakota's oil boom made it one of the top oil-producing states. Where are the main oil fields?
The Bakken Formation under western North Dakota contains massive oil deposits that were unlocked by new drilling technology around 2008, causing a huge economic boom in the state.
Standard
The Lewis and Clark Expedition spent the winter of 1804-1805 in North Dakota. What was the name of their winter camp?
Lewis and Clark built Fort Mandan near present-day Washburn, North Dakota, where they spent the winter of 1804-1805. It was there they met Sacagawea, who became their crucial guide and interpreter.
Standard
North Dakota and South Dakota were admitted to the Union on the same day. What was special about which state was 'first'?
When President Benjamin Harrison signed the statehood proclamations for both states on November 2, 1889, he shuffled the papers so no one would know which was signed first. To this day, neither state officially claims to be 39th or 40th!
Standard
True or False: North Dakota is nicknamed 'The Sunflower State.'
False! North Dakota is the Peace Garden State, after the International Peace Garden on its border with Canada. The Sunflower State is Kansas.
Standard
What is the highest point in North Dakota?
White Butte stands at 3,506 feet in the southwestern part of the state near the Badlands. It is a relatively gentle climb compared to mountain peaks in other states.
Standard
Which is the largest city in North Dakota?
Fargo is North Dakota's largest city, sitting on the Red River across from Moorhead, Minnesota. It is home to North Dakota State University and was originally a railroad town.
Standard
True or False: The International Peace Garden is the only garden in the world located on an international border.
True! The International Peace Garden straddles the border between North Dakota and Manitoba, Canada. It was established in 1932 and covers 2,339 acres of beautiful gardens and memorials.
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
Which young Shoshone woman did Lewis and Clark meet in North Dakota and who became their guide on the journey west?
Sacagawea was a young Shoshone woman living at Fort Mandan when Lewis and Clark arrived. She, along with her husband Toussaint Charbonneau, joined the expedition and proved invaluable as a guide and interpreter.
Bonus Round
North Dakota has strong Scandinavian heritage. Which Scandinavian country did many of its settlers come from?
Many North Dakota settlers came from Norway in the late 1800s, attracted by the flat farmland that reminded them of home. Norwegian heritage is still celebrated at festivals across the state.
Bonus Round
True or False: North Dakota is one of the least populated states in the country, with fewer than 800,000 people.
True! North Dakota has about 779,000 residents, making it one of the least populated states. The wide-open prairies mean there is plenty of room to roam!
Bonus Round
What 32-mile stretch of road in North Dakota features the world's largest scrap metal sculptures?
The Enchanted Highway near Regent, North Dakota features massive scrap metal sculptures created by local artist Gary Greff, including a 110-foot-tall tin family and giant grasshoppers!
Did You Know? (15 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 About 780,000 people live in North Dakota.
- 📅 North Dakota became the 39th state on November 2, 1889.
- 📜 President Harrison shuffled the papers so no one knows which Dakota was first!
- 🏛️ Bismarck has been the capital of North Dakota since statehood in 1889.
- 🌾 North Dakota grows the most wheat of any state.
- 🐝 North Dakota raises more honey than any other state.
- 🦬 Theodore Roosevelt ranched in the North Dakota Badlands.
- 🛢️ The Bakken oil field made North Dakota the 2nd-largest U.S. oil producer.
- 🐦 Western meadowlark is the state bird.
- 🌹 The wild prairie rose is the state flower.
- 🏞️ The Badlands cover much of western North Dakota.
- 💼 North Dakota has the lowest unemployment rate of any state.
- 🪨 The geographic center of North America is in Rugby, North Dakota.
- 🌅 North Dakota is one of the least densely populated states.
- 🎣 Devils Lake is one of America's top ice-fishing destinations.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- North Dakota grows more sunflowers than any other state!
- Rugby, ND is the geographic center of North America.
- North Dakota produces enough wheat to make 12 billion loaves of bread a year.
- The town of Fargo was named after the Wells Fargo Express Company founder.
- North Dakota has more wildlife refuges than any other state, over 60!
- Lake Sakakawea is one of the largest man-made lakes in the US.
- North Dakota's capitol building is called 'The Skyscraper on the Prairie', it's 19 stories tall!
- Nobody knows if North or South Dakota was admitted first, both signed on November 2, 1889.
- The Enchanted Highway near Regent has the world's largest scrap metal sculptures.
- North Dakota has more churches per capita than any other state.
- Theodore Roosevelt said his time ranching in North Dakota was 'the romance of my life.'
- Medora Musical, an outdoor show in the badlands, has run every summer since 1965.
- North Dakota produces more honey than almost any other state.
- The International Peace Garden straddles the US-Canada border with 2,300 acres of gardens.
- North Dakota's winters are so cold that boiling water thrown in the air freezes instantly!
Fun Fact
North Dakota is the leading producer of sunflowers in the United States. It accounts for the majority of the nation's sunflower crop, including both oil and non-oil producing varieties. The vast fields of blooming sunflowers are not only a vital part of the state's agriculture but also a beautiful sight that attracts photographers and nature lovers.
Ohio (OH)
The Buckeye State
- Capital
- Columbus
- Statehood
- March 1, 1803 (17th state to join the Union)
- Population
- 11,883,304 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 44,825 square miles
- Highest Point
- Campbell Hill at 1,550 feet
- Famous Landmark
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Overview
Step into Ohio, the Buckeye State! Sitting in the heart of the Midwest along the shores of Lake Erie, Ohio is a state where invention, exploration, and big dreams have always been part of daily life. The state gets its nickname from the buckeye tree, whose shiny brown nuts look like the eye of a deer. Ohio's landscape ranges from the flat farmland of the western plains to the wooded hills of the Appalachian foothills in the southeast.
Ohio is famous as the Birthplace of Aviation: Orville and Wilbur Wright grew up in Dayton and built the airplane that changed the world. But Ohio's connection to flight goes even further: the state has produced more astronauts than almost any other, including Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the Moon, and John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth. Seven U.S. presidents were born in Ohio, more than any state except Virginia.
Today, Ohio is home to bustling cities like Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati, each with its own personality and culture. Cleveland boasts the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, while Cedar Point in Sandusky is called the Roller Coaster Capital of the World with more than 70 thrilling rides. Whether you are cheering on the Buckeyes, exploring the Hocking Hills, or catching a game at a legendary stadium, Ohio is a state that pulses with energy and pride.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Frog [0.33, 0.53]
American Bullfrog
Ohio's state frog, the American Bullfrog, is the largest frog in North America. Adults can weigh over a pound and stretch 8 inches long! Its deep "jug-o-rum" call carries over half a mile on still summer nights. Bullfrogs will eat anything that fits in their mouth: bugs, mice, snakes, even other frogs. People have brought bullfrogs to countries all over the world, where they often gobble up so much that local frogs can't compete.
Flower [0.37, 0.34]
Scarlet Carnation
Ohio's state flower, the Scarlet Carnation, was adopted in 1904 to honor President William McKinley of Ohio. He always wore a red carnation in his lapel as a good luck charm. One day in 1901, he kindly gave his lucky carnation to a young girl in the crowd. Ohio remembers him with this flower to this day. Carnations are among the oldest flowers ever grown by people: they appear in Greek and Roman art from over 2,000 years ago!
Insect [0.34, 0.47]
Ladybug
Ohio's state insect, the Ladybug, won the job in 1975 thanks to a campaign by Ohio schoolchildren! One ladybug can eat up to 5,000 aphids in its lifetime, which makes farmers very happy. Those bright red-and-black colors are a warning. When a ladybug feels threatened, it leaks a bitter liquid from its knees that tastes awful to predators! In winter, ladybugs snuggle up in big clusters: thousands can pack into one cozy spot.
Local Folklore [0.41, 0.61]
Loveland Frogman
The Loveland Frogman is Ohio's most famous legendary creature: a frog-faced being that walks on two legs, spotted along the Little Miami River since the 1950s. The most famous sightings came in 1972, when two police officers each reported a 3-to-4-foot creature running upright across a road! In 2016, two Pokemon Go players said they saw it too. Today Loveland celebrates its Frogman with souvenirs and festivals. Real or not? Nobody knows!
Reptile [0.29, 0.40]
Black Racer Snake
Ohio's state reptile, the Black Racer Snake, is one of the fastest snakes in North America. It zooms along at up to 4 mph with its head held high, racing through the underbrush. It looks fierce but is completely harmless to humans. It even helps out by eating mice, rats, and other snakes, including venomous ones! When cornered, a Black Racer shakes its tail in dry leaves to sound like a rattlesnake. The bluff works surprisingly well!
Landmarks (6 total)
⭐ Columbus State Capital [0.47, 0.56] Capital
Columbus is Ohio's capital and largest city, named after explorer Christopher Columbus. It is home to Ohio State University, one of the biggest universities in the country, and has grown into a major hub for technology, fashion, and food. The city's central location in Ohio made it the natural choice for the state capital in 1816.
Fun fact: Ohio State's football stadium, known as 'The Horseshoe,' holds over 100,000 fans. On game days it becomes the fourth-largest city in Ohio!
🎸 Cleveland Rock and Roll Capital [0.61, 0.33] Cultural
Cleveland sits on the shores of Lake Erie and is home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a striking glass pyramid that celebrates the history of rock music. The city was once one of America's largest industrial powerhouses and is now known for world-class museums, hospitals, and the passionate fans of its sports teams.
Fun fact: A Cleveland radio DJ named Alan Freed made the term 'rock and roll' famous in the early 1950s. That's why the Hall of Fame is there!
🏙️ Cincinnati Queen City of the West [0.30, 0.68] City
Cincinnati sits on the Ohio River at the border with Kentucky and was once the largest city in the American heartland. It's famous for chili served over spaghetti and for beautiful old buildings in its Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. It's also where baseball's first professional team, the Cincinnati Red Stockings, started playing in 1869!
Fun fact: Cincinnati-style chili is always served over spaghetti, and you order it by number. A 'three-way' means chili, spaghetti, and cheese. A 'five-way' adds onions and beans!
🎢 Sandusky Roller Coaster Capital [0.50, 0.34] Attraction
Sandusky is home to Cedar Point, one of the most famous amusement parks in the world, sitting on a peninsula jutting into Lake Erie. Known as the 'Roller Coaster Capital of the World,' Cedar Point has over 70 rides including some of the tallest and fastest roller coasters ever built. The park has been thrilling visitors since 1870.
Fun fact: Cedar Point has 17 roller coasters, one of the biggest collections on the planet. Its wildest ride, Top Thrill 2, launches riders from 0 to 120 mph in seconds!
✈️ Dayton Birthplace of Aviation [0.33, 0.61] Historic
Dayton is where Orville and Wilbur Wright lived and built their famous flying machines in their bicycle shop. The city is home to the National Museum of the United States Air Force, the oldest and largest military aviation museum in the world, with over 350 aircraft on display spanning from the Wright Flyer era to modern stealth jets.
Fun fact: Besides the airplane, Dayton inventors also created the cash register, the pop-top can, and the parking meter. It's one of the most inventive cities in American history!
🌿 Hocking Hills Natural Wonder [0.55, 0.65] Nature
Hocking Hills State Park in southeastern Ohio is famous for its stunning waterfalls, caves, and rock formations carved from ancient sandstone over millions of years. Old Man's Cave, Ash Cave, and Cedar Falls attract hikers from across the country to explore winding gorges and towering cliff walls draped in ferns and moss.
Fun fact: Ash Cave is the largest cave of its kind in Ohio: 700 feet wide and 100 feet deep! Early settlers found huge piles of ash inside, left from centuries of Native American campfires.
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
What is the capital city of Ohio?
Columbus is Ohio's capital and largest city, named after explorer Christopher Columbus. It is home to Ohio State University, one of the largest universities in the US.
Standard
Which famous music museum is located in Cleveland, Ohio?
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland honors the artists who shaped rock music. Cleveland is chosen because a local DJ first used the phrase 'rock and roll' on the radio there!
Standard
What is Ohio's state flower?
The Scarlet Carnation is Ohio's state flower, chosen in memory of President William McKinley, who was from Ohio and always wore a red carnation in his lapel for good luck.
Standard
Ohio is nicknamed the Birthplace of Aviation. Which brothers from Dayton, Ohio invented the first powered airplane?
The Wright Brothers, Orville and Wilbur, were from Dayton, Ohio. They made the first successful powered airplane flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina on December 17, 1903.
Standard
More US Presidents were born in Ohio than any other state except Virginia. How many presidents came from Ohio?
Seven US presidents were born in Ohio: Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, James Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, William Howard Taft, and Warren G. Harding.
Standard
Which famous amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio is known for having some of the world's best roller coasters?
Cedar Point is called the 'Roller Coaster Capital of the World' and has more than 70 rides. It opened in 1870, making it one of the oldest amusement parks in the United States!
Standard
Ohio borders which of the Great Lakes on its northern edge?
Ohio's northern border runs along Lake Erie, one of the five Great Lakes. The lake provides Ohio with a shipping route and is famous for walleye fishing.
Standard
Neil Armstrong, the first human to walk on the Moon in 1969, was from which Ohio city?
Neil Armstrong was born in Wapakoneta, Ohio in 1930. When he stepped on the Moon on July 20, 1969, he said the famous words: 'That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.'
Standard
True or False: Ohio is nicknamed 'The Black-Eyed Susan State.'
False! Ohio is the Buckeye State, named for the buckeye tree. The Black-eyed Susan is the state flower of Maryland, not Ohio.
Standard
What is the highest point in Ohio?
Campbell Hill at 1,550 feet is Ohio's highest point. Located in Logan County, it is a gentle rise rather than a dramatic mountain peak.
Standard
True or False: Ohio became the 17th state to join the Union in 1803.
True! Ohio was admitted on March 1, 1803, becoming the first state carved from the Northwest Territory. It was the 17th state to join the Union.
Standard
Which Ohio state park in the southeast is famous for its waterfalls, caves, and rock formations including Old Man's Cave?
Hocking Hills State Park features stunning waterfalls, caves, and ancient sandstone gorges. Old Man's Cave, Ash Cave, and Cedar Falls are among its most popular attractions.
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
Which Ohio astronaut became the first American to orbit the Earth in 1962?
John Glenn from Cambridge, Ohio became the first American to orbit Earth on February 20, 1962. He later became a US Senator and returned to space in 1998 at age 77!
Bonus Round
Cincinnati is famous for its unique style of chili. How is Cincinnati chili typically served?
Cincinnati-style chili is always served over spaghetti! A 'three-way' means chili, spaghetti, and shredded cheese. A 'five-way' adds onions and beans on top.
Bonus Round
True or False: The cash register was invented in Dayton, Ohio.
True! James Ritty invented the cash register in Dayton in 1879 to prevent employees from stealing money. Dayton is one of the most inventive cities in American history, also producing the pop-top can and the parking meter.
Bonus Round
Which professional football league was founded in Canton, Ohio in 1920?
The National Football League (NFL) was founded in Canton, Ohio in 1920. That is why the Pro Football Hall of Fame is located in Canton to this day.
Did You Know? (16 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 About 11.8 million people live in Ohio.
- 📅 Ohio became the 17th state on March 1, 1803.
- 🏛️ Columbus has been the capital since 1816.
- 🚀 Eight U.S. astronauts including John Glenn and Neil Armstrong were Ohioans.
- 🌙 Neil Armstrong, first human to walk on the Moon, was born in Wapakoneta, Ohio.
- 🏈 The NFL was founded in Canton, Ohio in 1920, where the Pro Football Hall of Fame stands today.
- ✈️ The Wright Brothers grew up in Dayton.
- 🛞 Cleveland inventor Charles Brush built the first electric streetcar.
- 🐦 The cardinal is Ohio's state bird.
- 🌹 The scarlet carnation is the state flower.
- 🏈 The Pro Football Hall of Fame is in Canton.
- 🎢 Cedar Point in Sandusky is one of America's top amusement parks.
- 🌳 The buckeye is Ohio's state tree.
- 🎵 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is in Cleveland.
- 🌽 Ohio is a major Corn Belt agricultural state.
- 🪨 Adena and Hopewell mounds dot Ohio from prehistoric civilizations.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- Seven US presidents were born in Ohio, more than any state except Virginia!
- The first hot dog was sold in Ohio.
- Ohio is the birthplace of aviation, the Wright Brothers were from Dayton.
- The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is in Cleveland because a Cleveland DJ coined the term 'rock and roll.'
- Ohio has the only state flag that isn't a rectangle, it's a burgee (swallow-tail) shape!
- Thomas Edison was born in Milan, Ohio.
- The first professional baseball team, the Cincinnati Red Stockings, started in 1869.
- Akron, Ohio was once the rubber capital of the world, home to Goodyear, Firestone, and BFGoodrich.
- Ohio's Serpent Mound is the largest effigy mound in the world, over 1,300 feet long.
- The Pop-Tart was developed by the Post Cereal Company in Battle Creek... wait, that's Michigan! Life Savers candy was invented in Cleveland.
- Oberlin College in Ohio was the first to regularly admit women and Black students in the 1830s.
- Cedar Point in Sandusky has been called the Roller Coaster Capital of the World.
- The Cuyahoga River in Cleveland caught fire 13 times, the 1969 fire helped launch the EPA!
- Ohio grows more tomatoes than any other state, mostly for ketchup and juice.
- The first ambulance service in the US started in Cincinnati in 1865.
Fun Fact
Ohio is known as the "Birthplace of Aviation." The state earns this title because Orville and Wilbur Wright designed and built the world's first successful airplane in Dayton, Ohio. They then flew it for the first time on December 17, 1903 at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, which uses its own slogan, "First in Flight."
Oklahoma (OK)
The Sooner State
- Capital
- Oklahoma City
- Statehood
- November 16, 1907 (46th state to join the Union)
- Population
- 4,123,288 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 69,899 square miles
- Highest Point
- Black Mesa at 4,973 feet
- Famous Landmark
- National Cowboy & Western Heritage
Overview
Say hello to Oklahoma, the Sooner State! Located in the south-central United States, Oklahoma is where the Great Plains meet the rolling hills of the Ozarks and the rugged mesas of the southwest. The state's nickname comes from the famous Land Rush of 1889, when settlers raced to claim free land, and some sneaked in "sooner" than the starting signal. That adventurous, pioneering spirit still defines Oklahoma today.
Oklahoma has deep ties to Native American history and culture. The state is home to 39 federally recognized tribes, more than almost any other state, many of whom were forcibly relocated here along the tragic Trail of Tears in the 1830s. Today, tribal nations play a vital role in Oklahoma's culture, economy, and government. The state is also cowboy country through and through. The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City celebrates the legends of the American West.
Oklahoma has more man-made lakes than any other state, with over 200 sparkling reservoirs perfect for fishing and boating. The state is a major producer of oil and natural gas, and the famous Route 66 runs right through it, linking small-town diners and neon-lit motels from Tulsa to the Texas border. With its wide-open spaces, fierce tornado seasons, passionate college football fans, and warm southern hospitality, Oklahoma is a state full of grit and heart.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Bird [0.14, 0.42]
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Oklahoma's state bird, the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, has a tail that can be longer than its whole body: up to 15 inches! It uses that amazing tail to steer as it twists and dives after insects in midair. In spring, the male shows off with a wild sky dance, zigzagging and somersaulting as he falls. Watch for the flash of pink under its wings against the Oklahoma sky.
Wildflower [0.61, 0.46]
Indian Blanket
Oklahoma's state wildflower, the Indian Blanket, blazes across roadsides and prairies in bright bands of red and yellow. The pattern looks like the designs in traditional Indigenous blankets, and that's how it got its name. It's also one of the toughest flowers on the Great Plains. It can handle blazing heat, long dry spells, and poor soil, and it spreads its own seeds year after year, from Oklahoma all the way to Mexico.
Fish [0.52, 0.39]
White Bass
Oklahoma's state fish, the Sand Bass (also called the White Bass), puts on a big show every spring called "the run." Huge schools swim upstream to lay their eggs in Oklahoma's rivers, and people line the banks to catch them by the dozen. Lake Texoma, on the Oklahoma-Texas border, is famous for striped bass, a cousin of the white bass. Millions of fishing trips happen there every year!
Reptile [0.25, 0.39]
Collared Lizard
Oklahoma's state reptile, the Collared Lizard, is nicknamed the "Mountain Boomer" even though it doesn't make a sound. Males show off bright turquoise and green scales with a bold black-and-white collar. Best of all: when a collared lizard needs to run, it pops up and sprints on its two back legs at up to 16 miles per hour. It looks just like a tiny dinosaur racing across the rocks!
Top Industry [0.39, 0.39]
Oil Extraction/Energy
Oklahoma's oil story began in 1897, when a well named Nellie Johnstone No. 1 struck oil near Bartlesville. By 1907, the year Oklahoma became a state, it was pumping more oil than any place on Earth! Tulsa had so many oil companies that it was called "The Oil Capital of the World." Oklahoma still pumps hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil every single day.
Landmarks (6 total)
⭐ Oklahoma City State Capital [0.62, 0.57] Capital
Oklahoma City is the state capital and largest city, sitting right in the middle of Oklahoma. On April 22, 1889, thousands of settlers raced here in a massive land rush to claim plots of land. The entire city was settled in a single afternoon! Today it is known for its cowboy culture, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, and the lively Bricktown Canal downtown.
Fun fact: Oklahoma's capitol is the only state capitol in the world with an active oil well on its grounds. The well even has a name: Petunia #1!
🏙️ Tulsa Oil Capital of the World [0.79, 0.50] City
Tulsa was once known as the Oil Capital of the World after massive oil strikes in the early 1900s made it one of the wealthiest cities in America. That oil money built stunning Art Deco skyscrapers that still line its downtown. Today Tulsa is a cultural hub with the Philbrook Museum, the Gathering Place park, and a thriving music scene.
Fun fact: Tulsa has more Art Deco buildings than almost any city in the US. Oil barons in the 1920s spent their fortunes building the most glamorous buildings they could imagine!
🏔️ Black Mesa Highest Point [0.07, 0.40] Nature
Black Mesa is the highest point in Oklahoma at 4,973 feet, way out at the tip of the Panhandle where Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Colorado meet. This flat-topped mesa is made of ancient lava rock and looks nothing like the rest of Oklahoma. It feels more like the desert Southwest, complete with dinosaur tracks and ancient rock formations.
Fun fact: Dinosaur footprints are preserved in the rocks around Black Mesa. Millions of years ago, this area was a swampy floodplain where dinosaurs roamed!
💧 Turner Falls Tallest Waterfall [0.64, 0.72] Nature
Turner Falls is a 77-foot waterfall in the Arbuckle Mountains of south-central Oklahoma, the tallest waterfall in the state. Honey Creek cascades over the falls into a natural swimming pool below, making it one of Oklahoma's most popular summer destinations. The surrounding park also has caves, a natural arch, and the ruins of a castle built in the 1930s.
Fun fact: There's a real stone castle near Turner Falls called Collings Castle. A geology professor started building it in the 1930s but never finished, so today you can explore its mysterious ruins!
🦬 Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge [0.48, 0.66] Nature
The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in southwestern Oklahoma is home to free-roaming herds of American bison, longhorn cattle, elk, and prairie dogs. These ancient granite mountains are some of the oldest in North America at over 500 million years old. The refuge was established in 1901 to save the bison from extinction when fewer than 300 remained in the wild.
Fun fact: The bison at Wichita Mountains are descendants of 15 bison that were shipped by train from the Bronx Zoo in New York City in 1907 to help save the species!
🛣️ Route 66 Mother Road [0.68, 0.55] Historic
Oklahoma has more driveable miles of historic Route 66 than any other state, over 400 miles of the original 'Mother Road' from the 1926 highway that connected Chicago to Los Angeles. The road passes through Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and dozens of small towns filled with quirky roadside attractions like the Blue Whale of Catoosa and the round barn in Arcadia.
Fun fact: The Blue Whale of Catoosa is a giant blue whale sculpture that a man named Hugh Davis built as an anniversary gift for his wife. It sits in a pond and has been a Route 66 landmark since the 1970s!
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
What is the capital city of Oklahoma?
Oklahoma City is both the capital and largest city of Oklahoma. It is one of only a few capital cities that shares its name with its state.
Standard
What is the official state bird of Oklahoma?
The Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher has a spectacular tail that can be as long as its entire body! It is sometimes called the 'Texas Bird of Paradise' for its beautiful appearance.
Standard
Which famous Oklahoma museum celebrates cowboys, Native Americans, and the history of the American West?
The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City is one of the finest museums about the American West, featuring Native American art, cowboy gear, and western film memorabilia.
Standard
In the famous 1889 Oklahoma Land Run, settlers raced into the territory to claim what?
In the Oklahoma Land Run of 1889, thousands of settlers rushed into the territory to claim free farmland. Some snuck in 'sooner' than the starting gun, which is how Oklahomans got the nickname 'Sooners.'
Standard
Oklahoma has more man-made lakes than any other US state. How many does it have?
Oklahoma has over 200 man-made lakes, more than any other state in the US! The lakes were created for water supply, flood control, and recreation.
Standard
Oklahoma is known as the Sooner State. What were 'Sooners' in Oklahoma history?
In the famous 1889 Oklahoma Land Rush, some settlers sneaked into the territory 'sooner' than the starting gun to claim the best land. Oklahomans came to use the nickname with pride.
Standard
Oklahoma is one of the top US states for producing which valuable natural resource?
Oklahoma is a major producer of natural gas and oil. Petroleum has shaped Oklahoma's economy since the first major oil discovery at Tulsa in 1901.
Standard
Oklahoma is home to many Native American nations. Which infamous trail of forced relocation brought many of these tribes to Oklahoma?
The Trail of Tears in the 1830s was the forced removal of the Cherokee and other tribes from their southeastern homelands to what is now Oklahoma. The journey was incredibly difficult, and many people did not survive. Today, Oklahoma is home to 39 federally recognized tribal nations.
Standard
What is the highest point in Oklahoma?
Black Mesa at 4,973 feet is Oklahoma's highest point, located in the far western tip of the panhandle. It is made of ancient volcanic lava rock and dinosaur footprints have been found nearby!
Standard
True or False: Oklahoma has 39 federally recognized Native American tribes, more than nearly any other state.
True! Oklahoma is home to 39 federally recognized tribes, more than nearly any other state. Many were relocated there along the Trail of Tears in the 1830s.
Standard
Which famous American highway, known as the 'Mother Road,' runs over 400 miles through Oklahoma?
Route 66, the legendary highway from Chicago to Los Angeles, passes through more miles of Oklahoma than any other state, over 400 miles of quirky roadside attractions and small-town charm.
Standard
True or False: Oklahoma became a state in 1907, making it one of the last states admitted to the Union.
True! Oklahoma became the 46th state on November 16, 1907. Only New Mexico, Arizona, Alaska, and Hawaii were admitted later.
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
Which Oklahoma city was once known as the 'Oil Capital of the World' due to massive oil strikes in the early 1900s?
Tulsa was called the Oil Capital of the World after huge oil discoveries nearby in the early 1900s. The oil wealth built stunning Art Deco skyscrapers that still line its downtown.
Bonus Round
True or False: Oklahoma's capitol building has an active oil well on its grounds.
True! Oklahoma's state capitol is the only one in the world with an active oil well on its grounds. The well, called Petunia #1, sits right next to the building.
Bonus Round
Oklahoma sits in a region of the United States known for frequent tornadoes. What is this region commonly called?
Oklahoma is in the heart of Tornado Alley, a region of the central US where warm Gulf air meets cold Canadian air, creating ideal conditions for powerful tornadoes. Oklahoma City has been hit by more tornadoes than any other major city.
Bonus Round
Which wildlife refuge in southwestern Oklahoma was established in 1901 to help save the American bison from extinction?
The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge was one of the first places bison were reintroduced. In 1907, 15 bison were shipped from the Bronx Zoo in New York to help rebuild the wild herd.
Did You Know? (14 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 About 4 million people live in Oklahoma.
- 📅 Oklahoma became the 46th state on November 16, 1907.
- 🏛️ Oklahoma City has been the capital since 1910.
- 🌪️ Oklahoma sits in the heart of Tornado Alley.
- 🐦 The scissor-tailed flycatcher is Oklahoma's state bird.
- 🌳 The redbud is the state tree.
- 🎵 The Rodgers and Hammerstein musical 'Oklahoma!' is named after the state.
- 🪶 Oklahoma is home to 39 federally recognized tribal nations.
- 🛢️ The state was an oil boom region in the early 20th century.
- 🛣️ Route 66 famously runs through the state.
- 🌾 Oklahoma is a top wheat and beef producer.
- 🌅 Oklahoma was the destination of the Trail of Tears in the 1830s.
- 🦬 The American bison is Oklahoma's state mammal.
- 🚀 Oklahoma has produced more astronauts per capita than any state.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- The shopping cart was invented in Oklahoma City in 1937!
- Oklahoma has more man-made lakes than any other state, over 200!
- The parking meter was also invented in Oklahoma City, in 1935.
- Oklahoma's state capitol is the only one with an active oil well beneath it.
- The Sooners nickname comes from settlers who sneaked into the territory before the 1889 Land Rush.
- Oklahoma is home to 39 federally recognized Native American tribes.
- The Blue Whale of Catoosa on Route 66 is one of America's most photographed roadside attractions.
- Cimarron County in the Oklahoma panhandle borders four states, the only U.S. county to do so!
- Oklahoma has more tornadoes per square mile than anywhere else on Earth.
- The first Girl Scout cookies were sold in Muskogee, Oklahoma in 1917.
- Tulsa's Gathering Place is a 66-acre park that cost $465 million, one of the most expensive parks ever built.
- Oklahoma's state meal includes fried okra, cornbread, BBQ pork, squash, and pecan pie!
- The Oklahoma land rush of 1889 settled 2 million acres in a single day.
- Woody Guthrie, who wrote 'This Land Is Your Land,' was born in Okemah, Oklahoma.
- The world's largest collection of Western art is at the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa.
Fun Fact
Oklahoma is home to more man-made lakes than any other state in the U.S., with over 200. These lakes have been created for a variety of purposes, including water supply, recreation, and flood control. The largest of these is Lake Texoma, one of the largest reservoirs in the country, straddling the border between Oklahoma and Texas.
Oregon (OR)
The Beaver State
- Capital
- Salem
- Statehood
- February 14, 1859 (33rd state to join the Union)
- Population
- 4,272,371 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 98,379 square miles
- Highest Point
- Mount Hood at 11,249 feet
- Famous Landmark
- Crater Lake National Park
Overview
Get ready for Oregon, the Beaver State! Stretching from the rugged Pacific coastline to the high desert plateaus of the east, Oregon is a land of jaw-dropping natural beauty. Towering evergreen forests blanket the Cascade Range, where snow-capped volcanoes like Mount Hood rise above the clouds. The Columbia River Gorge carves a dramatic border with Washington, and Crater Lake, the deepest lake in the United States, fills an ancient volcanic crater with water so blue it looks unreal.
Oregon has a proud pioneer spirit. The famous Oregon Trail brought hundreds of thousands of settlers west in the 1800s, and that adventurous energy lives on today. Portland, the state's biggest city, is known for its quirky culture, incredible bookstores, and amazing food trucks. The capital, Salem, sits in the lush Willamette Valley, where farmers grow everything from hazelnuts to berries.
From tidepooling on the coast to skiing on Mount Bachelor, Oregon is a paradise for outdoor lovers. The state is also home to the world's largest living organism, a massive honey fungus stretching nearly four square miles underground. In Oregon, nature always has a surprise waiting around the next bend.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Animal [0.69, 0.64]
Beaver
Oregon is called the Beaver State because beavers shaped its history: fur traders first came to the Pacific Northwest hunting for beaver pelts. Surprise: a beaver's front teeth are orange! They have iron in them, which makes them super hard, and they sharpen themselves as the beaver chews. No animal except humans changes the land more than beavers. Their dams create wetlands where hundreds of other creatures can live.
Fruit [0.64, 0.36]
Pear
Oregon's Hood River Valley grows more pears than anywhere else in North America, earning it the title "Pear Capital of the World." The valley has everything a pear tree loves: rich volcanic soil, cool glacier water, warm days, and chilly nights. Farmers there grow Bosc, Anjou, Bartlett, and Comice pears. Many people say the Comice, first grown in France, tastes best of all, and it grows best right here in Hood River.
Mushroom [0.46, 0.48]
Pacific Golden Chanterelle
Oregon's state mushroom, the Pacific Golden Chanterelle, is a wild treasure. Mushroom hunters in Oregon gather about 500,000 pounds of them every year, more than any other state! Here's the amazing part: no one has ever figured out how to grow chanterelles on a farm. They only grow in wild forests, because they must live connected to the roots of living trees. They smell a little like apricots and are one of the most prized mushrooms in the world.
Fish [0.57, 0.56]
Chinook Salmon
The Chinook Salmon, also called the King Salmon, is Oregon's state fish and the largest Pacific salmon. Some grow to over 100 pounds! These incredible fish are born in streams, swim hundreds of miles to the Pacific Ocean, and live there for years. Then they find their way back to the exact stream where they were born, using Earth's magnetic field and their sense of smell. Oregon's Columbia River once had the biggest Chinook runs in the world, and salmon are still a huge part of Oregon life.
Raptor [0.58, 0.49]
Osprey
The Osprey is Oregon's official state raptor: a brown-and-white fish hawk with a bold black eye stripe and a wingspan up to six feet. Ospreys dive feet-first into the water from 100 feet up to grab live fish. They're the only raptor that grabs prey with both feet at once! Their toes have rough scales that grip slippery fish like Velcro, and one outer toe can even swivel backward for an extra-strong hold.
Landmarks (7 total)
🌹 Portland City of Roses [0.34, 0.38] City
Portland is Oregon's largest city, known for its quirky culture, craft coffee, indie bookstores, and stunning views of Mount Hood. The city is home to Powell's City of Books, the largest independent bookstore in the world, spanning an entire city block with over a million books. Portland's motto 'Keep Portland Weird' reflects its proudly unconventional spirit.
Fun fact: Portland is home to the smallest park in the world! Mill Ends Park is a tiny circle just two feet across in the middle of a downtown street, and it even has its own little tree.
⭐ Salem State Capital [0.30, 0.44] Capital
Salem is Oregon's capital, located in the heart of the fertile Willamette Valley. The city is surrounded by some of the best farmland in the Pacific Northwest and is a big center for farming, especially hazelnuts. Oregon grows 99% of all hazelnuts in the United States! The golden pioneer statue on top of the capitol dome is a Salem landmark.
Fun fact: Oregon's capitol building is topped with a 23-foot-tall golden pioneer statue that weighs over 8 tons. It's covered in real gold leaf!
🏃 Eugene Track Town USA [0.30, 0.53] Attraction
Eugene is home to the University of Oregon and is known as 'Track Town USA' for its deep love of running. Nike co-founder Phil Knight and legendary coach Bill Bowerman both came from Eugene. Bowerman famously poured rubber into his wife's waffle iron to create the first Nike waffle sole! The city hosted the 2022 World Athletics Championships.
Fun fact: Nike's very first shoe sole was made with a waffle iron from Bill Bowerman's kitchen in Eugene. His wife was not happy about her ruined waffle maker!
💎 Crater Lake Deepest Lake in the US [0.37, 0.63] Nature
Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States at 1,943 feet. It formed nearly 8,000 years ago when a huge volcano called Mount Mazama erupted and collapsed. No rivers flow in or out: the lake is filled only by rain and snowmelt, which gives it some of the clearest, purest water in the world. Its deep blue color looks almost unreal.
Fun fact: A full-sized tree trunk called the 'Old Man of the Lake' has been bobbing vertically in Crater Lake for over 100 years, no one knows exactly why it floats upright!
🏔️ Mount Hood Iconic Volcano [0.41, 0.40] Nature
Mount Hood is Oregon's highest peak at 11,249 feet and one of the most climbed snowy mountains in North America. This sleeping volcano can be seen from Portland on clear days. Near the top sits Timberline Lodge, a grand ski lodge built in the 1930s, and skiers can hit the slopes on the Palmer Glacier all year long!
Fun fact: Timberline Lodge was built by hundreds of workers during the Great Depression. Every piece of furniture, ironwork, and carving inside was made by hand!
⚓ Astoria End of the Oregon Trail [0.24, 0.32] Historic
Astoria sits at the mouth of the Columbia River where it meets the Pacific Ocean and is the oldest American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains, founded in 1811. Lewis and Clark spent the winter of 1805-1806 nearby at Fort Clatsop. The town is also famous as the filming location for The Goonies and has a charming Victorian downtown perched on steep hillsides.
Fun fact: The waters off Astoria are so dangerous that sailors call them the 'Graveyard of the Pacific.' Over 2,000 ships have wrecked trying to cross the Columbia River Bar!
🎿 Bend Outdoor Adventure Hub [0.39, 0.52] Attraction
Bend sits on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Range in central Oregon and has become one of the fastest-growing outdoor recreation destinations in the country. Surrounded by mountains, rivers, and high desert, Bend offers skiing at Mount Bachelor, hiking in the Deschutes National Forest, and floating down the Deschutes River through town in summer.
Fun fact: The Deschutes River runs right through downtown Bend, and thousands of people float it on inner tubes every summer. There's even a special 'float season'!
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
What is the capital city of Oregon?
Salem is Oregon's capital. Many people guess Portland, which is much bigger, but Salem has been the capital since Oregon became a state in 1859.
Standard
Which Oregon national park features the deepest lake in the United States, formed inside an ancient volcano?
Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the US at 1,943 feet deep! It formed about 7,700 years ago when a massive volcano called Mount Mazama erupted and collapsed.
Standard
What is Oregon's state flower?
The Oregon Grape is the state flower, it actually produces clusters of small yellow flowers and dark blue berries. Native people used it for medicine and dyes.
Standard
Oregon is home to the world's largest living organism, a giant honey fungus. How large is it?
A honey fungus in the Malheur National Forest in Oregon covers about 3.7 square miles underground and is estimated to be between 2,400 and 8,650 years old!
Standard
Portland, Oregon is famous for having more of which type of business per person than almost any other city in the US?
Portland is famous for its love of bookstores. Powell's City of Books in Portland is one of the largest independent bookstores in the world, filling an entire city block!
Standard
Oregon is the only US state with a two-sided state flag. What is on the back side?
Oregon's state flag has the state seal on the front and a beaver on the back, making it the only US state flag with different images on each side. The beaver is also Oregon's state animal.
Standard
Which famous trail that pioneers used to reach Oregon in covered wagons ended in the Willamette Valley?
The Oregon Trail stretched 2,170 miles from Independence, Missouri to the Willamette Valley in Oregon. Between the 1840s and 1860s, about 400,000 pioneers traveled it seeking farmland and new lives.
Standard
Oregon's Willamette Valley produces 99% of the entire U.S. supply of which nut?
Oregon's Willamette Valley produces about 99% of the U.S. hazelnut crop and over half of the world's supply. Hazelnuts (also called filberts) are a major part of Oregon's agriculture.
Standard
True or False: Oregon is nicknamed 'The Otter State.'
False! Oregon is the Beaver State, named after the beaver's role in Oregon's early fur trade. The American beaver is also Oregon's state animal.
Standard
What is the highest point in Oregon?
Mount Hood stands at 11,249 feet and is Oregon's highest peak. It is a dormant volcano visible from Portland on clear days and offers year-round skiing on its Palmer Glacier.
Standard
True or False: Crater Lake is fed entirely by rain and snowmelt, with no rivers flowing in or out.
True! Crater Lake has no rivers or streams flowing into or out of it. It is filled entirely by rain and snowmelt, which gives it some of the clearest, purest water in the world.
Standard
Which Oregon city is known as 'Track Town USA' and is home to the University of Oregon?
Eugene is called Track Town USA because of its deep connection to distance running. Nike co-founder Phil Knight and coach Bill Bowerman both came from Eugene, and the city hosted the 2022 World Athletics Championships.
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
Oregon became a state on February 14, 1859. What holiday is February 14th?
Oregon became the 33rd state on Valentine's Day! It is the only state admitted to the Union on February 14th.
Bonus Round
True or False: Oregon is one of only two states where you cannot pump your own gas at a gas station.
True! Oregon and New Jersey are the only states where self-service gas pumping is restricted. In Oregon, an attendant must pump your gas for you at most stations.
Bonus Round
Which famous shoe company was co-founded in Oregon by Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman?
Nike was founded in Eugene, Oregon in 1964 (originally called Blue Ribbon Sports). Bill Bowerman famously created the first waffle-sole running shoe using his wife's waffle iron in the kitchen!
Bonus Round
Which scenic river gorge forms the border between Oregon and Washington and is famous for its waterfalls?
The Columbia River Gorge stretches over 80 miles and features stunning cliffs, over 90 waterfalls on the Oregon side alone, and some of the best windsurfing in the world.
Did You Know? (15 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 About 4.2 million people live in Oregon.
- 📅 Oregon became the 33rd state on February 14, 1859.
- 🏛️ Salem has been the capital since 1851.
- 🌋 Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States.
- 🌲 Oregon has more national forests than any state outside Alaska.
- 🌊 The Oregon coast features 363 miles of public beaches.
- 🦫 The American beaver is Oregon's state mammal.
- 🚩 Oregon is the only state with a two-sided flag, with a beaver on the back.
- 🐦 The western meadowlark is the state bird.
- 🌳 The Douglas fir is the state tree.
- 🍓 Oregon's Willamette Valley is famous for berries and hazelnuts.
- 🐂 The Oregon Trail brought hundreds of thousands of settlers west.
- 🏄 Hood River is a world-class windsurfing destination.
- 🏔️ Mount Hood is Oregon's highest at 11,249 feet.
- 📚 Powell's in Portland is the largest used bookstore in the world.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- Oregon has more ghost towns than any other US state!
- Oregon is one of only two states where attendants pump your gas, no self-serve in most counties!
- Oregon is the only US state with a two-sided flag, a beaver is on the back!
- Multnomah Falls is 620 feet tall, one of the tallest year-round waterfalls in the US.
- Portland has more microbreweries per capita than any city in the world.
- Oregon's Painted Hills are 35 million years old and change color in the rain!
- The Oregon Vortex near Gold Hill is a mysterious spot where things appear to roll uphill.
- Thor's Well on the coast looks like a gateway to the underworld at high tide.
- Oregon produces 99% of all US-grown hazelnuts.
- Cannon Beach's Haystack Rock is home to puffin colonies every spring.
- The D River in Lincoln City is one of the shortest rivers in the world at 120 feet.
- Hells Canyon on Oregon's eastern border with Idaho is deeper than the Grand Canyon!
- Portland's Forest Park is the largest urban forest in the US at over 5,200 acres.
- Sea Lion Caves near Florence is the largest sea cave in North America.
- Oregon was the first state to have a bottle deposit recycling law in 1971.
Fun Fact
Oregon is home to the world's largest living organism, a honey fungus in the Malheur National Forest that covers about 3.7 square miles (9.6 square kilometers). This massive fungus is not only remarkable for its size but also for its age, estimated to be around 2,400 to 8,650 years old. Rather than growing upwards, it spreads out below the forest floor, decomposing tree roots and contributing to the forest ecosystem.
Pennsylvania (PA)
The Keystone State
- Capital
- Harrisburg
- Statehood
- December 12, 1787 (2nd state to join the Union)
- Population
- 13,018,639 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 46,054 square miles
- Highest Point
- Mount Davis at 3,213 feet
- Famous Landmark
- Independence Hall
Overview
Welcome to Pennsylvania, the Keystone State! Nestled in the heart of the original thirteen colonies, Pennsylvania earned its nickname because it held the young nation together like the keystone of an arch. This is where American democracy was born: the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were both written and signed in Philadelphia's Independence Hall, and the Liberty Bell still stands as a symbol of freedom.
Pennsylvania's landscape rolls from the bustling streets of Philadelphia in the east to the steel city of Pittsburgh in the west, with the beautiful Appalachian Mountains running right through the middle. The state capital, Harrisburg, sits along the Susquehanna River, and the surrounding countryside is home to the Amish community of Lancaster County, where horse-drawn buggies share the road with cars.
History is everywhere you look in Pennsylvania. The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the Civil War, and you can still walk the hallowed fields today. Pennsylvania also gave the world its first zoo, the Philadelphia Zoo, and Hershey, the sweetest place on Earth, where the air actually smells like chocolate. From cheesesteaks to covered bridges, Pennsylvania is packed with character.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Bird [0.27, 0.63]
Ruffed Grouse
Pennsylvania's state bird, the Ruffed Grouse, is famous for its "drumming." A male stands on a log and beats his wings so fast, up to 50 times per second, that the air itself makes a deep, thumping boom you can hear far through the forest. He never hits the log at all: the sound is pure wing power! Pennsylvania's forests are home to more ruffed grouse than almost anywhere in the eastern US.
Flower [0.45, 0.67]
Mountain Laurel
Pennsylvania's state flower, Mountain Laurel, has a built-in catapult! Inside each flower, tiny stalks are bent back like little springs. When a bee lands, the springs pop up and fling pollen onto the visitor. Mountain Laurel grows in thickets so thick that people can barely push through them on Pennsylvania's hillsides. One warning: every part of the plant is poisonous, even honey made from its nectar. This flower is for looking, not touching!
Dog [0.38, 0.62]
Great Dane
Pennsylvania's state dog, the Great Dane, was chosen in 1965 because Pennsylvania's founder, William Penn, loved the breed. Great Danes hold the record for the world's tallest dog: the record holder stood 44 inches at the shoulder and could rest his chin on a kitchen counter! Despite their giant size, Great Danes are famously gentle and are nicknamed "the Apollo of dogs." Surprise: they don't come from Denmark at all. They were bred in Germany!
Fossil [0.17, 0.45]
Trilobite
Pennsylvania's state fossil is a trilobite called Phacops rana, one of the most commonly found fossils in the world. These armored sea creatures lived long before the dinosaurs, and their kind roamed the oceans three times longer than dinosaurs did! Fossil hunters come from all over to search Pennsylvania's rocks for them. Strangest of all, trilobite eyes had lenses made of clear crystal, which helped them see through the murky ancient seas.
Historic Artifact [0.73, 0.68]
The Liberty Bell
The Liberty Bell, on display in Philadelphia, is famous for its crack, and nobody knows exactly how it all happened. The bell was made in London in 1752 and cracked the very first time it rang in America! It was melted down and made again, twice. Here's a surprise: it wasn't called the Liberty Bell at first. In the 1830s, people working to end slavery gave it that name, inspired by the words on the bell: "Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land."
Landmarks (7 total)
⭐ Harrisburg State Capital [0.59, 0.61] Capital
Harrisburg is Pennsylvania's capital, sitting on the banks of the Susquehanna River in the center of the state. The city played a critical role during the Civil War as a major Union military training camp and railroad hub. Its stunning State Capitol building, completed in 1906, was called 'the handsomest building I ever saw' by President Theodore Roosevelt.
Fun fact: Pennsylvania's Capitol dome was inspired by St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. It weighs 52 million pounds and is covered in green tiles!
🌉 Pittsburgh Steel City [0.20, 0.59] City
Pittsburgh sits where three rivers, the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio, come together in western Pennsylvania. Once the steel capital of the world, Pittsburgh is now a hub for technology, healthcare, and robotics. The city has 446 bridges, more than any other city in the world, earning it the nickname 'City of Bridges.'
Fun fact: Pittsburgh has more bridges than Venice, Italy! With 446 bridges spanning its three rivers and many valleys, it holds the world record for most bridges in a single city.
⚡ Scranton The Electric City [0.76, 0.42] City
Scranton is called 'The Electric City' because it was one of the first cities in America to have electric streetcars, way back in 1886. The city sits in northeastern Pennsylvania's coal country, and its coal once helped power America's factories and trains. Scranton is also famous as the setting for the TV show The Office.
Fun fact: Scranton is so proud of being the setting of The Office that there's a mural of the cast downtown, even though the show was actually filmed in California!
🔔 Philadelphia Birthplace of America [0.81, 0.68] Historic
Philadelphia is where American independence was born, the Declaration of Independence was signed here in 1776 and the Constitution was written here in 1787. The city is home to the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art with its famous 'Rocky Steps.' Philly is also known for its passionate sports fans and iconic cheesesteaks.
Fun fact: The crack in the Liberty Bell grew slowly over many years, and nobody knows exactly when it started. The bell was last rung on George Washington's birthday in 1846!
⚔️ Gettysburg Civil War Battlefield [0.52, 0.68] Historic
Gettysburg was the site of one of the most important battles of the Civil War from July 1 to 3, 1863. The Union victory here was a turning point that helped change the course of the war. A few months later, President Lincoln came to dedicate a cemetery honoring the soldiers, and delivered his famous Gettysburg Address, one of the most important speeches in American history.
Fun fact: Lincoln's Gettysburg Address was only 272 words long and took just two minutes to deliver, but it became one of the most quoted speeches in history!
🍫 Hershey Chocolate Capital [0.62, 0.59] Attraction
Hershey is the home of the Hershey chocolate empire. Milton Hershey founded the company in 1894, and beginning in 1903 the entire town was built around the chocolate factory. The street lights are shaped like Hershey's Kisses, the main streets are named Chocolate Avenue and Cocoa Avenue, and the air sometimes smells like chocolate. Hersheypark amusement park has been entertaining visitors since 1907.
Fun fact: The street lamps in Hershey are shaped like Hershey's Kisses. Some are wrapped and some are unwrapped, depending on which street you're on!
🦫 Punxsutawney Groundhog Day Capital [0.32, 0.51] Attraction
Punxsutawney is a small town in western Pennsylvania famous for its Groundhog Day celebration every February 2nd. Each year, a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil emerges from his burrow on Gobbler's Knob to predict whether there will be six more weeks of winter. The tradition dates back to 1887 and draws tens of thousands of visitors each year.
Fun fact: According to legend, there has only ever been one Punxsutawney Phil. The town says he drinks a magical 'elixir of life' that keeps him going forever, which would make him over 135 years old!
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
What is the capital city of Pennsylvania?
Harrisburg has been Pennsylvania's capital since 1812. Many people guess Philadelphia, which is bigger and more famous, but Harrisburg sits on the Susquehanna River in the center of the state.
Standard
What is the official state bird of Pennsylvania?
The Ruffed Grouse is Pennsylvania's state bird. When a male grouse wants to attract a mate, it beats its wings so fast it creates a drumming sound that can be heard from far away!
Standard
Which building in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is where both the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were signed?
Independence Hall in Philadelphia is where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776 and the US Constitution was drafted in 1787. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Standard
What is Pennsylvania's state flower?
The Mountain Laurel is Pennsylvania's state flower. Its clusters of pink and white flowers bloom in June and are especially beautiful along Pennsylvania's wooded hillsides.
Standard
The famous Liberty Bell is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. What do we know about its famous crack?
The famous crack grew gradually over many years, and nobody knows exactly when it first appeared. The Liberty Bell was last rung on George Washington's birthday in 1846.
Standard
Pennsylvania is the home of Groundhog Day, held every February 2nd in Punxsutawney. What is the name of the famous groundhog?
Punxsutawney Phil is the famous groundhog who supposedly predicts the weather! If he sees his shadow, legend says there will be 6 more weeks of winter. Thousands come to watch every year.
Standard
Pennsylvania was the second state to ratify the US Constitution. What major city hosted the Constitutional Convention in 1787?
The Constitutional Convention was held in Philadelphia in 1787, where the Founding Fathers debated and wrote the US Constitution over a hot summer. George Washington presided over the convention.
Standard
Lincoln's famous Gettysburg Address speech in 1863 was given to dedicate what at the battlefield?
Lincoln dedicated a new soldiers' cemetery at the Gettysburg battlefield on November 19, 1863. His speech was only 272 words long, but it became one of the most famous in American history.
Standard
True or False: Pennsylvania is nicknamed 'The Cornerstone State.'
False! Pennsylvania's nickname is the Keystone State, given for its central location among the original thirteen colonies and its key role in early American history.
Standard
Pittsburgh is known as the 'City of Bridges.' About how many bridges does it have?
Pittsburgh has 446 bridges, more than any other city in the world, even more than Venice, Italy! The bridges span Pittsburgh's three rivers: the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio.
Standard
True or False: The Philadelphia Zoo was the first zoo in the United States.
True! The Philadelphia Zoo opened on July 1, 1874, making it the first zoo in the United States. It was chartered in 1859 but its opening was delayed by the Civil War.
Standard
What is Pennsylvania's highest point?
Mount Davis at 3,213 feet is the highest point in Pennsylvania. It is located in Somerset County in the southwestern part of the state, within Forbes State Forest.
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
True or False: The first commercially successful oil well in the United States was drilled in Titusville, Pennsylvania in 1859.
True! Edwin Drake drilled the first commercially successful oil well near Titusville, Pennsylvania on August 27, 1859. This event launched the modern petroleum industry and changed the world forever.
Bonus Round
Which famous Pennsylvania candy company is known for making chocolate and has a town named after it where the streetlights are shaped like candy?
The Hershey Company was founded by Milton Hershey in 1894. The town of Hershey, Pennsylvania has streetlights shaped like Hershey's Kisses and the air often smells like chocolate!
Bonus Round
Which famous brand of crayons has been made in Easton, Pennsylvania since 1903?
Crayola crayons have been made in Easton, Pennsylvania since 1903. The factory there has produced over 200 billion crayons, and the company invented the famous yellow-and-green box too!
Bonus Round
Which famous Pennsylvanian is known for his experiments with electricity, including flying a kite in a thunderstorm?
Benjamin Franklin lived in Philadelphia and is famous for his electricity experiments, including flying a kite in a thunderstorm to prove that lightning was electrical. He also helped write the Declaration of Independence!
Did You Know? (14 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 About 13 million people live in Pennsylvania.
- 📅 Pennsylvania became the 2nd state on December 12, 1787.
- 🏛️ Harrisburg has been the capital since 1812.
- 📜 The Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia in 1776.
- 🔔 The Liberty Bell hangs in Philadelphia's historic district.
- 🍫 Hershey, PA is nicknamed 'the sweetest place on Earth.'
- 🐦 The ruffed grouse is Pennsylvania's state bird.
- 🌳 The hemlock is the state tree.
- 🥨 The pretzel was popularized in Pennsylvania in the 1700s.
- 🚂 Pittsburgh was once the steel capital of the world.
- 🏔️ The Allegheny Mountains run through Pennsylvania.
- 📚 Benjamin Franklin founded the first U.S. lending library here.
- 🌉 Pennsylvania has the most covered bridges of any state.
- 🎓 Penn State and Pitt have one of the great college football rivalries.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- The first computer (ENIAC) was built in Philadelphia in 1946!
- The smiley face emoticon :-) was invented at Carnegie Mellon University.
- Pennsylvania has more covered bridges than any other state, over 200!
- The first baseball World Series was played in Pittsburgh in 1903.
- Philadelphia's Wanamaker organ is the largest fully functioning pipe organ in the world.
- The first volunteer fire department was started by Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia.
- Pennsylvania's state cookie is the chocolate chip cookie.
- Hershey, PA has streetlights shaped like Hershey's Kisses!
- The banana split was invented in Latrobe, Pennsylvania in 1904.
- Pennsylvania is the only original colony not bordered by the Atlantic Ocean.
- Philadelphia was the US capital before Washington, DC, from 1790 to 1800.
- The Appalachian Trail runs through 229 miles of Pennsylvania.
- Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood was filmed in Pittsburgh for over 30 years.
- The first daily newspaper in America was published in Philadelphia in 1784.
- Centralia, PA has an underground coal fire that's been burning since 1962!
Fun Fact
Pennsylvania is home to the first zoo in the United States. The Philadelphia Zoo opened its doors on July 1, 1874, with a mission to advance discovery, conservation, and education about wildlife. This historic institution was chartered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on March 21, 1859, but its opening was delayed by the Civil War.
Rhode Island (RI)
The Ocean State
- Capital
- Providence
- Statehood
- May 29, 1790 (13th state to join the Union)
- Population
- 1,097,379 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 1,214 square miles
- Highest Point
- Jerimoth Hill at 812 feet
- Famous Landmark
- The Breakers Mansion
Overview
There's nowhere quite like Rhode Island, the Ocean State! Do not let its tiny size fool you: Rhode Island is the smallest state in the entire country, but it is absolutely bursting with history, charm, and over 400 miles of stunning coastline. You could drive across the whole state in less than an hour, yet there is more to discover here than you might imagine.
Rhode Island was founded in 1636 by Roger Williams, who believed everyone should be free to worship however they chose. That spirit of independence made it one of the first colonies to declare freedom from Britain. The capital, Providence, is a lively city known for its world-class restaurants, beautiful WaterFire art installations, and the Rhode Island School of Design, one of the top art schools in the country.
Newport is famous for its jaw-dropping Gilded Age mansions, where America's wealthiest families once spent their summers in palaces overlooking the sea. Today you can tour these incredible homes and walk the breathtaking Cliff Walk. Block Island, a short ferry ride offshore, is a peaceful getaway with rolling green bluffs and lighthouses. Rhode Island proves that the best things really do come in small packages.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Shell [0.55, 0.54]
Quahog
The Quahog is Rhode Island’s state shell and its most famous clam: it’s the star of New England clam chowder and the classic Rhode Island clambake. Long ago, the Narragansett people carved quahog shells into wampum beads for trading and for beautiful ceremonial belts. And here’s a record-breaker: the oldest animal ever found was an ocean quahog clam that lived 507 years! Scientists named it "Ming" because it was born while the Ming Dynasty ruled China.
Tree [0.50, 0.71]
Red Maple
Rhode Island’s state tree, the Red Maple, is the most common tree in eastern North America. It earns its name four times a year: red buds in late winter, red flowers in early spring, red winged seeds in summer, and blazing red-orange leaves in fall. Red maples are the first trees to bloom each spring, sometimes flowering while snow is still on the ground. That makes them a lifesaver for hungry honeybees waking up from winter. And they can grow almost anywhere, from soggy swamps to dry hilltops!
Boat [0.65, 0.53]
Sailboat
Rhode Island’s state boat is the Sailboat, honoring Newport, the sailing capital of America. From 1930 to 1983, Newport hosted the America’s Cup, the oldest trophy in international sports. The city’s calm, sheltered harbor is one of the best places to sail on the whole East Coast. Rhode Island’s coastline zigzags in and out so much that the state has 400 miles of shoreline, even though it’s smaller than Los Angeles County!
Summer Tradition [0.58, 0.43]
Del’s Lemonade
Del’s Frozen Lemonade has been a Rhode Island favorite since 1948, when Angelo DeLucia opened his first stand in Providence using his grandfather’s Italian recipe. It’s not a slushie! It’s a thick, icy mix of crushed ice and real lemon pulp, sometimes with a seed or two still inside. For many Rhode Islanders, summer doesn’t truly start until they spot the yellow Del’s trucks near the beaches of Narragansett Bay.
Animal [0.63, 0.68]
Harbor Seal
Harbor Seals are a familiar sight along Rhode Island’s rocky coast and in Narragansett Bay, where they climb onto rocks and sandbars to nap in the sun. These curious sea mammals can dive 500 feet deep and hold their breath for nearly 30 minutes! The best seal watching is in winter, when seals swim south from Maine and Canada to Rhode Island’s warmer waters. Pups are born with a fluffy white coat that they shed within a few weeks.
Landmarks (5 total)
⭐ Providence State Capital [0.56, 0.35] Capital
Providence is Rhode Island's capital and largest city, founded by Roger Williams in 1636 after he was banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony for advocating religious freedom. The city is home to Brown University, the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), and a thriving arts scene. Its WaterFire installation, bonfires lit on the city's rivers, draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
Fun fact: Providence was founded on the idea of religious freedom. Roger Williams named it 'Providence' because he believed God's providence had led him to this place of refuge!
🏰 Newport Gilded Age Mansions [0.62, 0.60] Historic
Newport is famous for its stunning Gilded Age mansions along the Cliff Walk, built as 'summer cottages' by America's wealthiest families in the late 1800s. The Breakers, built by the Vanderbilt family, has 70 rooms and cost over $7 million in 1895. Newport is also home to the International Tennis Hall of Fame and has a legendary sailing history.
Fun fact: The Vanderbilts called The Breakers a 'cottage' even though it has 70 rooms, including 33 just for servants. And they only used it about 10 weeks each summer!
🏝️ Block Island Ocean Gem [0.48, 0.79] Nature
Block Island is a small island 13 miles off the Rhode Island coast, known for its dramatic bluffs, rolling green hills, and pristine beaches. The Nature Conservancy has called it one of the 'Last Great Places' in the Western Hemisphere. The island has no chain stores or traffic lights, and nearly half of it is protected conservation land.
Fun fact: Block Island has over 300 freshwater ponds, and the whole island is only 10 square miles. That's more ponds per square mile than almost anywhere else on Earth!
🏖️ Westerly Beach Town [0.34, 0.72] Nature
Westerly sits in the southwestern corner of Rhode Island and is home to some of the state's most beautiful beaches, including Misquamicut State Beach. The town was once famous for its granite quarries, which produced stone used in buildings across the country. Today it is a charming seaside community with a vibrant downtown and stunning ocean views.
Fun fact: Westerly granite was so prized that it was used to build the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. and many other famous buildings across America!
🏮 Beavertail Lighthouse One of America's Oldest Lights [0.57, 0.61] Historic
Beavertail Lighthouse, on the rocky southern tip of Conanicut Island, has guided ships into Narragansett Bay since 1749, making it one of the oldest lighthouses in the United States. Crashing waves, tide pools, and panoramic ocean views surround the historic tower.
Fun fact: Beavertail was only the third lighthouse ever built in colonial America, after Boston Light and Brant Point.
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
What is the capital city of Rhode Island?
Providence has been Rhode Island's capital since 1900. It was founded in 1636 by Roger Williams, who was expelled from Massachusetts for his religious beliefs and wanted to create a place of religious freedom.
Standard
Which enormous Gilded Age mansion in Newport, Rhode Island was built by the Vanderbilt family in 1895?
The Breakers in Newport was built for Cornelius Vanderbilt II and has 70 rooms! It was considered a 'summer cottage' by the incredibly wealthy Vanderbilt family.
Standard
Rhode Island is the smallest state in the US. How big is it?
Rhode Island covers just 1,214 square miles, you could fit 425 Rhode Islands inside Alaska! Despite its tiny size, it was one of the original 13 colonies and had a big impact on American history.
Standard
What is Rhode Island's state flower?
The Violet is Rhode Island's state flower. These cheerful purple flowers bloom in lawns and woodlands all over the state every spring.
Standard
Rhode Island was the first colony to declare independence from Britain and the last of the original 13 to ratify the Constitution. What number state was it?
Rhode Island was the 13th and last of the original colonies to ratify the US Constitution on May 29, 1790. It held out until it was sure the Bill of Rights would protect individual freedoms.
Standard
Rhode Island is nicknamed 'The Ocean State.' How much of the state is water?
About 14% of Rhode Island is covered by water, Narragansett Bay cuts deep into the state. Rhode Island has 400 miles of coastline despite being the smallest state!
Standard
Rhode Island has a funny full official name. What is it?
Rhode Island's full official name is 'State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations', the longest official state name in the US! In 2020 voters shortened it to just 'Rhode Island.'
Standard
The famous Newport Jazz Festival, one of America's oldest and most celebrated music festivals, is held in Rhode Island. In what year did it start?
The Newport Jazz Festival began in 1954 and helped launch the careers of jazz legends like Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and Miles Davis. It is still held every year in Newport.
Standard
True or False: Rhode Island, despite its name, is not actually an island.
True! Rhode Island is not an island. The name originally referred to Aquidneck Island in Narragansett Bay, but the state itself is on the mainland of New England.
Standard
Who founded Providence, Rhode Island in 1636 after being banished from Massachusetts?
Roger Williams founded Providence in 1636 as a place of religious freedom after being expelled from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He named it Providence because he believed God had guided him there.
Standard
True or False: Rhode Island's highest point, Jerimoth Hill, is only 812 feet above sea level.
True! Jerimoth Hill at 812 feet is the lowest high point of any state in New England. It is so unimpressive that for years the biggest challenge of reaching it was getting past a grumpy landowner who blocked the trail!
Standard
Block Island, off the coast of Rhode Island, has been called one of the 'Last Great Places' by which conservation group?
The Nature Conservancy named Block Island one of the 'Last Great Places' in the Western Hemisphere because nearly half the island is protected conservation land with beautiful bluffs and wildlife.
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
Rhode Island played a key role in the American Industrial Revolution. What type of factory was built in Pawtucket in 1793?
Slater Mill in Pawtucket, Rhode Island was the first successful water-powered cotton spinning factory in America. It helped launch the American Industrial Revolution!
Bonus Round
True or False: The oldest continuously operating tavern in America, the White Horse Tavern, is located in Newport, Rhode Island.
True! The White Horse Tavern in Newport has been serving customers since 1673, making it the oldest operating tavern in America. It is a National Historic Landmark.
Bonus Round
Which famous Rhode Island art school, located in Providence, is one of the top art and design colleges in the world?
The Rhode Island School of Design (RISD, pronounced 'RIZ-dee') in Providence is one of the most prestigious art and design schools in the world, founded in 1877.
Bonus Round
What is the name of the magical art event in Providence where bonfires are lit on the city's rivers?
WaterFire is a beloved art installation in downtown Providence where nearly 100 bonfires are lit on the surface of the city's three rivers, creating a magical atmosphere with music and performances.
Did You Know? (16 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 About 1.1 million people live in Rhode Island.
- 📏 Rhode Island is the smallest state in the U.S. by area.
- 📅 Rhode Island was the 13th and last colony to ratify the Constitution.
- 🏛️ Providence has been Rhode Island's capital since 1900.
- 🌊 Rhode Island has 400 miles of coastline despite its small size.
- 💧 About 14% of Rhode Island is covered in water, the highest share of any state.
- 🎺 The Newport Jazz Festival has been held in Rhode Island since 1954.
- 🐔 The Rhode Island Red is the state bird.
- 🌹 The violet is Rhode Island's state flower.
- ⚓ Newport was a top colonial-era seaport.
- 🏰 Newport's Gilded Age mansions are open to visitors today.
- 🎓 Brown University in Providence is an Ivy League school.
- 🦞 Rhode Island is famous for clam chowder, especially the clear-broth style.
- 🌅 Rhode Island officially declared independence on May 4, 1776.
- 📜 Rhode Island was founded by Roger Williams in 1636.
- 🛥️ The America's Cup sailing race was held in Newport for decades.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- Rhode Island's official state drink is coffee milk!
- RI has more doughnut shops per capita than any other state.
- The first circus in America was held in Newport in 1774.
- Rhode Island never held a constitutional convention, it governed under its royal charter until 1843!
- The Mr. Potato Head toy was invented in Pawtucket, RI.
- Rhode Island has no county government, it's one of only two states without it.
- The first open golf tournament in the US was played in Newport in 1895.
- Providence has the world's widest bridge, at 1,147 feet across!
- RI's official state appetizer is calamari.
- George M. Cohan, who wrote 'Yankee Doodle Dandy,' was born in Providence.
- Rhode Island was the first colony to declare independence from Britain, two months before July 4th!
- The Touro Synagogue in Newport is the oldest synagogue in America, built in 1763.
- Rhode Island banned slavery in 1652, one of the earliest anti-slavery laws in the colonies.
- Benefit Street in Providence is called the 'Mile of History' with over 200 colonial homes.
- RI's state rock is Cumberlandite, found nowhere else on Earth!
Fun Fact
Rhode Island, despite its name, is not actually an island. It's known for until-recently having the longest official state name: "State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations." The name dates back to a merger in 1644 of four Colonial settlements, including two on what is now called Aquidneck Island, which was referred to at the time as Rhode Island.
South Carolina (SC)
The Palmetto State
- Capital
- Columbia
- Statehood
- May 23, 1788 (8th state to join the Union)
- Population
- 5,478,831 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 32,020 square miles
- Highest Point
- Sassafras Mountain at 3,560 feet
- Famous Landmark
- Fort Sumter
Overview
Step into South Carolina, the Palmetto State! Named for the tough palmetto palm tree that helped defend Fort Moultrie during the Revolutionary War, South Carolina is a state where history and natural beauty go hand in hand. From the misty Blue Ridge Mountains in the northwest to the sandy beaches of Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head Island along the coast, there is something for everyone.
South Carolina was the eighth state to join the Union, and it has been at the center of American history ever since. Charleston, one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in the South, is famous for its cobblestone streets, rainbow-colored houses, and incredible food. Fort Sumter, sitting in Charleston Harbor, is where the first shots of the Civil War were fired in 1861. The state also hosted more battles during the American Revolution than any other colony.
The capital city, Columbia, sits right in the middle of the state and is home to the University of South Carolina. South Carolina's Lowcountry region is filled with mysterious moss-draped live oaks, tidal marshes, and the unique Gullah Geechee culture, which preserves traditions brought from West Africa centuries ago. Whether you are exploring a historic plantation or catching waves at the beach, South Carolina is full of Southern charm and surprises.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Bird [0.40, 0.40]
Carolina Wren
South Carolina's state bird, the Carolina Wren, is one of the loudest birds in North America for its size. Its song can reach 90 decibels: as loud as a lawnmower! It's smaller than a sparrow, but it sings so powerfully that birdwatchers often think a much bigger bird is nearby. Here's something rare: female Carolina Wrens sing too. Pairs even sing duets, trading phrases so perfectly it sounds like a single bird.
Insect [0.53, 0.44]
Carolina Mantid
South Carolina's state insect, the Carolina Mantid, is the only mantis native to the eastern United States. It's a camouflage master. It can sit perfectly still on bark or leaves for hours, waiting. When an insect wanders too close, the mantid's front legs snap out faster than your eye can follow! One egg case can hold up to 400 eggs. Gardeners love mantids because they gobble up the pests that eat garden plants.
Tree [0.71, 0.44]
Sabal Palmetto
South Carolina is called the Palmetto State thanks to a famous battle in 1776. Colonel William Moultrie's fort was built from palmetto logs, and when British warships fired on it, the spongy palm wood soaked up the cannonballs instead of shattering! The tough little palm tree became a symbol of Carolina strength. You can spot it on South Carolina's flag, license plates, and quarter. Enslaved people first wove palmetto fronds into hats and baskets, a craft tradition that continues today.
Fruit [0.56, 0.52]
Peach
Despite Georgia being called the Peach State, South Carolina actually produces more peaches, making it the top peach-producing state east of the Mississippi. SC grows around 40% of the East Coast's peaches, with the Upstate region around Gaffney being the heart of production. The Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway (SC-11) winds through orchards that turn pink with blossom every spring. Gaffney even built a landmark water tower in the shape of a giant peach, visible from I-85 and nicknamed "The Peachoid."
Cultural Tradition [0.67, 0.59]
Sweetgrass Baskets
Sweetgrass basket weaving is one of the oldest African American art forms in the United States. Enslaved West Africans from Sierra Leone and Senegal brought the skill to South Carolina in the 1600s, and the first coiled baskets were used to separate rice from its husks on plantations. The baskets are woven from sweetgrass, bulrush, pine needles, and palmetto leaf. Today, Gullah Geechee artists near Charleston still make them by hand. A single basket can take weeks to finish!
Landmarks (5 total)
⭐ Columbia State Capital [0.48, 0.47] Capital
Columbia is South Carolina's capital and largest city, located right in the center of the state where the Broad and Saluda Rivers meet to form the Congaree River. The city is home to the University of South Carolina and the South Carolina State House, which still bears brass stars marking where Sherman's cannons struck it during the Civil War.
Fun fact: Columbia stays one of the hottest U.S. capitals in summer. Locals nicknamed it 'Famously Hot,' with July highs averaging in the mid-90s!
🏛️ Charleston Holy City [0.61, 0.64] Historic
Charleston is one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in America, founded in 1670. Known as the 'Holy City' for its many church steeples, Charleston's historic district is filled with pastel-colored mansions, cobblestone streets, and iron gates. The first shots of the Civil War were fired at Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor on April 12, 1861.
Fun fact: Charleston's 'Rainbow Row' is a famous stretch of 13 colorful historic houses. It's the longest row of Georgian houses in the United States!
🌊 Greenville Upstate Gem [0.33, 0.38] City
Greenville sits at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains in upstate South Carolina and has transformed from a textile mill town into one of the South's most vibrant cities. Its stunning Falls Park on the Reedy features a 40-foot waterfall right in the heart of downtown, spanned by a unique curved suspension bridge that offers spectacular views.
Fun fact: Greenville's Liberty Bridge is a curved suspension bridge with no supports holding it up from below. It seems to float in mid-air over the 40-foot waterfall!
🏖️ Myrtle Beach Grand Strand [0.74, 0.51] Nature
Myrtle Beach is the heart of the Grand Strand, a 60-mile stretch of sandy beaches along South Carolina's northern coast. It's one of the most popular vacation spots on the East Coast, drawing over 20 million visitors a year. There's the beach, the boardwalk, amusement parks, and over 80 golf courses: more than almost anywhere else in the country!
Fun fact: Myrtle Beach has been called the 'Mini-Golf Capital of the World.' There are over 50 mini-golf courses packed into the Grand Strand area!
🏝️ Hilton Head Island Low Country Island Retreat [0.52, 0.71] Nature
Hilton Head is a foot-shaped barrier island on South Carolina's Atlantic coast, famous for its 12 miles of sandy beaches, salt marshes, and protected forests. Loggerhead sea turtles nest on its shores every summer, and bottlenose dolphins are a common sight in the surrounding creeks.
Fun fact: Hilton Head has more than 50 miles of bike paths. It's one of the most bikeable islands in America!
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
What is the capital city of South Carolina?
Columbia is South Carolina's capital and largest city, located in the center of the state. It is home to the University of South Carolina Gamecocks.
Standard
What is the official state bird of South Carolina?
The Carolina Wren is a tiny but incredibly loud bird, its 'teakettle-teakettle-teakettle' song can be heard from far away. It stays in South Carolina year-round, even in winter.
Standard
The first shots of the Civil War were fired at which South Carolina fort in 1861?
Confederate forces attacked Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor on April 12, 1861, starting the Civil War. The fort's garrison surrendered after 34 hours of bombardment.
Standard
What is South Carolina's state flower?
The Yellow Jessamine is South Carolina's state flower. This fragrant yellow vine blooms in late winter and early spring, and its cheerful flowers signal the end of cold weather.
Standard
South Carolina is famous for growing which crop, once the most profitable in the colonial era?
Colonial South Carolina became very wealthy growing rice and indigo (used to make blue dye). Charleston became one of the richest cities in colonial America because of these crops.
Standard
Which South Carolina beach town is one of the most popular vacation spots on the East Coast?
Myrtle Beach is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the US, with over 14 miles of beach, around 100 golf courses, and attractions that draw 20 million visitors a year!
Standard
South Carolina hosted more Revolutionary War battles than any other state. Which 1781 battle was a major American victory?
The Battle of Cowpens (January 17, 1781) was a brilliant American victory where General Daniel Morgan's forces defeated a British force in just about an hour. It was a major turning point in the Southern Campaign.
Standard
South Carolina's nickname is 'The Palmetto State.' What is a palmetto?
The Sabal Palmetto is a type of palm tree that grows along South Carolina's coast. During the Revolutionary War, a fort built of palmetto logs absorbed British cannonballs without breaking, making the palmetto a symbol of South Carolina's toughness!
Standard
True or False: South Carolina was the 8th state to join the Union.
True! South Carolina ratified the US Constitution on May 23, 1788, becoming the 8th state to join the Union. It was one of the original thirteen colonies.
Standard
What is the highest point in South Carolina?
Sassafras Mountain at 3,560 feet is the highest point in South Carolina, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains in the northwestern corner of the state.
Standard
Charleston is known as the 'Holy City.' Why does it have this nickname?
Charleston earned the nickname 'Holy City' because of the many prominent church steeples that dot its skyline. The city was also founded on principles of religious tolerance.
Standard
True or False: The Gullah Geechee culture in South Carolina's Lowcountry preserves traditions brought from West Africa.
True! The Gullah Geechee people have preserved African languages, crafts, food, and traditions for centuries in the Lowcountry and Sea Islands of South Carolina and Georgia.
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
What famous colorful row of historic houses on a street in Charleston is a popular tourist attraction?
Rainbow Row is a famous stretch of 13 colorful Georgian row houses on East Bay Street in Charleston. They are the longest cluster of Georgian row houses in the United States!
Bonus Round
True or False: Greenville, South Carolina has a waterfall right in the middle of its downtown.
True! Falls Park on the Reedy in downtown Greenville features a stunning 40-foot waterfall spanned by the curved Liberty Bridge, a unique suspension bridge with no vertical supports.
Bonus Round
Which South Carolina island is famous for its golf courses and was the site of a famous Civil War battle where the all-Black 54th Massachusetts Regiment fought?
Morris Island near Charleston was the site of the Battle of Fort Wagner in 1863, where the 54th Massachusetts, one of the first African American regiments, made its famous charge.
Bonus Round
What popular Southern food, made from ground corn and often served at breakfast, is practically the official dish of South Carolina?
Grits are so beloved in South Carolina that the state designated them as the official state food! South Carolina hosts the World Grits Festival in St. George every year.
Did You Know? (15 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 About 5.3 million people live in South Carolina.
- 📅 South Carolina became the 8th state on May 23, 1788.
- 🌾 Colonial South Carolina grew wealthy on rice and indigo crops.
- 🏛️ Columbia has been the capital since 1786.
- 🌳 The cabbage palmetto is South Carolina's state tree.
- 🐦 The Carolina wren is the state bird.
- 🌹 The yellow jessamine is the state flower.
- 🌊 South Carolina has 187 miles of Atlantic coastline.
- 💥 The first shots of the Civil War were fired at Fort Sumter in 1861.
- 🏖️ Myrtle Beach is one of the East Coast's biggest beach destinations.
- 🍑 South Carolina is one of America's top peach producers.
- ⛳ South Carolina has over 350 golf courses.
- 🏛️ Charleston is one of America's most-visited historic cities.
- 🐬 The bottlenose dolphin is the state marine mammal.
- 📜 South Carolina was the first state to secede from the Union in 1860.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- Barbecue has been a tradition in South Carolina for over 300 years!
- The first museum in America opened in Charleston in 1773.
- South Carolina grows more peaches than Georgia some years!
- The Hunley was the first submarine to sink an enemy warship, right off Charleston in 1864.
- South Carolina has four distinct styles of BBQ sauce, mustard, vinegar, tomato, and light tomato.
- Brookgreen Gardens near Murrells Inlet is the largest outdoor sculpture garden in the US.
- The Angel Oak on Johns Island is estimated to be over 400 years old.
- South Carolina had more battles during the Revolutionary War than any other colony.
- Hilton Head Island has more than 60 miles of bike paths, more per capita than almost anywhere.
- The shag dance is South Carolina's official state dance.
- Pawleys Island is home to the Gray Man ghost, seeing him supposedly saves you from hurricanes!
- Beaufort is one of the filming locations for Forrest Gump.
- South Carolina's Congaree National Park has some of the tallest trees in the eastern US.
- The first golf course in America was built in Charleston in 1786.
- Frogmore stew (a.k.a. Lowcountry boil) was named after a community on St. Helena Island.
Fun Fact
South Carolina played a pivotal role in the American Revolution, hosting more battles than any other state. One of the most significant was the Battle of Cowpens in 1781, where American forces under Brigadier General Daniel Morgan achieved a decisive victory over British forces.
South Dakota (SD)
The Mount Rushmore State
- Capital
- Pierre
- Statehood
- November 2, 1889 (40th state to join the Union)
- Population
- 924,669 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 77,116 square miles
- Highest Point
- Black Elk Peak at 7,244 feet
- Famous Landmark
- Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Overview
Welcome to South Dakota, the Mount Rushmore State! This Great Plains gem is home to one of the most iconic landmarks in the world, the massive carved faces of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln gazing out from the granite cliffs of the Black Hills. Nearby, the even larger Crazy Horse Memorial has been under construction since 1948, honoring the legendary Lakota warrior.
South Dakota's landscape is a study in contrasts. The eastern half is covered in rolling prairies and farmland, while the western half rises into the rugged Black Hills and the otherworldly landscape of Badlands National Park, where jagged rock formations and colorful buttes look like they belong on another planet. Underground, Jewel Cave and Wind Cave are two of the longest caves in the world, filled with sparkling crystals and mysterious passages.
The state capital, Pierre, is one of the smallest and most remote state capitals in the country, sitting along the mighty Missouri River. South Dakota is also deeply connected to Native American heritage: the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota Sioux nations have called this land home for centuries. From fossil hunting in the Badlands to watching bison roam at Custer State Park, South Dakota is a place where the wide-open West still feels alive.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Animal [0.59, 0.41]
Coyote
South Dakota's state animal, the Coyote, is one of North America's great survivors. Every time people have tried to push coyotes out, the coyotes bounce back with even bigger families. They can howl, yip, and bark in more than 11 different calls, and a chorus of coyotes at night is one of the wildest sounds on the Great Plains. Coyotes are such clever survivors that they now live in every major US city, even New York and Los Angeles!
Flower [0.69, 0.64]
Pasque Flower
South Dakota's state flower, the Pasque Flower, is one of the first wildflowers to bloom on the prairie each spring. It even pushes up through late March snow! Its name comes from the French word for Easter, because it blooms around that time. The whole plant is covered in silky hairs that trap warm air, like a tiny fuzzy coat against the cold prairie wind. After the petals fall, each seed grows a feathery tail, turning the seed head into a shimmering plume.
Gemstone [0.29, 0.71]
Fairburn Agate
The Fairburn Agate is South Dakota's official state gemstone. These banded stones formed about 60 million years ago, when mineral-rich water seeped into pockets of volcanic rock and slowly hardened. Each agate has candy-colored stripes of red, orange, yellow, and white, and no two are alike. Rock hunters travel from all over the country to search for them in the Badlands and Black Hills.
Fish [0.34, 0.38]
Walleye
The Walleye is South Dakota's state fish and the most popular catch on the Great Plains. It gets its name from its big, glassy eyes, which look like they're staring at a wall. Those giant eyes are a superpower: a special mirror-like layer inside lets the walleye see in murky water and hunt at night when other fish can't. Fishers travel from across the country to catch walleye in South Dakota's big Missouri River lakes, like Lake Oahe.
Dessert [0.55, 0.56]
Kuchen
Kuchen is South Dakota's official state dessert. This German cake came to the Northern Plains with German-Russian families in the late 1800s, and you can still find it at church suppers, family reunions, and bakeries all over the state. A traditional kuchen has a soft bread-like crust filled with fruit, often peach or apple, topped with a silky baked custard. Every South Dakota family has its own recipe, and everyone thinks theirs is the best!
Landmarks (6 total)
⭐ Pierre State Capital [0.48, 0.52] Capital
Pierre is South Dakota's capital and one of the smallest state capitals in the country, home to just over 14,000 people. It sits on the Missouri River right in the middle of the state. That central spot is a big reason Pierre was picked as the capital in 1889.
Fun fact: Pierre is one of only two state capitals in the US that cannot be reached by an interstate highway. It's so remote that locals joke you have to really want to get there!
🗿 Mount Rushmore Presidential Monument [0.18, 0.59] Historic
Mount Rushmore features the 60-foot carved faces of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln on a granite mountain in the Black Hills. Sculptor Gutzon Borglum and 400 workers spent 14 years (1927-1941) blasting and carving the monument. The original plan showed the presidents from the waist up, but the money ran out before it could be finished.
Fun fact: Workers used dynamite to blast away about 450,000 tons of rock from Mount Rushmore. In fact, 90% of the carving was done with explosives, not chisels!
🏜️ Badlands National Park [0.30, 0.64] Nature
Badlands National Park is a wild landscape of jagged rock towers and striped cliffs rising straight out of the prairie. The layered rocks hold one of the richest fossil beds in the world, with ancient creatures like saber-toothed cats and three-toed horses frozen in stone. The Lakota people named this place 'mako sica,' which means 'land bad.'
Fun fact: The Badlands wear away about one inch every year. Scientists estimate that in another 500,000 years, the whole formation will be gone!
🏙️ Sioux Falls Largest City [0.86, 0.63] City
Sioux Falls is South Dakota's largest city, named after the waterfalls of the Big Sioux River that cascade over beautiful pink quartzite rock formations right in the heart of downtown. Falls Park, where the city began, features the stunning falls dropping over 100 feet. The pink quartzite stone is over 1.7 billion years old.
Fun fact: The pink quartzite at Falls Park is so hard and beautiful that it was cut into blocks to build buildings all over the Midwest. Some Sioux Falls buildings still glow pink in the sunset!
🤠 Deadwood Wild West Town [0.14, 0.54] Historic
Deadwood is a legendary Wild West town in the Black Hills where gold was discovered in 1876, two years after the first gold was found in the Black Hills, sparking a massive gold rush. Famous frontier figures like Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, and Seth Bullock all called Deadwood home. Wild Bill Hickok played his very last poker game here in 1876, holding what became known as the 'Dead Man's Hand.'
Fun fact: Wild Bill Hickok's last poker hand was two pairs, aces and eights. That card combination is still called the 'Dead Man's Hand' in poker today!
🐴 Crazy Horse Memorial Mountain Carving [0.16, 0.61] Historic
The Crazy Horse Memorial is an enormous mountain carving in progress in the Black Hills, honoring the legendary Lakota warrior Crazy Horse. When completed, it will be the largest sculpture in the world at 563 feet high and 641 feet long, dwarfing nearby Mount Rushmore. Work began in 1948 by sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski and continues today by his family.
Fun fact: The Crazy Horse Memorial is so massive that all four Mount Rushmore heads could fit inside Crazy Horse's head alone. And after more than 75 years of carving, it's still not finished!
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
What is the capital city of South Dakota?
Pierre is South Dakota's capital, pronounced 'PEER' (not 'pee-AIR' like the French name). It is one of the smallest state capitals in the US and sits on the Missouri River.
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Which famous South Dakota landmark features the faces of four US presidents carved into a granite mountain?
Mount Rushmore features the 60-foot-tall faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Sculptor Gutzon Borglum carved it between 1927 and 1941.
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What is South Dakota's state flower?
The Pasque Flower is South Dakota's state flower. It is one of the first flowers to bloom each spring, often pushing up through the last snow. Its name comes from the French word for Easter.
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When completed, the giant mountain sculpture in the Black Hills of South Dakota will be the largest in the world. Which Lakota warrior is it honoring?
The Crazy Horse Memorial honors the Lakota war leader Crazy Horse. Work began in 1948 and continues today, and when complete it will be larger than nearby Mount Rushmore!
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South Dakota's Badlands National Park features strange and beautiful eroded rock formations. What ancient creatures' fossils have been found there?
The Badlands are one of the richest fossil beds in the world! Scientists have found fossils of saber-toothed cats, three-toed horses, giant pigs, and ancient rhinoceroses there.
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The Black Hills of South Dakota are sacred to the Lakota Sioux people. What did prospectors discover there in 1874, causing a major conflict?
Gold was discovered in the Black Hills in 1874, sparking a gold rush. This violated the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty that guaranteed the Black Hills to the Lakota, leading to wars and the famous Battle of Little Bighorn.
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Jewel Cave in South Dakota is one of the longest caves in the world. What makes its walls sparkle?
Jewel Cave's walls are coated with calcite crystals that sparkle like jewels when illuminated, that is how it got its name! Over 200 miles of passages have been mapped, and explorers keep finding more.
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South Dakota is home to a large population of which iconic American animal that once roamed the Great Plains by the tens of millions?
Custer State Park in South Dakota has a herd of about 1,300 free-roaming bison, one of the largest publicly-owned herds in the world. Bison once numbered 30-60 million across North America before being hunted near to extinction.
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True or False: South Dakota was the 39th state to join the Union.
False! South Dakota was the 40th state. North Dakota and South Dakota both joined the Union on November 2, 1889, and President Harrison shuffled the order so nobody knew which signed first.
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What is South Dakota's highest point?
Black Elk Peak (formerly Harney Peak) at 7,244 feet is the highest point in South Dakota and the highest point east of the Rocky Mountains. It is located in the Black Hills.
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Sioux Falls is South Dakota's largest city. What natural feature is the city named after?
Sioux Falls is named after the beautiful waterfalls of the Big Sioux River that cascade over pink quartzite rock formations right in downtown. The pink quartzite is over 1.7 billion years old!
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True or False: Pierre, South Dakota's capital, is one of only two state capitals that cannot be reached by an interstate highway.
True! Pierre is so remote that it is one of only two US state capitals not served by an interstate highway. It sits along the Missouri River in the geographic center of the state.
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
Which famous Wild West lawman's final poker hand in Deadwood, South Dakota became known as the 'Dead Man's Hand'?
Wild Bill Hickok was a legendary frontier lawman. At his last poker game in a Deadwood saloon in 1876, he was holding two pairs, aces and eights, a card combination still known today as the 'Dead Man's Hand.'
Bonus Round
The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota is one of the largest motorcycle events in the world. About how many riders attend each year?
The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally draws around 500,000 riders to the small town of Sturgis (population 7,000) every August. It has been held annually since 1938!
Bonus Round
True or False: The sculptor who carved Mount Rushmore originally planned to show the presidents from the waist up, but ran out of money.
True! Gutzon Borglum's original design showed the presidents from the waist up, but funding ran out and the project ended in 1941. The faces alone are 60 feet tall!
Bonus Round
What is the name of the large geographic region that covers eastern South Dakota, known for its flat grasslands and farming?
Eastern South Dakota is part of the Great Plains, a vast area of flat grasslands that stretches from Texas to Canada. This region is ideal for farming wheat, corn, and soybeans.
Did You Know? (14 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 About 920,000 people live in South Dakota.
- 📅 South Dakota became the 40th state on November 2, 1889.
- 🏛️ Pierre has been the capital since statehood.
- 🗿 Mount Rushmore features four U.S. presidents carved in granite.
- 🦬 Custer State Park has one of the world's largest publicly owned bison herds.
- ⛰️ The Black Hills are sacred ground to the Lakota people.
- ⛰️ The Crazy Horse Memorial is the world's largest mountain carving in progress.
- 🌳 The Black Hills spruce is South Dakota's state tree.
- 🐦 The ring-necked pheasant is the state bird.
- 🪨 The Badlands are one of the world's richest fossil beds.
- 🌻 South Dakota is a top corn and sunflower producer.
- 🪧 Wall Drug in Wall, SD is one of America's quirkiest tourist stops.
- 🦣 Mammoth Site in Hot Springs preserves over 60 mammoth skeletons.
- 🏍️ Sturgis hosts the world's largest motorcycle rally each August, drawing around 500,000 riders.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- Mount Rushmore took 14 years to carve and cost less than $1 million!
- Sue the T. rex, the largest ever found, was discovered in South Dakota.
- The Badlands have fossils over 75 million years old.
- The Crazy Horse Memorial will be the largest sculpture in the world when finished.
- South Dakota has no state income tax.
- The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally draws nearly 500,000 riders every August.
- Wall Drug in Wall, SD started by offering free ice water to travelers in 1936.
- South Dakota's Corn Palace in Mitchell is redecorated with corn murals every year!
- Wind Cave is one of the longest caves in the world and was sacred to the Lakota people.
- Wild Bill Hickok's last poker hand in Deadwood, aces and eights, is still called the 'Dead Man's Hand.'
- South Dakota has more miles of shoreline than Florida, thanks to Missouri River reservoirs!
- The geographic center of the US (including Alaska and Hawaii) is near Belle Fourche, SD.
- Mammoth Site in Hot Springs has over 60 mammoth skeletons, the most in the Western Hemisphere.
- South Dakota's state insect is the honeybee.
- The Black Hills are older than the Alps, Himalayas, and Rocky Mountains!
Fun Fact
South Dakota is home to Jewel Cave, one of the longest caves in the world. Discovered in 1900, Jewel Cave has more than 220 miles of mapped passageways filled with calcite crystals and other formations. It's called "Jewel" because of the sparkling effect of its calcite crystals when illuminated.
Tennessee (TN)
The Volunteer State
- Capital
- Nashville
- Statehood
- June 1, 1796 (16th state to join the Union)
- Population
- 7,227,750 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 42,143 square miles
- Highest Point
- Clingmans Dome at 6,643 feet
- Famous Landmark
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Overview
Explore Tennessee, the Volunteer State! Stretching long and narrow from the Great Smoky Mountains in the east to the Mississippi River in the west, Tennessee is a state where music fills the air no matter where you go. Nashville, the state capital, is called Music City and is the worldwide home of country music, with the legendary Grand Ole Opry performing live shows since 1925.
But country is just the beginning. Memphis, on the western end of the state, is the birthplace of rock and roll and the blues. Elvis Presley made his home at Graceland, and the famous Beale Street still pulses with live music every night. Sun Records in Memphis is where Elvis, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis all got their start. Tennessee gave the world so many styles of music that you could spend weeks just visiting its legendary studios and concert halls.
Beyond the music, Tennessee is packed with natural wonders. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the entire country, with misty peaks, black bears, and endless hiking trails. The nickname Volunteer State comes from the large number of Tennesseans who bravely volunteered to fight in the War of 1812. From hot chicken in Nashville to barbecue in Memphis, Tennessee feeds your soul and your stomach.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Animal [0.29, 0.62]
Raccoon
Tennessee's state animal is the Raccoon, chosen in 1971. It honors Davy Crockett, Tennessee's famous frontiersman, who wore a coonskin cap and made the raccoon his personal symbol. Raccoons have amazingly clever front paws: they can open latches, unscrew jar lids, and even pick locks. And here's a myth-buster: raccoons don't really wash their food. Water makes their paws extra sensitive, so dipping food is how they feel what they're about to eat!
Flower [0.74, 0.50]
Iris
Tennessee's state flower, the Iris, has been the official flower since 1933. Tennessee grows more iris plants to sell than any other state, shipping them to gardens around the world. Each iris has three petals that stand up, called 'standards,' and three that droop down, called 'falls.' Both help guide bees to the flower. The word 'iris' comes from the Greek goddess of the rainbow, a perfect name for a flower that blooms in almost every color except true red.
Famous For [0.38, 0.56]
Country Music
Nashville's Music Row is the heart of country music: a neighborhood of recording studios and record companies that has made more hit songs per square mile than anywhere on Earth. The Grand Ole Opry, started in 1925, is the longest-running live radio show in American history. It launched stars like Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, and Johnny Cash. Surprise: the very first country music record was actually made in New York! But country music found its true home in Tennessee.
Amphibian [0.48, 0.61]
Tennessee Cave Salamander
Tennessee's state amphibian, the Tennessee Cave Salamander, is a rare creature that spends its whole life underwater in dark caves. It keeps its feathery gills forever, something most salamanders outgrow. Its tiny eyes barely work in the pitch-black caves, so it finds food by smell and by feeling tiny movements in the water. Tennessee has more kinds of cave animals than any other state, and this salamander is the jewel of that hidden underground world.
Insect [0.81, 0.49]
Firefly
Tennessee's state insect is the Firefly, and the Great Smoky Mountains hide one of the rarest light shows on Earth: synchronous fireflies that all flash at exactly the same time. For two weeks each June, thousands of fireflies blink together, and whole hillsides light up in waves. The only other place on Earth where fireflies sync up this perfectly is in Southeast Asia. So many people want to see it that the park holds a drawing just for the chance to watch!
Landmarks (5 total)
🎵 Nashville Music City [0.45, 0.51] Capital
Nashville is Tennessee's capital and the undisputed capital of country music. The city is home to the Grand Ole Opry, the longest-running radio show in America (since 1925), and the Country Music Hall of Fame. Broadway's famous 'Honky Tonk Highway' features live music pouring out of every bar, and Nashville's recording studios have produced countless hit songs across all genres.
Fun fact: Nashville has a full-scale replica of the Greek Parthenon in Centennial Park. It's the only full-size copy in the world, complete with a 42-foot gold statue of Athena inside!
🎸 Memphis Home of the Blues [0.19, 0.61] Cultural
Memphis sits on the bluffs of the Mississippi River and is the home of the blues and the birthplace of soul and rock and roll. Beale Street is where legends like B.B. King and Muddy Waters played, and Sun Studio is where Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis recorded their first hits. Graceland, Elvis's mansion, is the second most-visited private home in America after the White House.
Fun fact: Elvis Presley walked into Sun Studio in Memphis in 1953 and paid $4 to record two songs as a gift for his mother, and the rest is music history!
🏙️ Knoxville Gateway to the Smokies [0.65, 0.52] City
Knoxville is the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and home to the University of Tennessee. Before Tennessee became a state, Knoxville was the capital of the territory that came before it. Market Square has been the city's gathering place since 1854, and the Sunsphere, a 266-foot gold tower built for the 1982 World's Fair, is still a beloved landmark.
Fun fact: The 1982 World's Fair in Knoxville drew over 11 million visitors and left behind the famous gold Sunsphere. It even showed up in an episode of The Simpsons!
🏔️ Great Smoky Mountains Most Visited National Park [0.69, 0.55] Nature
Great Smoky Mountains National Park sits on the Tennessee-North Carolina border and is the most visited national park in America, with over 12 million visitors each year. The mountains are named for the natural fog that hangs over them like smoke. The park bursts with life: scientists have counted over 19,000 different kinds of plants and animals there, one of the highest counts anywhere in the world.
Fun fact: The 'smoke' in the Smoky Mountains is really a natural fog made by millions of trees releasing moisture into the air. The Cherokee called these mountains 'Shaconage,' meaning 'place of blue smoke'!
🚂 Chattanooga Scenic City on the Tennessee River [0.56, 0.61] City
Chattanooga sits where the Tennessee River carves a big bend around Lookout Mountain. From the mountain's cliffs, people say you can see seven states on a clear day! The city is famous for its historic choo-choo railroad depot, the Tennessee Aquarium, and an incline railway that climbs one of the steepest tracks in the world.
Fun fact: The Incline Railway up Lookout Mountain climbs at a 72.7% grade near the top, so steep you feel like you're lying on your back in the seat!
Standard Trivia (12)
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What is the capital city of Tennessee?
Nashville is Tennessee's capital and is nicknamed 'Music City' because it is the center of the country music industry. The Grand Ole Opry has broadcast live country music from Nashville since 1925.
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Which national park on the Tennessee-North Carolina border is the most visited national park in the United States?
Great Smoky Mountains National Park welcomes over 12 million visitors per year, more than any other national park. The 'smoke' in the name comes from a natural haze created by the trees.
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What is Tennessee's state flower?
The Iris is Tennessee's state flower. Tennessee is famous for its beautiful iris gardens, and the state has long been a major producer of iris bulbs sold to gardeners across the country.
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Memphis, Tennessee is called the birthplace of which hugely influential music genre?
Memphis is called the birthplace of rock and roll. Sun Studio in Memphis, founded in 1950, is where Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and B.B. King all made some of their first recordings.
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The Lorraine Motel in Memphis, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spent his final day in 1968, is now what kind of landmark?
The Lorraine Motel was preserved and turned into the National Civil Rights Museum, which welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The museum tells the full story of Dr. King's life and the civil rights movement he helped lead.
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Which Tennessee city is known as 'Music City' and is the worldwide home of country music?
Nashville, Tennessee's capital, is called Music City because it is the worldwide home of country music. The legendary Grand Ole Opry has been performing live shows there since 1925.
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Tennessee borders eight states, tied with Missouri for the most of any state. Which nearby state does Tennessee NOT border?
Tennessee shares borders with eight states: Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Missouri. South Carolina is the only nearby state Tennessee does not touch.
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The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, on the Tennessee-North Carolina border, is the most visited park in the country. Which large mammal is famously found there?
The Great Smoky Mountains are home to about 1,500 black bears, one of the largest protected bear populations in the eastern U.S. The misty blue haze that gave the mountains their name comes from chemicals released by the surrounding forest.
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True or False: Tennessee got its nickname 'The Volunteer State' because many Tennesseans volunteered to fight in the War of 1812.
True! Tennessee earned the nickname 'The Volunteer State' because of the large number of volunteer soldiers from Tennessee who fought bravely in the War of 1812 and the Mexican-American War.
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What is Tennessee's highest point?
Clingmans Dome at 6,643 feet is Tennessee's highest point. It sits on the Tennessee-North Carolina border in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and has an observation tower with panoramic views.
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True or False: Tennessee was the 16th state to join the Union in 1796.
True! Tennessee became the 16th state on June 1, 1796. It was the first state admitted to the Union after the original 13 colonies and Vermont and Kentucky.
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Nashville is called 'Music City.' Which long-running live music show has been performing there since 1925?
The Grand Ole Opry has been broadcasting live country music performances since 1925, making it the longest-running radio show in America. It has featured legends like Dolly Parton and Hank Williams.
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
Which rock and roll legend lived at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee and is known as 'The King of Rock and Roll'?
Elvis Presley lived at Graceland from 1957 until his death in 1977. Today Graceland is the second most-visited private home in America after the White House!
Bonus Round
Nashville has a full-scale replica of which ancient Greek building in its Centennial Park?
Nashville has the only full-scale replica of the Greek Parthenon in the world! Built for Tennessee's Centennial Exposition in 1897, it even has a 42-foot gold statue of the goddess Athena inside.
Bonus Round
True or False: Tennessee's famous hot chicken, a spicy fried chicken dish, originated in Nashville.
True! Nashville hot chicken was invented in the 1930s. Legend says it was created as a prank when a woman made her boyfriend's chicken extra spicy to punish him, but he loved it!
Bonus Round
What legendary music venue on Beale Street in Memphis is known as the home of the blues?
B.B. King's Blues Club on Beale Street honors the legendary blues guitarist B.B. King. Beale Street itself is a historic entertainment district where blues music has been played since the early 1900s.
Did You Know? (15 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 About 7.1 million people live in Tennessee.
- 📅 Tennessee became the 16th state on June 1, 1796.
- 🏛️ Memphis's Lorraine Motel is now the National Civil Rights Museum.
- 🏛️ Nashville has been the capital since 1843.
- 🎵 Nashville is known as the country music capital of the world.
- 🎸 Memphis is the birthplace of blues and rock 'n' roll.
- 🏞️ Great Smoky Mountains is the most-visited U.S. national park.
- 🐦 The mockingbird is Tennessee's state bird.
- 🌳 The tulip poplar is the state tree.
- 🌹 The iris is Tennessee's state flower.
- 📜 Tennessee borders 8 other states, tied with Missouri for the most of any state.
- 🎸 Elvis Presley's Graceland is in Memphis.
- 🪶 The Cherokee called this land 'Tanasi.'
- 🌊 The Tennessee River flows through the entire state.
- 🚀 Oak Ridge played a key role in the Manhattan Project.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- Mountain Dew was invented in Knoxville, Tennessee!
- Tennessee has more caves than any other state, over 10,000!
- The Great Smoky Mountains are the most visited national park in the US.
- Dolly Parton's Dollywood is the most visited tourist attraction in Tennessee.
- Nashville's full-scale Parthenon replica took 26 years to build.
- Tennessee is bordered by eight other states, tied with Missouri for the most of any state!
- The miniature golf course was invented in Chattanooga in 1927.
- FedEx is headquartered in Memphis, the airport handles more cargo than any in the US.
- The first self-service grocery store, Piggly Wiggly, opened in Memphis in 1916.
- Bristol, on the TN-VA border, is the official birthplace of country music.
- Tennessee borders 8 other states, tied with Missouri for the most of any U.S. state.
- Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga has a waterfall inside a cave, Ruby Falls!
- The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville was originally built as a church.
- Reelfoot Lake in western Tennessee was created by a massive earthquake in 1811.
- Moon Pies were invented in Chattanooga in 1917 as a coal miner's snack!
Fun Fact
Tennessee is crucial in the history of American music and is considered by many to be the birthplace of several major music genres, including blues, country, and rock and roll. Notably, Memphis is hailed as the "Home of the Blues" and the "Birthplace of Rock and Roll," while Nashville is known as "Music City" and is the epicenter of the country music industry.
Texas (TX)
The Lone Star State
- Capital
- Austin
- Statehood
- December 29, 1845 (28th state to join the Union)
- Population
- 31,290,831 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 268,596 square miles
- Highest Point
- Guadalupe Peak at 8,751 feet
- Famous Landmark
- The Alamo
Overview
Get ready for Texas, the Lone Star State! Everything really is bigger in Texas: it is the second largest state in the country, covering a whopping 268,596 square miles of deserts, prairies, forests, mountains, and Gulf Coast beaches. Before joining the United States in 1845, Texas was actually its own independent country for nearly ten years, complete with its own president and embassies in London and Paris.
Texas is a state of incredible diversity. The bustling cities of Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin are among the largest in the nation, each with its own personality. Austin, the state capital, is the live music capital of the world. San Antonio is home to the Alamo, where a small band of Texan defenders made their famous last stand in 1836. Houston is home to NASA's Johnson Space Center, where astronauts train and Mission Control guides space missions.
The landscape changes dramatically as you cross the state. East Texas has piney woods and bayous, the Hill Country blooms with fields of bluebonnets every spring, and Big Bend National Park in the west offers some of the most remote and spectacular desert scenery in America. Texas is also the top cattle-ranching state and a leader in energy production. With its proud history, enormous size, and bold spirit, Texas truly stands in a league of its own.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Large Mammal [0.34, 0.47]
Texas Longhorn
The Texas Longhorn's horns can stretch more than seven feet from tip to tip, the longest of any cattle breed in the world. Longhorns descend from cattle that Spanish explorers brought to the Americas over 400 years ago. Living wild in Texas made them tough: they can handle blazing heat, shrug off sickness, and survive on scraps of grass. By 1900 they had almost disappeared, but a rescue effort in the 1920s saved the breed.
Plant [0.43, 0.23]
Prickly Pear Cactus
Texas's state plant, the Prickly Pear Cactus, is a complete survival kit. Its pads store water. Its fruit, called tunas, can be eaten fresh or made into jelly and candy. With the spines removed, the pads themselves become a traditional food called nopales. During droughts, ranchers even burned the spines off with torches so cattle could eat the pads. That torch, called a 'pear burner,' was standard gear on every Texas ranch!
Tree [0.57, 0.46]
Pecan
The Pecan became Texas's state tree thanks to Governor James Hogg, who asked in 1906 for a pecan tree to be planted at his grave instead of a stone monument. Texas grows more pecans than any other state, over 70 million pounds in a good year! The word 'pecan' comes from an Algonquin word meaning a nut so hard you need a stone to crack it. And here's a surprise: pecans are the only major tree nut that started out in North America. All the others came from Europe or Asia.
Small Mammal [0.80, 0.49]
Armadillo
The Nine-banded Armadillo is Texas's state small mammal: an armored creature with bony plates covering its back and head. When startled, an armadillo jumps straight up into the air! Armadillos have poor eyesight but a strong sense of smell, and they can hold their breath underwater for up to six minutes to cross rivers.
State Dish [0.70, 0.71]
Chili con Carne
Texas's official state dish is Chili con Carne, which means 'peppers with meat.' It began with the Chili Queens of San Antonio, Mexican women who sold bowls of fiery stew from open-air market stalls in the 1800s. Rule number one of true Texas chili: no beans allowed! The World Championship Chili Cook-Off in Terlingua, Texas has been held since 1967, drawing cooks from around the globe. All across Texas, families and towns argue over whose recipe is the one true chili.
Landmarks (8 total)
🏜️ Palo Duro Canyon Second-Largest Canyon in the U.S. [0.40, 0.31] Nature
Stretching 120 miles long and 800 feet deep, Palo Duro Canyon is the second-largest canyon in the United States after the Grand Canyon.
Fun fact: Every summer since 1966, the outdoor musical drama 'TEXAS' has been performed on a stage carved into the canyon wall, with real horses, fireworks, and a 600-foot cliff as the backdrop.
🤠 Fort Worth Stockyards Where the West Begins [0.67, 0.46] Historic
Once the largest livestock market in the world, the Stockyards still host a twice-daily cattle drive down Exchange Avenue with genuine Texas Longhorns.
Fun fact: The Stockyards Championship Rodeo has been running every Friday and Saturday night since 1896, making it one of the longest-running rodeos in America.
🌾 Texas Hill Country Rolling Hills & Wildflowers [0.56, 0.64] Nature
This scenic region of limestone hills, spring-fed rivers, and wildflower meadows stretches across 25 counties in central Texas.
Fun fact: First Lady Lady Bird Johnson loved wildflowers and helped plant them along Texas roads. Every spring, Hill Country roadsides turn into ribbons of bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, and pink evening primrose, drawing thousands of flower tourists!
🎸 Austin Live Music Capital of the World [0.65, 0.61] Capital
Austin is the state capital and has more live music stages for its size than anywhere else in the nation. Every March, the South by Southwest festival brings more than 400,000 visitors to town!
Fun fact: Every evening from March to November, up to 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats pour out from under the Congress Avenue Bridge. It's the largest city bat colony in North America!
🏛️ The Alamo Shrine of Texas Liberty [0.61, 0.70] Historic
This former Spanish mission in San Antonio was the site of the legendary 1836 battle where roughly 200 Texian defenders held out for 13 days against thousands of Mexican troops.
Fun fact: The Alamo was originally called Misión San Antonio de Valero and was built in 1718 as a Catholic mission, not a fort. The name 'Alamo' comes from the Spanish word for cottonwood trees that lined a nearby creek.
🚀 NASA Johnson Space Center Mission Control for Human Spaceflight [0.80, 0.71] Attraction
Houston's Johnson Space Center has been the hub of human spaceflight since 1961, from Gemini and Apollo to the International Space Station.
Fun fact: The first word spoken from the Moon was 'Houston.' When Neil Armstrong landed in 1969, his first transmission was 'Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed.'
⛰️ Big Bend National Park Where the Rio Grande Bends [0.32, 0.71] Nature
Covering over 800,000 acres of Chihuahuan Desert, rugged mountains, and deep river canyons, Big Bend is one of the most remote national parks in the lower 48 states.
Fun fact: Big Bend has the least light pollution of any national park in the lower 48 states. On a clear night you can see more stars here than almost anywhere else in America, including the Milky Way in stunning detail!
🐢 Padre Island National Seashore Longest Undeveloped Barrier Island [0.67, 0.90] Nature
At 70 miles long, Padre Island is the longest wild, unbuilt barrier island in the world. Its quiet beaches give endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtles a safe place to lay their eggs.
Fun fact: On summer mornings, park rangers invite everyone to watch baby sea turtles being released at sunrise. The crowd cheers the tiny turtles all the way into the Gulf of Mexico!
Standard Trivia (12)
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What is the capital city of Texas?
Austin is the capital of Texas and one of the fastest-growing cities in the US. It is nicknamed 'The Live Music Capital of the World' and hosts the famous South by Southwest festival.
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What is the official state bird of Texas?
The Northern Mockingbird can memorize and sing over 200 different songs, it even sings at night! It is the state bird of five southern states including Texas.
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Which historic Texas mission was the site of a famous 1836 battle where defenders including Davy Crockett held out against thousands of Mexican troops?
The Battle of the Alamo lasted 13 days (February 23 to March 6, 1836). Though the small group of Texian defenders was overwhelmed by a much larger Mexican army, their courageous stand rallied Texans to fight for independence and gave the famous battle cry, 'Remember the Alamo!'
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What is Texas's state flower?
The Bluebonnet is Texas's state flower. Every spring, roadsides and fields across Texas turn brilliant blue with billions of bluebonnet wildflowers, a breathtaking sight!
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Texas is the second largest US state by area. Which state is larger?
Alaska is bigger than Texas, more than twice as big! Texas is 268,596 square miles, while Alaska is 663,267 square miles. Texas was the largest state until Alaska joined in 1959.
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Before joining the United States in 1845, Texas was an independent nation for nearly 10 years. What was it called?
The Republic of Texas existed from 1836 to 1845 after Texas won independence from Mexico. During that time Texas even sent ambassadors to Europe and had its own army, navy, and currency!
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Texas produces more of which type of energy than any other state, both from oil wells and from wind farms?
Texas leads the nation in both oil production and wind energy generation! The flat, windy plains of West Texas are perfect for wind turbines, and the state generates more wind power than the next 3 states combined.
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Which Texas city hosted the 1969 Mission Control for NASA, which guided astronauts to the Moon?
NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas was Mission Control for the Apollo Moon missions. When Apollo 13 had an emergency in 1970, astronaut Jim Lovell's famous message was 'Houston, we have a problem.'
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True or False: Texas was the 27th state to join the Union.
False! Texas became the 28th state on December 29, 1845, after nearly ten years as an independent republic.
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What is the highest point in Texas?
Guadalupe Peak at 8,751 feet is the highest point in Texas. It is located in Guadalupe Mountains National Park in far West Texas, near the New Mexico border.
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True or False: Big Bend National Park in West Texas has some of the least light pollution in the country, making it great for stargazing.
True! Big Bend National Park has the least light pollution of any national park in the lower 48 states. On a clear night, you can see the Milky Way in stunning detail.
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Which canyon in the Texas Panhandle is the second-largest canyon in the United States?
Palo Duro Canyon stretches 120 miles long and 800 feet deep, making it the second-largest canyon in the US after the Grand Canyon. It is located in the Texas Panhandle near Amarillo.
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
Which famous Texas cattle breed has horns that can span over 7 feet from tip to tip?
The Texas Longhorn is famous for its enormous horns. These hardy cattle were brought to Texas by Spanish settlers and became symbols of the Old West cattle drive era.
Bonus Round
True or False: The King Ranch in Texas is larger than the state of Rhode Island.
True! The King Ranch in South Texas covers about 825,000 acres (over 1,289 square miles), making it larger than Rhode Island's 1,214 square miles. It is one of the largest ranches in the world.
Bonus Round
Which Texas city is famous for its River Walk, a network of walkways along the San Antonio River lined with restaurants and shops?
San Antonio's River Walk (Paseo del Rio) is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Texas. The walkways wind along the San Antonio River one story below street level, lined with restaurants, shops, and hotels.
Bonus Round
Every March through November, about 1.5 million bats emerge from under a bridge in Austin. What kind of bats are they?
Mexican free-tailed bats have the largest urban bat colony in North America under the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin. Watching the nightly bat emergence has become a beloved Austin tradition!
Did You Know? (14 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 Texas has over 30 million residents, second only to California.
- 📅 Texas became the 28th state on December 29, 1845.
- 🏛️ Austin has been the capital since 1839.
- 📏 Texas is the second-largest state in area after Alaska.
- 🚀 NASA's Mission Control is in Houston.
- 🤠 Texas was its own independent republic from 1836 to 1845.
- 🐦 The mockingbird is Texas's state bird.
- 🌹 The bluebonnet is Texas's state flower.
- 🐄 Texas is the top cattle-producing state.
- 🛢️ Spindletop in 1901 launched Texas's massive oil industry.
- 🌶️ Chili was named the official state dish of Texas in 1977.
- 🏈 Texas is famous for high-school and college football culture.
- 🌵 Big Bend National Park is one of America's most remote parks.
- 🏛️ The Texas State Capitol stands 308 feet tall, taller than the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- Texas is so big that El Paso is closer to California than to Houston!
- Dr Pepper was invented in Waco, Texas in 1885.
- Texas has its own power grid, the only state not connected to the national grid.
- The word 'Texas' comes from the Caddo word 'tejas,' meaning friends.
- Texas has more farms and ranches than any other state, over 248,000!
- Bracken Cave near San Antonio is home to 20 million Mexican free-tailed bats.
- The Texas State Capitol in Austin is taller than the US Capitol in Washington, DC.
- Whole Foods started in Austin in 1980 as a small natural foods store.
- Texas produces more cotton than any other state.
- Marfa, Texas has mysterious ghost lights that have never been explained.
- The Dallas Cowboys' stadium has a video screen longer than a football field.
- Texas was its own country for nearly 10 years before joining the US.
- Galveston's 1900 hurricane was the deadliest natural disaster in US history.
- The world's first rodeo was held in Pecos, Texas in 1883.
- Texas has more species of bats than any other state, 32 different kinds!
Fun Fact
Texas is unique in that it was an independent nation before joining the United States. Known as the Republic of Texas, it existed from 1836 to 1845 after gaining independence from Mexico in the Texas Revolution. During its nearly ten years of sovereignty, Texas even established embassies in major cities such as London and Paris. This period ended when Texas opted to join the United States as the 28th state.
Utah (UT)
The Beehive State
- Capital
- Salt Lake City
- Statehood
- January 4, 1896 (45th state to join the Union)
- Population
- 3,538,904 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 84,899 square miles
- Highest Point
- Kings Peak at 13,528 feet
- Famous Landmark
- Zion National Park
Overview
Pack your bags for Utah, the Beehive State! Utah is a land of jaw-dropping natural wonders tucked between the Rocky Mountains and the Great Basin desert. From towering red rock arches to deep slot canyons and snow-capped peaks, this state has some of the most dramatic scenery on Earth. Utah is home to five incredible national parks: Arches, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef, known together as the Mighty Five.
The Great Salt Lake, the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere, sits in the northern part of the state and is so salty you can float in it without even trying. Salt Lake City, the capital, was founded in 1847 by Mormon pioneers led by Brigham Young and hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics. The city is surrounded by world-class ski resorts famous for their light, powdery snow.
Utah's beehive symbol represents the hard work and determination of its early settlers. History buffs can visit the Golden Spike National Historical Park, where the first transcontinental railroad was completed in 1869. From ancient dinosaur fossils to red rock adventures, Utah is a playground for explorers of all ages.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Animal [0.72, 0.83]
Rocky Mountain Elk
Utah's state animal is the Rocky Mountain Elk, the second-largest member of the deer family. A bull elk's antlers are the fastest-growing bones in the animal world. They can grow an inch in a single day and stretch five feet across by the end of summer. Each winter the antlers drop off, and each spring a brand-new pair starts growing. In the fall, bull elk make a wild whistling call named a bugle. It starts as a deep bellow and rises to a high squeal that echoes across the mountains.
Fruit [0.37, 0.54]
Cherry
Utah picked the Cherry as its state fruit in 1997 to honor the orchards of Utah Valley, one of the top cherry-growing spots in America. Cherry trees love Utah's sunny summers and the cool mountain water from melting snow. Towns near Provo have thrown cherry festivals since the 1800s. Sweet, sour, or baked in a pie, Utahns are proud of their cherries!
Fossil [0.29, 0.66]
Allosaurus
Utah's state fossil, Allosaurus, was the fiercest hunter of the Jurassic period. It stretched 30 feet long, about as long as a school bus, with sharp teeth and strong claws. Utah's Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry has uncovered more than 46 Allosaurus skeletons, more than anywhere else on Earth. Why did so many end up in one spot? Scientists are still puzzling it out. One idea: the dinosaurs got stuck in deep, gooey mud, like a giant prehistoric trap.
Veggie [0.51, 0.80]
Spanish Sweet Onion
Utah's state vegetable is the Spanish Sweet Onion. Most onions make your eyes water, but not this one. Utah's warm days and cool mountain nights make these onions extra sweet and mild. Some Utahns say they're mild enough to bite into like an apple! Pioneer families started growing them in the 1800s, and some of those same family farms are still growing onions today, five generations later.
Sport [0.50, 0.56]
Skiing
Skiing is Utah's official state sport, and it's easy to see why. The Wasatch Range gets some of the deepest, fluffiest powder snow on Earth. Utah's desert air is very dry, so the snowflakes stay light and never get packed and heavy. That's why Utah's license plates brag about "The Greatest Snow on Earth." In 2002, Salt Lake City hosted the Winter Olympics, and skiers from all over the world raced down Utah's famous slopes.
Landmarks (6 total)
⛷️ Park City Ski Town [0.53, 0.39] Attraction
Park City is a famous ski town high in the Wasatch Mountains. It started as a silver-mining boomtown in the 1860s. When the silver ran out, it almost became a ghost town! Instead, it turned into one of the best winter sports towns in the world, and it hosted events in the 2002 Winter Olympics. Every January, movie fans arrive for the Sundance Film Festival.
Fun fact: Park City's Main Street was once full of saloons and mining offices. Today those same old buildings hold art galleries, restaurants, and movie screenings for the Sundance Film Festival!
⭐ Salt Lake City State Capital [0.49, 0.37] Capital
Salt Lake City is Utah's capital. Mormon pioneers led by Brigham Young founded it in 1847, at the base of the Wasatch Mountains near the Great Salt Lake. The city is the headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and it hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics. World-class ski resorts sit just 30 minutes from downtown, so locals brag about 'The Greatest Snow on Earth.'
Fun fact: The Great Salt Lake can be up to 8 times saltier than the ocean. That makes floating easy! Lie back and the water holds you up, just like the famous Dead Sea.
🪨 Arches National Park Natural Stone Arches [0.70, 0.65] Nature
Arches National Park near Moab has more than 2,000 natural stone arches, more than anywhere else in the world. Water, ice, and wind carved them over millions of years. The most famous is Delicate Arch, a 52-foot giant that glows orange at sunset with snowy mountains behind it.
Fun fact: Delicate Arch is so beloved that it's on Utah's license plates! The arch is still slowly wearing away, but don't worry, scientists say it should stand for thousands of years to come.
🏜️ Zion National Park Canyon of Color [0.37, 0.80] Nature
Zion National Park's towering sandstone cliffs glow red, orange, and cream in the sunlight. The Virgin River carved the park's narrow canyon, with walls rising more than 2,000 feet. The famous Angels Landing trail climbs a skinny ridge with chains bolted into the rock to hold onto. The view from the top is unforgettable.
Fun fact: Angels Landing got its name in 1916 when a visitor joked that only an angel could land on top. Today thousands of hikers reach the top every year, holding tight to the chains!
🏔️ Bryce Canyon Hoodoo Wonderland [0.44, 0.76] Nature
Bryce Canyon is famous for its thousands of hoodoos: tall, skinny towers of red, orange, and white rock that look like a fantasy world. Surprise: Bryce Canyon isn't really a canyon! It's a row of giant bowl-shaped cliffs carved into the edge of a high plateau. The park sits above 8,000 feet and has some of the darkest night skies in North America.
Fun fact: On a clear night at Bryce Canyon you can spot over 7,500 stars. In a big city, you might only see about 2,000!
🌄 Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park [0.64, 0.84] Nature
Monument Valley sits on the Utah-Arizona border inside the Navajo Nation. Giant sandstone buttes rise hundreds of feet straight up from the desert floor. The land is sacred to the Navajo people, who care for it as a Navajo Tribal Park. You may recognize the view: these famous rocks have appeared in tons of movies and TV shows.
Fun fact: One movie director loved Monument Valley so much he filmed nine westerns there! The buttes are so famous that people around the world recognize them, even if they've never been to Utah.
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
What is the capital city of Utah?
Salt Lake City is Utah's capital, founded in 1847 by Mormon pioneers led by Brigham Young. The city sits in a valley between the Wasatch Mountains and the Great Salt Lake.
Standard
Which stunning Utah national park has red and white canyon walls carved by the Virgin River?
Zion National Park features towering walls of red and white Navajo sandstone up to 2,000 feet high. Visitors can walk the famous 'Narrows', a slot canyon through the Virgin River itself!
Standard
Which religious leader led pioneers to settle Salt Lake City, Utah in 1847?
Brigham Young led the Mormon pioneers to the Salt Lake Valley in 1847, where they founded Salt Lake City. He served as the territory's first governor and shaped Utah's early growth for decades.
Standard
Utah's Great Salt Lake is extremely salty. About how salty can it get compared to the ocean?
The Great Salt Lake can be up to 8 times saltier than the ocean, making it easy to float without even trying! Most fish cannot survive in it, but tiny brine shrimp thrive there.
Standard
Utah has five national parks, often called the 'Mighty Five.' Which park is famous for having over 2,000 natural stone arches?
Arches National Park has over 2,000 natural stone arches, the greatest concentration anywhere on Earth! The most famous, Delicate Arch, is on Utah's license plates.
Standard
Utah is nicknamed 'The Beehive State.' What does the beehive represent?
The beehive on Utah's flag and seal represents the industriousness and hard work of the Mormon pioneers who settled the territory in the 1840s. The state motto 'Industry' expresses the same idea.
Standard
A famous 'Golden Spike' was driven in Utah in 1869 to complete which major transportation achievement?
The First Transcontinental Railroad was completed at Promontory Summit, Utah on May 10, 1869, when a ceremonial golden spike joined the two rail lines. It made it possible to cross the country in days instead of months!
Standard
Utah hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics. Which city was the host city?
Salt Lake City hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics, with events also held at nearby Park City, Snowbasin, and other Utah mountain venues. Utah's deep powder snow is world-famous for skiing.
Standard
True or False: Utah joined the Union in the 1840s, soon after the first pioneers arrived.
False! Utah became the 45th state on January 4, 1896. It had been a territory for nearly 50 years before achieving statehood.
Standard
What is Utah's highest point?
Kings Peak at 13,528 feet is the highest point in Utah, located in the Uinta Mountains in the northeastern part of the state. It is named after Clarence King, the first director of the US Geological Survey.
Standard
True or False: Bryce Canyon National Park is famous for tall, thin rock spires called 'hoodoos.'
True! Bryce Canyon has thousands of colorful hoodoos, tall, thin spires of red, orange, and white rock. Despite its name, Bryce Canyon is not actually a canyon but a series of natural amphitheaters.
Standard
Monument Valley, on the Utah-Arizona border, is sacred to which Native American nation?
Monument Valley is within the Navajo Nation and is managed as a Navajo Tribal Park. Its iconic sandstone buttes have appeared in countless movies and are sacred to the Navajo people.
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
Which famous film festival, founded by Robert Redford, is held every January in Park City, Utah?
The Sundance Film Festival in Park City is the largest independent film festival in the United States. Founded by Robert Redford in 1978, it has launched the careers of many famous filmmakers.
Bonus Round
True or False: Utah's license plates feature the famous Delicate Arch from Arches National Park.
True! Delicate Arch, a 52-foot tall freestanding natural arch, is so iconic that it appears on Utah's license plates. It has become the symbol of the state.
Bonus Round
The Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah are famous for what kind of activity?
The Bonneville Salt Flats are a perfectly flat, hard salt surface where land speed records have been set since 1914. Many of the fastest cars and motorcycles in history have raced there!
Bonus Round
Utah is one of the best places in the world to find which ancient creature's fossils?
Utah is a dinosaur hotspot! Dinosaur National Monument on the Utah-Colorado border has a wall with over 1,500 dinosaur fossils visible. The state is home to many important dinosaur discovery sites.
Did You Know? (14 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 About 3.4 million people live in Utah.
- 📅 Utah became the 45th state on January 4, 1896.
- 🏛️ Salt Lake City has been the capital since 1856.
- ⛪ The Mormon pioneers settled the Salt Lake Valley in 1847.
- 🏞️ Utah has 5 national parks, more than most states.
- 🐦 The California gull is Utah's state bird.
- 🌳 The blue spruce is Utah's state tree.
- 🧂 The Great Salt Lake is the largest natural lake west of the Mississippi.
- ❄️ Utah claims to have 'the greatest snow on Earth' for skiing.
- 🚂 The transcontinental railroad was completed at Promontory Summit in 1869.
- 🪨 Bryce Canyon has the highest concentration of hoodoos on Earth.
- 🪨 Arches National Park has over 2,000 natural stone arches.
- 🦖 Dinosaur National Monument straddles Utah and Colorado.
- 🎿 Park City and Deer Valley are world-class ski resorts.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- Jell-O is Utah's official state snack!
- Rainbow Bridge is the world's largest natural stone bridge.
- Utah has five national parks, more than most states!
- The world's first KFC restaurant opened in Salt Lake City in 1952.
- Utah's name comes from the Ute people, meaning 'people of the mountains.'
- The Spiral Jetty art installation sits in the Great Salt Lake and disappears underwater for years at a time.
- Utah has the youngest average population in the US.
- Goblin Valley's mushroom-shaped rock formations look like they're from another planet.
- The town of Green River, Utah hosts an annual melon festival, their cantaloupes are famous!
- Dead Horse Point overlooks a 2,000-foot canyon drop with one of the most photographed views in the West.
- Utah's snow is called 'The Greatest Snow on Earth', it's on the license plates.
- Newspaper Rock near Canyonlands has over 650 ancient petroglyphs.
- The Sundance Film Festival in Park City is the largest independent film festival in the US.
- Utah was the first place in the U.S. where women voted in a general election, in 1870!
- The Great Salt Lake is the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere.
Fun Fact
Utah's Great Salt Lake is the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere and is the remnant of the prehistoric Lake Bonneville, which once covered much of western Utah. The lake can be up to 8 times saltier than the ocean, so most types of fish cannot live in it. However, this high salinity makes it easy for people to float, providing a unique swimming experience.
Vermont (VT)
The Green Mountain State
- Capital
- Montpelier
- Statehood
- March 4, 1791 (14th state to join the Union)
- Population
- 648,493 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 9,616 square miles
- Highest Point
- Mount Mansfield at 4,393 feet
- Famous Landmark
- Ben & Jerry's Factory
Overview
Say hello to Vermont, the Green Mountain State! Tucked into the northeast corner of the United States, Vermont is a small state with a big personality. The Green Mountains run right down the middle of the state, blanketed in forests that explode with brilliant reds, oranges, and golds every autumn, making Vermont one of the most beautiful places in the country during fall foliage season.
Vermont is famous for producing more maple syrup than any other state, about 40 percent of the entire country's supply. Every spring, farmers tap sugar maple trees and boil the sap into delicious syrup, carrying on a tradition that goes back centuries. Vermont is also the home of Ben & Jerry's ice cream, which started in a renovated gas station in Burlington back in 1978.
Before joining the Union as the 14th state in 1791, Vermont was actually its own independent republic with its own money and postal service. It was also the first place in North America to outlaw slavery. With its covered bridges, dairy farms, cozy small towns, and the Long Trail (the oldest long-distance hiking trail in America), Vermont is a state where nature and history come together in the most charming way.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Flower [0.44, 0.77]
Red Clover
Vermont's state flower, the Red Clover, was chosen in 1894 to honor the farmers who built the state. Red clover has a secret power: tiny helpers living on its roots turn air into natural plant food, making the soil richer wherever it grows. Vermont farmers have planted it for centuries to feed dairy cows and bring tired fields back to life. Honeybees love the blossoms too, and clover honey is a golden treat all over New England.
Tree [0.40, 0.62]
Sugar Maple
Vermont's Sugar Maple is the tree behind the state's famous maple syrup. Vermont makes more maple syrup than any other state, about 40 percent of the whole country's supply! It takes 40 gallons of sap, boiled for hours, to make just one gallon of syrup. In autumn, sugar maples put on one of the best fall color shows of any tree on Earth, drawing hundreds of thousands of 'leaf peepers' every October. One tree can be tapped for over 100 years, often by the same family for generations.
Bird [0.35, 0.49]
Hermit Thrush
Vermont's state bird, the Hermit Thrush, sings what many people call the most beautiful song of any North American bird: a haunting, flute-like spiral of notes. Its secret? A special voice box with two sides, so it can sing two notes at the same time! Famous poets have written about its song. But don't expect to spot one easily. The Hermit Thrush is shy and likes to hide deep in the forest.
Famous Export [0.43, 0.24]
Maple Syrup
Vermont makes more maple syrup than any other state, about 2 million gallons in a good year! Sap only flows when freezing nights swing into warm days. That temperature swing pushes the sap up through the tree like a natural pump. This special time is called sugaring season, and it lasts just 4 to 6 weeks from late February into April. Native Americans taught European settlers how to make syrup. The Abenaki people called maple sugar 'sinzibuckwud,' meaning 'drawn from wood,' and used it as food and medicine long before colonists arrived.
Pie [0.37, 0.40]
Apple Pie
Vermont made Apple Pie its state pie in 1999, but with a playful rule attached. Lawmakers declared that a true Vermont apple pie should be served with a glass of cold milk, a slab of cheddar cheese, or a big scoop of vanilla ice cream! Vermont is one of New England's top apple growers, and locals say its sharp cheddar cheese is the perfect partner for a slice of tart, sweet apple pie.
Landmarks (5 total)
🏛️ Montpelier State Capital [0.51, 0.40] Capital
Montpelier is the smallest state capital in the United States by population, with only about 8,000 residents. Nestled in the Green Mountains along the Winooski River, its tree-lined downtown still feels more like a village than a capital city. The gold-domed Vermont State House, built of Vermont granite, is one of the oldest and best-preserved state capitols in the country.
Fun fact: Montpelier is so small you can walk from one end of downtown to the other in about 10 minutes, passing the gold-domed State House on the way!
🏙️ Burlington Queen City [0.40, 0.33] City
Burlington is Vermont's largest city, perched on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain with stunning views of the Adirondack Mountains across the water. Despite being the biggest city in the state, it has only about 45,000 people. Church Street Marketplace, a vibrant pedestrian mall, is the heart of downtown and is lined with locally owned shops, restaurants, and street performers.
Fun fact: Ben & Jerry's ice cream was founded in Burlington in 1978 in a renovated gas station. Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield learned to make ice cream from a $5 class they took by mail from Penn State!
⛷️ Stowe Ski Capital of the East [0.46, 0.32] Attraction
Stowe is a picturesque village nestled at the base of Mount Mansfield, Vermont's highest peak at 4,393 feet. The town has been a premier ski destination since the 1930s and is home to the famous Stowe Mountain Resort. The Trapp Family Lodge, founded by the real von Trapp family of 'Sound of Music' fame, sits on 2,500 acres overlooking the village.
Fun fact: The actual von Trapp family from 'The Sound of Music' settled in Stowe after fleeing Austria. Their lodge is still run by the family today and offers cross-country skiing and Austrian-style dining!
🗽 Bennington Birthplace of Vermont [0.37, 0.74] Historic
Bennington in southwestern Vermont is home to the Bennington Battle Monument, a 306-foot stone tower honoring the 1777 Battle of Bennington in the Revolutionary War. The American victory here helped turn the tide of the war. The town is also home to Bennington College, and the countryside around it is dotted with historic covered bridges.
Fun fact: The Bennington Battle Monument is the tallest structure in Vermont. An elevator takes visitors to the top for panoramic views of three states: Vermont, Massachusetts, and New York!
🎿 Killington Beast of the East [0.46, 0.55] Attraction
Killington is the largest ski resort in eastern North America, with 155 trails spread across six peaks in the Green Mountains. The resort's highest point, Killington Peak at 4,215 feet, offers panoramic views spanning five states and Canada on clear days. Killington pioneered snowmaking technology and typically has the longest ski season in the East, sometimes opening in October.
Fun fact: Killington once got so upset about taxes that the town voted to leave Vermont and join New Hampshire! They voted for it more than once, but it never actually happened.
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
What is the capital city of Vermont?
Montpelier is the smallest US state capital by population. Fewer than 8,000 people live there, and the gold-domed State House is built from Vermont granite quarried just down the road.
Standard
What is the official state bird of Vermont?
The Hermit Thrush has one of the most beautiful songs of any North American bird, a series of haunting, flute-like spiraling notes. Vermont chose it as the state bird in 1941.
Standard
Which famous ice cream company has its factory and free tours in Waterbury, Vermont?
Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream was started in Burlington, Vermont in 1978 by two friends in a renovated gas station. Their factory in Waterbury offers tours and has a 'flavor graveyard' for retired ice cream flavors!
Standard
What is Vermont's state flower?
Red Clover is Vermont's state flower. This common wildflower blooms in purple-pink clusters in Vermont's fields and meadows and is also important food for bees and other pollinators.
Standard
Vermont's state animal is a horse breed that got its start in Randolph, Vermont in 1789. What is it called?
The Morgan horse is Vermont's state animal and one of the first horse breeds developed in the United States. Every Morgan alive today traces back to a single stallion named Figure, who belonged to a Vermont schoolteacher named Justin Morgan.
Standard
What do Vermont sugarmakers call the short late-winter window when sap flows and they harvest it from the trees?
Sugaring Season runs about four to six weeks from late February into April. Sap only flows when freezing nights swing into above-freezing days, and the whole state shifts into producing syrup.
Standard
Vermont was the 14th state to join the Union in 1791. Before that, what was it?
Vermont was actually an independent republic called the Vermont Republic from 1777 to 1791. It issued its own currency, ran its own postal service, and was the first place in North America to outlaw adult slavery.
Standard
Vermont's Green Mountains run down the length of the state. Which famous long-distance hiking trail follows these mountains?
The Long Trail runs 273 miles along Vermont's Green Mountains from Massachusetts to Canada. Completed in 1930, it is the oldest long-distance hiking trail in the United States.
Standard
True or False: Vermont was the first state to ban billboards along its highways.
True! Vermont banned billboards in 1968 to protect its mountain views and rural roadsides. Drivers see hand-painted directional signs instead, and the law has stayed in place ever since.
Standard
What is Vermont's highest point?
Mount Mansfield at 4,393 feet is Vermont's highest peak. It is home to Stowe Mountain Resort and from certain angles, its ridgeline looks like the profile of a human face!
Standard
About what percentage of Vermont is covered in forests?
About 75% of Vermont is covered in forests, one of the highest ratios in the country. This is why it is called the 'Green Mountain State' and why its fall foliage is so spectacular!
Standard
True or False: Vermont was the first place in North America to outlaw adult slavery.
True! The Vermont Republic outlawed adult slavery in its 1777 constitution, making it the first place in North America to ban the practice, nearly a century before the Civil War ended slavery nationwide.
Bonus Trivia (5)
Bonus Round
Vermont is famous for its beautiful fall foliage. Why do the leaves turn red, orange, and yellow in autumn?
In autumn, shorter days cause trees to stop making green chlorophyll. As the green fades, the yellow and orange pigments that were always in the leaves are revealed, while red pigments are newly created from trapped sugars.
Bonus Round
Which famous family from 'The Sound of Music' settled in Stowe, Vermont and opened a lodge there?
The real von Trapp family from 'The Sound of Music' fled Austria during World War II and settled in Stowe, Vermont. Their Trapp Family Lodge still operates today, run by their descendants!
Bonus Round
How many gallons of maple sap does it take to make one gallon of maple syrup?
It takes approximately 40 gallons of maple sap to make just one gallon of maple syrup! The sap is mostly water and must be boiled for hours to concentrate the sugars into syrup.
Bonus Round
True or False: Vermont has more covered bridges per square mile than any other state.
True! Vermont has over 100 covered bridges, giving it the highest concentration of covered bridges per square mile in the country. The oldest dates back to 1870.
Bonus Round
Which Vermont ski resort is the largest in eastern North America and is nicknamed 'The Beast of the East'?
Killington has 155 trails across six peaks and is the largest ski resort in eastern North America. It typically has the longest ski season in the East, sometimes opening in October!
Did You Know? (18 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 Vermont has about 647,000 residents, the second-smallest population in the country.
- 🌲 About 75% of Vermont is covered in forest, one of the highest ratios in the U.S.
- 🏛️ Montpelier is the smallest state capital in America by population.
- ⭐ Before joining the U.S., Vermont was its own independent republic for 14 years.
- 🍁 Vermont produces more maple syrup than any other state.
- 🐄 Vermont has more cows per capita than nearly any other state.
- 🚫 Vermont has no billboards. They have been banned since 1968.
- 🍦 Ben & Jerry's started in a Burlington gas station in 1978.
- 🎶 The Von Trapp family from The Sound of Music settled in Stowe, Vermont.
- 🏔️ Mount Mansfield is Vermont's highest peak at 4,393 feet.
- 🥾 The Long Trail is the oldest long-distance hiking trail in America.
- 🐎 The Morgan horse, Vermont's state animal, originated in Randolph in 1789.
- 🧀 Cabot has been making cheddar in Vermont since 1919.
- 🌉 Vermont has more covered bridges per square mile than any other state.
- 📚 Rudyard Kipling wrote parts of The Jungle Book while living in Brattleboro.
- ❄️ Killington has the longest ski season in the eastern U.S.
- 🪨 The Barre granite quarries in Vermont are the largest in the world.
- 📜 Vermont was the first state in North America to outlaw adult slavery, in 1777.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- Ben & Jerry's started in a renovated gas station in Burlington for $12,000!
- Vermont was an independent republic for 14 years before joining the US.
- There are more cows per capita in Vermont than almost any other state.
- Vermont has no billboards. They have been banned since 1968!
- The first US patent was granted to a Vermonter for making potash in 1790.
- The Morgan horse, Vermont's state animal, was first bred in Randolph in 1789.
- Cabot Creamery has been making cheddar cheese in Vermont since 1919.
- Vermont produces over 50 million taps' worth of maple syrup per year!
- The Sound of Music's real Von Trapp family settled in Stowe, Vermont.
- Vermont was the 14th state, the first to join after the original 13 colonies.
- Lake Champlain is rumored to have its own monster, 'Champ.'
- Vermont has the smallest state capital by population, about 8,000 people.
- Rudyard Kipling wrote The Jungle Book while living in Brattleboro, Vermont.
- Vermont's granite quarries in Barre are the largest in the world.
- The Morgan horse breed originated in Vermont, it's the state animal!
Fun Fact
Vermont is the largest producer of maple syrup in the United States, contributing to about 40% of the country's total production. Each spring, the state's sugar maples are tapped for sap, which is then boiled down to create pure maple syrup. This process is a cherished tradition in Vermont, involving local communities and families, and celebrates the state's deep connection to its natural landscape.
Virginia (VA)
The Old Dominion
- Capital
- Richmond
- Statehood
- June 25, 1788 (10th state to join the Union)
- Population
- 8,811,195 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 42,774 square miles
- Highest Point
- Mount Rogers at 5,729 feet
- Famous Landmark
- Colonial Williamsburg
Overview
Meet Virginia, the Old Dominion! Virginia is one of the most historically important states in the entire country. It was the site of Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in America, founded way back in 1607. Virginia is also called the Mother of Presidents because eight U.S. presidents were born here, more than any other state, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison.
Virginia's geography is wonderfully diverse. In the east, you will find the sandy beaches of Virginia Beach along the Atlantic Ocean and the great Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in North America. Moving west, rolling green farmland gives way to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley, where the famous Skyline Drive offers breathtaking views of endless mountain ridges.
History comes alive at places like Colonial Williamsburg, where costumed interpreters recreate life in the 1700s, and Mount Vernon, George Washington's beloved home on the Potomac River. Today, Virginia is also a center for technology and government, with the Pentagon and many federal agencies located just across the river from Washington, D.C. From its colonial roots to its modern energy, Virginia is a state that shaped the nation.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
State Flower & Tree [0.70, 0.47]
American Dogwood
Virginia's state flower and tree, the American Dogwood, puts on one of the most beautiful spring shows in the eastern US. Here's a trick: those four white 'petals' aren't petals at all! They're special leaves surrounding the real flowers, a tiny yellow-green cluster in the center. Dogwood wood is incredibly hard, so people once used it to make golf club heads, piano keys, and butcher's blocks, jobs that needed wood that just wouldn't wear out.
Dog [0.55, 0.45]
American Foxhound
Virginia's state dog, the American Foxhound, is one of the oldest American dog breeds. It began with English hounds brought to Virginia in 1650, and George Washington himself helped shape the breed. He kept a pack of 36 foxhounds at Mount Vernon and even mixed in French hounds sent as a gift from his friend Lafayette! The American Foxhound has an amazing nose: it can follow a scent trail that is 12 hours old.
Bat [0.28, 0.65]
Virginia Big-eared Bat
Virginia's state bat, the Virginia Big-eared Bat, is one of the rarest bats in North America. It lives in just a handful of caves in Virginia and a few nearby states. Its huge ears, over an inch long, work like super-antennas, helping it find insects in total darkness by listening to echoes of its own squeaks. Only a few thousand of these bats are left in the whole world, so every cave where they sleep is carefully protected.
Shell [0.77, 0.59]
Eastern Oyster
Virginia's state shell, the Eastern Oyster, once built reefs in the Chesapeake Bay so huge that colonists' ships crashed into them! Oysters are the bay's cleanup crew: one adult oyster can filter 50 gallons of water a day. Long ago there were so many oysters that they cleaned the entire bay every three days. People took too many oysters over the years, so today Virginia is raising billions of baby oysters to rebuild the reefs, the biggest oyster comeback project in the world.
Insect [0.46, 0.57]
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail is Virginia's official state insect: a large yellow butterfly with bold black tiger stripes and long tails on its back wings. Males are bright yellow, but many females are black, copying the look of a poisonous butterfly that birds avoid. They sip nectar from blossoms in spring meadows and woodlands across the state.
Landmarks (5 total)
⭐ Richmond State Capital [0.70, 0.57] Capital
Richmond is Virginia's capital and was the capital of the Confederacy during the Civil War. The city sits on the James River and has a rich history spanning over 400 years. Today Richmond is known for its vibrant arts scene, world-class restaurants, and the stunning Virginia State Capitol designed by Thomas Jefferson, modeled after an ancient Roman temple.
Fun fact: Thomas Jefferson designed Virginia's State Capitol to look like a Roman temple he saw in France. It was one of the first buildings in America built in that ancient style!
🏖️ Virginia Beach Resort City [0.83, 0.65] Nature
Virginia Beach is Virginia's largest city and home to a 3-mile oceanfront boardwalk along the Atlantic Ocean. It sits at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, where the bay meets the ocean. The city is also home to a large Navy base and the First Landing State Park, marking the spot where English colonists first set foot in America in 1607.
Fun fact: Virginia Beach's boardwalk has a famous statue of King Neptune that stands 34 feet tall and weighs 12 tons. He watches over the beach like a giant bronze lifeguard!
🏛️ Charlottesville Jefferson's Home [0.62, 0.55] Historic
Charlottesville is home to Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's mountaintop plantation, and the University of Virginia, which Jefferson designed and founded. Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The city sits in the rolling foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Fun fact: Thomas Jefferson designed every building at the University of Virginia and even chose the books for the library. He called the university his proudest achievement, even more than being president!
🇺🇸 Arlington National Cemetery [0.69, 0.40] Historic
Arlington sits just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. and is home to Arlington National Cemetery, the Pentagon, and the Iwo Jima Memorial. Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place of over 400,000 service members and notable Americans, including President John F. Kennedy, whose grave features an eternal flame.
Fun fact: The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington has been guarded 24 hours a day, every single day, since 1937. Guards walk exactly 21 steps, pause 21 seconds, then turn and repeat!
🏔️ Shenandoah National Park [0.61, 0.50] Nature
Shenandoah National Park stretches along the Blue Ridge Mountains in western Virginia and is famous for Skyline Drive, a 105-mile scenic road that runs along the crest of the mountains. The park offers stunning views of the Shenandoah Valley below, with over 500 miles of hiking trails including a section of the Appalachian Trail. In autumn, the mountains explode with brilliant fall colors.
Fun fact: Shenandoah has more black bears per square mile than Yellowstone! Over 300 bears roam the park, but they are so shy that most visitors never see one.
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
What is the capital city of Virginia?
Richmond has been Virginia's capital since 1780. During the Civil War, it also served as the capital of the Confederacy, making it the target of major Union military campaigns.
Standard
Which famous living history museum in Virginia recreates life in an 18th-century colonial town?
Colonial Williamsburg recreates the colonial capital of Virginia with costumed interpreters, restored buildings, and working trades. It is one of the most popular history museums in the United States.
Standard
Monticello, the famous mountaintop home near Charlottesville, Virginia, was designed and built by which U.S. president?
Thomas Jefferson designed Monticello himself and worked on the home for more than 40 years. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the back of the U.S. nickel features its iconic dome.
Standard
Virginia is called the 'Mother of Presidents' because more presidents were born there than in any other state. How many presidents came from Virginia?
Eight presidents were born in Virginia, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor, and Woodrow Wilson.
Standard
Where was the first permanent English settlement in America, founded in Virginia in 1607?
Jamestown, founded in 1607 along the James River, was the first permanent English settlement in America. The colonists faced huge hardships, only about 60 of the original 500 settlers survived the first two years.
Standard
Which Virginia home was the plantation and residence of President George Washington?
Mount Vernon, on the banks of the Potomac River, was George Washington's home for 45 years. You can still visit today, it looks almost exactly as it did when Washington lived there.
Standard
The Pentagon, the headquarters of the US Department of Defense, is located just outside Washington D.C. in which Virginia city?
The Pentagon is in Arlington, Virginia. Built in just 16 months during World War II, it is one of the largest office buildings in the world with about 23,000 employees and 17 miles of hallways!
Standard
Which Virginia beach city is famous for its long oceanfront boardwalk and is the largest city in the state?
Virginia Beach is the largest city in Virginia by population and has a 3-mile oceanfront boardwalk along the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the most popular beach destinations on the East Coast.
Standard
True or False: Virginia was the 10th state to join the Union.
True! Virginia ratified the US Constitution on June 25, 1788, becoming the 10th state to join the Union. It was one of the most important of the original thirteen colonies.
Standard
What is Virginia's highest point?
Mount Rogers at 5,729 feet is the highest point in Virginia. It is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains in the southwestern part of the state and is home to wild ponies!
Standard
Which scenic drive in Virginia runs 105 miles along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Shenandoah National Park?
Skyline Drive runs 105 miles along the Blue Ridge Mountains in Shenandoah National Park, offering stunning views of the Shenandoah Valley below. It is especially beautiful during fall foliage season.
Standard
True or False: The Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in North America, borders Virginia.
True! The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in North America and borders Virginia to the east. It is famous for its blue crabs, oysters, and vital role in the region's ecology and economy.
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
Which Virginia president designed and founded the University of Virginia in Charlottesville?
Thomas Jefferson designed every building at the University of Virginia and selected its curriculum. He considered it his proudest achievement, even more than serving as president!
Bonus Round
True or False: Arlington National Cemetery has been guarded 24 hours a day, 365 days a year since 1937.
True! The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery has been continuously guarded since 1937. Guards walk exactly 21 steps, pause for 21 seconds, then turn and repeat.
Bonus Round
What famous natural bridge in Virginia was once owned by Thomas Jefferson?
Natural Bridge in Virginia is a 215-foot limestone arch that was once owned by Thomas Jefferson, who called it 'the most sublime of Nature's works.' It is now a Virginia state park.
Bonus Round
Which Civil War battle in Virginia in 1865 led to General Robert E. Lee's surrender, effectively ending the Civil War?
General Lee surrendered to General Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia on April 9, 1865, effectively ending the Civil War after four years of fighting.
Did You Know? (14 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 About 8.7 million people live in Virginia.
- 📅 Virginia became the 10th state on June 25, 1788.
- 🏛️ Richmond has been the capital since 1780.
- 🏛️ Eight U.S. presidents were born in Virginia, more than any other state.
- 📜 Jamestown, founded in 1607, was the first permanent English settlement.
- 🐦 The cardinal is Virginia's state bird.
- 🌹 The American dogwood is the state flower and tree.
- 📜 The Civil War's Battle of Appomattox ended in Virginia in 1865.
- 🏞️ The Blue Ridge Parkway runs along Virginia's Appalachians.
- 🌊 Virginia's coastline includes 5,000 miles of tidal shoreline.
- 📚 Edgar Allan Poe lived and worked in Richmond.
- 🎓 The University of Virginia was founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819.
- 🥜 Virginia peanuts are the largest peanuts in the world.
- 🐎 Virginia is famous for its horse country in Loudoun County.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- Eight US presidents were born in Virginia, more than any other state!
- ARPA, the agency that funded the birth of the internet in 1969, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.
- Virginia is home to the world's largest naval base, Naval Station Norfolk.
- The CIA headquarters is in Langley, Virginia.
- Virginia's Luray Caverns has an organ that makes music by tapping stalactites!
- Chincoteague Island is famous for its annual wild pony swim across the channel.
- Virginia has more historic landmarks than any other state.
- The first peanuts grown in America were cultivated in Virginia.
- George Washington's Mount Vernon estate draws over a million visitors per year.
- Virginia's state beverage is milk!
- The town of Tangier Island in Chesapeake Bay still speaks with an Elizabethan-era accent.
- Virginia was named after Queen Elizabeth I, the 'Virgin Queen.'
- The first Thanksgiving in America may have actually been in Virginia in 1619, not Plymouth!
- Foamhenge in Natural Bridge is a full-size Stonehenge replica made of styrofoam.
- Virginia's ham from Smithfield has been cured there since the 1600s.
Fun Fact
Virginia is known as the "Mother of Presidents" because it is the birthplace of eight U.S. Presidents, more than any other state. These Presidents include George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor, and Woodrow Wilson.
Washington (WA)
The Evergreen State
- Capital
- Olympia
- Statehood
- November 11, 1889 (42nd state to join the Union)
- Population
- 7,958,180 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 71,362 square miles
- Highest Point
- Mount Rainier at 14,411 feet
- Famous Landmark
- Space Needle
Overview
Step into Washington, the Evergreen State! Located in the Pacific Northwest corner of the country, Washington is a state of stunning contrasts. The western half is lush and green, blanketed in towering evergreen forests and fed by rain from the Pacific Ocean. The eastern half is surprisingly dry, with rolling wheat fields and sunny valleys perfect for growing apples. Washington produces more apples than any other state in America.
The Cascade Range splits the state in two, and its crown jewel is Mount Rainier, an active volcano that stands 14,411 feet tall and is visible from Seattle on a clear day. Speaking of Seattle, this vibrant city is home to the iconic Space Needle, the first Starbucks coffee shop, and tech giants Microsoft and Amazon. But do not forget Olympia, the much smaller state capital at the southern tip of Puget Sound.
Washington's natural wonders include the misty rainforests of Olympic National Park, the dramatic aftermath of Mount St. Helens' 1980 eruption, and hundreds of islands in the San Juan archipelago where you can spot orca whales. From coffee culture to volcanic peaks, Washington is a state where innovation meets wild, untamed nature.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Mammal [0.33, 0.26]
Olympic Marmot
The Olympic Marmot lives nowhere else on Earth. After the last Ice Age, these big, friendly ground squirrels were stranded on the Olympic Peninsula, cut off by Puget Sound and the Pacific Ocean. They live in high mountain meadows and sleep for seven to eight months a year: the longest hibernation of any Washington animal! Marmots warn each other of danger with loud alarm whistles, which earned them the nickname "whistler."
Bird [0.60, 0.28]
American Goldfinch
The American Goldfinch is one of the last songbirds to build a nest each year. It waits until mid-summer, when thistle plants go to seed, then weaves the fluffy thistle down so tightly its nest can hold water! Males are brilliant yellow in summer but turn dull olive in winter, so they look like a totally different bird. Surprise: goldfinches are vegetarians. Unlike most songbirds, they skip the bugs and feed their chicks seeds instead.
Fish [0.81, 0.35]
Steelhead Trout
Here's a fish with a secret: a Steelhead Trout is actually the same species as a Rainbow Trout! The difference is the journey. A steelhead swims all the way to the ocean and back, and the trip transforms it into a shiny silver fish that can weigh more than 20 pounds. Some steelhead swim hundreds of miles inland, all the way into Idaho. The Columbia River once had the greatest steelhead run in the world, and people are working hard today to help the fish thrive again.
Marine Mammal [0.39, 0.33]
Orca
The Orca is the top hunter of the world's oceans: no animal hunts an adult orca. The orcas of Puget Sound speak their own "language" of clicks and calls that no other orca group on Earth uses, and parents teach it to their babies, just like people teach their kids to talk. Each orca family even has its own special greeting ceremony for when groups meet up again!
Fruit [0.50, 0.33]
Apple
Washington grows about 60% of all apples in the United States: over 10 billion apples a year! Most come from the Wenatchee and Yakima valleys east of the Cascades, where volcanic soil, bright sun, and cool nights make apples extra sweet and crunchy. Washington growers helped launch some of the most famous apples ever, including the Honeycrisp, the Cosmic Crisp, and the Opal.
Landmarks (7 total)
🏛️ Olympia State Capital [0.29, 0.55] Capital
Olympia has been Washington's capital since 1853, back when Washington was still a territory. This small city sits at the southern tip of Puget Sound. Its capitol building has a stone dome 287 feet tall: the tallest dome of its kind in North America!
Fun fact: Olympia is one of the smallest state capitals in the U.S., with only about 55,000 people. Nearby Tacoma and Seattle are both much bigger!
🏙️ Seattle The Emerald City [0.35, 0.46] City
Seattle is Washington's largest city and home to tech giants like Amazon and Microsoft. Its most famous sight is the Space Needle, built for the 1962 World's Fair. The city is also known for Pike Place Market, one of the oldest farmers' markets in America, and for its music scene: grunge rock was born here in the early 1990s.
Fun fact: Despite its rainy reputation, Seattle actually gets less rain each year than New York City, Miami, and Houston. It just drizzles more often!
🏔️ Mount Rainier Tallest Peak in WA [0.41, 0.58] Nature
Mount Rainier stands 14,411 feet tall, the giant of the Cascades. This active volcano wears 25 major glaciers: more ice than all the other Cascade volcanoes combined! The mountain is so huge it makes its own weather, and on clear days you can see it from over 100 miles away.
Fun fact: Locals just call it 'The Mountain.' When someone in Seattle says 'The Mountain is out,' it means Rainier is peeking through the clouds. That's always a special occasion!
🌸 Spokane Lilac City [0.85, 0.45] City
Spokane is Washington's second-largest city, located in the eastern part of the state near the Idaho border. The city hosted Expo '74, the first environmentally themed World's Fair, which transformed the downtown area around Spokane Falls. Today, Riverfront Park built on the former Expo site is the city's centerpiece.
Fun fact: Spokane hosts the world's largest timed running race, the Bloomsday Run, every May, attracting over 40,000 runners through downtown!
🌲 Olympic National Park Rainforest & Coast [0.19, 0.45] Nature
Olympic National Park protects nearly a million acres of amazing places: temperate rainforests that get 12 feet of rain a year, wild Pacific beaches, and icy mountain glaciers. The Hoh Rain Forest is one of the largest temperate rainforests in the U.S. Its moss-draped trees grow over 300 feet tall!
Fun fact: The Hoh Rain Forest is one of the quietest places in the entire United States. Scientists have measured sound there as low as 10 decibels: quieter than a whisper!
🌋 Mount St. Helens Active Volcano [0.36, 0.68] Nature
On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted in the most powerful volcanic blast in U.S. history. The explosion blew 1,300 feet off the top of the mountain, set off the largest landslide ever recorded, and dropped ash on 11 states. Today, visitors to the volcano can watch the land slowly coming back to life.
Fun fact: The blast flattened 230 square miles of forest in minutes, but within just a few years, wildflowers and tiny trees began growing back, and elk returned before scientists expected!
🚧 Grand Coulee Dam Largest US Dam [0.69, 0.42] Historic
Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River is the largest hydroelectric dam in the United States and one of the biggest concrete structures in the world. Built during the Great Depression, it stands 550 feet tall and stretches nearly a mile across. It makes enough electricity to power over two million homes, and it waters over 600,000 acres of farmland too.
Fun fact: Grand Coulee Dam contains enough concrete to build a sidewalk around the entire Earth. Twice!
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
What is the capital city of Washington?
Olympia is Washington's capital, located at the southern end of Puget Sound. Many people guess Seattle, which is much larger, but Olympia has been the capital since 1853.
Standard
What is the official state bird of Washington?
The American Goldfinch (also called Willow Goldfinch) is Washington's state bird. The male turns bright yellow in summer. Washington is also home to large populations of Bald Eagles.
Standard
Which famous Seattle landmark was built for the 1962 World's Fair and has a rotating restaurant at the top?
The Space Needle was built in just 13 months for the 1962 World's Fair and stands 605 feet tall. Its restaurant at 500 feet rotates once per hour so diners see views in every direction!
Standard
What is Washington's state flower?
The Coast Rhododendron is Washington's state flower. These large shrubs produce stunning clusters of pink-purple flowers and grow wild in Washington's coastal forests.
Standard
Washington produces about 60% of all apples grown in the United States. Which region of the state has the most apple orchards?
The Yakima Valley and Wenatchee Valley in central Washington have ideal conditions for apple growing, sunny days, cool nights, and rich volcanic soil. Washington apples are shipped all over the world.
Standard
Mount Rainier, the highest peak in Washington, is an active volcano. How tall is it?
Mount Rainier stands 14,411 feet and is considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the US. It can be seen from Seattle on clear days and is capped year-round with over 25 glaciers.
Standard
Which famous tech companies were founded in Washington state?
Microsoft (founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in 1975) and Amazon (founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994) both started in Washington state and grew into two of the most valuable companies in the world.
Standard
Washington's Mount St. Helens erupted violently in 1980. What happened during the eruption?
On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens exploded with the force of a nuclear bomb, blowing off the top 1,300 feet of the mountain and sending ash across the US. It was the deadliest volcanic event in US history.
Standard
True or False: Washington was the 45th state to join the Union.
False! Washington became the 42nd state on November 11, 1889. It was named after George Washington, the first president of the United States.
Standard
Which national park on the Olympic Peninsula has temperate rainforests that receive up to 12 feet of rain per year?
Olympic National Park on the Olympic Peninsula protects temperate rainforests, rugged coastline, and alpine glaciers. The Hoh Rain Forest is one of the largest temperate rainforests in the US.
Standard
True or False: The Cascade Range splits Washington into a wet western half and a dry eastern half.
True! The Cascade Range acts as a wall that blocks Pacific moisture. Western Washington is lush and rainy, while eastern Washington is dry with sunny valleys perfect for farming.
Standard
Which large dam on the Columbia River in Washington is the biggest hydroelectric dam in the United States?
Grand Coulee Dam is the largest hydroelectric dam in the US. It stands 550 feet tall and generates enough electricity to power over two million homes while irrigating 600,000 acres of farmland.
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
Which famous coffee company opened its very first store at Pike Place Market in Seattle in 1971?
Starbucks opened its first store at Pike Place Market in Seattle in 1971. The original store is still open today and has the original logo on its sign. Seattle is now famous worldwide for its coffee culture!
Bonus Round
True or False: Despite Seattle's rainy reputation, it actually gets less annual rainfall than New York City.
True! Seattle gets about 37 inches of rain per year, while New York gets about 50 inches. Seattle just drizzles more frequently, giving it its rainy reputation!
Bonus Round
Which marine mammals can visitors spot in the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington?
The San Juan Islands are one of the best places in the world to see orca (killer) whales in the wild. A resident pod of orcas lives in the waters around the islands year-round.
Bonus Round
What music genre, featuring bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam, was born in Seattle in the early 1990s?
Grunge music exploded out of Seattle in the early 1990s with bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains. It changed rock music and fashion around the world!
Did You Know? (15 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 About 7.8 million people live in Washington.
- 📅 Washington became the 42nd state on November 11, 1889.
- 🏛️ Olympia has been the capital since 1853.
- 🏔️ Mount Rainier at 14,411 feet is the tallest in the Cascade Range.
- 🌋 Mount St. Helens famously erupted in May 1980.
- ☕ Starbucks was founded in Seattle in 1971.
- 💻 Microsoft and Amazon are headquartered in the Seattle area.
- 🍎 Washington grows more apples than any other state.
- 🐦 The American Goldfinch is Washington's state bird.
- 🌸 The Coast Rhododendron is Washington's state flower.
- 🌳 The western hemlock is the state tree.
- 🌧️ Olympic National Park has temperate rainforests and Pacific beaches.
- 🚢 Washington has the largest U.S. ferry system.
- 🌅 Washington is the only state named after a U.S. president.
- 🎶 Seattle was the birthplace of grunge music in the 1990s.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- Washington grows more apples than any other state, over 10 billion per year!
- The first revolving restaurant opened in Seattle in 1961.
- Starbucks, Amazon, and Microsoft all started in Washington state.
- Seattle actually gets less rain per year than New York City!
- Washington produces more apples than any other state, about 60% of all apples grown in the U.S.
- The Hoh Rainforest on the Olympic Peninsula gets up to 12 feet of rain per year.
- Tacoma's Museum of Glass has a 500-foot-long bridge of Dale Chihuly glass art.
- Washington has over 1,000 dams, more than any other state.
- The San Juan Islands have more bald eagles per square mile than anywhere in the lower 48.
- Leavenworth, WA transformed itself into a Bavarian village in the 1960s to save its economy.
- Washington produces more hydroelectric power than any other state.
- Dry Falls in eastern Washington was once the largest waterfall in the world, 3.5 miles wide!
- The Skagit Valley tulip festival draws over a million visitors each spring.
- Jimi Hendrix was born in Seattle in 1942.
- Washington's state gem is petrified wood.
Fun Fact
Washington state produces more apples than any other state in the U.S. In fact, the state accounts for about 60% of all apples grown in the country, with the fertile valleys and favorable climate of central Washington providing ideal conditions for apple orchards. This immense production has not only made apples the state's official fruit but also a crucial part of its economy.
West Virginia (WV)
The Mountain State
- Capital
- Charleston
- Statehood
- June 20, 1863 (35th state to join the Union)
- Population
- 1,769,979 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 24,038 square miles
- Highest Point
- Spruce Knob at 4,863 feet
- Famous Landmark
- New River Gorge Bridge
Overview
Head deep into the Appalachians: this is West Virginia, the Mountain State! Nestled deep in the Appalachian Mountains, West Virginia is one of the most rugged and scenic states east of the Mississippi River. Nearly the entire state is covered in forested mountains, rushing rivers, and deep gorges, earning it a well-deserved reputation as an outdoor adventure paradise. The state motto, 'Mountaineers Are Always Free,' captures the independent spirit of its people.
West Virginia has a truly unique origin story. During the Civil War, the western counties of Virginia refused to join the Confederacy and broke away to form their own state in 1863, the only state ever created by separating from a Confederate state. The historic town of Harpers Ferry, where abolitionist John Brown launched his famous raid in 1859, sits at the scenic meeting point of two rivers and two states.
The New River Gorge, one of the oldest rivers in North America, cuts through spectacular cliffs and is now a national park. Every October, thousands of people gather for Bridge Day to walk across, and even BASE jump off, the famous New River Gorge Bridge. With world-class white water rafting, beautiful hiking trails, and friendly mountain towns, West Virginia is a hidden gem waiting to be explored.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Animal [0.40, 0.51]
Black Bear
The American Black Bear is the most common bear in North America, and one of the smartest. Black bears can open screw-top jars, learn tricks by watching other bears, and remember where they found food years later! Surprise: not all black bears are black. Some are brown, cinnamon, or even blonde. West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest is one of the best black bear homes in the eastern US, and hikers spot them often.
Bird [0.52, 0.49]
Northern Cardinal
The Northern Cardinal became West Virginia's state bird in 1949. Cardinals are special: they're one of the only songbirds where the female sings too! She often sings from the nest, which may be her way of telling the male what food to bring. And here's the coolest part: a cardinal's red color comes entirely from the berries and seeds it eats. A cardinal on a boring diet grows duller, orange-ish feathers.
Famous Cryptid [0.38, 0.71]
The Mothman
The Mothman is America's most famous mystery creature. In 1966 and 1967, dozens of people in Point Pleasant reported seeing a winged, red-eyed creature over six feet tall. The sightings stopped in December 1967, the same night the town's Silver Bridge sadly collapsed into the Ohio River. Some locals believe the Mothman was trying to warn them. Books and movies spread the legend around the world, and today Point Pleasant has a Mothman Museum and a shiny steel Mothman statue.
Flower [0.67, 0.43]
Rhododendron
Every June, rhododendrons burst into bloom across West Virginia's mountains. In some spots the bushes grow so thick that early explorers who got tangled in them called them "rhododendron hells"! Dolly Sods Wilderness and Blackwater Falls State Park have some of the best flower shows in the eastern US. One warning: this beautiful plant is poisonous to eat. Even honey made from its flowers can make people feel sick. Long ago, folks called it "mad honey."
Amphibian [0.45, 0.60]
Cheat Mountain Salamander
The Cheat Mountain Salamander lives in just one place on Earth: the high red spruce forests of five West Virginia counties. That's one of the tiniest home ranges of any salamander in America! It hides under cool, damp rocks and logs, and it's so picky about its home that scientists watch it to check if the forest is healthy. The salamander became a protected species in 1989, and people are working to keep its ancient forest safe.
Landmarks (5 total)
🏛️ Charleston State Capital [0.37, 0.59] Capital
Charleston is West Virginia's capital and largest city, sitting where the Elk and Kanawha Rivers meet. Its gold-domed Capitol was designed by Cass Gilbert, the same architect who designed the U.S. Supreme Court, and the dome is taller than the U.S. Capitol dome in Washington D.C.! The city first grew big by making salt from the valley's salty springs.
Fun fact: Charleston's Capitol dome is covered in 23.5-karat gold leaf and stands 292 feet tall, five feet taller than the U.S. Capitol dome in Washington D.C.!
⚔️ Harpers Ferry Where History Meets Nature [0.77, 0.47] Historic
Harpers Ferry sits right where the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers come together, at the meeting point of West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland. In 1859, abolitionist John Brown led a raid on the federal armory here, hoping to end slavery. His raid became one of the sparks that led to the Civil War. Thomas Jefferson said the view from the rocky bluffs was 'worth a voyage across the Atlantic.'
Fun fact: The Appalachian Trail's headquarters are in Harpers Ferry, making it the unofficial midpoint and 'psychological halfway mark' for thru-hikers walking all 2,190 miles!
🌉 New River Gorge America's Newest National Park [0.45, 0.68] Nature
The New River Gorge became America's newest national park in 2020. Its 1,000-foot-deep canyon was carved by the New River, which, despite its name, is one of the oldest rivers in North America! The New River Gorge Bridge soars 876 feet above the water. When it was finished in 1977 it was the longest steel arch bridge in the world, and you can see it on the West Virginia state quarter.
Fun fact: Every October on Bridge Day, the bridge closes to cars and opens to people. Hundreds of BASE jumpers parachute off the 876-foot bridge while 80,000 spectators cheer!
🏔️ Spruce Knob Highest Point in WV [0.59, 0.52] Nature
Spruce Knob rises 4,863 feet: the highest point in West Virginia and the tallest peak in the Allegheny Mountains. The top is so windy that the spruce trees grow branches on only one side, bent forever by the wind! Climb the observation tower at the summit and you can see the Monongahela National Forest in every direction.
Fun fact: The spruce trees at the summit are so battered by ice and wind that they're called 'flag trees.' They look like tattered flags frozen mid-flap!
🚂 Cass Scenic Railroad Historic Steam Logging Line [0.57, 0.57] Historic
Cass Scenic Railroad State Park preserves one of the last operating steam-powered logging railroads in the country. Riders climb from the old lumber town of Cass to the summit of Bald Knob, the third-highest point in West Virginia, behind a chugging, smoke-belching Shay locomotive.
Fun fact: The Shay locomotives at Cass were specifically designed to tackle the steep mountain grades that would have derailed any normal train.
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
What is the capital city of West Virginia?
Charleston is West Virginia's capital and largest city, located where the Elk River meets the Kanawha River. Its golden-domed capitol building is modeled after the US Capitol.
Standard
What is the official state bird of West Virginia?
The Northern Cardinal is West Virginia's state bird. The brilliant red male is easy to spot against the white snow of West Virginia's mountains in winter.
Standard
Roughly how high above the river does West Virginia's New River Gorge Bridge stand?
The New River Gorge Bridge stands 876 feet above the river, one of the highest vehicle bridges in North America. It is also one of the longest steel arch bridges in the world, and every October, Bridge Day lets people walk across and BASE jump off.
Standard
What is West Virginia's state flower?
The Rhododendron is West Virginia's state flower. These large shrubs produce spectacular clusters of pink and white flowers in late spring and grow wild throughout the Appalachian Mountains.
Standard
West Virginia became a state in a very unusual way. It separated from which other state during the Civil War?
West Virginia split from Virginia in 1863 because the western counties refused to secede from the Union. It is the only state ever formed by separating from a Confederate state!
Standard
West Virginia is famous for which extreme sport that takes place on the famous New and Gauley Rivers?
West Virginia is one of the best white water rafting destinations in the eastern US. The New and Gauley Rivers have some of the most exciting rapids in the country, drawing thousands of adventure seekers.
Standard
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia is a famous historic town. What happened there in 1859 that helped lead to the Civil War?
In 1859, abolitionist John Brown led a small group to take over the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry. He hoped his bold action would help end slavery in America. Though the raid was stopped, it became one of the events that pushed the country toward the Civil War.
Standard
West Virginia is nicknamed 'The Mountain State.' What major mountain range runs through the state?
The Appalachian Mountains run through West Virginia, making it one of the most mountainous states east of the Mississippi. The state's highest point, Spruce Knob, rises to 4,863 feet.
Standard
True or False: West Virginia was the 35th state to join the Union in 1863.
True! West Virginia became the 35th state on June 20, 1863, right in the middle of the Civil War. It was created when the western counties of Virginia refused to join the Confederacy.
Standard
What is the name of West Virginia's highest peak, in the wind-swept Allegheny Mountains?
Spruce Knob rises 4,863 feet, making it West Virginia's highest point. The summit is so windswept that the spruce trees grow branches on only one side, permanently bent by the wind.
Standard
True or False: The New River in West Virginia, despite its name, is actually one of the oldest rivers in North America.
True! The New River is believed to be one of the oldest rivers in North America, and possibly the world. Despite its misleading name, it has been flowing for hundreds of millions of years!
Standard
What is West Virginia's state motto?
West Virginia's state motto is 'Montani Semper Liberi,' which is Latin for 'Mountaineers Are Always Free.' It reflects the independent spirit of the people who broke away from Virginia.
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
West Virginia's Capitol dome is covered in gold leaf. How does its height compare to the US Capitol in Washington, D.C.?
West Virginia's Capitol dome stands 292 feet tall, which is five feet taller than the US Capitol dome in Washington, D.C.! It is covered in 23.5-karat gold leaf.
Bonus Round
True or False: The Appalachian Trail's headquarters are located in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.
True! The Appalachian Trail Conservancy headquarters are in Harpers Ferry, making it the unofficial midpoint and 'psychological halfway mark' for hikers walking all 2,190 miles of the trail.
Bonus Round
What natural resource from West Virginia's mountains powered much of America's Industrial Revolution?
Coal mining was the backbone of West Virginia's economy for over a century. The state's coal powered factories, trains, and homes across America during the Industrial Revolution.
Bonus Round
Every October, what extreme sport do hundreds of people do off the New River Gorge Bridge on Bridge Day?
Bridge Day is the only day of the year when BASE jumping (parachuting from a fixed object) is legal off the New River Gorge Bridge. Hundreds of jumpers leap 876 feet while 80,000 spectators watch!
Did You Know? (15 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 About 1.8 million people live in West Virginia.
- 📅 West Virginia became the 35th state on June 20, 1863.
- 🌉 The New River Gorge Bridge soars 876 feet above the river!
- 🏛️ Charleston has been the capital since 1885.
- 🪨 West Virginia is one of America's top coal-producing states.
- 🏞️ New River Gorge became West Virginia's first national park in 2020.
- 🐦 The cardinal is the state bird.
- 🌳 The sugar maple is the state tree.
- 🌹 The rhododendron is the state flower.
- 🏔️ The Appalachian Mountains cover most of the state.
- 📜 West Virginia split from Virginia during the Civil War.
- 📜 West Virginia is the only state formed by seceding from another state.
- 📜 Harpers Ferry is where John Brown's 1859 raid took place.
- 🌲 More than 75% of West Virginia is covered in forest.
- 🎶 'Take Me Home, Country Roads' is the state song.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- The New River in West Virginia is actually one of the oldest rivers on Earth!
- West Virginia broke away from Virginia during the Civil War in 1863.
- The first rural free mail delivery in the US started in West Virginia in 1896.
- West Virginia has the longest steel arch bridge in the Western Hemisphere.
- The Mothman legend originated in Point Pleasant, WV in 1966.
- West Virginia is the only state entirely within the Appalachian Mountains.
- The Golden Delicious apple was discovered on a farm in Clay County, WV.
- Bridge Day at the New River Gorge is the only day BASE jumping is legal there, 450+ jumpers!
- West Virginia's state capitol dome is covered in 23.5-karat gold leaf.
- The Hatfield-McCoy feud, America's most famous family rivalry, took place along the WV-KY border.
- Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs hid a secret Cold War bunker for Congress.
- West Virginia has over 30,000 miles of rivers and streams.
- The first brick-paved street in the United States was laid in Charleston, WV in 1870.
- Blennerhassett Island was the site of Aaron Burr's alleged conspiracy to create a new nation.
- West Virginia's pepperoni rolls were invented by Italian coal miners as a portable lunch!
Fun Fact
West Virginia is the only state in the United States to be formed by seceding from a Confederate state. During the Civil War, the western counties of Virginia disagreed with the rest of the state's decision to secede from the Union. As a result, in 1863, West Virginia was admitted to the Union as an independent state, separate from Virginia.
Wisconsin (WI)
The Badger State
- Capital
- Madison
- Statehood
- May 29, 1848 (30th state to join the Union)
- Population
- 5,960,975 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 65,498 square miles
- Highest Point
- Timms Hill at 1,951 feet
- Famous Landmark
- Wisconsin State Capitol
Overview
Say hello to Wisconsin, the Badger State! Bordered by Lake Michigan to the east and Lake Superior to the north, Wisconsin is a land of rolling green hills, thick forests, and more than 15,000 sparkling lakes. The state is famous as America's Dairyland, producing more cheese than any other state (over 600 varieties!), and its Green Bay Packers football fans proudly wear foam cheesehead hats to every game.
Madison, the state capital, sits on a narrow strip of land between two beautiful lakes and is home to the University of Wisconsin. Milwaukee, the largest city, is known for its festivals, the Harley-Davidson motorcycle museum, and a lakefront that stretches for miles along Lake Michigan. Up north, the Apostle Islands on Lake Superior feature stunning sea caves and historic lighthouses.
Wisconsin's nickname comes from the lead miners of the 1800s who dug into hillsides for shelter, just like badgers. Today the state celebrates its heritage with Friday night fish fries, county fairs, cranberry bogs, and a love of the outdoors that runs deep. From ice fishing in winter to canoeing in summer, Wisconsin is a state where friendly people and beautiful nature make every season something special.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Animal [0.44, 0.29]
Badger
Surprise: Wisconsin is called the Badger State because of people, not animals! In the 1800s, lead miners dug into hillsides to shelter from the winter cold, just like badgers digging burrows, so folks called them 'badgers.' The real badger became the state animal in 1957. Badgers may be small, but they're mighty. Their skin is so loose and thick that if a predator grabs one, the badger can twist all the way around inside its own skin and fight back! Few animals ever bother a badger twice.
Bird [0.35, 0.37]
American Robin
The American Robin became Wisconsin's state bird in 1949. You've probably seen a robin, but here's its secret superpower: robins find their way using Earth's magnetic field, and scientists believe they can actually SEE it with their eyes, like an invisible compass! Robins also hunt earthworms by tilting their heads to listen for wiggling underground. They like worm-hunting best in the morning, when the soil is damp and the worms are near the surface.
Flower [0.24, 0.49]
Wood Violet
Wisconsin's state flower was chosen by schoolchildren in 1909! The Wood Violet has a clever trick: its showy purple spring flowers attract bees, but the plant also grows tiny hidden flowers in summer that never open at all. Those secret flowers make seeds all by themselves, so the violet never misses a year. Violet leaves are edible and full of Vitamin C, and Native Americans used the flowers to make blue and purple dye.
Famous Product [0.66, 0.35]
Wisconsin Cheese
Wisconsin makes more cheese than any other state: over 3.5 billion pounds a year! That's about a quarter of all the cheese in America. The state makes over 600 varieties of cheese, and its cheesemakers have won more world championship medals than any country outside of Europe. Wisconsin is so serious about cheese that it even has an official state cheese: Colby, invented in the town of Colby, Wisconsin in 1874.
Fruit [0.41, 0.69]
Cranberry
Wisconsin grows about 60% of all cranberries in America! Here's a surprise: cranberries don't grow underwater. They grow on low vines in sandy bogs. Farmers flood the bogs only at harvest time, and the berries float to the top in a carpet of brilliant red. It's one of the prettiest sights in farming! A single cranberry bog can keep making berries for over 100 years.
Landmarks (6 total)
🏛️ Madison State Capital [0.56, 0.76] Capital
Madison is Wisconsin's capital, built on a narrow strip of land between two lakes: Lake Mendota and Lake Monona. The State Capitol's granite dome is topped by a golden statue named 'Wisconsin,' and it's the tallest building in the city. In fact, a law says no building can be taller! Madison is also home to the University of Wisconsin, one of the largest public universities in the country.
Fun fact: Madison's Capitol Square hosts one of the largest farmers' markets in the country every Saturday. Vendors can only sell things they grew or made themselves, so everything is truly local!
🏙️ Milwaukee Cream City [0.70, 0.76] City
Milwaukee is Wisconsin's largest city, sitting on the shore of Lake Michigan. It was once called the 'Beer Capital of the World' because of its famous breweries. Today its most amazing sight is the Milwaukee Art Museum, which has giant white wings that open and close like a bird taking off over the lake!
Fun fact: Milwaukee hosts Summerfest every year: the world's largest music festival, according to Guinness World Records! It spans 11 days with over 800 acts on 12 stages.
🏈 Green Bay Titletown [0.70, 0.56] Attraction
Green Bay is the smallest city in the U.S. to host a major professional sports team, the legendary Green Bay Packers. Founded in 1919, the Packers play at Lambeau Field, one of the most iconic stadiums in sports. The city sits at the southern tip of the bay of Green Bay on Lake Michigan and was originally a fur trading post founded by French explorers in 1634.
Fun fact: Packers fans are called 'cheeseheads' and proudly wear foam cheese wedge hats. The tradition started in 1987, when a fan made one out of his mother's couch cushion!
🏝️ Apostle Islands Lake Superior Jewels [0.40, 0.22] Nature
The Apostle Islands are a chain of 21 islands in Lake Superior off Wisconsin's northern tip, forming a stunning national lakeshore. The islands are famous for their sea caves carved into sandstone cliffs by centuries of waves, wind, and ice. In winter, the caves transform into spectacular ice formations with frozen waterfalls and crystal-blue chambers.
Fun fact: The name 'Apostle Islands' suggests 12 islands, but there are actually 21. Early French explorers apparently miscounted!
🍒 Door County Cape Cod of the Midwest [0.78, 0.47] Attraction
Door County is a scenic peninsula between Green Bay and Lake Michigan, famous for its charming villages, cherry orchards, and 300 miles of shoreline. It has more lighthouses than any other county in the US! The county gets its name from the wild strait at its tip, called 'Death's Door,' where the waters of Lake Michigan and Green Bay crash together.
Fun fact: Door County's famous fish boils aren't just a meal. They're a show! A massive pot of whitefish bubbles over an outdoor fire, and at the end the chef makes the flames whoosh up in a dramatic 'boilover' that ends the cooking with a bang!
🎢 Wisconsin Dells Waterpark Capital [0.52, 0.67] Attraction
Wisconsin Dells is the 'Waterpark Capital of the World,' with over 20 indoor and outdoor waterparks in a town of just 3,000 people! But the original attraction is nature's own work: stunning sandstone gorges carved by the Wisconsin River over thousands of years. Some of the towering rocks and narrow canyons can only be reached by boat.
Fun fact: Noah's Ark in Wisconsin Dells is America's largest waterpark. It has 84 acres of water slides, wave pools, and lazy rivers, plus two enormous surf pools!
Standard Trivia (12)
Standard
What is the capital city of Wisconsin?
Madison is Wisconsin's capital and home to the University of Wisconsin Badgers. The city is built on an isthmus (a narrow strip of land) between two lakes, Lake Mendota and Lake Monona.
Standard
What is the official state bird of Wisconsin?
The American Robin is Wisconsin's state bird. These familiar birds with rust-red bellies are a beloved sign of spring when they return from their southern wintering grounds.
Standard
Wisconsin is called 'America's Dairyland.' How many varieties of cheese does it produce?
Wisconsin produces over 600 varieties of cheese, more than any other state! It is the top cheese-producing state in the US, and fans of the Green Bay Packers football team are nicknamed 'Cheeseheads.'
Standard
What is Wisconsin's state flower?
The Wood Violet is Wisconsin's state flower. These small purple wildflowers are among the first to bloom each spring and grow in shady woodlands and along stream banks.
Standard
Which Wisconsin city is home to the famous Harley-Davidson motorcycle company?
Harley-Davidson was founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1903. The company's headquarters and museum are still in Milwaukee, and the distinctive rumble of a Harley-Davidson engine is instantly recognizable!
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The Green Bay Packers are Wisconsin's beloved NFL team. What makes them unique among professional sports teams?
The Green Bay Packers are the only publicly-owned non-profit major professional sports team in the US, over 360,000 fans are stockholders! This community ownership model has kept the team in Green Bay for over 100 years.
Standard
Wisconsin borders two of the Great Lakes. Which two?
Wisconsin borders both Lake Michigan to the east and Lake Superior to the north. This gives the state 820 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, making water sports and fishing a huge part of life in Wisconsin.
Standard
Wisconsin has more than 15,000 lakes. Which activity draws millions of visitors to its lakes every year?
Ice fishing is a beloved Wisconsin winter tradition! Thousands of ice fishing shacks pop up on frozen lakes each winter. Wisconsin also hosts ice fishing competitions and fish fries that are a big part of local culture.
Standard
True or False: Wisconsin was the 30th state to join the Union in 1848.
True! Wisconsin became the 30th state on May 29, 1848. Before statehood, the area was known for its lead mining, which gave the state its Badger nickname.
Standard
Wisconsin's nickname is 'The Badger State.' Why is it called that?
In the 1800s, lead miners in Wisconsin dug into hillsides to create shelters, just like badgers dig their burrows. These miners were called 'badgers,' and the nickname stuck for the whole state!
Standard
True or False: Wisconsin Dells is known as the 'Roller Coaster Capital of the World.'
False! Wisconsin Dells is the 'Waterpark Capital of the World,' with over 20 indoor and outdoor waterparks in a town of just 3,000 people. Noah's Ark there is America's largest waterpark.
Standard
What is Wisconsin's highest point?
Timms Hill at 1,951 feet is Wisconsin's highest point, located in Price County in the northern part of the state. It is one of the lowest high points of any state.
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
Which Wisconsin chain of islands in Lake Superior is famous for its sea caves that turn into spectacular ice formations in winter?
The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore has 21 islands with stunning sea caves carved by waves. In winter, the caves transform into magical ice formations with frozen waterfalls and crystal-blue chambers!
Bonus Round
Milwaukee hosts the world's largest music festival every summer. What is it called?
Summerfest in Milwaukee is recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's largest music festival. It spans 11 days with over 800 acts on 12 stages along the Lake Michigan lakefront!
Bonus Round
True or False: Green Bay is the smallest city in America to host a major professional sports team.
True! Green Bay has a population of only about 107,000, making it the smallest market in any of the four major American professional sports leagues. The Packers have played there since 1919!
Bonus Round
Which Wisconsin peninsula is known as the 'Cape Cod of the Midwest' and has more lighthouses than any other county in the US?
Door County juts out between Green Bay and Lake Michigan, with 300 miles of shoreline, cherry orchards, and 11 lighthouses, more than any other county in America!
Did You Know? (14 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 About 5.9 million people live in Wisconsin.
- 📅 Wisconsin became the 30th state on May 29, 1848.
- 🏛️ Madison has been the capital since 1838.
- 🧀 Wisconsin produces over a quarter of America's cheese.
- 🐄 Wisconsin has more dairy cows per capita than any state.
- 🦡 The American badger is Wisconsin's state animal.
- 🐦 The American Robin is the state bird.
- 🌳 The sugar maple is Wisconsin's state tree.
- 🌹 The wood violet is Wisconsin's state flower.
- 🏈 The Green Bay Packers are the only community-owned NFL team.
- 🌊 Wisconsin Dells is nicknamed the 'Waterpark Capital of the World.'
- 🎒 The first kindergarten in America opened in Watertown in 1856.
- 🏝️ The Apostle Islands feature striking sea caves.
- 🍦 Wisconsin claims to have invented the ice cream sundae in 1881.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- The typewriter was invented in Milwaukee in 1868!
- Wisconsin makes more cheese than Italy.
- The first ice cream sundae was served in Two Rivers, Wisconsin.
- The Green Bay Packers are the only community-owned NFL team.
- Wisconsin has over 15,000 lakes!
- The first kindergarten in America opened in Watertown, Wisconsin in 1856.
- Harry Houdini grew up in Appleton, Wisconsin.
- Wisconsin's state dance is the polka.
- The Republican Party was founded in Ripon, Wisconsin in 1854.
- Wisconsin produces more cranberries than any other state.
- The Hamburger Hall of Fame is in Seymour, Wisconsin, where the hamburger was allegedly invented.
- Wisconsin has a town called Embarrass.
- The Deke Slayton Memorial Space & Bicycle Museum is in Sparta, the bicycling capital of Wisconsin.
- Eau Claire is the birthplace of indie band Bon Iver.
- Wisconsin's official state microbe is Lactococcus lactis, the bacteria that makes cheese!
Fun Fact
Wisconsin is famously known as "America's Dairyland" because it is one of the nation's leading dairy producers, particularly famous for its cheese. What might be even more interesting is that Wisconsin produces over 600 varieties, types, and styles of cheese, more than any other state in the United States.
Wyoming (WY)
The Equality State
- Capital
- Cheyenne
- Statehood
- July 10, 1890 (44th state to join the Union)
- Population
- 587,618 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 97,914 square miles
- Highest Point
- Gannett Peak at 13,809 feet
- Famous Landmark
- Yellowstone National Park
Overview
Get ready for Wyoming, the Equality State! Wyoming is the least populated state in America, but what it lacks in people it more than makes up for in wild, wide-open spaces. Vast prairies stretch to the horizon, the Rocky Mountains tower overhead, and wildlife like bison, elk, wolves, and grizzly bears roam freely across the landscape. Wyoming is the kind of place where you can drive for miles and see nothing but mountains and sky.
Wyoming is home to Yellowstone, the very first national park in the world, established in 1872. Yellowstone sits on top of a massive supervolcano and is packed with incredible geothermal features, from Old Faithful geyser to the rainbow-colored Grand Prismatic Spring. Just south of Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park has some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in North America, with jagged peaks rising sharply from a flat valley floor.
Wyoming earned its nickname because in 1869 it became the first place in America to grant women the right to vote, over 50 years before the rest of the country. Cheyenne, the capital, hosts one of the world's largest outdoor rodeos every July. From Devils Tower, the first national monument, to the wide-open cowboy country, Wyoming is a state that feels like stepping into the wild frontier.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Mammal [0.88, 0.52]
American Bison
American Bison once roamed the Great Plains in herds of 30 to 60 million: the biggest gathering of large animals ever recorded! By 1889, hunting had left fewer than 1,000. Yellowstone's herd, which never left the wild, helped bring the bison back. Don't let their size fool you. A bison can weigh 2,000 pounds and still sprint 35 mph, leap a 6-foot fence, and turn on a dime! The bison has been on the US nickel since 1913 and became America's national mammal in 2016.
Flower [0.85, 0.76]
Indian Paintbrush
The Indian Paintbrush is a sneaky plant! Its roots reach into the roots of its neighbors, especially sagebrush, and steal water and food. Here's another secret: those brilliant red "flames" aren't petals at all. They're special leaves. The real flowers are tiny green tubes hiding inside. Hummingbirds love the bright red color and do most of the pollinating. A Blackfoot legend says a young warrior trying to paint a sunset threw down his brushes, and wherever they landed, Indian Paintbrush flowers grew.
Reptile [0.43, 0.68]
Horned Lizard
The Short-horned Lizard (nicknamed the "horny toad") has one of the most astonishing defenses in the animal kingdom: it can squirt blood from its eyes! The stream can shoot up to five feet, and it tastes terrible to dogs, coyotes, and wolves. The lizard does this by building up pressure in its head, then letting it go in a sudden squirt. It can use up to a third of its blood this way and grow it all back within a few weeks.
Dinosaur [0.36, 0.47]
Triceratops
Wyoming designated the Triceratops as its state dinosaur in 1994, honoring the state's extraordinary fossil heritage. Triceratops, whose name means "three-horned face," lived 68 million years ago in what is now the American West and stood up to 10 feet tall and 30 feet long. Wyoming's Lance Creek and Hell Creek formations have produced more Triceratops fossils than nearly anywhere else on Earth. The Wyoming Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis houses one of the largest collections of dinosaur fossils on display anywhere in the world, including a complete juvenile Triceratops skull.
Emblem [0.67, 0.71]
Bucking Horse and Rider
The Bucking Horse and Rider is Wyoming's official state emblem: a silhouette of a cowboy hanging on to a wild, bucking bronc. It first appeared on Wyoming's license plates in 1936 and has been on every plate since, nearly a century! It became an official state symbol in 2010. Legend says the design was inspired by Steamboat, a famous rodeo horse of the early 1900s that no rider could stay on for more than a few seconds.
Landmarks (6 total)
🏛️ Cheyenne State Capital [0.80, 0.81] Capital
Cheyenne is Wyoming's capital and largest city, founded in 1867 as a railroad town along the Union Pacific line. Every July, the city transforms for Cheyenne Frontier Days, one of the world's largest outdoor rodeos, running since 1897. The event draws over 250,000 visitors for 10 days of rodeo, concerts, parades, and cowboy culture.
Fun fact: Cheyenne's famous boot-shaped welcome arches downtown are 22 feet tall! The city takes its cowboy heritage so seriously that even the state capitol has a rodeo arena nearby.
🌋 Yellowstone First National Park [0.23, 0.32] Nature
Yellowstone became the world's very first national park in 1872. It sits on top of one of the largest active volcanoes on Earth! The park has over half of the world's active geysers, including Old Faithful, which erupts about every 90 minutes. Don't miss the Grand Prismatic Spring, the largest hot spring in the U.S. Its rainbow rings of blue, green, yellow, and orange are painted by heat-loving bacteria.
Fun fact: Yellowstone's supervolcano has erupted three times in the last 2.1 million years. Each eruption was over 1,000 times more powerful than the 1980 Mount St. Helens blast!
🗿 Devils Tower First National Monument [0.83, 0.36] Nature
Devils Tower is a massive stone column that rises 867 feet straight up from the plains, with deep grooves running down its sides like a giant's fingernail scratches. In 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt made it America's first National Monument. The tower is sacred to more than 20 Native American tribes, each with their own names and stories for it. It's also famous for rock climbing, with over 200 routes to the top!
Fun fact: Devils Tower starred in the movie 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind.' After the movie came out, visits to the tower tripled almost overnight!
🏔️ Grand Teton Dramatic Mountain Range [0.19, 0.45] Nature
Grand Teton National Park has some of the most dramatic mountain views in North America. The Teton Range shoots straight up 7,000 feet from the flat Jackson Hole valley, with almost no foothills! Grand Teton peak itself stands 13,775 feet tall. The park is home to moose, elk, bison, grizzly bears, and wolves, and its clear lakes reflect the jagged peaks like mirrors.
Fun fact: The Teton Range is one of the youngest mountain ranges in the Rockies at only about 9 million years old, but the rocks themselves are some of the oldest in North America at nearly 2.7 billion years!
🤠 Jackson Gateway to the Tetons [0.17, 0.50] Attraction
Jackson is a famous mountain town at the base of the Tetons. Its town square is known for four giant arches made of elk antlers! Jackson is the gateway to both Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks, and it has world-class skiing too. Each winter, thousands of elk come down from the mountains to stay at the nearby National Elk Refuge.
Fun fact: The four elk antler arches in Jackson's town square are made from antlers the elk shed naturally, collected by local Boy Scouts. Each arch contains about 2,000 antlers!
🛢️ Casper Oil City [0.66, 0.58] City
Casper is Wyoming's second-largest city, sitting in the center of the state along the North Platte River. It was once a major stop on the Oregon Trail, California Trail, and Mormon Trail, and later boomed as an oil town in the early 1900s. The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center tells the story of the 500,000 pioneers who passed through here on their way west.
Fun fact: Casper is named after Lieutenant Caspar Collins, but a clerk misspelled his first name when registering the town, and the typo stuck forever!
Standard Trivia (12)
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What is the capital city of Wyoming?
Cheyenne is Wyoming's capital and largest city. It hosts Cheyenne Frontier Days every July, one of the world's largest outdoor rodeos, earning it the nickname 'Cowboy Capital of the World.'
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Which famous national park in Wyoming is home to Old Faithful, a geyser that erupts on a regular schedule?
Yellowstone is America's first national park (established 1872) and has more geysers than anywhere else on Earth, about 500! Old Faithful erupts every 44 to 125 minutes, shooting water up to 185 feet high.
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What is Wyoming's state flower?
Indian Paintbrush is Wyoming's state flower. These brilliant red-orange wildflowers look like a paintbrush dipped in red paint and grow across Wyoming's mountain meadows in summer.
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Wyoming was the first US territory to grant women the right to vote. In what year did this happen?
Wyoming granted women the right to vote in 1869, over 50 years before the 19th Amendment gave all American women this right in 1920. That is why Wyoming is called 'The Equality State.'
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Devils Tower in Wyoming was the first US National Monument, designated in 1906. What does Devils Tower look like?
Devils Tower is an extraordinary 867-foot tall column of rock that rises dramatically from the surrounding prairie. It is sacred to many Native American tribes and was featured in the movie 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind.'
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Yellowstone National Park sits on top of a giant supervolcano. What would happen if it erupted?
Yellowstone's supervolcano is one of the largest on Earth. If it had a major eruption, scientists estimate the ash could cover much of North America. Don't worry, experts monitor it carefully and there are no signs of an imminent eruption!
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Wyoming is the least populated US state. About how many people live there?
Wyoming has only about 580,000 people, the fewest of any US state. There are actually more cows and antelopes in Wyoming than people! Its wide open spaces are one of its most beloved features.
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Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming has some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the US. What makes the Teton Range unusual?
The Teton Range rises abruptly from a flat valley floor with almost no foothills, creating one of the most dramatic mountain views in America. The tallest peak, Grand Teton, shoots up 7,000 feet above the valley in just a few miles.
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True or False: Wyoming was the 44th state to join the Union in 1890.
True! Wyoming became the 44th state on July 10, 1890. When Congress debated Wyoming's statehood, Wyoming refused to remove women's voting rights, reportedly declaring they would stay a territory 100 years rather than give up that right.
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What is Wyoming's highest point?
Gannett Peak at 13,809 feet is the highest point in Wyoming. It is located in the Wind River Range and has several glaciers on its slopes. It is one of the most remote state high points in the US.
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True or False: Yellowstone was the first national park in the entire world, established in 1872.
True! President Ulysses S. Grant signed Yellowstone into law as the world's first national park on March 1, 1872. The idea of protecting wild places for everyone to enjoy was revolutionary at the time.
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What colorful geothermal feature in Yellowstone is the largest hot spring in the United States?
The Grand Prismatic Spring is the largest hot spring in the US and the third largest in the world. Its vivid rainbow colors, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red, are created by heat-loving bacteria.
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
Which large outdoor rodeo in Cheyenne has been running every July since 1897 and is nicknamed 'The Daddy of 'em All'?
Cheyenne Frontier Days has been running since 1897, making it one of the world's largest and oldest outdoor rodeos. Over 250,000 visitors come for 10 days of rodeo, concerts, and parades!
Bonus Round
True or False: There are more pronghorn antelope in Wyoming than people.
True! Wyoming has roughly 500,000 pronghorn antelope but only about 580,000 people. Pronghorn are the fastest land animals in North America and can run at speeds up to 55 mph!
Bonus Round
Jackson Hole, Wyoming has four famous arches made of what unusual material in its town square?
Jackson's four elk antler arches are made from naturally shed antlers collected by local Boy Scouts each spring. Each arch contains about 2,000 antlers and has become an iconic Wyoming landmark!
Bonus Round
What is the name of the flat valley floor in western Wyoming that sits between the Teton Range and the Gros Ventre Range?
Jackson Hole is the name of the valley, not just the town. Early trappers called mountain valleys 'holes,' and this one was named after trapper Davey Jackson. It is now famous for world-class skiing and gateway access to Grand Teton National Park.
Did You Know? (14 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 Wyoming has the smallest U.S. state population at about 580,000.
- 📅 Wyoming became the 44th state on July 10, 1890.
- 🏛️ Cheyenne has been the capital since territorial days.
- 🌋 Yellowstone became the world's first national park in 1872.
- 🦬 American bison roam wild in Yellowstone year-round.
- 🐦 The western meadowlark is Wyoming's state bird.
- 🌳 The plains cottonwood is the state tree.
- 🗳️ Wyoming was the first U.S. territory to grant women the vote, in 1869.
- 🏔️ Gannett Peak is Wyoming's highest at 13,809 feet.
- 🦌 Wyoming has more pronghorn antelope than any other state.
- 🪨 Devils Tower was the first U.S. national monument, designated in 1906.
- ⚖️ Wyoming nicknames itself the 'Equality State.'
- 🐄 Cattle outnumber people in Wyoming.
- 🏞️ Grand Teton is one of America's most photographed mountain ranges.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- Wyoming has just two sets of escalators in the entire state!
- Yellowstone was the world's first national park, established in 1872.
- Wyoming has more pronghorn antelope than people!
- The town of Thermopolis has the world's largest mineral hot spring.
- Wyoming is the least populated state, about 580,000 people in an area the size of the UK.
- Devil's Tower was the first US National Monument, designated in 1906.
- The Wind River Range has 7 of the 10 largest glaciers in the Rocky Mountains.
- Wyoming's license plate has featured a bucking horse and rider since 1936.
- Yellowstone sits on top of a supervolcano, one of the largest on Earth.
- The JC Penney department store chain was founded in Kemmerer, Wyoming in 1902.
- Wyoming has no state income tax.
- Independence Rock on the Oregon Trail has thousands of pioneer names carved into it.
- The Continental Divide zigzags through Wyoming, splitting water flow to the Atlantic and Pacific.
- Fossil Butte National Monument has some of the best-preserved fish fossils in the world.
- Nellie Tayloe Ross of Wyoming became the first female governor in US history in 1925.
Fun Fact
Wyoming was the first place in America to grant women the right to vote. This historic event occurred in 1869, when Wyoming was still a territory, well before the 19th Amendment was passed in 1920, which granted all American women the right to vote. Wyoming's step not only led it to be nicknamed the "Equality State," but it also fueled the national women's suffrage movement.
Washington D.C. (DC)
The Nation's Capital
- Capital
- N/A (Federal District)
- Statehood
- Est. July 16, 1790
- Population
- 702,250 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 68.34 square miles
- Highest Point
- Fort Reno at 409 feet
- Famous Landmark
- The U.S. Capitol
Overview
Welcome to Washington, D.C., the Nation's Capital! Washington, D.C. is not a state at all: it is a special federal district carved out from Maryland and Virginia in 1790 to serve as the permanent home of the United States government. The 'D.C.' stands for District of Columbia, and within its compact 68 square miles you will find the most famous and powerful buildings in the country.
The National Mall stretches from the U.S. Capitol, where Congress makes the laws, all the way to the Lincoln Memorial, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his legendary speech. Along the way you will pass the towering Washington Monument, the solemn World War II Memorial, and the reflective Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. The White House, home of every president since John Adams, sits just north of the Mall.
D.C. is also a world-class city for learning and culture. The Smithsonian Institution runs 21 free museums along the Mall, including the National Air and Space Museum and the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Every spring, the famous cherry blossom trees, a gift from Japan in 1912, burst into pink bloom around the Tidal Basin. With no skyscrapers allowed by law, the historic skyline of monuments and domes gives D.C. a look unlike any other American city.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
District Bird [0.44, 0.35]
Wood Thrush
Washington D.C.'s official bird is the Wood Thrush, a shy forest songbird with one of the most beautiful voices in North America. Its flute-like song echoes through Rock Creek Park and the capital's wooded areas in spring and summer. Here's its amazing trick: a Wood Thrush has a split voice box, so it can sing two notes at the same time! It's like a duet performed by one bird.
District Flower [0.60, 0.74]
American Beauty Rose
The American Beauty Rose has been Washington D.C.'s official flower since 1925. This deep red rose was one of the most popular flowers in America in the early 1900s, loved for its strong perfume and velvety petals. Rose gardens around the capital bloom with thousands of varieties each spring, and the American Beauty stands for the beauty and pride of the nation's capital.
District Condiment [0.60, 0.47]
Mumbo Sauce
Mumbo Sauce is D.C.'s legendary condiment: a tangy, sweet, ketchup-like sauce poured over chicken wings and fries at carryout restaurants across the city. Where did it come from? That's a friendly argument! Some say Chicago, but D.C. insists it was born here in the 1950s and 1960s. There's no single recipe. Every carryout spot makes its own version, and locals are very proud of theirs.
District Food [0.58, 0.41]
Half-Smoke Chili Dog
The Half-Smoke is Washington D.C.'s signature sausage, a coarsely ground, slightly spicy pork-and-beef link that's larger than a hot dog and smoked before being grilled until the casing snaps. Served on a steamed bun with mustard, onions, and chili, it's the iconic street food of the capital. Ben's Chili Bowl on U Street has served half-smokes since 1958 and has hosted everyone from Duke Ellington to Barack Obama. The half-smoke is to D.C. what the cheesesteak is to Philadelphia.
District Amphibian [0.65, 0.58]
American Bullfrog
The American Bullfrog is the largest frog in North America. Some grow 8 inches long and weigh over a pound! You can hear their deep, booming calls from over half a mile away on warm summer nights in D.C.'s parks and ponds. Bullfrogs are mighty hunters: they'll gulp down almost anything that fits in their enormous mouths, including insects, fish, mice, and even other frogs.
Landmarks (5 total)
🏛️ The White House Presidential Residence [0.49, 0.53] Historic
The White House has been the home of every US president since John Adams moved in in 1800. The building has 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, 6 levels, a bowling alley, a movie theater, and a swimming pool. It was originally called the 'President's House' and got its famous white paint after being rebuilt following a fire set by British troops in 1814.
Fun fact: The White House has its own beehive on the South Lawn, and the chefs cook with its honey! Michelle Obama had it installed in 2009.
🏠 Frederick Douglass House Cedar Hill Historic Site [0.60, 0.64] Historic
Cedar Hill in Southeast D.C. was the home of Frederick Douglass, who escaped slavery and became one of the most powerful voices for freedom in American history. He was a famous writer and speaker who advised presidents. The 21-room house sits on a hilltop with a sweeping view of the Capitol, and it still holds many of his belongings, including his 2,000-book library!
Fun fact: Douglass's desk chair at Cedar Hill has a special spring mechanism he designed himself. He was also an amateur inventor who loved tinkering with gadgets!
🏰 US Capitol Seat of Congress [0.57, 0.55] Historic
The United States Capitol is where Congress meets to write the nation's laws. Its famous dome rises 289 feet above the ground and is topped by the Statue of Freedom, a bronze figure standing 19 feet tall. The building took over 30 years to complete and has been expanded many times since George Washington laid the cornerstone in 1793.
Fun fact: The Capitol dome is actually made of cast iron painted to look like stone, and it weighs about 9 million pounds! It was finished during the Civil War because Lincoln insisted the work continue as a symbol of unity.
🐼 National Zoo Smithsonian's Zoo [0.48, 0.42] Attraction
The Smithsonian's National Zoo in upper Northwest D.C. is home to over 2,100 animals from 390 species and has been a beloved institution since 1889. It's one of the oldest zoos in the United States and is famous for its giant panda program, a collaboration with China that has brought pandas to D.C. for decades. Admission is always free.
Fun fact: The Zoo's giant pandas became such celebrities that when Mei Xiang had a cub in 2020, the 'Panda Cam' livestream crashed from so many viewers trying to watch at once!
🌳 National Arboretum Gardens & Capitol Columns [0.68, 0.46] Nature
The U.S. National Arboretum is a 450-acre living museum in northeast D.C. with bonsai trees, azalea gardens, and herb collections from around the world. Its most dramatic sight is a group of 22 enormous Corinthian columns that once held up part of the U.S. Capitol, now standing alone in a grassy meadow.
Fun fact: The Capitol Columns sat in storage for 30 years before landscape designers gave them a dramatic new home in an open field at the Arboretum.
Standard Trivia (12)
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What is the large domed building where Congress meets and makes US laws?
The US Capitol building is where the Senate and House of Representatives meet. Its famous dome is 289 feet tall and is topped by the Statue of Freedom.
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Washington D.C. has a law that no building can be taller than which famous structure?
By law, no building in Washington D.C. can be taller than the US Capitol, keeping the historic skyline open. That is why D.C. has no skyscrapers, every other major city in the US does!
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Washington D.C. is the capital of the United States, but it is not part of any state. What does 'D.C.' stand for?
'D.C.' stands for District of Columbia, named after Christopher Columbus. The district was carved out from Maryland and Virginia in 1790 to create a neutral capital city not belonging to any state.
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The National Mall in Washington D.C. is a famous open park lined with museums. Which famous organization runs most of those museums for free?
The Smithsonian Institution runs 21 museums on and around the National Mall, all completely free! It is the world's largest museum and research complex, with over 154 million objects in its collections.
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Which famous flowering trees line the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., a 1912 gift from Japan?
Japan gave the United States 3,000 cherry trees in 1912 as a gift of friendship. They were planted around the Tidal Basin in D.C., and their pink blossoms each spring draw millions of visitors.
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Which memorial on the National Mall features a long black granite wall engraved with over 58,000 names?
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall is a long, polished black granite wall engraved with the names of all 58,320 Americans who served and were lost in the Vietnam War. Visitors often make pencil rubbings of names and leave flowers, photographs, and other mementos at its base.
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Washington D.C. is home to the largest library in the world. What is it called?
The Library of Congress has over 170 million items, including books, maps, photos, and music recordings, making it the largest library in the world. It was originally created so Congress could research laws.
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Every year, Japan's gift of cherry trees blooms around Washington D.C.'s Tidal Basin. When did Japan give these trees to the US?
Japan gave Washington D.C. 3,000 cherry trees as a gift of friendship in 1912. Every spring, millions of visitors come to see the beautiful pink blossoms during the National Cherry Blossom Festival!
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True or False: Washington D.C. was established in 1790 as a special federal district so the capital would not be in any single state.
True! The Founding Fathers created Washington D.C. as a neutral federal district in 1790, carved from land donated by Maryland and Virginia. This ensured no single state could claim the national capital.
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How big is Washington D.C.?
Washington D.C. covers just 68.34 square miles, making it one of the smallest areas to be a major world capital. Despite its small size, it is packed with monuments, museums, and government buildings.
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What is the official bird of Washington D.C.?
The Wood Thrush is the official bird of Washington D.C. This shy forest bird has a beautiful, flute-like song that can be heard in the wooded areas and parks throughout the district.
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True or False: The White House has been the home of every US president since George Washington.
False! George Washington is the only president who never lived in the White House. It was not completed until 1800, after Washington's presidency ended. John Adams was the first president to live there.
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
Which famous speech did Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. deliver from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963?
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his legendary 'I Have a Dream' speech on August 28, 1963, during the March on Washington. Over 250,000 people gathered on the National Mall to hear him.
Bonus Round
The National Zoo in Washington D.C. is famous for housing which beloved animal that was a gift from China?
The Smithsonian National Zoo has been famous for its giant pandas since China first sent pandas to D.C. as a diplomatic gift. The panda program has been one of the zoo's most popular attractions for decades!
Bonus Round
True or False: The Statue of Freedom on top of the US Capitol dome is made of bronze and stands 19 feet tall.
True! The Statue of Freedom stands 19 feet tall and weighs about 15,000 pounds. She wears an eagle-feathered helmet and holds a sheathed sword and a shield, symbolizing the nation's readiness to defend freedom.
Bonus Round
Which document, kept in the National Archives in Washington D.C., begins with the famous words 'We the People'?
The US Constitution begins with 'We the People of the United States.' The original document is on permanent display in the Rotunda of the National Archives, along with the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights.
Did You Know? (14 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 About 670,000 people live in Washington, D.C.
- 🏛️ D.C. is not part of any state. It is its own federal district.
- 📜 D.C. was established as the U.S. capital on July 16, 1790.
- 🏛️ The Washington Monument is the world's tallest stone structure.
- 🦅 Bald eagles nest along the Anacostia and Potomac rivers.
- 🏛️ The U.S. Capitol dome was designed by architect Thomas U. Walter.
- 📚 The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world.
- 🌸 D.C.'s cherry trees were a 1912 gift from Tokyo, Japan.
- 🎨 The Smithsonian is the world's largest museum and research complex.
- 🏛️ The Smithsonian has over 154 million artifacts and specimens.
- 🚇 The D.C. Metro is the second-busiest U.S. subway system.
- 🏟️ Washington, D.C. has its own NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB teams.
- 🇺🇸 D.C. residents could not vote for President until 1961.
- 📐 D.C. was originally a perfect 100 sq mi square before Virginia took back its half.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- The Library of Congress has over 170 million items, it's the largest library in the world!
- By law, no building in DC can be taller than the U.S. Capitol.
- The Smithsonian has over 155 million objects in its collection.
- DC's Metro system has the longest single-span escalator in the Western Hemisphere at Wheaton Station.
- Pierre Charles L'Enfant designed DC's street grid based on Paris.
- The Lincoln Memorial has a typo carved in stone, 'EUTURE' instead of 'FUTURE' (later fixed).
- DC has more restaurants per capita than any other US city.
- The Washington Monument was the tallest structure in the world when completed in 1884.
- Cherry blossom trees in DC were a gift from Japan in 1912, over 3,000 trees!
- DC residents didn't get the right to vote in presidential elections until 1961.
- The Pentagon in nearby Arlington has its own zip code and more than 17 miles of corridors.
- There are more than 170 embassies and international cultural centers in DC.
- Georgetown University, founded in 1789, is the oldest Catholic university in the US.
- DC's official bird, the Wood Thrush, has one of the most beautiful songs in North America.
- The National Mall stretches over 2 miles from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial.
Fun Fact
Washington, D.C. has no skyscrapers! By law, no building in the city can be taller than the U.S. Capitol, preserving the iconic skyline and ensuring that historic landmarks remain the most prominent features. This regulation has been in place since the passage of the Height of Buildings Act in 1899. Bonus Fact: Washington, D.C. is home to the largest library in the world.
Puerto Rico (PR)
La Isla del Encanto
- Capital
- San Juan
- Statehood
- U.S. Territory since 1898
- Population
- 3,203,295 (2024 estimate)
- Area
- 3,515 square miles
- Highest Point
- Cerro de Punta at 4,390 feet
- Famous Landmark
- El Morro Fortress
Overview
Say hello to Puerto Rico, La Isla del Encanto, the Island of Enchantment! This beautiful Caribbean island is a United States territory located about a thousand miles southeast of Florida. Puerto Rico packs an incredible amount of natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture into just 3,515 square miles, making it one of the most exciting places in all of the Americas to explore.
Old San Juan, the historic heart of the capital city, is filled with colorful colonial buildings, cobblestone streets, and massive Spanish fortresses built nearly 500 years ago. El Morro, the towering fortress at the tip of San Juan Bay, once guarded the island from pirates and invaders. Inland, the lush El Yunque National Forest is the only tropical rainforest in the entire U.S. National Forest System, home to exotic birds, giant tree ferns, and cascading waterfalls.
Puerto Rico is famous for its incredible bioluminescent bays, where the water glows electric blue at night thanks to millions of tiny organisms. The island's culture is a wonderful blend of Spanish, African, and indigenous Taino traditions, reflected in its music, food, and festivals. From the pounding rhythms of salsa and reggaeton to the delicious flavors of mofongo and arroz con gandules, Puerto Rico is an island bursting with life, color, and joy.
State Identity
Each state has five symbols students discover by drawing through small medallions on the maze. Plus the state flag and seal in the popup. Together they make up the 7/7 State Identity collection.
Commonwealth Instrument [0.36, 0.51]
Cuatro
The Cuatro is Puerto Rico's national instrument, a small, guitar-like stringed instrument with five pairs of doubled strings that produce a bright, resonant sound. It descended from the Spanish guitar and became the voice of Puerto Rican jíbaro (countryside) music, accompanying songs about love, the land, and island life. The name cuatro originally referred to its four strings; when a fifth pair was added, the name stuck anyway. Today the cuatro is heard at every Puerto Rican festival and celebration.
Commonwealth Local Legend [0.25, 0.60]
Vejigante
Vejigantes are colorful masked characters that parade through Puerto Rican festivals, especially in the towns of Loíza and Ponce. The tradition blends African, Spanish, and Taíno cultures. The masks show playful trickster spirits with wild horns and huge grins! Ponce's masks are made from papier-mâché, while Loíza's are carved from coconut shells. The cackling Vejigantes chase festival-goers through the streets, swatting at them with balloon-like inflated pig bladders!
Commonwealth Crop [0.51, 0.48]
Pineapple
Pineapples have grown in Puerto Rico for a very long time. The Taíno people were raising them on the island centuries before the Spanish arrived! When Columbus brought pineapples back to Europe, people went wild for them. A single pineapple could sell for what would be thousands of dollars today! Across the Caribbean, the pineapple is still a symbol of welcome and friendship.
Commonwealth Drink [0.30, 0.54]
Piña Colada
The Piña Colada became Puerto Rico's official drink in 1978. Who invented it? That's a friendly island argument! Two spots in San Juan both claim credit, with dates ranging from 1954 to 1963. The frosty drink blends coconut cream and pineapple juice over crushed ice, and its name means 'strained pineapple' in Spanish. Puerto Rico takes it seriously: National Piña Colada Day is celebrated every July 10!
Commonwealth Amphibian [0.42, 0.49]
Coquí Tree Frog
The Coquí is Puerto Rico's beloved tiny tree frog, named for its distinctive two-note call, 'co-KEE!', that fills the island's forests every night. At just one inch long, the Coquí produces a call that can reach 100 decibels, making it one of the loudest animals relative to its size. There are 17 species of Coquí native to Puerto Rico, several of which are endangered. The Coquí is so deeply woven into Puerto Rican identity that the phrase 'soy de aquí como el Coquí' ('I'm from here like the Coquí') is a common expression of island pride.
Landmarks (5 total)
⭐ San Juan Capital City [0.56, 0.38] Capital
San Juan is Puerto Rico's capital and largest city. Founded by Spanish colonists in 1521, it's one of the oldest European-built cities in all the Americas! Old San Juan, the historic district, is filled with colorful colonial buildings and cobblestone streets. Two massive fortresses, El Morro and San Cristóbal, guarded its harbor for centuries.
Fun fact: The cobblestones in Old San Juan are called 'adoquines': blue-tinted bricks made from leftover iron furnace slag. Spanish ships carried them as ballast to keep steady on the ocean crossing!
🌴 El Yunque Tropical Rainforest [0.67, 0.46] Nature
El Yunque National Forest is the only tropical rainforest in the United States National Forest System. Located in northeastern Puerto Rico, it receives over 200 inches of rain each year and is home to hundreds of plant and animal species, including the tiny coquí tree frog whose distinctive nighttime call is a beloved symbol of Puerto Rico.
Fun fact: The coquí frog is so small it can sit on a dime, but its call is so loud it can reach 100 decibels, as loud as a motorcycle!
🏛️ Ponce Pearl of the South [0.34, 0.60] City
Ponce is Puerto Rico's second-largest city, located on the southern coast and known as 'La Perla del Sur' (The Pearl of the South). The city is famous for its stunning architecture, the red-and-black striped Parque de Bombas firehouse, and the Ponce Museum of Art, which houses one of the largest art collections in the Caribbean.
Fun fact: The Parque de Bombas in Ponce is painted in wild red and black stripes. It was originally built as a pavilion for a fair in 1882, and then it became the city's firehouse!
🥭 Mayagüez Sultan of the West [0.11, 0.52] Attraction
Mayagüez is the largest city on Puerto Rico's west coast, known as 'La Sultana del Oeste' (The Sultan of the West). Scientists here study tropical plants at a famous university and at America's only tropical farm research station. The city is most famous for its delicious mangoes, and it throws a Mango Festival every year!
Fun fact: In Mayagüez's main plaza, a 16-foot statue of Christopher Columbus stands high on a massive pedestal, watching over the city.
🕳️ Río Camuy Cave Park Underground River & Caverns [0.22, 0.42] Nature
The Río Camuy cave system is one of the largest underground river networks on the planet! A hidden river winds beneath the mountains of northwestern Puerto Rico, carving out limestone caverns as big as cathedrals and giant sinkholes open to the sky.
Fun fact: The Río Camuy caves are home to a unique species of blind, colorless fish found nowhere else on Earth.
Standard Trivia (12)
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What is the capital city of Puerto Rico?
San Juan is Puerto Rico's capital and largest city. Old San Juan, the historic colonial district, is filled with colorful buildings, cobblestone streets, and 500-year-old Spanish forts.
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Which famous Spanish fortress in Old San Juan was built in the 1500s to defend Puerto Rico from sea attacks?
El Morro fortress was built by Spain beginning in 1539 to defend the island from pirates and invaders. Its 140-foot walls and deep moat sit dramatically at the tip of San Juan Bay.
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Puerto Rico is a US territory, which means its residents are US citizens. What is the official status of Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico is an unincorporated US territory and commonwealth. Puerto Ricans are US citizens by birth but cannot vote in presidential elections unless they move to one of the 50 states.
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Puerto Rico is home to the only tropical rainforest in the US National Forest System. What is it called?
El Yunque National Forest is the only tropical rainforest in the US National Forest System. It receives up to 240 inches of rain per year and is home to rare species including the endangered Puerto Rican parrot.
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Puerto Rico has bioluminescent bays that glow blue at night. What makes the water glow?
Tiny single-celled organisms called dinoflagellates light up when disturbed, making the water glow electric blue. Mosquito Bay in Vieques, Puerto Rico, is considered the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world!
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Puerto Rico is known for which musical style that combines African and Spanish traditions and influenced modern Latin and pop music?
Salsa music was born in New York among Puerto Rican and Cuban immigrants in the 1960s and 70s, but its roots are deeply connected to Puerto Rican culture. Puerto Rico has produced many of salsa's greatest artists.
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Which Puerto Rican baseball legend, considered one of the greatest players ever, played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and won a World Series in 1971?
Roberto Clemente was a Puerto Rican baseball hero who played 18 seasons for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He died tragically in a 1972 plane crash while delivering aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.
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What language is Puerto Rico's other official language alongside Spanish?
Puerto Rico has two official languages: Spanish and English. Spanish is by far the most widely spoken, but English is taught in schools and used in government and business throughout the island.
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True or False: Puerto Rico has been a U.S. territory since 1850.
False! Puerto Rico became a U.S. territory in 1898, after Spain ceded the island following the Spanish-American War. Puerto Ricans have been U.S. citizens since 1917.
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What is Puerto Rico's highest point?
Cerro de Punta at 4,390 feet is the highest point in Puerto Rico. It is located in the Cordillera Central mountain range in the center of the island.
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What is Puerto Rico's nickname, which means 'The Island of Enchantment' in Spanish?
Puerto Rico's nickname is 'La Isla del Encanto,' meaning 'The Island of Enchantment.' This name reflects the island's stunning natural beauty, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality.
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True or False: The cobblestones in Old San Juan are actually blue-tinted bricks that were used as ship ballast.
True! The cobblestones in Old San Juan are called 'adoquines', they are blue-tinted bricks made from iron furnace slag that were originally used as ballast in Spanish ships crossing the Atlantic.
Bonus Trivia (4)
Bonus Round
What is the name of the tiny tree frog whose nighttime call is a beloved symbol of Puerto Rico?
The coquí frog is so small it can sit on a dime, but its 'co-KEE' call can reach 100 decibels, as loud as a motorcycle! It is heard everywhere in Puerto Rico at night and is a treasured national symbol.
Bonus Round
What traditional Puerto Rican dish is made from mashed plantains, often stuffed with meat or seafood?
Mofongo is a beloved Puerto Rican dish made from fried green plantains mashed with garlic, olive oil, and chicharrones (pork cracklings). It is often stuffed with chicken, shrimp, or other fillings.
Bonus Round
True or False: San Juan, Puerto Rico was founded by Spanish colonists in 1521, making it one of the oldest European-established cities in the Americas.
True! San Juan was founded by Spanish colonists in 1521, making it one of the oldest European-established cities in all of the Americas. Only a handful of cities in the Caribbean and Central America are older.
Bonus Round
Which endangered bird, native only to Puerto Rico, is one of the rarest birds in the world?
The Puerto Rican parrot (Iguaca) is one of the ten most endangered birds in the world. Once numbering over a million, they dropped to just 13 in the wild by 1975. Conservation efforts have slowly brought their numbers back up.
Did You Know? (15 facts)
- 🧑🤝🧑 About 3.2 million people live in Puerto Rico.
- 📅 Puerto Rico became a U.S. territory in 1898 after the Spanish-American War.
- 🏛️ San Juan is Puerto Rico's largest city and capital.
- 🌊 Puerto Rico is fully surrounded by the Atlantic and Caribbean.
- 🌴 El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. national forest system.
- 🐸 The coquí frog is Puerto Rico's iconic native animal.
- 🥁 Reggaeton music originated in Puerto Rico in the 1990s.
- 📜 Puerto Ricans have been U.S. citizens since 1917.
- 🗣️ Puerto Rico has two official languages: Spanish and English.
- 🏰 Old San Juan was founded in 1521.
- 🏝️ Puerto Rico has 17 forests and 20 protected nature reserves.
- 📡 The Arecibo Observatory was one of Earth's largest radio telescopes.
- 🦜 More bird species live in Puerto Rico than in any U.S. state of similar size.
- 🍹 The piña colada was invented in San Juan.
- 🌃 The bioluminescent bay at Vieques glows brightest in the world.
Trigger Marker Facts (15)
These fire when the student draws through blue trigger dots on the maze.
- Piña colada was invented in San Juan in 1954!
- Puerto Rico has bioluminescent bays that glow bright blue at night.
- The world's largest radio telescope was in Arecibo until it collapsed in 2020.
- Puerto Rico has been a US territory since 1898.
- The coquí frog is so tiny it can sit on a dime, but its call reaches 100 decibels!
- Old San Juan's streets are paved with blue cobblestones made from furnace slag.
- Puerto Rico has over 270 miles of coastline and 300+ beaches.
- Flamenco Beach on Culebra is consistently ranked among the best beaches in the world.
- Puerto Ricans are US citizens but cannot vote in presidential elections.
- The Camuy River Cave System is one of the largest in the Western Hemisphere.
- Puerto Rico's Parrot is one of the 10 most endangered birds on Earth.
- Rum production in Puerto Rico dates back to the 1500s, it's the Rum Capital of the World!
- Puerto Rico celebrates Three Kings Day on January 6th with gifts and parades.
- El Yunque gets over 200 inches of rain per year, that's almost 17 feet!
- Roberto Clemente, baseball legend, was born in Carolina, Puerto Rico.
Fun Fact
Puerto Rico's El Yunque National Forest is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System. Spanning around 29,000 acres, El Yunque is home to a remarkable diversity of flora and fauna, including rare species like the Puerto Rican parrot, one of the ten most endangered bird species in the world.