STATES OF U.

S CULTURE GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION

AL ALBAMA The culture of Alabama is Alabama is comprised of coastal plains at the
intricately tied to Old Dixie, its lost Gulf of Mexico turning to hills and broken
hope for a separate nation of its terrain in the north. Five major land areas
own. The Confederate flag is a make up the Alabama landscape with more
than two thirds of the state covered by the
common sight land the white
East Gulf Coastal Plain
locals tend to have strong
opinions about their plight in the
Civil War and Civil Rights
Movement. But this is also a state
with proud African-American
heritage and an incredibly rich
tradition of music and literature
that spans from the country
bluegrass of Hank Williams to the
iconic American novel To Kill a
Mockingbird.
AK ALASKA Alaskan culture may not Location map of the State of Alaska in the
immediately appear different than US. The largest US state occupies a huge
the other 48 states, yet the state’s peninsula in the extreme northwest of North
outdoorsy inhabitants engage in a America, with coastlines on the Arctic and
North Pacific oceans and on the Chukchi and
range of activities which are
the Bering Seas.
unique to Alaska. Some of these
activities can be experienced
through the state’s annual events,
such as the Tesoro Iron Dog
Snowmobile Race from
Anchorage to Nome and on
to Fairbanks. Other not-to-be
missed cultural happenings
include the BP World Ice Art
Championships (Fairbanks) and
the Sitka Whale Fest (Sitka
AZ ARIZONA The culture of Arizona is a Arizona is located in the Southwest U.S.
mesmerizing smorgasbord of The State of Arizona is shown on the map in
influences from the neighboring red. Mexico is to the south, California and
states. Phoenix is the heart and part of Nevada are to the west, Utah is to the
north, and New Mexico is to the
soul of contemporary Arizona, but
east. Arizona is 113,909 square miles,
is better known for its unique making it the 6th largest state in the country.
desert landscapes, natural
landmarks, and Mexican
influences. Arizona’s cuisine
personifies a concoction of
Western and Mexican blends,
while Native American crafts are
profoundly evident across the
landscape.
AR ARKANSAS Arkansas has a rich and unique The geographic center of Arkansas is
culture unlike that of any other located in Pulaski County, 12 miles NW of
state in the southern region of the Little Rock.
United States. It is place of
traditional crafts and folk music.
Few other states in the country
have as deep a relationship with
 the arts and handiwork. Exploring
the rural byways delivers visitors
to little mountain hamlets where
people are still involved in skilled
labor their grandparents passed
down to them.
CA CALIFORNIA California likes its reputation as a California is a U.S. state on the western coast
laid-back, progressive place. It of North America. Covering an area of
fancies itself a world apart from 163,696 sq mi (423,970
the rest of America, but has plenty km2), California is geographically diverse.
of street credit to back up its The Sierra Nevada, the fertile farmlands of the
Central Valley, and the arid Mojave Desert of
sense of superiority. World-class the south are some of the
performing arts are just as major geographic features of this U.S. state.
common as the hottest rock
bands in Los Angeles, and the
bohemian style of San
Francisco and the Bay Area is
incomparable. No matter where
you travel from, California is a
cool customer. The people are
friendly, the weather sublime, and
the local culture high quality all
the way.
CO COLORADO The culture and nature of The geographic center of Colorado is
Colorado go hand in hand. This located in Park County, 30 miles NW of
state was built on the exploitation Pike's Peak. Colorado is bordered by
of its mineral wealth and today Wyoming and Nebraska on the north. To the
south is New Mexico and Oklahoma
these same mountains have
created a cool outdoor recreation
culture centered on skiing,
snowboarding, biking and boating.
Colorado is a land of outdoorsy
people. From ski bums and
environmentalists to fourth-
generation ranchers and
cowboys, the people of this state
depend on the land for their
livelihood
CT CONNECTICUT The real charm of Connecticut lies The geographic center of Connecticut is
in its absence of major metropolis located in Hartford County, in East Berlin.
cities. Along the coast, traditional
seaports like Mystic Harbor and
Madison provide wonderful,
historic maritime environments.
Inland, the river valleys are dotted
with colonial-era towns that have
been rejuvenated by wealthy
newcomers, artists, and
craftspeople. There are countless
travel destinations in the state,
particularly for people with an
obsession with antiques.
DE DELAWARE Delaware has been at the The Delaware Colony was one of the original
forefront of American civilization 13 colonies located on the Atlantic coast of
since the first Europeans began North America.
arriving on its shores in the
1600’s. It has an incredibly rich
history, and its residents have not
forgotten their role in shaping the
future of the nation despite their
state’s modest size. Visitors can
experience Delaware’s colonial
influence in coastal towns like
Lewes and New Castle, which
appear largely unchanged even
after 300 years
FL FLORIDA Beneath the strip malls, old folks’ Beneath the strip malls, old folks’
homes, and tourist-heavy beach homes, and tourist-heavy beach
towns, there is a rich spectrum of towns, there is a rich spectrum of
culture at work in Florida. The culture at work in Florida. The allure of
allure of Disney, Universal, and Disney, Universal, and the
the other theme parks in Orlando other theme parks in Orlando can’t be
can’t be dismissed because they dismissed because they contribute a
contribute a true mark of fantasy true mark of fantasy to Florida’s
to Florida’s culture. The beach culture. The beach towns off the
towns off the tourist radar are tourist radar are another major facet in
another major facet in Florida’s Florida’s character. They epitomize
character. They epitomize the the hyper-relaxed atmosphere that
hyper-relaxed atmosphere that pervades over most of the state, with
pervades over most of the state, the exception of Miami.
with the exception of Miami.
GA GEORGIA Much of Georgia’s economy Georgia is located in the mountainous South
comes from forestry, and its Caucasus region of Eurasia, straddling
cuisine has many local flavors Western Asia and Eastern Europe between the
such as grits, peaches, Black Sea and the Caspian Sea.
cornbread, and seafood. Georgia
has always played a starring role
in American pop culture as a
representative of the South.
From Gone with the Wind to
Sherman’s March through Atlanta,
there is a certain romanticism
about the low country region.
Georgia has also birthed some
impressive musical talent over the
years, including Ray Charles, the
Allman Brothers, and rockers
R.E.M.
HI HAWAII Hawaiian culture is an ancient blend of The geographic center
ethnic influences and unique tradition. of Hawaii is located off the southwestern
Part of what makes the islands of Hawaii shore of Molokai west of Lanai. Hawaii is
so special is the culture, a big drawcard surrounded by the Pacific Ocean about 2,400
to this South Pacific holiday destination. miles southwest of the Continental United
Much more than spectacular sunsets, States. The Hawaiian Islands cover 6,459
beautiful beaches and wordclass surfing, square miles.
the Hawaiian culture influences
everything from language and religion to
 fashion and cuisine. Below are some of
the most fascinating facts about Hawaii’s
culture.
ID IDAHO Native American tribes such as Idaho is a state located in the Pacific
the Nez Perce, Coeur d’Alene, Northwest region of the United States and
Shoshone, and Bannock have shares borders with the states of Washington,
lived in Idaho since the beginning Oregon, Montana, Wyoming, Utah and
Nevada (map). A small part of Idaho's border
of time. Their cultural presence is
is also shared with the Canadian province of
still evident in repositories of British Columbia. The capital and largest city
history like the Idaho Historical in Idaho is Boise
Museum (610 Julia Davis Drive,
Boise) and the remaining tribes’
reservations. As the absolute last
American state to be settled by
Europeans, Native American
culture has lingered a long time
IL ILLINOIS Illinois is Chicago, and Chicago is The city of Chicago is located in
Illinois. This vibrant city has been northern Illinois, United States, at the south
a bellwether for American culture, western tip of Lake Michigan. It sits on the
society, and politics since its rise Saint Lawrence Seaway continental divide at
the site of the Chicago Portage, an ancient
to prominence in the mid-1800’s.
trade route connecting the Mississippi River
It’s known as a great place to live, and the Great Lakes watersheds.
work, and play. From Chicago
blues to world-class theater and
some of the best shopping in the
country, this city really has it all.
IN INDIANA Indiana has an interesting cultural The geographic center of Indiana is located
makeup that reflects the general in Marion County, 14 miles NNW of
population of America more than Indianapolis. Indiana is bordered by Lake
people give it credit for. There is a Michigan and Michigan in the north and by
Kentucky in the south.
deep respect for the land and
farming endeavors like raising
livestock. As such, Indiana has
excellent local fruit, produce and
meat. The majority of Hoosiers
enjoy their rural life, where
outdoor recreation and family
values stand at the center of
society
IA IOWA The culture of Iowa has been built Iowa is 310 miles long and 200 miles wide.
almost entirely on the backbone The geographic center of Iowa is located in
of agriculture. The first settlers in Story County, 5 miles NE of Ames. Iowa is
the 1830’s came to farm, and bordered by Minnesota in the north and by
Missouri in the south. Wisconsin and Illinois
farming still remains rooted as the
are on the east and South Dakota and
main economic engine of the Nebraska border Iowa on the west.
state. Aside from a few pockets of
urban life in Des Moines and
Cedar Rapids, Iowa is a vast
rolling state of farmland. Small
rural towns dominate the
landscape, populated by friendly
Midwest folks happy to chat with a
visitor from out of town.
KS KANSAS Cattle drives gave way to farming Kansas is bordered by Nebraska on the north
in Kansas. Most of the original and Oklahoma on the south. To the east is
settlers came to the Great Plains Missouri and to the west is Colorado.
to farm, raising large families that
would form the roots of today’s
society. Pockets of German,
Swedes, and other European
ethnicities founded villages that
grew into towns. In 1881, Kansas
was the first state to prohibit
alcohol. Public bars were not
allowed in the state until 1987.
KY KENTUCKY Kentucky is about horses and Kentucky, officially the Commonwealth
bourbon. The state is largely rural of Kentucky, is a state located in the east
with only two notable urban south-central region of the United States.
centers, Louisville and Lexington.
Horse farms creep right up to the
edge of downtown, where big
purse races like the Kentucky
Derby are held each year. Horse
racing, breeding, and riding are
essential components to the
cultural fabric of Kentucky.
LA LOUISIANA The first Europeans to explore Louisiana is a state located in the
Louisiana were the Spanish who southeastern portion of the United States
followed the Mississippi River between Texas and Mississippi and south of
inland in 1528. They were Arkansas
unimpressed and the territory
remained unsettled until the 17th
century when the French arrived
and claimed the region as part of
New France in 1682. They named
it Louisiana in honor of the French
king.
ME MAINE Maine is an interesting place; it’s Maine is the largest of the New England
part of New England, but states of the northeastern United States. It is
somehow feels very different than bordered by New Hampshire to the West, the
Vermont and New Hampshire. Canadian provinces of Quebec and New
Brunswick to the northwest and northeast, the
This is largely due to its location
Atlantic Ocean to the southeast, and the Bay
at the far north of the country and of Fundy to the east.
its historic ties with French
Acadia. There is an unusual
ethnic mix at work here, with a
large number of Irish, Scottish,
and French-Canadians in the
population.
MD MARYLAND Maryland was a proprietary Maryland’s geographic location
colony, meaning that a means that its culture is a mix of
northern and southern American. The
proprietor—and individual
cities still bear colonial influences, in
who was granted the land particular in their architecture.
from England—ruled the Maryland is home to many beautiful
colony. Everyone who lived natural parks and the state has
in Maryland was from worked hard to preserve these. Locals
 England, so they spoke take pride in the Assateague Island
English. Since their main National Seashore and Dans
Mountain Wildlife Management Area,
reason of establishing the
major tourist attractions.
colony was for freedom to
practice Catholicism, their
religion was predominantly
Catholic. The people of
Maryland planted lots of
successful crops, due to the
warm weather fit for growing
them in. Of course, this
demanded lots of labor, so
indentured servants and
African slaves supplied most
of the necessary labor. The
first African slaves were
brought into Maryland in the
year 1642. They were
brought to fill the lack of
labor needed for growing
tobacco crops.
MA MASSACHUSETTS One of early America’s most It is located in the New England region of the
famous and successful colonies northeastern United States and has an area of
was at Plymouth, which was 10,555 square miles (27,340 km2), 25.7% of
founded by the Pilgrims who which is water. Several large bays distinctly
shape its coast. Boston is the largest city, at
sailed from England on
the inmost point of Massachusetts Bay, and
the Mayflower in 1620. The the mouth of the Charles River.
Puritans, another religious group
seeking freedom from the crown,
founded the Massachusetts Bay
Colony in 1630 on what is now
Boston. Amazingly, Harvard
University was founded just six
years later in 1636, making it the
oldest college in America.
MI MICHIGAN The state of Michigan was The state of Michigan was populated
populated by many Native by many Native American tribes
American tribes before the arrival before the arrival of Europeans in the
of Europeans in the 17th century. 17th century. Most of the tribes were
Most of the tribes were related to related to the Algonquian group, who
the Algonquian group, who co- co-existed peacefully on the upper
existed peacefully on the upper and lower peninsulas until the French
and lower peninsulas until the set up shop, founding the town of
French set up shop, founding the Saute Ste Marie in 1668 as a base for
town of Saute Ste Marie in 1668 Catholic missionaries.
as a base for Catholic
missionaries.
MN MINNESOTA Like most of the northern United Minnesota is about 360 miles from east to
States, Minnesota had been west and about 407 miles from north to south.
traditional Native American land The geographic center of Minnesota is
 long before the first French fur located in Crow Wing County, 10 miles SW
trappers arrived in the 17th of Brainerd. Minnesota is bordered by
century. The Dakota, Sioux and Canada on the north and by Iowa on the south.
Ojibwe were three of the biggest On the east, Minnesota is bordered by Lake
Superior and by Wisconsin.
tribes in this region, and they did
not always get along. Fort
Snelling was built in the early
1800s to protect American
interests in the area.
MS MISSISSIPPI Mississippi is a genuine state of Mississippi (/ˌmɪsɪˈsɪpi/ ( listen)) is a
contrasts. It has a huge African state located in the southeastern region of the
American population, but remains United States. Mississippi is the 32nd largest
one of the country’s most racially and 34th-most populous of the 50 United
States.
divided places. It was once the
home of King Cotton in the 1850s,
but today is one of America’s
poorest and most uneducated
states. Visitors will likely notice
some of these social issues
remaining under the surface. It’s
really hit or miss whether you’ll
have a positive or negative
experience in this proud Deep
Southern state.
MO MISSOURI There is a wide mix of culture in Missouri is bounded by Iowa on the north; by
Missouri thanks to its traditional Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee across the
role as a gateway for migrants Mississippi River on the east; on the south by
heading west. The south is Arkansas; and by Oklahoma, Kansas, and
Nebraska (the last across the Missouri River)
covered by the Ozark Mountains,
on the west.
the Lake of the Ozarks and most
of the big national parks. This
blend of outdoor adventure and
unique Ozark culture has made
the southern region of Missouri
popular with all kinds of travelers