What’s the Largest US State? Size Matters When it Comes to These States!

When people think about the United States, they often think about some of its most iconic landmarks, such as the Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore, and the Golden Gate Bridge. However, the United States is also home to some of the world’s largest and most fascinating states. While bigger doesn’t always mean better, in the case of these states, size certainly matters.

The Largest US State: Alaska

When it comes to size, Alaska takes the cake as the largest US state, covering a whopping 663,267 square miles. If Alaska were a country, it would be the 18th largest country in the world, just behind Iran and slightly ahead of Saudi Arabia.

So, How Big is Alaska Really?

It’s difficult to put Alaska’s size into perspective, but here are a few interesting comparisons:

  • Alaska is twice the size of Texas, which is the second largest US state.
  • If you were to drive from the bottom of Alaska to the top, it would take you 70 hours of non-stop driving.
  • Alaska has more coastline than all the other US states combined, with over 34,000 miles of shoreline.

Why is Alaska so Big?

There are a few reasons why Alaska is so massive. Firstly, it’s located in the far northwest corner of North America, which means it has a lot of uninhabited land due to its harsh climate and rugged terrain. Additionally, Alaska is the only US state with coastlines on three different seas: the Arctic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, and the Bering Sea.

The Runner-Up: Texas

While Alaska is the largest US state by far, Texas comes in at a respectable second place. Covering 268,596 square miles, Texas is still larger than the entire country of France.

What’s So Great About Texas?

Not only is Texas a massive state, but it’s also home to some of the country’s most vibrant cities, including Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, and Austin. Additionally, it has a rich history, with its cowboy culture, oil industry, and iconic landmarks such as the Alamo.

How Does Texas Compare to Other Countries?

Here are a few interesting stats that put Texas’ size into perspective:

Size in Square Miles
Texas 268,596
Germany 137,988
Japan 145,914

The Other Large US States

While Alaska and Texas may be the largest US states by far, there are a few other states that are still quite sizable. Here are a few more large US states:

California

California is the third largest US state with a total are of 163,696 square miles. If California were a country, it would be the 36th largest country in the world, right behind Zambia.

Montana

Montana may not be one of the most popular US states, but it’s still quite large, covering 147,040 square miles. To put that into perspective, if Montana were a country, it would be the 62nd largest country in the world, ahead of the likes of Germany and Spain.

New Mexico

New Mexico is a uniquely beautiful state that covers 121,590 square miles. While it may not be the largest state, it still has a lot to offer, including stunning deserts, valleys, and mountains.

Conclusion

Size certainly matters when it comes to these US states. Whether you’re fascinated by Alaska’s frozen tundra, Texas’ cowboy culture, California’s beaches, or New Mexico’s stunning landscapes, there is no shortage of amazing sights to see in some of the largest US states.

Top Questions About the Largest US States

  • What is the largest state in the US?
  • The largest US state is Alaska.

  • What is the second-largest state in the US?
  • Texas is the second-largest US state.

  • What is the smallest state in the US?
  • Rhode Island is the smallest US state.

  • What is the population of Alaska?
  • As of 2020, Alaska’s population is just under 750,000.

  • What is the population of Texas?
  • As of 2020, Texas’ population is over 29 million.

References

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