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U.S. states: 43 trivia questions with sources

The available questions cover state nicknames, area, island geography, landmarks, cities, shared borders, peninsulas, flags, and the meaning of commonwealth in state names.

43 questions · 16 easy, 16 medium, 11 hard · 43 with a source link

All 15 categoriesDraw them one at a time

Suggested round splits

4 ways to break this category into rounds. The printed sheet keeps the whole list in one run, so split it while you plan rather than while you host.

  • State identity

    Nicknames, flags, terminology, and details used to distinguish one state from another.

  • Land and landmarks

    Area, islands, canyons, mountains, and physical divisions within states.

  • Cities and places

    Major cities, monuments, visitor destinations, and their states.

  • Borders and neighbors

    Shared corners, adjoining states, and geography that connects or separates regions.

All 43 questions with answers

43 carry a pinned source revision

  1. Which U.S. state is nicknamed the Sunshine State?

    FloridaChecked against: Florida's nickname is the "Sunshine State", but severe weather is a common occurrence in the state.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida?oldid=1365211958#Climate

  2. What is the largest U.S. state by area?

    AlaskaChecked against: Alaska is the largest U.S. state by area - comprising more total area than the next three largest states of Texas, California, and Montana combined - and is the world's largest semi-exclave and seventh-largest subnational division.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaska?oldid=1365622598

  3. Which state consists of 137 volcanic islands?

    HawaiiChecked against: Hawaii consists of 137 volcanic islands that make up almost the entire Hawaiian archipelago (the exception is Midway Atoll).Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawaii?oldid=1362956921

  4. In which state is the Grand Canyon?

    ArizonaChecked against: The Grand Canyon is a steep-sided canyon carved by the Colorado River in Arizona, United States.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Canyon?oldid=1365313948

  5. Which state contains the city of New Orleans?

    LouisianaChecked against: The city of New Orleans is a political subdivision of the U.S. state of Louisiana.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orleans?oldid=1365215506#Government

  6. What state is home to Mount Rushmore?

    South DakotaChecked against: Tourism is South Dakota's second-largest industry, and Mount Rushmore is the state's top tourist attraction.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Rushmore?oldid=1365962836#Tourism

  7. Which four states meet at the Four Corners?

    Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and UtahChecked against: Six governments have jurisdictional boundaries at the Four Corners Monument: the states of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah, as well as the tribal governments of the Navajo Nation and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Corners?oldid=1358355445#Politics

  8. What separates Michigan into two large peninsulas?

    The Straits of MackinacChecked against: Michigan consists of two peninsulas separated by the Straits of Mackinac.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigan?oldid=1364551699#Geography

  9. Which state has the only flag with different designs on its front and back?

    OregonChecked against: Oregon is the only U.S. state to feature different designs on either side of its flag.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Oregon?oldid=1364811342

  10. What does the term commonwealth not describe or provide when used by a U.S. state?

    Any specific political status or legal relationshipChecked against: The term commonwealth does not describe or provide for any specific political status or legal relationship when used by a state.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_(U.S._state)?oldid=1364644778#Definition

  11. Which state occupies the northeastern portion of the Delmarva Peninsula?

    DelawareChecked against: Delaware occupies the northeastern portion of the Delmarva Peninsula, and some islands and territory within the Delaware River.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delaware?oldid=1363286337

  12. Which state was the most recent to join the Union, on August 21, 1959?

    HawaiiChecked against: Hawaii is the most recent state to join the union, on August 21, 1959.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawaii?oldid=1362956921

  13. Which state's legislature is the only unicameral one in the United States?

    The Nebraska LegislatureChecked against: Unlike the legislatures of the other 49 U.S. states and the U.S. Congress, the Nebraska Legislature is unicameral, a structure the state adopted in 1937.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nebraska_Legislature?oldid=1356932612

  14. What is the smallest U.S. state by area?

    Rhode IslandChecked against: Rhode Island is the smallest U.S. state by area and the seventh-least populous.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhode_Island?oldid=1365484667

  15. Which mountain in Alaska is the highest peak in North America?

    DenaliChecked against: Denali, federally designated as Mount McKinley, is the highest mountain peak in North America, with a summit elevation of 20,310 feet above sea level.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denali?oldid=1365843900

  16. What California basin contains the lowest point in North America?

    Badwater BasinChecked against: Badwater Basin is an endorheic basin in Death Valley National Park, Death Valley, Inyo County, California, noted as the lowest point in North America and the United States.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badwater_Basin?oldid=1365862627

  17. Which two states are excluded from the contiguous United States?

    Alaska and HawaiiChecked against: The term excludes the only two non-contiguous states and the last two to be admitted to the Union, which are Alaska and Hawaii.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contiguous_United_States?oldid=1363881144

  18. Which state borders only one other U.S. state?

    MaineChecked against: Maine is a state in the New England region of the United States, and the northeasternmost state in the contiguous United States. It is the only state to border only one other state (New Hampshire).Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maine?oldid=1365679444

  19. Which Minnesota lake is the headwater of the Mississippi River?

    Lake ItascaChecked against: Lake Itasca is located in Itasca State Park, in north-central Minnesota, and is notable for being the headwater of the Mississippi River.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Itasca?oldid=1363013883

  20. Which Great Lake is located fully within the United States?

    Lake MichiganChecked against: Lake Michigan is the only Great Lake located fully in the United States; the other four are shared between the U.S. and Canada.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Michigan?oldid=1365842153

  21. Which state's constitution is among the oldest functioning written constitutions still in continuous effect?

    MassachusettsChecked against: The Massachusetts Constitution is among the oldest functioning written constitutions in continuous effect in the world, predated only by sections of the Constitution of San Marino and Magna Carta.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_of_Massachusetts?oldid=1360362828

  22. In which state is Acadia National Park?

    MaineChecked against: Acadia National Park is a national park of the United States located along the mid-section of the Maine coast, southwest of Bar Harbor.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acadia_National_Park?oldid=1365786661

  23. Which state contains Mammoth Cave National Park?

    KentuckyChecked against: Mammoth Cave National Park is a national park of the United States in south-central Kentucky.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mammoth_Cave_National_Park?oldid=1365737276

  24. On which state's Olympic Peninsula is Olympic National Park?

    WashingtonChecked against: Olympic National Park is a national park of the United States located in Washington, on the Olympic Peninsula.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_National_Park?oldid=1365738448

  25. Which person are both Washington state and the national capital named after?

    George WashingtonChecked against: Washington is often referred to as Washington state to distinguish it from the national capital; both are named after George Washington, a U.S. Founding Father and the first U.S. president.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_(state)?oldid=1364216063

  26. Which Great Lake gives Pennsylvania a northwestern shoreline?

    Lake ErieChecked against: Pennsylvania borders the Canadian province of Ontario to its northwest via Lake Erie.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania?oldid=1365712605

  27. In Louisiana, what are the primary subdivisions named instead of counties?

    ParishesChecked against: The U.S. state of Louisiana is divided into 64 parishes, making it the only state besides Alaska to not call its primary subdivisions "counties".Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_parishes_in_Louisiana?oldid=1363650503

  28. How is Alaska divided at county-equivalent level?

    19 organized boroughs and 11 census areasChecked against: The U.S. state of Alaska is divided into 19 organized boroughs and 11 census areas in the Unorganized Borough.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_boroughs_and_census_areas_in_Alaska?oldid=1353103607

  29. Which four states use commonwealth in their full official names?

    Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and VirginiaChecked against: Commonwealth is a term used by four of the 50 states of the United States in their full official names: Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_(U.S._state)?oldid=1364644778

  30. By what common name is California's state flag known?

    The Bear FlagChecked against: The flag of California, known as the Bear Flag, is the official flag of the U.S. state of California.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_California?oldid=1363976680

  31. What sacred symbol appears on New Mexico's state flag?

    A sacred red sun symbol of the Zia tribeChecked against: The flag of the U.S. state of New Mexico consists of a sacred red sun symbol of the Zia tribe on a field of gold.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_New_Mexico?oldid=1360845664

  32. Whose heraldic banner of arms became Maryland's state flag?

    Cecil, 2nd Baron BaltimoreChecked against: The flag of Maryland is the official flag of the U.S. state of Maryland and the 17th-century heraldic banner of arms of Cecil, 2nd Baron Baltimore.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Maryland?oldid=1363418087

  33. Which tree appears on South Carolina's state flag?

    A white palmetto treeChecked against: The flag of South Carolina is a symbol of the U.S. state of South Carolina consisting of a blue field with a white palmetto tree and a white crescent.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_South_Carolina?oldid=1363231841

  34. Which state's official motto is Live Free or Die?

    New HampshireChecked against: "Live Free or Die" is the official motto of the U.S. state of New Hampshire, adopted by the state in 1945.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_Free_or_Die?oldid=1365755949

  35. Which Canadian province lies directly north of Ohio?

    OntarioChecked against: Ohio borders the Canadian province of Ontario to the north.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohio?oldid=1364548524

  36. Which state is nicknamed the Lone Star State?

    TexasChecked against: Texas is nicknamed the "Lone Star State" for the single star on its flag, symbolic of its former status as an independent country, the Republic of Texas.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas?oldid=1365069832

  37. Which Indigenous language is official in Hawaii alongside English?

    HawaiianChecked against: Hawaiian, along with English, is an official language of the U.S. state of Hawaii.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawaiian_language?oldid=1365097057

  38. Which city is California's state capital?

    SacramentoChecked against: Sacramento is the capital city of the U.S. state of California.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacramento%2C_California?oldid=1366001702

  39. Which city is the capital of Maryland?

    AnnapolisChecked against: Annapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annapolis%2C_Maryland?oldid=1363797517

  40. Which city is New York state's capital?

    AlbanyChecked against: Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albany%2C_New_York?oldid=1365509206

  41. How is Ohio's state flag shaped differently from an ordinary rectangular flag?

    A distinctive triangular swallowtail shapeChecked against: The flag of Ohio, also known as the Ohio Burgee, is a red, white, and blue U.S. state flag with a distinctive triangular swallowtail shape.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Ohio?oldid=1362418689

  42. How did Arkansas's legislature say the final s in the state's name should be pronounced?

    The final "s" be silentChecked against: In 1881, the state legislature defined the official pronunciation of Arkansas as having the final "s" be silent.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arkansas?oldid=1364444540

  43. Which state borders Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Missouri?

    TennesseeChecked against: Tennessee borders Kentucky to the north, Virginia to the northeast, North Carolina to the east, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi to the south, Arkansas to the southwest, and Missouri to the northwest.Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennessee?oldid=1365485346