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Quizzes > Geography

State Trivia Questions: How Well Do You Know the U.S. States?

Quick, free quiz to test your US state trivia skills. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Dimitar VranchevUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art style collage of US state capitals landmarks quiz icons on teal background

This quiz helps you check what you know about U.S. states with clear, varied state trivia questions on capitals, landmarks, borders, and nicknames. For extra practice, try state capitals trivia or explore US geography trivia, then take the quiz and see how you score.

What is the capital of California?
Los Angeles
San Diego
San Francisco
Sacramento
Sacramento has been California's capital since 1854, chosen for its central location during the Gold Rush era. It replaced San Jose and Benicia as the seat of government. Located at the confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers, it is a hub for politics and culture. .
What is the nickname for New York State?
The Empire State
The Magnolia State
The Lone Star State
The Golden State
New York is officially nicknamed "The Empire State," a term that highlights its wealth and resources in the early 19th century. The nickname was popularized by George Washington and DeWitt Clinton. It appears on the state's quarters design and in many tourism materials. .
What is the official two-letter postal abbreviation for Texas?
TA
TK
TX
TE
The United States Postal Service assigns two-letter abbreviations for each state; Texas is abbreviated as "TX." These codes were introduced in 1963 to speed up mail sorting. The system is still in use today for addressing and data processing. .
What is the capital of Florida?
Jacksonville
Miami
Orlando
Tallahassee
Tallahassee has been Florida's capital since 1824, chosen for its relatively central location between then-major cities St. Augustine and Pensacola. It serves as the seat of government for the state. The city hosts Florida State University and a large student population. .
Which state is known as the "Sunshine State"?
California
Florida
Texas
Arizona
Florida is nicknamed the "Sunshine State" due to its generally warm and sunny climate year-round. The nickname was first used by the state's Chamber of Commerce in 1970. It appears on Florida's state license plates. .
Which state is home to the Grand Canyon?
Utah
New Mexico
Arizona
Colorado
The Grand Canyon is located in northern Arizona and is one of the most visited national parks in the United States. Carved by the Colorado River over millions of years, it spans over 277 miles in length. It is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. .
What is the capital of Alaska?
Sitka
Fairbanks
Anchorage
Juneau
Juneau became Alaska's capital in 1906, moving from Sitka for its more accessible location. It is notable for being the only U.S. state capital that cannot be reached by road. The city sits at the base of Mount Juneau and the Gastineau Channel. .
Which state is known as the "Lone Star State"?
Kentucky
New Mexico
Texas
Oklahoma
Texas is nicknamed the "Lone Star State" to commemorate its former status as an independent republic. The single star on its flag symbolizes Texas's struggle for independence from Mexico. This nickname reflects state pride and history. .
Which U.S. state has the largest population?
Texas
California
Florida
New York
California is the most populous U.S. state, with nearly 40 million residents as of recent estimates. Its large economy, diverse geography, and major cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco contribute to its high population. It leads the nation by a significant margin. .
Which U.S. state has the second-largest population?
Illinois
Texas
New York
Florida
Texas ranks second in population behind California, with over 29 million residents. Its growth has been driven by a strong economy, no state income tax, and large urban centers like Houston, Dallas, and Austin. It continues to add new residents each year. .
Which state borders both Canada and the Atlantic Ocean?
Maine
New York
Michigan
Washington
Maine is the only U.S. state that shares an international land border with Canada and has a coastline on the Atlantic Ocean. It borders New Brunswick and Quebec to the north and east. This unique position gives Maine a long maritime heritage. .
In which state is Mount Rushmore located?
North Dakota
Colorado
Montana
South Dakota
Mount Rushmore is carved into the Black Hills of South Dakota. The sculpture features the faces of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Lincoln. It was completed between 1927 and 1941 and attracts over two million visitors annually. .
Which state is nicknamed the "Volunteer State"?
Tennessee
Ohio
Missouri
Kentucky
Tennessee's nickname, the "Volunteer State," dates to the War of 1812 when volunteer soldiers from Tennessee earned distinction. The nickname was reinforced during the Mexican - American War when volunteers again served in high numbers. It reflects Tennessee's military heritage. .
Which state was the first to ratify the U.S. Constitution?
Delaware
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Georgia
Delaware ratified the U.S. Constitution on December 7, 1787, becoming the first state to join the Union. Because of this, it is known as "The First State." Its swift ratification was crucial in achieving the nine-state threshold for the Constitution to take effect. .
Which state's motto is "Live Free or Die"?
Rhode Island
Vermont
New Hampshire
Massachusetts
New Hampshire adopted "Live Free or Die" as its official state motto in 1945. The phrase was originally coined by General John Stark, a hero of the Revolutionary War, in 1809. It reflects the state's long tradition of valuing independence and liberty. .
Which U.S. state has the most national parks?
Alaska
Hawaii
Utah
California
California leads the nation with nine national parks, including Yosemite, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, and Joshua Tree. These parks protect diverse ecosystems from deserts to old-growth forests and coastal areas. Alaska follows with eight, but California holds the top spot. .
In what year did Hawaii become the 50th U.S. state?
1960
1958
1959
1956
Hawaii was admitted to the Union on August 21, 1959, as the 50th state. It was the last state to join the United States. The admission followed a 1959 referendum in which more than 90% of voters supported statehood. .
Which state capital is at the highest elevation above sea level?
Helena, Montana
Denver, Colorado
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe sits at 7,199 feet above sea level, making it the highest state capital in the U.S. Denver, although famous as the "Mile-High City," is lower at 5,280 feet. Santa Fe's elevation contributes to its unique climate and culture. .
Which U.S. state borders the greatest number of other states?
Colorado
Missouri
Tennessee
Kentucky
Tennessee shares land borders with eight states: Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Missouri. This ties it with Missouri, but Tennessee is most often cited due to its central location. No other state borders more than eight. .
What is the least populous U.S. state?
Alaska
Vermont
North Dakota
Wyoming
Wyoming is the least populous state in the U.S., with fewer than 600,000 residents. Its low population density is due to its large area and mountainous terrain. Cheyenne, the state capital, remains a small city by national standards. .
Which U.S. state has the longest coastline?
Texas
Alaska
California
Florida
Alaska has the longest coastline of any U.S. state, stretching over 33,000 miles when including the mainland and islands. Its vast maritime boundaries exceed the combined length of all other states. This extensive coastline contributes to its rich fishing industry. .
Which state is the only one whose official flag is not rectangular in shape?
Ohio
Nevada
Indiana
Texas
Ohio's state flag is a swallowtail design known as a burgee. It was adopted in 1902 and is the only non-rectangular state flag. The flag's triangular shape and colors symbolize the state's hills and valleys and appeal to its Native American heritage. .
Which U.S. state has the highest number of active volcanoes?
Hawaii
California
Washington
Alaska
Alaska has the most active volcanoes of any U.S. state, with over 130 volcanoes and volcanic fields. Many are part of the Aleutian arc, which is one of the most active volcanic zones in the world. Periodic eruptions impact air travel across the North Pacific. .
By land area, which U.S. state ranks 12th largest?
Michigan
Minnesota
Wisconsin
Washington
Minnesota is the 12th largest state by land area, covering about 86,936 square miles. It ranks just behind Michigan and ahead of Washington. Its numerous lakes and forests contribute to its total land area calculation. .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify State Capitals -

    Recall the capital cities of all 50 US states with ease after taking our state capitals quiz within this engaging state trivia quiz.

  2. Recall State Symbols -

    Test your knowledge of state flowers, flags, and nicknames to strengthen your trivia us states expertise.

  3. Analyze Population Trends -

    Compare state population facts to gain insight into demographic patterns across the nation in our us states quiz.

  4. Locate Iconic Landmarks -

    Identify famous landmarks and geographic features as you navigate this fun state trivia quiz challenge.

  5. Apply Strategic Recall -

    Develop quick-thinking techniques to boost your score and outshine friends in any state trivia quiz showdown.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Regional Capital Memorization -

    Break 50 capitals into six regions and craft a short rhyme. For example, a New England poem ("Augusta's charm, Concord's alarm, Montpelier's glimmer…") lines up Augusta (ME), Concord (NH), Montpelier (VT), Boston (MA), Providence (RI), Hartford (CT). When you tackle a state capitals quiz or a state trivia quiz on geography, this poem gives you an edge.

  2. State Nicknames & Origins -

    Study state nicknames (like Oregon's "Beaver State" or South Carolina's "Palmetto State") using Library of Congress archives for historical context. Visualize each nickname with a simple mental sketch - Oregon's beaver tail or SC's palmetto fronds - to leverage dual”coding theory from Western Ontario research. This visual trick is perfect for trivia us states rounds or any us states quiz.

  3. Population Density Formula -

    Use the US Census Bureau's density formula: density = population ÷ land area (sq mi). For example, California's 39.5 million ÷ 163,696 sq mi ≈ 241 people/sq mi. During a state trivia quiz, quickly calculate or compare densities to answer population”related questions with confidence.

  4. State Flowers & Botanical Tricks -

    Memorize state flowers from the USDA PLANTS database - think Iowa's Wild Prairie Rose or Tennessee's Iris. String them into an alphabetical chain ("Alabama's Camellia meets Florida's Orange Blossom…") to recall all 50 blooms in order. In your next us states quiz, this semantic”visual combo will make flower questions bloom in your favor.

  5. National Parks & Landmark Clusters -

    Group major parks and landmarks regionally using the National Park Service map. For instance, the Four Corners area features Mesa Verde (CO), Canyonlands (UT), and the Grand Canyon (AZ) nearby. For a state trivia quiz on landmarks, tapping into spatial clusters engages your brain's map memory for faster recall.

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