Can You Name These U.S. States by Their Shapes?

By: Olivia Cantor
Estimated Completion Time
2 min
Can You Name These U.S. States by Their Shapes?
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About This Quiz

The United States of America is a very diverse and eclectic land. And you can already see that just by looking at a map.

The very extensive map of America is an interesting layout to study for map enthusiasts. One can see the various ways that each state neatly connects to another. And some of the states also have distinguishable shapes that are instantly recognizable, visually, because their borders are formed by rivers, coastlines or other natural geographic features.

The fun of reading the U.S. map also lies in noticing which states border which other states, and how their natural wonders and man-made attractions differ. So if you are planning on a road trip or a train trip across this great nation, then you can see how the states will connect your path for you. And there is always more than one path to exploring this vast and beautiful land.

By looking at the map, you can also see some cultural nuances, both the distinct differences and the cool similarities. Wouldn't it be fun to just explore these sub-regions of the country and see what they all have to offer? So perhaps through this quiz, we can experience that. 

Try your luck? Let's go!

California
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Can you name this West Coast state?
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

That unmistakable long shape is California. It's like the definitive shape of the West Coast.

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Florida
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How about this state?
Georgia
Hawaii
Florida
Idaho
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

That shape is Florida. It's really sunny there.

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Hawaii
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Can you tell which state this is?
Illinois
Alabama
Hawaii
Alaska
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This group of islands makes up Hawaii. The Aloha State is a nice place for a vacay.

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Texas
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How about this state?
Arizona
Texas
Arkansas
Kentucky
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Who wouldn't recognize the shape of Texas? It's so unique that it stands out!

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Wyoming
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How about this state?
Maine
Louisiana
Texas
Wyoming
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Wyoming is that square-shaped state. It's so easy to spot, isn't it?

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Rhode Island
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Guess which state this is?
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Rhode Island
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

That tiny speck with the complex coastline is Rhode Island. Yep, it's there!

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Ohio
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Which state is shown here?
Ohio
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ohio's shape is like a vampire with its cape all opened up. That, or we vampire lovers watch too many movies!

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New York
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Can you guess this East Coast state?
North Carolina
New York
North Dakota
New Hampshire
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

New York's outline touches the border of Canada. Remember that! It also borders Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Vermont.

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Oklahoma
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How about this shape?
Tennessee
Texas
Oklahoma
Utah
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

What does Oklahoma's shape look like to you? For chefs, it might look like a huge butcher knife!

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Virginia
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This is the shape of what state?
Vermont
North Carolina
North Dakota
Virginia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Virginia's shape is an interesting one. It looks like an elaborate ladies' hat! It's known as the Old Dominion State.

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New Mexico
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This shape represents what state?
Ohio
Oklahoma
New Mexico
Oregon
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

New Mexico's shape is a bit squarish, like some others. But that small extension below it marks the difference. New Mexico is known as the Land of Enchantment.

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Oregon
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What about this shape?
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Oregon
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Oregon is just above California. So it's also on the West Coast. Oregon is the Beaver State.

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Washington
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Can you guess this state?
South Dakota
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Washington State is right above Oregon. The Evergreen State touches Canada's border.

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North Carolina
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This shape is what state?
Alaska
Alabama
North Carolina
Arizona
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This one is the Old North State. North Carolina's shape resembles a hawk looking to the left. Look closer!

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North Dakota
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Can you identify which state this is?
Arkansas
Indiana
North Dakota
Iowa
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

North Dakota, the Peace Garden State, is at the top of the country. It touches Canada's border.

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Montana
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Can you tell which state this is?
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Montana
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Can you see a face in Montana's outline? It's at the left!

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Alabama
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Can you state which one this is?
Mississippi
Alabama
Montana
Missouri
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Heart of Dixie is not really found at the heart of the country. Alabama is a bit far from there.

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Delaware
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What about this state?
Delaware
Nebraska
Nevada
Georgia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It might be a bit hard to spot Delaware's shape. But the Diamond State is there!

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Alaska
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What about this state?
Hawaii
Idaho
Alaska
Illinois
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

That sprout-like shape is Alaska indeed. And yes, it's so cold there, always! Alaska borders no other U.S. states - only the country of Canada.

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Illinois
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Can you identify this state?
Indiana
Iowa
Illinois
Connecticut
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Contrary to popular belief, Chicago is not the capital city of Illinois. It's Springfield. Illinois is known as the Prairie State.

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Louisiana
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This is easy! Which state is this?
Louisiana
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Contrary to popular belief, New Orleans is not the capital of Louisiana. It's Baton Rouge.

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Arkansas
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Another easy one: Which state is this?
Oregon
Oklahoma
Arkansas
Pennsylvania
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The capital of Arkansas, the Natural State, is Little Rock. Can you figure out where it is in that shape?

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Mississippi
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What state is this one, by the shape of it?
Nevada
Nebraska
Mississippi
New Hampshire
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Mississippi is also called the Hospitality State or the Magnolia State. Its capital is Jackson.

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Georgia
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Can you tell the state by this shape?
New Jersey
Georgia
New Mexico
Rhode Island
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Did you know that Georgia is also called the Empire State of the South? Its capital is Atlanta.

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Colorado
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What is this state, judging by the shape?
Alaska
Alabama
Colorado
Arizona
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Colorado's capital is Denver. It's also the Centennial State's largest city.

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Iowa
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And this shape is for which state?
Arkansas
Virginia
Iowa
Washington
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Hawkeye State is Iowa. Its capital is Des Moines.

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Maine
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This is the shape of which state?
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Maine
Wyoming
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Did you know that Maine is also called Vacationland? Yep, it's good for that!

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Nevada
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Can you name which state is this?
Nevada
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Nevada, the Silver State, is where Las Vegas is located. But its capital is Carson City.

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Pennsylvania
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Head over to the East Coast! Where is this?
Tennessee
Texas
Pennsylvania
Utah
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Contrary to popular belief, Pennsylvania's capital is not Philadelphia. It's actually Harrisburg. Pennsylvania is the Keystone State.

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New Jersey
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Which state shape is shown here?
Vermont
North Dakota
New Jersey
Ohio
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

New Jersey is such an eclectic and multicultural state. Its capital is Trenton.

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Michigan
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Which state's outline is this?
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Michigan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Did you know that Michigan is also called the Wolverine State? The capital is Lansing.

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South Carolina
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How about this?
Minnesota
South Carolina
Mississippi
Missouri
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

That small shape is indeed South Carolina. Its capital is Columbia.

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South Dakota
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Can you name this state?
Montana
Nebraska
South Dakota
Michigan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The capital of South Dakota is Pierre. But its largest city is Sioux Falls.

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Wisconsin
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Identify this one, now!
Illinois
Wisconsin
Indiana
Iowa
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Wisconsin's capital is Madison. But its largest city is Milwaukee.

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Nebraska
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Guess which state this is!
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Nebraska
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Nebraska's capital is Lincoln. But its biggest city is Omaha.

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Vermont
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You got this! What is this state?
Andorra
Vermont
Belize
Nebraska
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Vermont's capital is Montpelier. But its biggest city is Burlington.

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Utah
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What’s the name of this state?
Netherlands
Curacao
France
Utah
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Do you know why Utah is nicknamed the Mormon State? That's because they founded their church there.

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New Hampshire
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Don’t give up now! What state is this?
Gibraltar
New Hampshire
Morocco
Philippines
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Yep, that silhouette is indeed New Hampshire. It's such a lovely state.

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Massachusetts
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Can you tell what this one is?
Samoa
Iowa
Massachusetts
Ohio
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This small state is indeed Massachusetts. But the Pilgrim State is historically big.

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Kentucky
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What state is this?
Puerto Rico
Trinidad and Tobago
Kentucky
Missouri
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Kentucky's capital is Frankfort. But its largest city is Louisville.

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You Got:
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