Hidden stories and unexpected details from across the U.S.
How well do you know the US? These 10 facts might surprise you
Image: Jametlene Reskp
America is made up of 50 states, each with its own history, culture, and unique quirks. While many people know about their capitals, nicknames, and most famous landmarks, there are plenty of lesser-known facts that make each state stand out. Unusual laws, surprising geographic features, and record-breaking claims reveal a side of the country that many are unfamiliar with. Here are 10 surprising facts about different states that might shine a new light on what you know about America.
1
Alaska has more coastline than the rest of the U.S. combined
Alaska’s size is already impressive: it’s the largest state in the country by far, over twice the size of Texas (the second largest state by area). But what surprises many people is just how much coastline it has.
With over 33,900 miles of shoreline, including islands, Alaska has more coastline than all the other U.S. states combined. Its rugged shores stretch along the Arctic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, and the Bering Sea.
2
Arizona is home to one of the best-preserved meteor craters
Arizona’s desert landscape holds one of the most famous impact sites on Earth: Meteor Crater. This massive depression, measuring about 3,900 feet across and more than 500 feet deep, was formed around 50,000 years ago when a large iron meteorite struck the ground with unimaginable force. It’s so well preserved that scientists have used it to study planetary impacts for decades.
3
California has the tallest, largest, and oldest trees
California is home to some incredible tree-based records. On the northern coast, redwoods grow routinely over 300 feet, and represent the tallest tree species on Earth. In addition, giant sequoias hold the record for the largest trees by volume, and bristlecone pines in eastern California are among the oldest living trees on the planet, some reaching more than 4,800 years of age.
4
Colorado contains the highest paved road in North America
Colorado’s mountainous terrain makes it a paradise for scenic drives, but one road stands above all the rest. Literally.
The Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway climbs to over 14,000 feet above sea level, making it the highest paved road in North America. It visits Echo Lake Park, the Mount Goliath Natural Area, the Dos Chappell Nature Center, and Summit Lake Park, and culminates in the highest peak of the region, Mount Blue Sky (formerly known as Mount Evans). A fee is charged to travel State Highway 5 to the summit, and vehicles over 30 feet long are not allowed for safety reasons.
5
Florida is the only state that borders both the Atlantic and the Gulf
Florida’s location gives it a special geographic distinction. It is the only U.S. state that borders both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of America, known globally as the Gulf of Mexico.
This unique positioning helps explain why Florida has so many beaches, marine ecosystems, and one of the longest coastlines in the country, second only to the aforementioned Alaska.
6
Hawaii grows coffee commercially
Coffee production in the United States is rare, but Hawaii, sitting in the Pacific Ocean about 2,000 miles southwest of the U.S. mainland, is one of the few places where it happens on a large scale. The state’s volcanic soil and tropical climate make perfect conditions for growing coffee, especially the famous Kona coffee grown on the slopes of volcanoes on the Big Island.
7
Kansas is flatter than a pancake
Kansas has long been joked about as being extremely flat. But, in 2003, researchers from the geography departments of Texas State University and Arizona State University took the matter to the lab. They worked to mathematically determine if Kansas is actually flatter than a standard pancake purchased from IHOP.
The researchers concluded that, mathematically speaking, Kansas is actually flatter than a pancake when measured over large distances. The study became famous for both its humor and its unusual approach.
8
Louisiana has parishes instead of counties
48 of the states divide their local governments into counties. Alaska uses the term boroughs. Louisiana, however, is divided into parishes . The reason lies with the state's early history with the Roman Catholic Church.
A parish , in many Christian denominations, is a territory under the care and jurisdiction of a priest. Before the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the region had been under both French and Spanish influence, both Catholic countries. When the state of Louisiana joined the Union in 1812, it had already inherited an organized system of administrative units derived from those used by the Catholic church. Eventually, when a new state constitution was ratified in 1845, local tradition won, and the name parish stuck.
9
Nevada is the most mountainous state
When people think of Nevada, they often picture either endless deserts or the chaotic energy of Las Vegas, with its world-famous hotels and casinos. But Nevada is a very large state (the 7th largest overall), and its 110,572 square miles are filled with mountains.
Nevada contains more mountain ranges than any other state in the country, over 300 of them, thanks to the geological stretching of the Basin and Range region. These mountain ranges create isolated valleys that serve as refuges for endemic species.
10
Oregon has a lake inside a volcano
Oregon is home to Crater Lake, one of the many stunning natural sights in the US. It formed inside the collapsed caldera of an ancient volcano called Mount Mazama. No river flows in or out of the lake; the system stays stable because evaporation is compensated by rain and snowfall.
Crater Lake is the deepest lake in America, reaching depths of nearly 2,000 feet, and its intense blue and water clarity solidify it as one of the country's most sought-after tourist destinations.
