[For Seniors] U.S. States Quiz: An Introductory Guide with Explanations to the Essential Facts You Should Know

13 states

When the United States of America declared its independence in 1776, there were originally 13 states. These 13 states were formed from British colonies that became independent, and the first 13 stars and the 13 stripes on the Stars and Stripes represent these states.

Arizona

Arizona is part of the territory that the United States formally acquired through the Gadsden Purchase in 1853, an agreement made with Mexico. Because of this, the southern region of Arizona has a history of being sold by Mexico to the United States. Florida was acquired from Spain, and Alaska from Russia, so the answer is Arizona.

State of Hawaii

The state farthest from the contiguous United States is Hawaii. Located roughly in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii is about 3,800 kilometers (approximately 2,400 miles) away from the U.S. mainland. It is also a famous tourist destination, known for its beautiful ocean and nature, as well as its unique culture. Meanwhile, Alaska is also separated from the mainland, but Hawaii is farther in terms of distance.

California

The largest Japanese enclave in the United States (Little Tokyo) is located in Los Angeles, California. Japanese immigration began in the early 1900s, and even today the area is lined with many expressions of Japanese culture, restaurants, and shops catering to Japanese people. In addition, California has many places to experience Japanese culture—including Japantowns in San Francisco and San Diego—and it has the largest Japanese population in the nation.

Rhode Island

The smallest state by area in the United States is Rhode Island. Rhode Island covers about 4,002 square kilometers and is very compact compared to other states. Although the word “Island” is in its name, a large portion of the state is actually on the mainland. It is also a well-known tourist destination, famous for its beautiful coastline and historic streetscapes.