How the 50 US States Are Alike & Different

Shared Foundations

• All part of the USA—subject to federal law
• Republican governments (elected representatives)
• Free-market economies
• Diverse populations
• Unique landscapes, climates, cultures

Key Differences

• Size: Alaska (largest) vs. Rhode Island (smallest)
• Population: California (~39M) vs. Wyoming (~580K)
• Geography: Hawaiian archipelago vs. Maine’s northeast tip
• Climate: Florida tropical vs. Alaska arctic
• Politics: California liberal vs. Texas conservative
• Economy: NY diversified vs. WV coal-dependent
• Culture: Hawaii Polynesian vs. Maine New England

Unity in constitutional framework; diversity in everything else.