Largest of the 48 Contiguous U.S. States: It's Texas, Not Alaska

Texas is the largest of the 48 contiguous (conterminous) United States.

Why the Confusion?

Alaska (665,384 sq mi) is the largest U.S. state overall—but it is not contiguous (separated from the "Lower 48" by Canada). The question specifies "forty-eight contiguous states," which excludes Alaska and Hawaii.

Fun Comparisons

• Texas is 2.2× larger than Germany, 3× larger than the UK.
• Texas could fit 243 Rhode Islands.
• If Texas were a country, it would rank 40th in land area (between Zambia and Myanmar).

The answer is Texas. Alaska is larger but not contiguous.