U.S.A. Travel Guide

• Alabama- Unofficially nicknamed the "Yellowhammer State" after it's state bird, it is also the "Heart of Dixie," located in the heart of the South.
• Alaska- Known as "The Last Frontier" and "Land of the Midnight Sun," Alaska is America's northernmost state, as well as its largest (in terms of area). Additionally, it's coastline is longer than the coastlines of all other U.S. states combined.
• Arkansas- Like many states, Arkansas' name is related to Native Americans and is derived from the same root word used to name Kansas.
• Connecticut- The "Constitution State" nickname comes from the Fundamental Orders of the Connecticut and New Haven Colonies, which had a major influence on the U.S. Constitution.
• Delaware- Named after Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr, (Virginia's first colonial governor), the state was the first to ratify the U.S. Constitution (earning it the nickname of the "First State").
• District of Columbia- In 1871, Congress merged the City of Washington and the Territory of Columbia into the District of Columbia, a federal district that is distinct from the other states in America.
• Georgia- Known as the "Peach State," it was one of the original 13 colonies that declared independence against Britain in 1776. It was also one of the original 7 Confederate states that seceded from the Union before the U.S. Civil War.
• Guam-
• Hawaii- The "Aloha State" was the 50th state of the United States and is the only state besides Alaska that does not border any other U.S. state. It comprises the Hawaiian Island chain, which includes hundreds of islands spread across 1,500 miles.
• Idaho- Nicknamed the "Gem State" because almost every type of gem has been found here, it is also famous for potatoes and paper products, as well as snow skiing.
• Illinois- The "Prairie State" is the most populous state in the Midwestern region of the U.S. Due to its location, it is a major transportation hub (airlines, trains, and auto/trucks, as well as shipping through the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River).
• Indiana-
• Iowa- Famous for its agriculture (largest U.S. producer of corn and ethanol), the "Hawkeye State" has a very diverse economy that includes manufacturing, insurance and finance, and biotechnology, with agriculture accounting for less than 4% of the state's GDP.
• Kansas- The "Sunflower State" is also knows s the "Wheat State" because of its leading status of wheat production in the U.S. Western buffs can visit cowboy towns, herds of American bison, and North America's largest stand of tall grass prairie.
• Kentucky- Although originally part of Virginia, the "Bluegrass State", became a separate state in 1792. The annual Kentucky Derby is one of the most important races in Thoroughbred horse racing.
• Maine- The "Pine Tree State" is well-known for its rocky coastline in the northernmost part of New England. It is also famous for its lobsters and clams, as well as being North America's largest producer of blueberries.
• Maryland- Originally colonized as a haven for English Catholics in the 1600s, Maryland was one of the original 13 Colonies to declare independence from the British in 1776.
• Massachusetts- From its origins as the Massachusetts Bay Colony, the state has a rich place in America's history.
• Michigan- Boardering on 4 of the 5 Great Lakes (Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, Lake Huron, and Lake Erie), Michigan is sometimes known as the Great Lakes state.
• Minnesota- Although known as the "Land of 10,000 Lakes" because of all the natural lakes in the state, Minnesota actually has more than 11,000 lakes with an area greater than 10 acres. Its most famous is Lake Itasca, which forms the headwaters of the Mississippi River.
• Mississippi- Named after the Mississippi River, which forms its western border, the state is also famous for its abundance of magnolia trees.
• Missouri-
• Montana- The name of the "Treasure State" is derived from the Spanish word for mountain. Popular tourist destinations include Yellowstone National Park, Glacier National Park, and the site of the Battle of Little Bighorn.
• Nebraska- The "Cornhusker State" is famous for starting the Arbor Day holiday in the U.S., as well as the creation of Kool-Aid.
• New Hampshire- The "Granite State" is also famous for its motto of "Live Free or Die."
• New Jersey- The "Garden State" is America's most densely populated state, with much of the state lying between New York City and Philadelphia metro areas.
• New Mexico- The "Land of Enchantment" has a strong Native American and Spanish influence, due to a high concentration of Pueblo and Navajo tribes, as well as its proximity to Mexico.
• North Carolina- Known as the "Tar Heel State" (the nickname probably comes from the tar and other by-products created from the state's major pine forests, which were major exports), the state is famous for the 1903 powered flight by the Wright Brothers near Kitty Hawk.
• North Dakota- North Dakota's Red River Valley has some of the nation's most fertile farmland. The rest of the state offers many opportunities for popular outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing.
• Ohio-
• Oklahoma- Named from the Choctaw Indian words of "okla" (meaning "red") and "humma" (for "people"), the state's nickname ("Sooner State") comes from the Sooners- settlers who entered the "Unassigned Lands" prior to being legally open to settlement.
• Oregon- Known as the "Beaver State," Oregon has a diverse range of landscapes that include ocean coastline, volcanoes, evergreen forests, and deserts. The annual Oregon Shakespeare Festival is world-renowned and runs between February and October.
• Pennsylvania- Known as the "Keystone State" because of its central location among the original 13 colonies, its major city, Philadelphia, also played a major role in America's Revolution against Britain.
• Puerto Rico- Part of the Greater Antilles archipelago, it is officially a 'Commonwealth,' a status which is between that of a territory and a state. Many tourists visit Puerto Rico via cruise ships.
• Rhode Island- Although the smallest state, it currently has the longest name. "Rhode Island and Providence Plantations" is the official name of the state, although the state government is trying to shorten it to just "Rhode Island."
• South Carolina- The "Palmetto State" was one of the original 13 colonies and also the first state to secede from the Union to found the Confederate States of America.
• South Dakota- South Dakota is most famous for Mount Rushmore, located in the Black Hills area. Other popular destinations include the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, Badlands National Park, and the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.
• Tennessee- Tennessee earned its nickname as the "Volunteer State" when the state's volunteer soldiers played major roles in the War of 1812, especially during the Battle of New Orleans.
• Texas- The "Lone Star State" is most associated with cowboys and oil, as well as the slogan of "six flags over Texas" (representing the 6 nations that have held sovereignty over some part of the territory).
• Vermont- The first state to join the United States after the original thirteen colonies, the "Green Mountain" state is famous for maple syrup production, snow skiing, and other outdoor activities.
• Virgin Islands- Named by Christopher Columbus after Saint Ursula and her virgins, the islands are in the area between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean and are known for white sandy beaches and excellent diving. They have been settled by the Spanish, British, Dutch, French, and Danish and Norwegians.
• Virginia- Home to Jamestown, regarded as the first permanent English settlement in what is now the U.S., Virginia has a played a major role in the country's history.
• Washington- The northwestern-most state (of the contiguous United States) borders Canada and the Pacific Ocean and is famous for its wet weather west of the high mountains of the Cascade Range, which includes Mount St. Helens.
• West Virginia- The "Mountain State" is aptly nicknamed from its mountainous terrain, entirely within the Appalachian Mountain range. The state was formed when Virgina seceded from the Union and the western part of the state voted to separate from Virginia and rejoin the U.S.
• Wisconsin- The "Badger State" is also knows an "America's Dairyland" as it produces more cheese than the rest of America, is second only to California for milk and butter, and third in mild production. Milwaukee is also home to many breweries.
• Wyoming- The least populous state, the "Equality State" has wide, open spaces. Major destinations include Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park, as well as Devils Tower National Monument (made famous in the 1977 movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind").

• Culture- A cultural vacation expands your horizons with a better understanding of other cultures and societies.
• Family Fun- Taking a family vacation together is an American tradition, especially during the summer months.
• Golfing- Find golf courses, golf equipment, and miniature golf courses around the U.S.
• Nature- America offers many options for nature lovers- hiking, backpacking, camping, national parks, regional parks, zoos, botanical gardens, and more!
• Scuba & Skin Diving- A scuba diving vacation is a great way for exploring new locales and seeing a side of an area that few people see.
• Shopping- Different parts of America have various regional specialty products. Browsing through local shops can be an adventure unto itself.
• Spas & Resorts- Book a spa treatment to escape from everyday work and stress, relaxing and unwind, and generally improve your overall health.
• Wine & Cuisine- Eat and drink your way across the United States by exploring the diverse food and drink specialties of each region.