These Pictures Sum Up US States Perfectly
Each state in the US is unique in its own way. All 50 are known for something specific or have a comical stereotype that the rest of the country makes fun of them for. While people tend to be inherently loyal and defensive of their own state, no one state is better than all the others, as each has their own problems. Take a look to see some of the best pictures that perfectly capture the essence of these states.
Nebraska: If You Don't Love Corn, Get Out
Corn, corn, and more corn. Smack in the middle of the Country, Nebraska is full of not much else other than cornfields and wide open spaces. It's a whopping 77,220 square miles with a total population of just under 1.9 million people to give you an idea.
If you're trying to escape the overwhelming amount of corn, don't look to football as your answer. The majority of the state supports the University of Nebraska, whose mascot is the Cornhuskers. Fans proudly wear giant corn hats on their head to represent their state.
New Jersey: Gym, Tan, Laundry
Bordered on the north and east by the State of New York, New Jersey is the fourth smallest state by area but is the most densely populated in the US. Although known as the "Garden State," most people have begun to refer to it as the home of the cast of the MTV reality television show Jersey Shore.
People now assume that the state is crawling with Italian descendants who share a common obsession with tanning, working out, and making a name for themselves with the ladies.
New York: The City That Never Sleeps
One of the original 13 colonies, the state of New York has an estimated 19.85 million residents, with New York City making up 40% of the state's population. For those who don't live in New York or anywhere near it, New York City is the only thing that comes to mind when they think of the state.
The rest of the country tends to forget that there are countless other cities in the area and that the state is bigger than just one city.
Oregon: Keep Portland Weird
Oregon became the 33rd state in the United States in 1859 and is considered to be one of the most geographically diverse in the US. There are volcanoes, dense forests, countless bodies of water, and even high deserts.
Yet, when people think of Oregon, if it's not nature, it's most likely Portland's citizen's unwavering belief in "Keeping Portland Weird." Oregon has always been at the forefront of being progressive, so many people consider Oregonians to be nothing short of free-spirited hippies.
Virginia: The War Never Ended
The first New England colony was founded at Jamestown, Virginia, making Virginia an incredibly proud state. Although rich in history with endless memorials and annual war reenactments, people from other states see Virginia nothing more than a tourist destination for American history fanatics or a place for people who would rather live in the past.
While DC may seem like a big attraction, a lot of US citizens, including some Virginians, forget that Washington DC isn't even a part of Virginia.
West Virginia: Country Roads, Take Me Home
West Virginia is the only state to have formed by separating from a Confederate state and was one of the two states admitted to the Union during the Civil War. It's known for its mountains, rolling hills, and recreational activities, as well as its logging and coal mining industries.
However, over the years, it has acquired the reputation of being a state where everyone is a hillbilly and a bigot. People often envision West Virginians living in squalor deep in the mountains, surviving off moonshine and beef jerky.
Idaho: The Land Of Potatoes
With a population of 1.7 million and an area of 83,569 miles, it is the 14th largest and 12th least populous state. Much like Nebraska, people don't talk about Idaho much unless potatoes are part of the conversation. It's a simple state where people take pride in their isolation, their conservative views, and of course, their potatoes.
According to Gallup, Inc. Idaho is the seventh-most conservative state in the country, so if you aren't comfortable with those beliefs you might want to steer clear of that state entirely.
Alaska: Where Giant Animals Outnumber People
Being the largest state in the country as well as the 3rd least populous and most sparsely populated, it's no surprise that nature dominates the state. There's an abundance of wildlife in Alaska, so it's not uncommon to see a grizzly bear or moose strolling the streets on a morning run.
This is what most people imagine when they think of Alaska, and for the most part, they aren't wrong. Some animal encounters might be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for some people, but not for Alaskans.
California: Traffic and Wildfires
The most populous state in the country, nothing sums up California more than traffic and wildfires. While the people of California might like to act like they spend their days surfing and laying out on the beach, the reality of the state is a lot more like this image.
At times, it may not be as glamorous as it makes itself out to be, and today, most people have all of their most precious items by the door in case a wildfire comes out of nowhere.
Kansas: There's No Place Like Home
Located in the Midwestern United States, most people tend to associate Kansas with wide-open prairies, tornadoes, and of course, The Wizard of Oz. Because it has so much open space, Kansas is well known for its agriculture of wheat, corn, and soybeans, all of which are constantly at risk of being ravaged by tornadoes.
There wasn't much going on in Kansas before the Civil War, and even after the population boom that followed, little had changed as the prairies simply turned into farmlands.
Arkansas: Home Of Bill Clinton
Being the 29th largest state and the 33rd most populous, one of the things that someone not from Arkansas might know about the state is that former President Bill Clinton was born and raised there.
Other than that, people might tell you that hunting is a popular past time. With a population of only 3 million people, it's relatively spread out, with its citizens being proud of their past and their culture. However, most other states tend to not dwell too hard on it.
Hawaii: Filled With Tourists
While Hawaii may be a tropical paradise, there are some downsides to it. Because it's so beautiful, it has turned into a vacation destination for people all over the world, and it's not that big either.
Hawaii is definitely not the place to go to if you are looking to get away from everything to relax. It's quite the opposite in fact. Not only will you be surrounded by thousands of other tourists, but you might want to tread lightly around the locals as well.
Florida: Watch Your Back
If you've seen the memes on the Internet, the majority of the country looks at Florida as if it's the Wild Wild West. The state is known for the flashiness of Miami, to people eating each other's faces after taking too many bath salts.
Alligators are also treated as casually as most people might deal with a stray dog in their backyard. Not many people in the world could handle living in a place like that, so you have to respect those who do.
Illinois: Baseball And Hotdogs
When people think of Illinois, hot dogs and baseball are usually a few things to come to mind. Although Illinois isn't the only state that has a style of food named after a city, the Chicago hot dog is a classic.
To order anything else other than a Chicago dog is considered to be heresy in the area. Furthermore, much like New York, people from outside the state forget that places outside of Chicago even exist. Illinois is the sixth most populous state, and not everyone lives in Chicago.
Kentucky: That's Finger-licking Good
Although originally a part of Virginia, Kentucky became its own state in 1792 and hasn't looked back. The state has essentially been made popular for hosting the Kentucky Derby and of course, Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Although Colonel Sanders may have not been born in Kentucky, that's a well-kept secret of the people from Kentucky who see him more as a mascot than a businessman. Aside from that, the people of Kentucky like to boast about having the two largest man-made lakes east of the Mississippi.
Maine: Where The Air Is Cold And The Lobsters Are Red
Being the northernmost state in New England, Maine essentially has the same weather as Canada which means some very cold winters. However, on the bright side, the fishing in Maine is some of the best in the world, which brings people from all over the world to try some world-famous Maine lobster.
So, if you plan on visiting Maine, dress like you're going to Canada, but don't leave your patriotism or your appetite at home.
