Cornerstone State. States of the USA in photographs - πάπυρος. From the history of the islands
US states on the map 
USA map online
What is a “state” and how many are there in the USA?
The United States of America is a federation of 50 states ( US states).
A state is the main political and territorial unit of the United States. There have been 50 of them since 1959. Each of them has its own flag and motto.
Word "state"(state) appeared during the colonial period (around 1648). This word was sometimes used to describe individual colonies. It began to be used everywhere after the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The state has its own constitution, legislative, executive and judicial powers.
Each US state is divided into districts - administrative-territorial units of the second level. They are smaller than a state but larger than or equal to a city. The exception is the five counties (boroughs) within the City of New York. According to the Census Bureau, there are 3,140 counties in the country.
The third level of administrative-territorial division is city municipalities and townships, which manage the local life of settlements. According to the National League of Cities, in 2002 there were 19,429 urban municipalities and 16,504 townships in the United States.
50 US states borrowed their names from many languages. The names of half of them came from North American Indian languages. The remaining states received names from European languages: Latin, English and French.
In addition to the states, the country includes and is governed by administrative-territorial units with the status of a federal district or federal territory - the District of Columbia and a number of islands.
District of Columbia(The District of Columbia, D.C.) is not part of any state. The capital of the country, Washington, is located there.
The island territories of the United States include: Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa.
51st state
There is such a term as the “51st state.” This term refers to territories that apply to receive US state status in addition to the already existing fifty states. Possible candidates for the title of “fifty-first state” include the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia, and Puerto Rico. The issue of granting statehood to New York City has also been repeatedly raised.
There is one curious fact in history. In 2012, Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich, in support of American colonization of the Earth's satellite, said: "When we have 13,000 Americans living on the moon, they can petition to become a state." However, in accordance with Article II of the Outer Space Treaty, outer space, the Moon and other celestial bodies are not subject to national appropriation, either by declaration of sovereignty over them, or by use or occupation, or by any other means.
How they are part of the United States
In order for any territory to become part of the United States, a lengthy procedure is required. The territory must adopt its own constitution. The Constitution must satisfy the US Congress, which decides to accept the territory into the United States.
States cannot secede from the United States unilaterally.
According to research conducted in 2009, there are about 20,000 cities in the United States. Many of these cities have earned a certain amount of fame due to their history and activities. The worldwide fame of a city often gives rise to various nicknames or pseudonyms ( nicknames).
Thus, the residents of Pittsburgh proudly bear the name of the inhabitants of the “City of Steel” (“ The Steel City”) as a reminder of the industrial revolution of the 19th century, in which the city took a direct part. And the residents of Dallas cannot wash away the shameful stain on the reputation of the city, which is called the “City of Hate” (“ City of Hate"). And all because of the assassination of President Kennedy in 1963. Whatever the glory of the city - bad or worthy of respect - you can tell a lot about the history of a particular region by its second name.
If you are a regular reader of our blog, you know that we usually provide tests at the end of the article. Let's build today's article on a different principle: first try to pass the test on how well you know the “nicknames” of American cities, and then we will tell you why and how the cities were nicknamed that way. Try to remember all the variants of nicknames that you have ever come across in different sources.
Test
Nicknames of American cities
I think you're surprised how much you know about American cities. If the test result does not please you, then this is not a reason for frustration. To be honest, I probably wouldn’t have answered 50% of the questions correctly the first time.
But let’s return to “nicknaming”. I've always liked nicknames. It seems that a middle name can say a lot more about us than the name given at birth. A nickname contains emotions, a creative process, a story that you want to understand - something that we will not see in a simple name or the name of an object.
Why is New York called the "Big Apple"? There are several theories. They say that the first tree to be planted in New York was an apple tree. Someone says that there was a saying among jazz musicians: “There are many apples on the tree of success, but if you manage to conquer New York, you get a big apple.” But there is another widespread theory. As a rule, large apples are the most beautiful, they are attractive and seem ideal in appearance. But if such an apple is cut in half, then it often contains many worms that have already taken a fancy to the beautiful apple. It’s the same with New York: the city captivates with its beauty from the first days of acquaintance, but as soon as we move away from the tourist streets, into the slums, we will see that the city is rotting from the inside. One of the theories, but still...
If New York is the Big Apple, then you can easily guess that “ Big Pineapple” – “Big Pineapple” is the name of the capital of Hawaii, Honolulu.
Often the meaning of a nickname can be seen in the name of the city itself, because many words in English are of Greek or Latin origin. Thus, the word “Philadelphia” is derived from the Greek words philos- love and adelphos- Brother. The city got its name thanks to the activities ( William Penn) - famous philanthropist and philosopher of the 17th–18th centuries.
Do you know what it is tinsel? This is “tinsel”, “something shiny” - what we decorate Christmas trees with for the New Year. Now remember which Los Angeles district do you associate with feigned beauty, success, an area where life is in full swing? Certainly, Hollywood- a place where there are as many celebrities per square kilometer as Sylvester Stallone could not bring together in the film “The Expendables.” Tinseltown- Hollywood's middle name.
Americans love to be first in everything, or at least in something small. This, of course, is common to everyone, but the wild desire of Americans to live in a city that is unique in at least some way sometimes surprises. For example, in 1982 a competition was held to find the best name for the city. Seattle– so much did the people of Seattle want to live in a special city. The winner was the man who proposed calling the city the “Emerald City,” because Seattle boasts the lush green spaces that surround the city.
Chicago is not the northernmost city in America, but it is nevertheless known as the “Windy City” or “Windy City” (“ Windy City"). The city is located on Lake Michigan. It really gets cold there in winter due to the winds that blow from the lake. But many argue that the city's second name comes from Chicagoans' habit of bragging. It seems that they are actually just shaking the air in vain ( blow air- to brag) when they brag.
We know the nicknames of many cities from films. Remember the 1995 movie “ Apollo 13” with Tom Hanks? In short, experts NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) must help return to Earth a spaceship that was seriously damaged. Tom Hanks’s character reports to the base, which is located in the city of Houston, about a problem on board: “ Houston, we have a problem!“The phrase has become so famous that the name of the city is now associated only with space (“ Space City”).
Where else if not in the “City of Sin” ( Las Vegas), a person can give free rein to all his secret desires? The city is notorious for its large concentration of gambling houses, shops, and entertainment venues. Permissiveness and indulgence in all one's vices did a disservice to the city's reputation. There is even an expression in pop culture: “ What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas- “What happens in Vegas stays there.” The phrase hints to us - everything is allowed here, no one will find out anyway.
Other cities
Salt Lake City Also known as the "City of Saints" because it was founded by a group of Mormons in 1847 under the leadership of .
Another US city bears a nickname in honor of the man who founded the city. was a famous buffalo hunter, for which he was nicknamed Buffalo Bill. From his instigation in the city Cody Every summer there is an amateur rodeo competition.
One of the first settlers called San Francisco“Baghdad by the Bay” because the city is famous for its multiculturalism and open-mindedness.
In the 19th century in the city Nashville Several universities and higher education institutions were established. The city soon acquired a reputation as the educational mecca of the United States, or rather, it was called “Athens USA” - the most “scientific” city in America.
Many years Milwaykee was one of the largest beer-supplying cities. There were four breweries in the city: Schlitz, Blatz, Pabst, Miller. And although today only one company ( Miller) continues to produce beer; the townspeople themselves proudly wear the banner of the “city of brewing.” Even the local baseball team is called “ The Brewers” (“brewers”).
No matter how beautiful names they come up with for cities, the most “honest” remain those names that are given by people living in these cities. If you come across an unusual name of a city, don’t let this fact pass you by, delve into its history. Chances are good that you will see a lot of new things in the most ordinary things.
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Article about US states. In this article you will not only find a complete list of US states, but also learn something interesting and special about each of the 50 US states! It could be a curious fact from the state's history, a unique property, or a funny law that applies within that state. In addition to entertainment information, it contains basic information for each US state. State names are arranged alphabetically. The USA is a multinational country, the beginning of whose history was laid by diverse immigrants from different countries - “a haven for the suffering.” In this regard, each state of this state is a new touch in the history of the United States, a unique page in the chronicle of the country. Each state is fraught with its own secrets, each was founded by its own ethnic group, before the arrival of Europeans Indians lived everywhere, and everywhere different tribes - with their own foundations and traditions, foundations and morals, with their diplomatic relations with other numerous tribes, with their own attitude towards invasion of foreign cultures. As a result of such diverse facts, as a result we see the emergence of 50 states. It's like a recipe for making a chemical. Different components and different proportions of reagents gave different, sometimes simply unexpected, results. Thanks to its youth, the history of the United States has been preserved in detail in the memory of generations, in the records of contemporaries and in documents of that time. And now this history can become a textbook for everyone, practical material for analyzing and studying any historical issue. But the pages of this history are available to everyone even now, in almost their original form. This story has 50 main chapters. This is the number of states that are currently part of the United States. Today we have the opportunity to learn about each state.
Population: more than 1.6 million people.
Area: 216,632 km².
It borders six states, as well as Canada.
The state of Idaho has the most developed agriculture, mining and science and technology industries.
2) Iowa 
Population: more than 3 million people.
Area: 145,743 km².
The state shares borders with six other states and is the 29th.
Interesting fact: the vast majority of the population of Iowa (35.7%) are descendants of Germans.
3) Alabama
Population: about 4.7 million people.
Area: 135,765 km².
It borders four states and is the 22nd state of the United States.
Fun fact: Alabama's official nickname is "The Heart of the South."
4) Alaska 
Population: just over 710,000 people.
Area: 1,717,854 km².
It is the largest state in the USA.
Alaska is the 49th US state.
An interesting (and sad) thing about the state: until 1867, the territory belonged to Russia; on March 30 of this year, papers were signed on its sale. The state motto is “North to the Future.”
5) Arizona 
Population: about 6.4 million people.
Area: 295,254 km².
Borders seven states.
Interesting facts: the state of Arizona is home to about 50,000 Russian-speaking residents, and the share of copper mining accounts for 2/3 of the entire country's copper production.
6)Arkansas
Population: 2.673 million people.
Area: 137,732 km².
Borders 6 states. The state motto is “The People Rule.”
Arkansas is the country's leading state in the production of rice, soybeans, broiler chickens, and also produces about 10% of all cotton in the country.
Interesting fact: African Americans make up 15.7% of the state's population.
7) Wyoming
Population: 532,668 (2010).
Area: 253,348 km²
Fun fact: The state's name comes from an ancient Native American expression for "changing mountains and valleys."
The state of Wyoming has the most developed mining industry. The resources industry is the economic backbone of the state; Thus, oil discovered in the state began to be extracted back in the 1880s, and natural gas, uranium and coal are also being developed. Along with resource extraction, tourism is of great economic importance to the state. The low population density of this state allows us to conclude that many of the historical values and traditions of Indian society, which so attract tourists, have been preserved. By the way, in the past, many Indian tribes lived in the state of Wyoming: Crow, Shoshone, Cheyenne, Arapaho, Sioux. Some more interesting facts about the state: oil production in Wyoming began even before it officially became a US state (it was July 10, 1890, Wyoming is the 44th US state); the capital of the state is the city of Cheyenne (the name of one of the Indian tribes); Wyoming is the US state with the smallest population.
8) Washington
Population: 5.9 million people.
Area: 184,827 km².
Capital: Olympia.
The state of Washington officially became a US state on November 11, 1889, Washington being the 42nd state. Before the arrival of Europeans, numerous Indian tribes lived in the state. Currently, there are 20 Indian reservations in the state, where Indians live. Interesting facts about Washington State: the majority of the state's population (20.9%) are ethnic Germans; Russians in the state - 1.4% of the total population; the headquarters of such giant corporations as Microsoft, Valve, Starbucks, Amazon.com are located in Washington state; In Washington State, the cultivation of cannabis for medical purposes is permitted (in limited quantities, of course).
9) Vermont
Population: more than 610 thousand people.
Area: 24,923 km²
Capital: Montpelier.
Vermont is a small state (45th in area) with a fairly high population density, however, the state is 49th in population. It is the 14th state of the United States and became part of the United States in 1791. The official state motto is “Liberty and Unity.” The official nickname is "The Green Mountain State".
10) Virginia
Population: more than 8 million people.
Area: 110,785 km²
Capital: Richmond.
It is the 10th state in the United States.
11) Wisconsin
Population: 5,453,896 (2010)
Area: 169,639 km²
Capital: Madison.
Population: 1,374,810 (2011)
Area: 28,311 km²
Capital: Honolulu.
13) Delaware
Population: 783,600 (2010)
Area: 6,452 km².
Capital: Dover.
14) Georgia
Population: 8.186 million (2000).
Area: 153,909 km².
Capital: Atlanta.
15)West Virginia
Population: 1.808 million (2000).
Area: 62,755 km².
Capital: Charleston.
16)Illinois
Population: 12,869,257 (2010).
Area: 149,998 km²
Capital: Springfield.
17)Indiana
Population: 6.5 million people.
Area: 94,321 km².
Capital: Indianapolis.
18)California
Population: 37,253,956 people (2010).
Area: 423,970 km².
Capital: Sacramento.
The US state with the largest population.
Population: 2.688 million (2000).
Area: 213,096 km².
Capital: Topeka.
20) Kentucky
Population: 4.042 million (2010).
Area: 104,659 km²
Capital: Frankfort.
21)Colorado
Population 5,029,196 million (2010).
Area: 269,837 km².
Capital: Denver.
22)Connecticut
Population: 3,574,097 people (2010).
Area: 14,357 km².
Capital: Hartford.
23)Louisiana
Population: 4.5 million (2010).
Area: 135,382 km².
Capital: Baton Rouge.
24) Massachusetts
Population: 6,349,097 (2010)
Area: 27,336 km².
Capital: Boston.
25)Minnesota
Population: 5,314,879 people.
Area: 225,181 km².
Capital: Saint Paul.
26)Mississippi
Population: 2.967 million (2010).
Area: 125,443 km².
Capital: Jackson.
27)Missouri
Population: 5.595 million (2010).
Area: 180,533 km².
Capital: Jefferson City.
28) Michigan
Population: 9.938 million (2010).
Area: 250,493 km².
Capital: Lansing.
29)Montana
Population: 967,440 people (2010).
Area: 381,156 km².
Capital: Helena.
Population: 1.275 million (2010).
Area: 91,646 km².
Capital: Augusta.
31) Maryland
Population: 5.296 million (2010).
Area: 32,133 km².
Capital: Annapolis.
32)Nebraska
Population: 1,826,341 (2010)
Area: 200,520 km².
Capital: Lincoln.
Population: 1,998,257 (2010)
Area: 286,367 km².
Capital: Carson City.
34) New Hampshire
Population: 1.236 million (2010).
Area: 24,217 km².
Capital: Concord.
35) New Jersey
Population: 8.791 million (2010).
Area: 22,608 km².
Capital: Trenton.
36)New York
Population 19,378,102 (2010).
Area: 141,300 km².
Capital: Albany.
There is a famous one in New York State.
37)New Mexico
Population: 2,059,179 (2010)
Area: 315,194 km².
Capital: Santa Fe.
Population: 11,435,798 (2010)
Area: 116,096 km².
Capital: Columbus.
39) Oklahoma
Population: 3.45 million (2010).
Area: 181,196 km².
Capital: Oklahoma City.
Population: 3.64 million (2010).
Area: 255,026 km².
Capital: Salem.
41) Pennsylvania
Population: 12,281,054 (2010)
Area: 119,283 km².
Capital: Harrisburg.
42) Rhode Island
Population: 1,051,302 (2011).
Area: 4,002 km².
Capital: Providence.
The smallest state in the USA.
43)North Dakota
Population: 632.7 thousand people (2010).
Area: 183,272 km².
Capital: Bismarck.
44)North Carolina
Population: 9,380,884 people (2010).
Area: 139,509 km².
Capital: Raleigh.
45)Tennessee
Population: 6,403,353 (2011)
Area: 109,151 km².
Capital: Nashville.
Population: 25,145,56 people (2010).
Area: 696,241 km².
Capital: Austin.
47) Florida
Population: 18,801,310 (2010)
Area: 170,304 km².
Capital: Tallahassee.
48)South Dakota
Population: 796,214 (2010)
Area: 199,905 km².
Capital: Pyrrhus.
49)South Carolina
Population: 4 million (2010).
Area: 82,931 km².
Capital: Colombia.
Population: 2,763,885 (2010)
Area: 219,887 km².
Capital: Salt Lake City.
Lately I have developed an interest in the United States, a mature interest. And I decided to start studying them from a geographical point of view, when I came across this map. You see, in addition to the names of the states, there are also their official nicknames. In this post, I talk about the 6 regions that make up the 50 states and their nicknames, but not necessarily their official ones. I'll tell you about those that caught my attention. And you can look at the official ones yourself at any time on the page of the state you are interested in on Wikipedia.
And when you read my post, you can play Word Dynamo to definitely remember the nicknames of the states - Nicknames for the 50 US states.
The United States of America is known to consist of 50 states, which can also be grouped into 6 regions:
The Northeast (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island) – Northeast
The first European settlers arrived here in the 17th century. These were mainly English Protestants seeking freedom to preach their religion and carry out political reform. Now people with Italian, Irish and Eastern European roots live here. Winters in this region are cold and harsh, the land is not fertile, so they did not engage in farming here, but they built factories and developed trade. This part of America is famous for its theaters and museums, as well as the country's most highly ranked universities, such as MIT.
Main – Pine Tree State(Pine Tree State), it's clear why. Because 90 percent of the territory is covered with coniferous forests. The capital is Augusta.
New Hampshire–Granite State(Granite State). The state's economy is based on granite mining. The capital is Concord.
Vermont–Green Mountain State(green mountain state), from French “vert mont”– i.e. green mountain. The capital is Montpelier.
Massachussets–Bay State(state with bays). The capital is Boston. Name Bay State takes us back to the first settlers in 1628 and the colony they founded, “the colony of Massachusetts Bay”. This state is also called Pilgrim State (migrant staff) and Puritan State (Puritan State). And on the license plates it says The Spirit of America (American Spirit) or The Codfish State (Cod State).
Rhode Island
– Ocean State. Just look at the map. 
Connecticut – Constitution State. In 1639, the first American constitution was adopted in the city of Hartford. Also in use are the titles The Nutmeg State
(Nutmeg State) and The Land of Steady Habits
(the land of unchanging habits).
The Middle Atlantic (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Washington DC, and Maryland) - Mid-Atlantic region.
The first settlers here were not only English Protestants, but also English Catholics, Dutch and Swedes. Although the climate here is not as cold as in the northeast, farming was still difficult and unprofitable, so manufacturing and shipping became the main industries. This region is home to some of the most populous American cities and the capital of the United States, Washington. Today, the main industries are finance, pharmaceuticals and communications systems.
New York. The motto of this state is “Excelsior”, [ɪk-] (“all higher”), so some call it the Excelsior State.
Name Knickerbocker State
reminds us of the pants worn by the first Dutch settlers.
And George Washington called this state “the seat of Empire” (“the center of the empire”) and in the 1820s the Empire State
. The capital is New York.
New Jersey – Garden State(Garden State).
Pennsylvania – The Keystone State(Cornerstone State). The state owes its name to its central position among the original thirteen colonies that made up the United States, as well as the large number of important documents signed on this land (for example, the Declaration of Independence). It was also an important state economically because manufacturing (like the northern states) and agriculture (like the southern states) flourished here.
Delaware – Blue Hen State(Blue Hen State). The origin of the name is still unknown. And in the 16th century, the Spaniards brought peaches to these lands, and soon the entire state was already covered with peach trees. Hence another name - The Peach State.
Maryland- has several nicknames. Monumental State(monumental state) comes from the nickname of the largest city - Baltimore - “Monumental City”. Oyster State (oyster state) - Chesapeake Bay oysters were once considered the pride of the state.
The South (Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, and parts of Missouri, Texas and Oklahoma) – South
The first settlers were English Protestants, just like in the north, only less independent and less revolutionary. The good climate actively contributed to the development of agriculture. But these days the main source of income is tourism and industry.
Virginia – Old Dominion. You may have never thought about it, but virginia means “virgin,” and the state got its name in honor of the English Virgin Queen Elizabeth the First. “Old Dominion” is the official nickname of the state of Virginia, associated with its history. The restoration of the English king Charles II to the throne (1660) was enthusiastically received by Virginian townspeople. The king, in gratitude, gave the colony the status of a dominion and imprinted on his coat of arms the symbols of the London Company, which he had liquidated back in 1624. Virginia legislators reminded the king that the first and most loyal English colony in the New World, Jamestown, arose on their territory and officially adopted the name Old Dominion." (Lingvo)
West Virginia – Mountain State, what can I say, mountain state.
Kentucky – Bluegrass State(blue grass state). Although the grass here is green, bluish bugs give it a distinctly blue tint in the spring.
Tennessee– the state got its name from an Indian phrase meaning “steeply bending river,” hence the nickname The Big Bend State , and widespread production of corn and lard led to the emergence Hog and Hominy State (Pig and Corn Mush State).
North Carolina– this state has a very picturesque mountain range, which is why it is sometimes called the “Land of the Sky” – Land of the Sky. The Wright brothers made their first flight on this earth, from here - First In Flight .
South Carolina–Palmetto State(Pygmy Palm State).
Georgia
– Peach State(Peach State).
Florida- translated from Spanish as “blooming”, so it is not surprising that the official nickname of Florida Sunshine State(sunshine state).
Arkansas- used to be called The Bowie State And The Toothpick State (both names refer to the Bowie knife, widely used in this area, which was also called “a toothpick knife”). Another name- Hot-water State , appeared due to hot springs near Hot Springs (which are literally “hot springs”). But most of all I like The Wonder State (State of Miracles). I still haven't figured out where this name came from(
Alabama is located in the center of land where cotton has been grown for many years, so it is not surprising that it was once called Cotton State (1844), Cotton Plantation State, Cottondom (1856), Cotton Belt (1871), Cotton Country (1871) and even Cottonia (1862). Now the most common nickname is The Heart of Dixie . Dixie - states located south of the Mason-Dixon Line. Apparently derived from the inscription on ten dollar bills issued in bilingual Louisiana before the Civil War: the word DIX = "ten" was printed in French on the back of the note. Soon New Orleans, then Louisiana and the entire South began to be called “Dixie Land” or simply “Dixie,” especially after the 1859 song “Dixie’s Land,” which became its official anthem after the formation of the Confederacy. (Lingvo)
Mississippi once called Mudcat (a type of catfish) State because of this fish, which was found in large numbers in local rivers. Now Mississippi is most often called the Magnolia State.
Louisiana. There were once many pelicans here, hence the name Pelican State. Also at the end of the 19th century it was called Creole State meaning the Europeans living there, and specifically the French, about whom. But the Americans from the north misunderstood this name, I think that by Creoles they meant Africans, so the name did not stick.
Missouri known as Iron Mountain State (Iron Mountain State) , Lead State (lead state).
Oklahoma Even before the land was officially opened to settlement, people were crossing the border and claiming the land for themselves. When the first official settlers crossed the border, they encountered those who had done it before, settled the land and did not want to give it up. This is how the name came about Sooner State (literally the staff of those who came earlier).
Texas Lone Star State(The Lone Star State) is the official nickname of the state of Texas, whose single star on the flag symbolizes the independent spirit of the state.
The Midwest (Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, part of Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, Nebraska and eastern Colorado)
The Midwest is the largest of all the regions, so the climate in its different parts is very diverse. The land is mostly flat and very fertile, which contributed to the development of agriculture. This region is called the breadbasket of the USA (in English “breadbasket”, i.e. bread basket), because oats, wheat and corn are grown here in large quantities. The first settlers were Americans from the eastern shore, as well as recently arrived Swedes, Norwegians and Germans. The region is relatively sparsely populated. The largest city is Chicago, which is like a connecting link between the west and the east.
Ohio – Buckeye State - state horse chestnut, which grows in abundance in this state).
Michigan – Wolverine State(Wolverine State), a rather strange name for a state in which wolverines may never have been found. But Michiganders were called wolverines for their greed and malice with which they conquered lands from the native Indians and fought the Ohioans in the Toledo War. The state is located on the shores of two lakes, so it is also sometimes called Lady of the Lake, or even Water Wonderland (land of water wonders) . The city of Detroit, in which the American automobile industry is concentrated, is located in the same state, so Michigan is also Auto State.
Indiana–Hoosier State. Once upon a time, hoosier meant “big man from the Wild West,” but then it came to mean only residents of Indiana, without any negative connotations.
Wisconsin– Wisconsin is called the badger state – Badger State
, and its inhabitants – badger -i.e. badgers. But the point is not that there are or were a lot of badgers here, but that back in the 19th century, some Wisconsin residents worked in the Illinois Galena lead mines. These mines are located at the junction of Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin. So, unlike all the other miners, the Wisconsin miners did not live in houses, but in caves on the hillsides. And such “houses” were very similar to badger holes. 
Wisconsin is also famous for its dairy farms. It produces 40% of all American cheese and 20% of its butter. Hence the nicknames Dairy State
(dairy state) and America's Dairyland
(American Dairy Country) and sometimes Cheese State
(cheese state).
Illinois
– The Sucker State
(state of bagarieves (such fish). Also called - Garden of the West,
The Garden State
And The Corn State
(corn state). President Lincoln began his political career here, so Land of Lincoln. But today it is most often used Prairie State
(Prairie State). 
Minnesota– officially Minnesota – the North Star State – North Star State. Also sometimes used Gopher State (squirrel state). Also known as Bread and Butter State (bread and butter state) or Bread Basket of the Nation (folk granary), Cream Pitcher of the Nation (folk milk jug) and Wheat State (wheat state). Numerous lakes gave their name Land of 10,000 Lakes.
Iowa“No one knows for sure where the name came from.” Hawkeye State“. Perhaps from Fenimore Cooper's novel “The Last of the Mohicans,” or perhaps it came from the name of the Indian chief Black Hawk.
North Dakota
– Flickertail State
(Gopher State). 
South Dakota–Mount Rushmore State. The profiles of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln are carved into the rock.
Kansas – Sunflower State (Sunflower State).
Nebraska–Cornhuskers State(corn workers state). The state officially adopted the name in honor of the University of Nebraska football team.
Colorado–Centennial State(Centennial State) because the state of Colorado entered the Union on the US Centennial year in 1876.
The Southwest (western Texas, parts of Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona and Nevada) – Southwest
European influence in this region is practically not felt. Most traditions are based on the culture of local Indians and Spaniards, because... much of this region once belonged to Mexico. The terrain here is flat, the climate is dry and hot. There are many deserts in the region. This is where one of the wonders of nature is located - the Grand Canyon.
New Mexico – Land of Enchantment
(Land of Wonders). Here, for example, are White Sands - (photo). The longest river in the United States, the Rio Grande (translated from Spanish as big river), flows here. In the southwest there is another natural wonder - the Carlsbad Caverns (photo). 
Arizona– Arizona joined the union in 1912 and immediately received the nickname Baby State , which then went to Alaska. The annexation papers were signed on Valentine's Day, so Arizona was also Valentine State. Copper mines gave Copper State. A large percentage of the state's population is Apache Indians, so - Apache State. And it is in this state that the Grand Canyon is located (photo), so Arizona is also Grand Canyon State. You definitely know at least one city that is located in Nevada - Las Vegas. Nevada is most often called Silverland due to large deposits of silver. And the official state plant is wormwood, so Nevada is also Sagebrush State.
And the last region
The West (western Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, California, Nevada, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Hawaii) – West
The first settlers were the Spanish, who established Catholic missions along the coast. This is the region with the most diverse landscape and climate. Mountain ranges stretch from north to south, creating a temperate, humid climate to the west and a dry and arid climate to the east. In this part of the USA. California is the most populous state, famous for its film industry and high technology.
Wyoming– Wyoming was the first state to enfranchise women, earning it its nickname Suffrage State or modern Equality State (equality state). The symbol of the state is a cowboy on a wild horse, which is why Wyoming is also called Cowboy State .(By the way, have you ever noticed that the word cowboy is literally a cow and a boy?)
Montana- one of the first nicknames - Bonanza State (state of prosperity, success) appeared due to rich mineral resources. The abundance of gold and silver mines gave Treasure State (treasure state) , and a large number of open spaces - Big Sky Country (Big Sky Country). This state is home to Glacier National Park (photo) (that is, Glacier) and Yellowstone Park (photo) - a unique natural phenomenon about which I will definitely write a separate post. This park is unique in that it is located exactly on an underground volcano, which can “explode” at any moment.
Utah– the first settlers were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, otherwise known as Mormons. According to the Lingvo dictionary, Mormons are members of the religious sect The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Founded in 1830 by J. Smith, to whom an angel appeared in a vision and handed over the golden tablets of Saint Mormon (according to legend, who lived in the 4th century) written in strange scripts for translation into English. Expelled from the Midwestern states (Missouri and then Illinois), in particular for promoting polygamy, which they later officially abandoned, in 1846-48 the Mormons moved to the Utah desert and founded Salt Lake City there. Other than the Bible, their sources of belief are the Book of Mormon and Smith's Doctrine and Covenants. Members of the sect strictly observe the biblical commandments, preach faith in the Trinity, the atoning sacrifice of Christ, the Kingdom of Heaven, divine revelation and the idea of building Zion on the American continent, and recognize baptism and repentance as sacraments. Today the denomination has over 1 million followers in Utah and about 3 million in the rest of the US, and the number of its supporters is growing. The economic basis of the sect is “tithe” - a tenth of the total income paid to the community by a member of the sect; at the same time, the community takes care of its poor and disadvantaged members. The Mormon Temple on Temple Square in Salt Lake City with its nearby Mormon house of worship, the Tabernacle, is one of the city's landmarks. They have temples in eight other cities in the United States, as well as in England, New Zealand and Switzerland. The Mormons themselves called the state “Deseret”, which is why this name is sometimes used ( Deseret State). “Deseret” is a bee from the Book of Mormon, and the early settlers were said to have brought “swarms of bees” with them. Hence the state symbol - a conical beehive with bees around it - and the nickname Beehive State (the hive state).
California– perhaps the most famous state for non-Americans, because Hollywood is located here. And in recent years, Silicon Valley has been attracting more and more attention, characterized by a high density of high-tech companies associated with the development and production of computers and their components, especially microprocessors, as well as software, mobile communication devices, biotechnology, etc. . (Wikipedia). But many years ago, or rather in 1848, California received its first nickname Gold State (Gold State), due to the gold rush that broke out in the area. Developed winemaking contributed to the appearance of the nickname The Grape State (Vine State). By 1867, “Gold” changed to “Golden” and since then California has been called Golden State.
Idaho– it used to be a very common opinion that the word idaho, translated from one of the Indian languages, means “gem of the mountains” (pearl from the mountains) . That's why the state is still called Gem of the Mountains or simply Gem State. But now they don’t forget about the famous Idaho potatoes, so another nickname Spud State (potato state) .
Oregon- one of Oregon's nicknames - Webfoot State
(waterfowl state). As Lingvo reports: webfoot is a humorous nickname for a resident of Oregon, associated with the large amount of rain that falls in the state, especially in the fall and winter. There is a legend about a traveler who spent the night on an Oregon farm on a rainy night. Waking up in the morning and seeing that the house stood in the middle of a huge puddle, he said to the hostess: “In such places, children should be born waterfowl.” To this she replied: “We took care of that” [“We thought of that”] and showed her child, whose toes were connected by webbing. But the official state animal is the beaver, so the most common nickname is now Beaver State
.
Washington– it’s surprising that the city of Washington is located on the east coast, and the state with the same name is exactly at the opposite end of the country! Most of the state's territory is covered with coniferous forests, so - Evergreen State
(evergreen state).
Alaska– most often used in relation to Alaska The Last Frontier (last border) and The Land of the Midnight Sun (land of the night sun).
Hawaii – Aloha State , since aloha is “hello” in one of the local languages.
Want to test how well you remember state nicknames, here you go
This work is intended to show the life of modern America in all its diversity, in particular the influence of the mentality and culture of Americans on the origin of the “nicknames” of the states. The material will be useful and interesting for those working with the educational complex "English 10-11" V.P. Kuzovlev
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Introduction…………………………………………………………….3
Chapter 1. American states……………………….. 4
Chapter 2 . Nicknames of American states ……………4
Chapter 3 . Unofficial mottos of US states……… 8
Conclusion…………………………………………………………….9
List of references………………….10
Applications………………………………………………………11
Introduction
The relevance of this research work lies in the fact that English, without exaggeration, is the most widespread foreign language in the world. It became the language of the entire planet, the first truly world language. Three quarters of the world's correspondence and telegrams are in English. Just like more than half of the world's technical and scientific publications: it is the language of technology from Silicon Valley to Shanghai. English is the medium for transmitting more than 80% of the information collected on the world's computers. English is the official language of the air and sea, the voice of Christianity. The world's largest radio broadcasters (BBC, ABC, CBS, NBC) broadcast programs in English to an audience of more than 100 million. In addition, English is the official language of the UK, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Improving language skills is impossible without developing knowledge about the specific sociocultural conditions of language functioning. Therefore, the purpose of my research is to reveal the nationally specific background of the functioning of the English language in its American version, as well as to study the national and cultural characteristics of the modern nation of the USA. The study is designed to show the life of modern America in all its diversity, in particular the influence of the mentality and culture of Americans on the origin of the “nicknames” of the states.
Chapter 1. American states.
Today the United States of America is the fourth largest country in the world. It covers a surface area of 3,618,465 miles². The USA consists of 50 states and the District of Columbia, the national capital. Those states that border each other on the continent are divided into 7 regions:
- New England / New England / (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont);
- Middle Atlantic States / Mid-Atlantic states /(New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania);
- Southern States / Southern States / (Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia);
- Midwestern States / Midwestern states / (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North and South Dakota, Wisconsin);
- Rocky Mountain States / Rocky Mountain States/(Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming);
- Southwestern States / Southwestern States /(Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas);
- Pacific Coast States / Pacific states / (California, Oregon, Washington);
- Hawaii / Hawaii / and Alaska / Alaska / belong to separate groups.
Some states are known for their cities, others for their forests and mountains, and others for their rich agriculture.
Chapter 2. Nicknames of American states.
Each state has its own symbols: motto, flag, anthem... But in addition to such individual features, each state also has its own unofficial, popular name, or even several, and given such a variety of “nicknames” of the country, one of them can be used quite officially. These types of names are often used in literature, advertising, and are found in reference publications.
I would like to introduce you to the most interesting titles:
Rhode Island (Rhode Island.) Official nickname Little Rhody - "Little Rhody" (the smallest US state by territory), " Ocean State" . The origin of the name is not exactly known. There are two theories. The first says that the Italian geographer Giovanni di Veraziano, who mapped this landmass in 1524, noticed that its dimensions coincided with those of the Mediterranean island of Rhodes (“ Rodo" - in Italian transcription). The second, that the Dutch navigator named the island Rood Island (literally " beautiful island ") for the color of clay deposits.
Next on the list of the most unusual country nicknames is South Carolina (South Carolina) . People call it: “Palm State" - Palmetto state. It got its name due to the fact that many palm trees grow in South Carolina, especially along the coast. The palm tree is depicted on the country's coat of arms.
But Alabama is called The Heart of Dixie - “The Heart of Dixie” ", since it is located in the very center of the belt of states " Deep South" and "Dixie " is the general name for the American South. The nickname arose from the fact that Louisiana, where the majority of the population spoke French in the 19th century, began printing $10 bills with the French word " dix" - "ten" . Americans pronounced it as " dix", hence "Dixie" and "Dixieland" - “Dixie edge”, which later became the name of the musical style. But " Heart of Dixie " became not Louisiana, but Alabama.
Arkansas (Arkansas) is called "Land of opportunity"- The land of Opportunity . The name was invented by local legislators solely for advertising purposes. Arkansas is one of the poorest American states, but it is rich in natural resources and affordable for retirees, who have recently been eager to move here.
A popular Spanish novel was about a fictional island called"California" (California), which is full of gold. Indeed, in the state called California, placers of the precious metal were discovered in 1848, an unprecedented gold rush began there, and the state itself received the nickname“Golden” - The Golden State.
It would be logical to assume that Colorado should be called the Rocky Mountain State. But Colorado is called"State of the Century"- The Centennial State , since it received its status in 1876, exactly one hundred years after the declaration of American independence.
Connecticut (Connecticut) is called " Muscat State- The Nutmeg State , but not in connection with nutmeg, a spice that sailors brought from overseas countries. It's just that the Connecticut Yankees were known for their cunning, and the saying went that they could pass off a wooden ball as a nutmeg and sell it at a profit.
Delaware (Delaware) is called “The First State” - The First State , since he was the first of all to ratify the US Constitution.
Georgia (Georgia) famous for its sweetest peaches. That's why they call her"Peach State" - The Peach State.
Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean received the name"The Aloha State" - this is how the greeting sounds in the local language.
Pennsylvania one of those countries that have several unofficial names. In this case there are five of them: The Coal State, The Keystone State ) - such a stone is laid last during the construction of a building. Pennsylvania was the last, 13th colony to vote for the independence of the North American colonies, Oil State, Quaker State, Steel State ).As for the official name of the state, it is historically formed: in 1681, the English king Charles II transferred a large territory west of the Delaware River to the young English Quaker William Penn. In 1682, Penn founded a refuge colony for Protestants of the Society of Friends (the official name of the Quakers) and others persecuted for their faith. In honor of Penn's father, an admiral in the Royal Navy, the colony was named Pennsylvania. At the same time, William Penn, who professed the idea of brotherly love between fellow believers, founded the city, for which he came up with the name Philadelphia (Philadelphia) , which means in ancient GreekCity of brotherly love.
Regarding the etymology of the name Arizona (Arizona) There is no consensus; the main hypotheses include Spanish and Indian. The name of the state comes from the word of the Pima Indians transmitted by the Spaniards - “place of a small stream", in the language of the Aztec tribe - "giving birth to silverO". The most commonly used name"The Grand Canyon State" - The Grand Canyon State , as the state is known for having a large portion of its mountains, plateaus, and deserts, and in the north of the state is the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River.
The state of Iowa (Iowa) was nicknamed as "Hawkeye State" - The Hawkeye State , since the highest point in the state is Hawkeye Point (509 m).
Mississippi has an official nickname -"Magnolia State" - Magnolia State , unofficial -"State of Hospitality"The state got its name from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western border.
Alaska - the largest US state in terms of territory on the northwestern edge of North America. Has two nicknames:"The Last Frontier"- The Last Frontier , "Land of the Midnight Sun."
Florida - "Sunshine State" - The Sunshine State . It got its name due to its climatic conditions.
Official nickname Michigan - Wolverine State , and the inhabitants of Michigan are called "wolverines" and Great Lakes State - " Great Lakes State"
Vermont (Vermont) nicknamed "Green Mountain State"- The Green Mountain State . This name is due to the dense (compared to the forests in the higher mountains of New Hampshire and New York) Vermont forest. Others believe that Vermont is so named because of the greenish mica shale that predominates there.
Illinois (Illinois) is called "Land of Lincoln"" - The Land of Lincoln, and also "State in the Prize " During the Civil War, the state supported its native President Lincoln.
Massachusetts (Massachusetts) – “The Bay State” , since there are several bays on its coast (Massachusetts Bay, Cape Cod Bay, Buzzards Bay and Narragansett Bay).
Chapter 3. Unofficial mottos of US states.
Each US state has its own history, its own morals and customs. New Yorkers see their country differently than Texans. Each state has its own official motto, but unofficial slogans can say much more about the characteristics of the states. We present some of them.
● Alabama (Alabama) - “Camellia State” - Camellia State.
Unofficial state slogan:"Now we have electricity!"This unusual slogan was invented because Alabama is considered one of the most backward states in the United States.
● Colorado - “Centennial State” - Centennial State. Unofficially:"You can not skiing - no need to come» (The state is known for its mountain resorts)
● Florida (Florida) - Sunshine State - « Sunshine State" Popular nickname -"Headless Drivers Sanctuary"" There are a huge number of retirees living in Florida. Because of this, the state has adopted traffic rules designed for older people.
● Iowa (Iowa) - Hawkeye State - “Hokey State” " In Scots the word"hokie "literally means"a cow with a white face" In Russian, the closest semantic meaning is carried by the word “ hillbilly" . The informal slogan is close to the formal one:"We do Simply amazing things made from corn!”
● Illinois (Illinois) - « Note on your nose that the letter With not pronounced! The name of the state is supposed to be pronounced, how? Illinois
●Unofficial motto Massachusetts: “Our taxes are higher than in Sweden”
● Mississippi , whose official nickname is: Magnolia State- " Magnolia State " Unofficial:“Come to us and you will understand how good your state is”
● Rhode Island ; official nickname: Little Rhody- " Baby Rody." Motto: " Honestly! We are not an island! Believe me!
● Texas (Texas). Lone Star State "The Lone Star State" Or “A veces hablan un poco ingles” -
"And sometimes we speak English". This state has a huge population of Mexicans, and Spanish is much more popular than English.
Conclusion.
Americans have become in the habit of giving nicknames not only to each other, but also to geographic areas. And all fifty states have nicknames, some luxurious, some quaint, some historically interesting. I came to the conclusion that the origin of state nicknames depends on several factors, such as geographic location, natural conditions and resources, historical events and the influence of the mentality and life values of Americans.
Bibliography.
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- Klementieva T., Happy English 2, O., 1997
- Kuzovlev V.P., Lapa N.M., English 10-11, M., 2004
- Muller V.K., New English-Russian dictionary, M., 1998
- Oshchepkova V.V., USA: geography, history..., M., 1997
- Tokareva N.D., Peppard V., What it is like in the America? M., 1998