I. Introduction
The United States is not only one of the most powerful countries in the world, but it’s also significantly vast. While having a general idea of the country’s size is enough for some people, others want specific numbers and facts. Unfortunately, finding the total square mileage of the United States can be challenging for some. The purpose of this article is to help readers better understand the geography of the United States, including its overall size and how it compares to other countries.
II. United States State Square Mileage
You might be wondering exactly how big each individual state is before getting a sense of the total square mileage of the US. Here are the 50 US states listed alphabetically, along with their respective square mileage:
| State | Square Mileage |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 52,419 |
| Alaska | 663,267 |
| Arizona | 113,990 |
| Arkansas | 53,179 |
| California | 163,696 |
| Colorado | 104,094 |
| Connecticut | 5,543 |
| Delaware | 1,954 |
| Florida | 65,757 |
| Georgia | 59,425 |
| Hawaii | 10,931 |
| Idaho | 83,569 |
| Illinois | 57,913 |
| Indiana | 36,420 |
| Iowa | 56,273 |
| Kansas | 82,278 |
| Kentucky | 40,408 |
| Louisiana | 52,378 |
| Maine | 35,385 |
| Maryland | 12,406 |
| Massachusetts | 10,555 |
| Michigan | 96,714 |
| Minnesota | 86,935 |
| Mississippi | 48,430 |
| Missouri | 69,707 |
| Montana | 147,040 |
| Nebraska | 77,348 |
| Nevada | 110,567 |
| New Hampshire | 9,349 |
| New Jersey | 8,722 |
| New Mexico | 121,590 |
| New York | 54,555 |
| North Carolina | 53,819 |
| North Dakota | 70,698 |
| Ohio | 44,825 |
| Oklahoma | 69,899 |
| Oregon | 98,381 |
| Pennsylvania | 46,055 |
| Rhode Island | 1,034 |
| South Carolina | 32,020 |
| South Dakota | 77,121 |
| Tennessee | 42,146 |
| Texas | 268,597 |
| Utah | 84,898 |
| Vermont | 9,616 |
| Virginia | 42,774 |
| Washington | 71,299 |
| West Virginia | 24,230 |
| Wisconsin | 65,496 |
| Wyoming | 97,813 |
With these numbers in mind, it’s clear that Alaska has the most square mileage of any US state. So, what is the total square mileage of the United States when all 50 states are combined? In total, the United States covers approximately 3.8 million square miles.
III. Historical Account of the Origins of US Borders
Whether you’re driving a car, flying on a plane, or reading a book, it’s easy to see that the United States is a large country. But do you know the geopolitical circumstances that shaped the country’s borders into what they are today?
The history of the United States’ borders is a complex topic that dates back to the country’s founding. In the late 1700s, the newly-formed United States consisted of only 13 colonies along the eastern coast of the current US. Over the next century, the US government entered into treaties and conflicts with other countries to acquire new land, expanding its borders.
Examining the total square mileage of the United States can be insightful in understanding how large the US is compared to other countries. For reference, here are the ten largest countries in the world by land area alongside the total square mileage of the US:
| Country | Square Mileage |
|---|---|
| Russia | 17,098,242 |
| Canada | 9,984,670 |
| China | 9,596,961 |
| United States | 3,796,742 |
| Brazil | 3,287,956 |
| Australia | 2,969,907 |
| India | 1,269,337 |
| Argentina | 1,073,518 |
| Kazakhstan | 1,049,150 |
| Algeria | 919,595 |
These numbers help put the size and scope of the United States into perspective. While the US doesn’t have the most square mileage in the world, it’s still in the top four, behind only Russia, Canada, and China.
IV. Description of Major Geographic Regions in the US
Now that we have a basic understanding of the United States’ total square mileage, how it relates to other countries, and how big each individual state is, let’s take a closer look at the country’s major geographic regions:
1. The West Coast
The West Coast consists of three states: California, Oregon, and Washington. In total, the region covers just over 340,000 square miles. The West Coast is known for its diverse landscapes, from the desert-like conditions of Southern California to the heavy rainfall and lush vegetation of the Pacific Northwest.
2. The Southwest
The region of the Southwest encompasses parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. It’s generally characterized by hot summers and large deserts, including the Mojave and Sonoran deserts. The Southwest region spans approximately 610,000 square miles.
3. Great Plains
The Great Plains sit in the central part of the United States and stretch across 10 states, including Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and Kansas. They cover approximately 1.2 million square miles. The Great Plains are known for their sweeping windswept expanses, making it a great place for wind energy generation.
4. Midwest
The Midwest is made up of 12 states, including Michigan, Iowa, and Missouri. In total, the region covers over 800,000 square miles. The area is characterized by its flat and fertile landscape, and it’s a leading producer of crops like corn, soybeans, and wheat.
5. Northeast
The Northeast is the smallest of the country’s five regions, only covering around 180,000 square miles. The region includes nine states, such as New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. The Northeast is home to the country’s largest city, New York City, as well as some of its most iconic landmarks and historic sites.
V. US Square Mileage Compared to Other Countries
As previously discussed, the United States’ total square mileage falls within the top four countries in the world, coming in at just under 4 million square miles. But what factors make a country larger or smaller? For instance, some countries are naturally geographically larger than others, while others have acquired more land through colonization or acquisition. Other factors can include population density and the size of the country’s economy.
Just like we compared the US to the top ten largest countries in the world, we can also compare it to some of the world’s most recognizable landmarks and cities.