Quck answer
The shapes of the states in the United States were determined by a variety of factors, including historical events, geography, and political negotiations. Some states were formed as a result of territorial expansion, such as the Louisiana Purchase and the acquisition of Alaska. Others were created through the division of existing territories or through the carving out of new territories. The borders of many states were influenced by natural landmarks, such as rivers and mountain ranges. Additionally, political negotiations and compromises played a role in shaping state boundaries, especially during the formation of the original thirteen colonies. Overall, the shapes of the states are a complex product of history, geography, and political decision-making.
Are you a fan of maps? In Wonderopolis, we have a room dedicated to maps. We spend hours admiring maps and fantasizing about visiting every state, country, planet, and imaginary land in existence!
When you look at a map of the United States, you can easily spot certain states with unique shapes. For instance, almost everyone can recognize the interesting shapes of Texas and Florida at first glance.
However, there are also many states with similar shapes that aren’t easily identifiable on their own unless seen in the context of the entire US map. For example, distinguishing Wyoming from Colorado or North Dakota from South Dakota can be challenging without seeing them in context, as they have very similar shapes.
Curious Wonder Friends from all over the United States have long wondered how the states got their shapes. Although there’s no single, straightforward answer to this question, let’s explore some of the factors that influenced the states’ appearances.
The United States consists of 50 states, each with its own unique story explaining how it obtained its shape. Mark Stein, the author of the book How the States Got Their Shapes, has likely conducted more research on this topic than anyone else.
According to Stein, four major influences shaped the states’ shapes: the American Revolution, the construction of railroads, the proposal for the Erie Canal in 1808, and the political controversies surrounding slavery. The American Revolution, for instance, played a role in defining the shapes of the original 13 colonies which later became the New England states.
The shapes of the earliest states were often determined by natural geographic boundaries, such as rivers. The Connecticut River separates New Hampshire and Vermont, while the Colorado River separates California and Arizona. Similarly, the Ohio River marks the southern boundary of Indiana.
If you examine a map of the original 13 colonies, you’ll notice that they vary greatly in shape and size. Thomas Jefferson was not pleased with this. Being a proponent of equality, he proposed that future states be created with equal sizes based on latitude and longitude coordinates.
Specifically, Jefferson suggested that states in the new Northwest Territory (between the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers) be approximately two degrees of latitude and four degrees of longitude (or about 138 miles tall by about 276 miles wide). Although Congress did not adopt Jefferson’s recommendation for the Northwest Territory, it did use latitude and longitude to create states with similar shapes and sizes in the western US.
For example, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Wyoming, North Dakota, and South Dakota are all roughly seven degrees of longitude (or about 483 miles wide). Similarly, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota are all about three degrees of latitude (or about 207 miles tall).
With the construction of transcontinental railroads, the shapes of states were no longer as dependent on the natural paths of rivers. Instead, railroad routes began to define the borders between states. The construction of the Erie Canal also influenced the shapes of states in the regions it passed through.
The issue of slavery played a significant role in shaping the states within the territory acquired through the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. The Missouri Compromise of 1818 established the practice of determining state boundaries in the region based on the legality of slavery. Slavery was permitted in states below the 36 degrees, 30 minutes north latitude, with the exception of Missouri.
California and Texas hold a special status in relation to this topic. Unlike other states, California and Texas had the authority to determine their own borders. Due to their political power and the fear of secession, other states and Congress were compelled to accept the boundaries proposed by California and Texas in the event of a territorial dispute.
Give it a try! Don’t worry! There are more exciting activities you can explore with a friend or family member:
– Investigate why your state has its unique shape by examining a map and closely studying its borders. Look for natural boundaries that may explain its shape. Conduct online research to uncover the historical factors that contributed to your state’s current shape.
– Test your knowledge of state shapes by playing USA Map Jigsaw Games online. Challenge someone to see who can complete the puzzle first at different difficulty levels.
– Imagine having the power to determine the shapes of states. Pretend that you are in charge of the continental United States. Use a map, either printed or online, and consider the natural features across the country to draw new boundary lines for the states. You can even create more or fewer states than the current 48 in the continental U.S. Let your imagination run wild and have fun redesigning the United States of America!
Sources:
– https://www.reference.com/geography/were-state-boundaries-determined-aee33de321bdf25f
– https://www.loc.gov/loc/lcib/0809/states.html
– http://www.kafalas.com/urbcol86.htm
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