The Western States

How Many States in the West? Thirteen states form the western region of the United States. Washington Oregon California Arizona New Mexico Nevada Utah Colorado Idaho Montana Wyoming Alaska Hawaii

Facts About Washington Population: 5,610,000 Capital City: Olympia Nickname: Washington State Largest City: Seattle Climate: 27°F and 69°F Interesting Facts: Washington grows more apples than any other state. Mount St. Helens is located in Washington.

Facts About Oregon Population: 3,243,000 Capital City: Salem Nickname: Beaver State Largest City: Portland Climate: 34°F and 80°F Interesting Fact: Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States. Its depth is 1,932 feet and it lies in the crater of an extinct volcano.

Facts About California Population: 32,268,000 Capital City: Sacramento Nickname: Golden State Largest City: Los Angeles Climate: 49°F and 84°F Interesting Facts: The highest temperature ever recorded was 134°F in Death Valley in 1913. Gold was discovered at Sutters Mill in 1849 leading to the Gold Rush of 49’.

Facts About Arizona Population: 4,554,000 Capital City: Phoenix Nickname: Grand Canyon State Largest City: Phoenix Climate: 41°F and 106°F Interesting Fact: Between 1950 and 1970, Arizona’s population quadrupled because of the development of air conditioning.

Facts About New Mexico Population: 1,729,000 Capital City: Santa Fe Nickname: Land of Enchantment Largest City: Albuquerque Climate: 22°F and 93°F Interesting Facts: The first atomic bomb was built at Los Alamos Laboratory in New Mexico. The oldest highway in the U.S. is El Camino Real, first used in 1581.

Facts About Utah Population: 2,059,000 Capital City: Salt Lake City Nickname: Beehive State Largest City: Salt Lake City Climate: 19°F and 92°F Interesting Fact: The Great Salt Lake located in Utah is seven times saltier than any ocean in the world. It is also the largest natural lake west of the Mississippi River.

Facts About Nevada Population: 1,676,000 Capital City: Carson City Nickname: Silver State Largest City: Las Vegas Climate: 21°F and 92°F Interesting Facts: Nevada has less rainfall than any other state. Usually less than 24” per year. Hoover Dam, one of the largest dams in the world is in Nevada.

Facts About Colorado Population: 3,892,000 Capital City: Denver Nickname: Centennial State Largest City: Denver Climate: 16°F and 88°F Interesting Facts: More than one-third of Colorado’s land is owned by the federal government. Leadville, Colorado is the highest city in the United States.

Facts About Idaho Population: 1,210,000 Capital City: Boise Nickname: Gem State Largest City: Boise Climate: 22°F and 90°F Interesting Facts: The largest silver mine in the U.S. is found in Idaho. Idaho grows more potatoes than any other state.

Facts About Wyoming Population: 479,000 – smallest pop. in the United States Capital City: Cheyenne Nickname: Equality State Largest City: Cheyenne Climate: 8°F and 86°F Interesting Fact: Wyoming was the first place in the United States to allow women to vote. Wyoming was also the first state to elect a woman governor in 1924.

Facts About Montana Population: 878,000 Capital City: Helena Nickname: Treasure State Largest City: Billings Climate: 10°F and 85°F Interesting Fact: Montana is the fourth largest state in the United States.

Facts About Alaska Population: 609,000 Capital City: Juneau Nickname: Last Frontier Largest City: Anchorage Climate: -19°F and 65°F Interesting Fact: Alaska is the largest state and has the tallest mountain in North America, Mount McKinley.

Facts About Hawaii Population: 1,186,000 Capital City: Honolulu Nickname: Aloha State Largest City: Honolulu Climate: 66°F and 88°F Interesting Facts: Hawaii is the only state in the nation totally formed by volcanoes. Eight islands form the state of Hawaii.