Quiz challenge
Among the 48 contiguous states, which has the greatest land area?
Select an answer to continue.
The correct answer is B) Texas.
Texas is the correct answer. Covering more than 261,000 square miles of dry land, the Lone Star State possesses the largest land area of any state in the 48 contiguous United States.
When comparing state sizes across the United States, geographic distinctions play an important role in determining the final rankings. While nationwide statistics include outlying states and vast maritime waters, restricting the scope strictly to land area within the lower 48 adjoining states changes the dynamic. Understanding how geography and official land measurements intersect provides fascinating insight into the scale of the American landscape across its major mainland regions.
The correct answer
B) Texas
Texas is the correct answer. Covering more than 261,000 square miles of dry land, the Lone Star State possesses the largest land area of any state in the 48 contiguous United States.
According to official U.S. Census Bureau area measurement data, Texas spans approximately 261,232 square miles of land area and roughly 268,596 square miles of total area when inland waters are included. Across the entire nation, only Alaska is larger. However, because Alaska lies outside the lower 48 adjoining states, Texas comfortably holds first place among the contiguous states. Its expansive territory stretches across multiple distinct geographic zones, ranging from coastal plains along the Gulf of Mexico and eastern pine forests to central hill country, high plains in the Panhandle, and rugged mountain ranges in the western Trans-Pecos region.
More context
Measuring state sizes in the United States often leads to interesting comparisons between total area and pure land area. Total area calculations incorporate inland lakes, coastal waters, territorial seas, and Great Lakes portions, which can drastically alter rankings for water-rich states like Michigan or Florida. However, when evaluating land area alone, the top five largest contiguous states form a clear progression: Texas, California, Montana, New Mexico, and Arizona. Together, these five western and southwestern states account for a massive percentage of the mainland United States. Nationwide, Alaska overshadows them all, boasting a land area greater than Texas, California, and Montana combined.
Quick facts
- Alaska is the largest overall state in the U.S., but Texas holds the title for the 48 contiguous states.
- Texas accounts for roughly seven percent of the total land area of the entire United States.
- The top four largest contiguous states are Texas, California, Montana, and New Mexico in descending order.
- Land area measurements exclude oceans, coastal territorial waters, and major lakes, focusing exclusively on dry terrain.
Sources
- State Area Measurements and Internal Point Coordinates — U.S. Census Bureau Texas has a land area of 261,232 square miles, making it the largest state by land area in the contiguous United States.
- What's the largest U.S. state by area? — Encyclopædia Britannica Confirms state area rankings showing Alaska first overall and Texas second overall but first among the 48 contiguous states.
