How many states are in the USA?
The United States has 50 states. The most recent states to join the union were Alaska and Hawaii, which were both admitted in 1959.
The first 13 states were the original British colonies that declared independence in 1776. Delaware was the first to ratify the Constitution, in 1787, earning it the nickname the First State. Over the next 170 years, the country expanded westward, and new territories became states one by one.
Alaska became the 49th state in January 1959, and Hawaii became the 50th in August 1959. The American flag has 50 stars, one for each state, and 13 stripes for the original colonies. The current 50-star flag has been used since July 4, 1960.
Not states
Washington, D.C., the capital, is a federal district and not part of any state. The US also has territories, including Puerto Rico, Guam, the US Virgin Islands, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands. Their residents are US citizens or nationals but do not have voting representation in Congress.
Did You Know?
Four states officially call themselves commonwealths: Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Legally, they are states like the others.