What is the smallest state in the United States?
Rhode Island is the smallest US state by area, at about 4,000 square kilometers. Wyoming has the fewest people of any state.
Rhode Island is about 77 kilometers long and 60 kilometers wide. Despite its size, it has about 400 miles of coastline thanks to Narragansett Bay. Its capital is Providence. It was the first of the 13 colonies to declare independence from Britain, in May 1776, and the last to ratify the US Constitution, in 1790.
Rhode Island's official name was once the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, the longest of any state. Voters approved shortening it in 2020. It is known for Newport's grand mansions, sailing and seafood such as clam chowder.
Other small states
Delaware is the second-smallest state, and Connecticut is third. By population, Wyoming is the least populous state with fewer than 600,000 people, followed by Vermont. Washington, D.C., is smaller than Rhode Island but is not a state.
Did You Know?
About 500 Rhode Islands could fit inside Alaska, the largest state.