Red State. Blue State. Rust belt. Sun belt. East Coast. West Coast. A look at the state of the 50 states, from Hawaii to New York, and Alabama to Wyoming. An engaging look at each state¿s history, capitals, flowers, birds, famous citizens and more! How did colonies, territories, and land purchases shape the United States of America? What differences¿and similarities¿are there between the states? What does each state bring to the union? When did each enter the union? What is their history, culture, and current population, and what might the future bring for each state? From sea to shining sea, The Handy State-by-State Answer Book: Faces, Places, and Famous Dates for all Fifty States explores the history, growth, politics, people, and more of each of the 50 states. It is a resource for learning about the events and personalities that influenced and affected each state, its history, government, cities, and culture. It is a convenient place to look for state facts and trivia. It offers an engaging overview of how a union of states became the U.S.A, the background and history of each of its 50 states, and the current state of each state. In addition to the state motto, nickname, and when it entered the union, The Handy State-by-State Answer Book answers intriguing questions about the people, places, and events thatlend a unique character to each state's boundaries, government, and places of interest, such as: How much natural variety exists within California? How important were¿and are¿the Beach Boys to the making of Californiäs culture? What is the capital of Hawaii? Are the Hawaiians themselves still in charge of their state and its economy? How many artists, writers, poets, and sculptors have lived in Massachusetts? Why was it so easy for the Pilgrims and the Puritans to take over eastern Massachusetts? Is New York a city? A state? Or a state of mind? How many artists and writers have attempted to do justice to the beauty that exists in New York State? Is Mount Rushmore the place from which to view the accomplishments of the state and its people? Who were the first inhabitants of what we call South Dakota? Is it true that the people of Washington¿and, indeed, most of the Pacific Northwest¿are more liberal than their East Coast cousins? Is it true that it never stops raining on the Washington coast? Wide-ranging and comprehensive with nearly 140 illustrations, this information-rich tome also includes a helpful bibliography and an extensive index, adding to its usefulness. A perfect companion for history buffs of all ages, The Handy State-by-State Answer Book: Faces, Places, and Famous Dates for all Fifty States is an ideal home reference and a convenient place to go to look up the basic facts and more of each of the 50 states