Discover the 15 States on the East Coast

The East Coast has so much history to learn about in each state. Thirteen out of fifteen states listed here were part of the thirteen colonies many years ago when the United States started to be discovered. Many parties from Europe wanted to claim much of the United States for themselves, but unfortunately, many people had their opinions. Although many wars were fought in these states, there are so many things each state offers tourists and residents. Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Massachusetts are three out of four states in the U.S. that are commonwealth states.

1. Georgia

Georgia is the youngest state of the former thirteen colonies, founded in 1732. Although Georgia’s economy thrived off the salve-plantation system, it was one of the first states to succeed from the Union in 1861. You may know Georgia as the “Peach State” because of the production of high-quality fruit this state has to offer. Georgia provides ample weather for fishing, hiking in the mountains, or sunbathing at the Savannah beaches. Some wildlife you may encounter here are black bears, bats, flying squirrels, quails, and even alligators. This state has warm weather, with the summers ranging in the low 80’s and winters in the low 50’s. If you can visit this fantastic state, visit the Coca-Cola company in Atlanta, where the first Coca-Cola drink originated!

2. South Carolina

As part of the thirteen colonies, South Carolina was settled by the English in 1670. Much of the state’s income relied on the labor of enslaved people; however, in 1861, the American Civil War caused it to fail. South Carolina is the eighth hottest state, with temperatures averaging 62 degrees Fahrenheit. Its weather is described as sub-tropical temperatures throughout the year. Fort Sumter is where the first gunshots of the American Civil War occurred. Common wildlife in this state are white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, red foxes, and beavers. If you love to bird watch, South Carolina is the state to visit because there are over three hundred species of birds to see. There are several lakes to take your boat out for a fun drive and plenty of mountains to hike through. The current population of South Carolina is over five million people.

3. North Carolina

Enslaved people were an early part of North Carolina, and now has a population of over 10 million people! North Carolina is where the Wright brothers launched the world’s first airplane flight that lasted for twelve seconds. Make sure to visit the memorial of this historic site to imagine how everything occurred! Common wildlife seen throughout the state are bears, wildcats, opossums, and deer. If fishing in the mountains interests you, you will surely capture brook and rainbow trout. Bluegills, crappies, Sunfish, and Bass are found more inland.

4. Virginia

The slogan of Virginia is, “Virginia is for lovers,” because you may fall in love with the many things this state has to offer. Virginia is nicknamed the “Old Dominion” for its loyalty to Charles ll of England, who was exiled. This state was the first colony of England in America to host a permanent town known as Jamestown. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison are people you may recall who played crucial roles in Virginia and the United States’ development. The climate of Virginia is very humid, with comfortable temperatures in all four seasons. There are a mixture of mountains and beaches to visit throughout the year. Wildlife, such as eagles, owls, foxes, ducks, and beavers, are all over the state. In the early 18th century, bison were predominant along the Shenandoah River. The population of Virginia is over eight million people.

5. Maryland

This state obtained its name to honor King Charles l wife, Henrietta Maria. The state’s nickname is “The Old Line State,” in honor of the four hundred Revolutionary War soldiers who held off ten thousand British soldiers to all their comrades to escape. That’s impressive if you ask me! Maryland is also called “America in Miniature” because of the tiny state’s various landscapes and activities. While hiking, look for the Allegheny Mountain Dusky salamander and the barking tree frog! Black bears and bobcats are two mammals rarely seen in this state. Average temperatures in winter here are around 30 degrees and 89 degrees Fahrenheit in summer.

6. Delaware

This state was one of the first states to sign the Federal Constitution, which earned its nickname, “The First State.” On June 15, 1775, Delaware became a state, declaring an end to being a colony of Great Britain. Our current president, Joe Biden, once called this place home. Wildlife here include grey foxes, American beavers, white-tailed deer, and river otters. Summertime in this state is hot and humid, so if you visit during this time, take a dip in Delaware’s beaches. Although this state is small, over one million people call this place home.

7. Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is known as the “Keystone State” because its location is in the center of the thirteen colonies. This state played a significant role in American history. The French and Indian War occurred here from 1754 to 1763. The war caused the English to lose money, so they taxed the colonists, sparking the Revolutionary War in 1775. The Declaration of Independence was drafted here. George Washington led the Continental Army to victory in Bucks County. After the war ended, Pennsylvania became the second state in 1787. If you need more history, the Battle of Gettysburg occurred in 1863. Mammals such as Black bears, elk, red foxes, and white-tailed deer are in various areas of the state. Be cautious of the flying terrors lurking in the sky, such as the Peregrine falcon. Pennsylvania is the place to visit for snow because temperatures can go as low as zero degrees Fahrenheit!

8. New Jersey

New Jersey obtained its name after the island of Jersey. It is the fourth-smallest state; however, about 9 million people live here! More battles were fought here than in any other state during the Revolutionary War. New Jersey is the third state to ratify or sign the United States Constitution and the first to sign the Bill of Rights. Wildlife in this state includes bats, deer, raccoons, and opossums. Winters here are snowy, whereas the summers are hot and humid. Aside from occasional traffic jams, you can enjoy the Jersey Atlantic Boardwalk, the longest in the world!

9. New York

New York is a well-diverse state to live in. Initially, this state was named New Amsterdam, which the Dutch founded. The British seized New Amsterdam in 1665 and was renamed New York in honor of the Duke of York, King James ll of England. Millions of immigrants arrived at the York harbor between 1892 and 1954. The Statue of Liberty is a gift from France to honor the alliance held during the American Revolution. About forty percent of Americans can trace at least one ancestor from this port! New York City is known as the city that never sleeps. Wildlife in New York includes coyotes, bats, bobcats, moose, river otters, and wild turkeys. If you want to visit Niagara Falls and don’t have a passport, you can easily see it in the upper parts of New York!

10. Connecticut

Connecticut is known for its historic sites and rustic landscaping. Over three million people call the urban life of Connecticut home. The Dutch arrived in 1614 and created the state’s first European settlement in 1633. In 1776, Connecticut signed the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution in 1788, becoming the fifth state. The name Connecticut comes from the Native American word “Quinatucquet,” meaning beside the long tidal river. In this case, the long tidal river is the Connecticut River. The climate description here is cold, snowy winters and humid summers. Make sure to visit places like the Lockwood-Matthews Mansion and The Glass House.

11. Rhode Island

The capital of Rhode Island is Providence. Rhode Island is only forty-eight miles long and thirty-seven miles wide, inhabiting just over one million people. Rhode Island was founded by Roger Williams in 1636 and is nicknamed the Ocean State because it has four hundred miles of coastline. The first National Lawn Tennis Championship was hosted here in 1899. Be sure to visit the Tennis Hall of Fame here. On May 4, 1908, Rhode Island Independence Day was established because it was the first colony to renounce allegiance to King George lll of England. Wildlife such as red foxes, gray foxes, beavers, eastern coyotes, and wild turkeys live here. If you enjoy fishing, Narrangsett Bay is the place to do so. Snow storms are possible here since temperatures during winter range between 23 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

12. Massachusetts

Massachusetts is the seventh smallest state, and the capital is Boston. John Smith, an English explorer, named it after the Massachuset tribe. The name “Massachuset” means near the Great Hill, which may refer to the Blue Hill rising south of Boston. In 1620, the Mayflower Ship arrived at Cape Cod carrying the first Pilgrims. The Pilgrims celebrated their first Thanksgiving with the Wampanoag Tribe. You may also be familiar with the witch hunts occurring in Salem, Massachusetts. In 1876, Alexander Bell demonstrated the first telephone here. The Boston Tea Party also occurred here, where colonists disguised themselves as Native Americans and threw cases of tea into the Boston Harbor to protest against high taxes. The Battle of Lexington and Concord was the first battle in the Revolutionary War in 1775. In 2004, Massachusetts became the first state to legalize same-sex marriage.

13. New Hampshire

New Hampshire was the first colony to create a constitution and declare independence from Great Britain in 1776, becoming the ninth state. It is the ninth state to ratify the Constitution and the last to put the document into effect. The Abenaki and Pennacock Native American tribes lived here before the state was discovered. You may encounter wildlife like bats, moose, great horned owls, and nighthawks. New Hampshire has interchangeable climate due to the mountains, lakes, and rivers. There are over one million people who call this place home. Enjoy a maple sundae or cider donut if you ever visit here!

14. Maine

Maine’s population is over one million people; however, this does not include wildlife like bobcats, Canadian lynx, moose, and black bears. In 1774, residents of Maine burned a shipment of British tea due to high taxes. Massachusetts wasn’t the only state upset about high taxes! Speaking of Massachusetts, Maine was part of this state but separated in 1820. Maine’s nickname is the “Pine Tree State” because of the many white pine trees throughout the state. Maine has cold, snowy winters, with temperatures dropping as low as -25 degrees Fahrenheit!

15. Vermont

In 1609, Samuel De Champlain claimed the region of Vermont for France; however, in 1724, the British claimed it for themselves. A war broke out for nine years between the British and France, but the British were victorious. Vermont was part of New York but then declared independence in 1777. “Vertmont” in French means green mountains, which honors the Green Mountain boys who protected the land from New York. Vermont is the largest producer of maple syrup in the United States. Marsh Billings Rockefeller National Historic is a beautiful place with trails, gardens, and more history to learn. Black bears, moose, red foxes, and ospreys are common wildlife in this state. Deer hunting is a popular outdoor sport to do here as well. The breeze from Lake Champlain keeps the farming areas cool and inland warm in winter. There are over five hundred thousand people who call Vermont home.

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