Texas vs California: Which State Is Larger by Area?
Welcome to the world of gigantic states! Have you ever wondered which U.S. state is so big you could fit several countries inside it? Or which state is the champion of the lower 48? Let’s explore these cool questions about the largest U.S. state by area and see why this is one of the top geography topics for school kids and exam champions!
Who Wears the Crown of “Largest U.S. State by Area”?
A State Bigger Than Many Countries!
When we talk about area, we mean the total land and water that a state covers. Out of all 50 states, Alaska is the clear winner! This northern state is so huge that it covers more than 1.7 million square kilometers. Imagine – it is bigger than the combined area of 22 of the smallest U.S. states! If you laid Alaska over a map of the lower 48 states, it would stretch from coast to coast. That’s massive! Even mighty Texas has to settle for second place.
Why Does Size Matter?
Knowing which state is the largest helps you spot it on a map, answer tricky quiz questions, and understand news stories about weather, climate, or natural resources. This fact is a regular guest in school exams, CBSE GK, and big competitive tests like SSC or UPSC. That's why learning state sizes really boosts your marks!
Meet the Top 10 Most Gigantic U.S. States
Ten Big Winners and Fun Stories
Let’s climb our way up the list, from the biggest to the “smallest of the big.” And yes, you’ll find some cool tricks to help you remember them for any quiz!
- Alaska – The giant! More than 17% of the U.S. area, but not a ‘lower 48’ state.
- Texas – King of the contiguous U.S., known for its ranches and cowboy spirit.
- California – Most people live here, and it has golden beaches and big mountains.
- Montana – The “Big Sky” state, famous for natural beauty and open spaces.
- New Mexico – Desert lands, ancient cultures, and a huge area.
- Arizona – Home to the Grand Canyon and hot, dry deserts.
- Nevada – Where you find both Las Vegas and lots of desert!
- Colorado – The highest average elevation; snowy mountains everywhere.
- Oregon – Green forests, mighty rivers, and beautiful coastline.
- Wyoming – Not so many people, but lots of land and national parks!
Largest U.S. States by Area Table
| Rank | State | Area (sq km) | Area (sq mi) | Contiguous? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | 1,723,337 | 665,384 | No |
| 2 | Texas | 695,662 | 268,596 | Yes |
| 3 | California | 423,967 | 163,695 | Yes |
| 4 | Montana | 380,831 | 147,040 | Yes |
| 5 | New Mexico | 314,917 | 121,590 | Yes |
| 6 | Arizona | 295,234 | 113,990 | Yes |
| 7 | Nevada | 286,380 | 110,572 | Yes |
| 8 | Colorado | 269,601 | 104,094 | Yes |
| 9 | Oregon | 254,799 | 98,379 | Yes |
| 10 | Wyoming | 253,335 | 97,813 | Yes |
Texas vs California – Who’s Really the Biggest?
Two Giants Go Head-to-Head!
People often ask, "Is Texas bigger than California?" Here's the answer for your next quiz: Texas is not only bigger, but much, much bigger by area! Texas is almost double California in land area, though California has more people. And if you’re thinking about the whole lower 48 states, Texas wins by a long shot, while Alaska is in its own league above all.
Alaska vs Texas: The Super-Size Showdown
- Alaska’s area is more than two times Texas!
- Alaska could hold Texas and still have space left for smaller states.
- Alaska is not part of the “contiguous U.S.” (lower 48 states).
Why Is This Topic so Popular in Exams?
Exam Tips and Memory Tricks
- State size questions pop up often in map-based and MCQ exams.
- Current events (like wildfires, oil discoveries, weather) often mention big states.
- Try this fun mnemonic: AT CAM-NA COWy (Alaska, Texas, California, Montana, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Oregon, Wyoming)!
- Largest Districts of India and Largest States of India are helpful for comparing with U.S. regions.
Exam Weightage Table
| Exam | No. of Questions (Avg.) | Type | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| CBSE/Class 10 | 1-2 | Fact/MCQ | Easy |
| SSC/Banking | 1 | Map/Data | Medium |
| UPSC Prelims | 1 | Assertion/Fact | Medium-High |
Quick Review: Largest U.S. State by Area – At a Glance
| Feature | What It Means | Fun to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Biggest State | Alaska | Bigger than 17% of the USA! |
| 2nd Largest | Texas | Largest among lower 48 |
| Contiguous King | Texas | Famous for ranches and oil |
| Most Populous | California | More people, but smaller area! |
| Fun Mnemonic | AT CAM-NA COWy | One for each state! |
Let’s Practice: Example Q&A
Quiz Time!
Question: Which state is the largest in the contiguous United States?
Answer: Texas is the largest state in the contiguous (lower 48) U.S., with an area of about 695,662 square kilometers.
Practice Your Skills
- Name the top five largest U.S. states from memory.
- Which is bigger: California or Montana?
- List two fun facts about Wyoming.
- What’s a good mnemonic for remembering the top 10 biggest states?
Common Mix-ups – Don’t Fall for These!
- Thinking California is largest due to its population – it’s only third in area!
- Confusing Alaska’s north location with being part of the lower 48 – it’s separate!
- Assuming area always matches population – not true (Alaska has fewer people, but it’s huge!).
Super Visual for Visual Learners!
Take a look at a map showing state sizes for a fast, picture-based memory boost. This will help you recall answers quickly in map-based questions!
Wrap-Up: Why Big States Matter!
Now you know that Alaska is the largest U.S. state by area, Texas rules the lower 48, and California is the most crowded. Try the AT CAM-NA COWy trick, and you’ll be ready for any quiz or exam challenge! For more geography topics like major mountain ranges of the world or major deserts, visit Vedantu’s GK section for easy summaries and super learning. Happy state-spotting and good luck with your exams!
Handy FAQs for Curious Minds
- Which is bigger, Texas or California?
Texas is much bigger than California by area. - What’s the 3rd largest state?
California. - Is Alaska part of the lower 48?
No, Alaska is up in the far northwest, not “contiguous”. - Largest U.S. state by land?
Alaska (by land and total area).
*Content prepared by Vedantu’s GK experts based on official and exam-focused data for 2024-25.*
FAQs on Largest U.S. States by Area: List, Map & Key Facts
1. What is the largest US state by area?
Alaska is the largest US state by area. It covers over 1,723,337 square kilometers (665,384 sq mi), making it bigger than the next largest state by more than double. Key facts include:
- Alaska is not part of the contiguous (lower 48) states.
- It accounts for more than 17% of the entire US land area.
- For exams, always remember: Alaska tops any US state size list.
2. Is Alaska bigger than Texas?
Yes, Alaska is significantly larger than Texas by total area. In fact:
- Alaska's area is more than twice that of Texas.
- Texas covers 695,662 sq km (268,596 sq mi), while Alaska is 1,723,337 sq km (665,384 sq mi).
- Alaska is the dominant answer for 'largest US state by area' in any competitive exam or quiz.
3. Which state is the 2nd largest in the USA?
Texas is the 2nd largest state in the United States by area. Key facts for students:
- It covers about 695,662 square kilometers (268,596 sq mi).
- Texas is the largest state in the contiguous (lower 48) United States.
- For memorization: 'First Alaska, then Texas.'
4. Texas or California bigger: Which state has a larger area?
Texas is much bigger than California in terms of area. For easy recall:
- Texas: 695,662 sq km (268,596 sq mi)
- California: 423,967 sq km (163,695 sq mi)
- Texas ranks 2nd, California is 3rd among US states by area.
5. Which state is the largest in the contiguous United States?
Texas is the largest state in the contiguous (lower 48) United States. Key exam points:
- It has an area of about 695,662 sq km (268,596 sq mi).
- Remember: 'Contiguous US' excludes Alaska and Hawaii; in this ranking, Texas is always first.
6. What are the top 10 largest US states by area?
The top 10 largest US states by area (from largest to smallest) are:
- Alaska
- Texas
- California
- Montana
- New Mexico
- Arizona
- Nevada
- Colorado
- Oregon
- Wyoming
7. Which US state is the largest by land but not by population?
Alaska is the largest US state by land area but has a small population compared to states like California and Texas. Important facts:
- Alaska covers the biggest land area.
- California is the most populous, but ranks third by area.
- For exam contexts, use 'Alaska = largest by land, not people.'
8. Why is it important to know the largest states by area for exams?
Knowing the largest states by area boosts map skills and scoring in general knowledge and competitive exams. Main reasons:
- Map-based questions are frequent in CBSE/SSC/UPSC exams.
- Helps with current affairs (disaster, economy, geography).
- Memorization aids quick exam answers and improves awareness.
9. What mnemonic helps remember the top 10 largest US states?
A popular mnemonic is "AT CAM-NA COWy" to recall the top 10 largest US states in order:
- A – Alaska
- T – Texas
- C – California
- A – Montana
- M – New Mexico
- N – Arizona
- A – Nevada
- C – Colorado
- O – Oregon
- Wy – Wyoming
10. What is the area of each of the top 3 largest US states?
The areas of the top 3 largest US states are:
- Alaska: 1,723,337 sq km (665,384 sq mi)
- Texas: 695,662 sq km (268,596 sq mi)
- California: 423,967 sq km (163,695 sq mi)
11. Which state is called the largest lower 48 state?
Texas is commonly referred to as the largest lower 48 state. This term means:
- Texas is the largest among the states in the contiguous US (excluding Alaska and Hawaii).
- Essential for geography exams and map-based MCQs.
- Always choose Texas for 'largest contiguous US state' questions.
12. What’s the third largest state in the USA?
California is the third largest US state by area. It covers 423,967 square kilometers (163,695 sq mi) and ranks first in population. For exam prep, remember: California is 3rd in area but 1st in people.
13. How do area and population rankings differ for US states?
Area and population rankings often differ for US states:
- Alaska is largest by area but sparsely populated.
- California is first in population, third in area.
- Texas ranks second in both area and population.
