Fort Roughs was a WWII anti-aircraft platform in international waters, later taken over by Paddy Roy Bates who declared it the Principality of Sealand in 1967. The micro-state still exists today but is officially in British territorial waters and was denied island status by the United Nations in 1994. Fort Roughs was originally erected in […]
The Missouri River is the longest waterway in the US, flowing through several states and parts of Canada. It played a significant role in the exploration of North America. The river has been modified by the US government to widen channels and create reservoirs for electricity generation, causing changes to natural habitats and endangering some […]
Idaho’s state flower is the mock orange syringa, chosen following a design contest for the state seal. Syringa is known for its white petals and Native Americans used it for various purposes. The plant was officially adopted as the state flower in 1931, but was already well-established in the minds of Idaho citizens. Idaho’s state […]
The Douglas fir is the state tree of Oregon and a valuable resource for the lumber and paper industries, providing jobs for many Oregonians. It grows primarily in the western half of the state and has a distinctive triangular shape with flat needles and brown cones. Logging led to a boom in the economy, but […]
The state tree of Arizona is the palo verde, with two species found in the region. They are deciduous trees that bloom yellow flowers in spring and have green branches that help with photosynthesis during dry periods. The leaves and pods are food for various animals, and the tree has cultural and practical uses. The […]
The wild rose was chosen as Iowa’s state flower in 1897, but the specific species was not specified. The wild prairie rose eventually became the official state flower, but Rosa blanda and Rosa carolina are also contenders. Each species grows in different regions of Iowa and has distinct characteristics. Iowa selected the wild rose as […]
Serpentine is California’s state rock, chosen for its economic benefits and deposits of chromite, magnesite, and cinnabar. It has industrial and decorative uses, but debates have arisen over its asbestos content and potential health risks. Geologists argue that occasional exposure is harmless, while lawmakers and health officials call for it to be declared a carcinogen. […]
The bald cypress is Louisiana’s state tree, known for its ability to grow in swamps and clay soil. It attracts birds and wildlife, and its wood is resistant to decay. The tree can grow up to 120 feet and is found in other states besides Louisiana. The bald cypress is the state tree of Louisiana […]
The wild prairie rose is North Dakota’s state flower, shared with Iowa. It was adopted in 1907 and is estimated to be over 35 million years old. The prairie rose is edible and has medicinal properties, and is found throughout central North America. The state flower of North Dakota is the wild prairie rose. Designated […]
The Carolina wren is the state bird of South Carolina, known for its small size, preference for warm climates, and insect-based diet. They mate for life and build nests in bushes or trees. The female lays 3-7 eggs and the young birds fly at about two weeks old. The wren replaced the thrush as the […]
The American robin, also known as the red-breasted robin, is Michigan’s state bird. It is a migratory songbird with a cheerful singing voice and bright orange-red chest. Both sexes have the same coloration, but become more subdued in winter. The male robin starts singing very early in the morning and can often be seen pulling […]
The magnolia is the state flower and tree of Mississippi, known for its large, fragrant flowers and evergreen leaves. It was chosen as the state flower in 1900 and the state tree in 1938. Magnolias are an important part of Mississippian culture and history. The state flower of Mississippi is the magnolia or Magnolia grandiflora. […]
The cactus wren is Arizona’s state bird, chosen by the legislature in 1931. They mate for life, defend their territory aggressively, and nest in cacti. They feed on insects and can survive without clean water. In 1986, four more state wildlife symbols were chosen. Arizona’s state bird is the cactus wren, scientifically known as Heleodytes […]
Louisiana’s state flower is the magnolia tree blossom, approved by the state legislature in 1900. There are many types of magnolia trees, and the flower is also the state flower of Mississippi. In 1950, legislation was introduced to change Louisiana’s state flower to an iris, but it was not adopted. Magnolia is also a symbol […]
The magnolia is both the state tree and flower of Mississippi, with six native varieties. The southern magnolia is the most common and can grow up to 80 feet tall. Mississippi is the only state with the magnolia as both symbols, earning the nickname “Magnolia State.” Children voted for the magnolia as the state tree […]
Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Preserve is the largest national park in North America, covering 13.2 million acres in Southeast Alaska. It contains four mountain ranges, including nine of the 16 highest peaks in the US, and the largest number of glaciers in North America. The park has a diverse ecology and is home […]
Michigan’s state flower is the fragrant apple blossom, formally adopted in 1897. The state ranks second in apple production in the US and has approximately 8-9 million apple trees. The state also has other state symbols, including the wolverine, white pine, and dwarf lake iris. Michigan’s state flower is the apple blossom. The Latin name […]
The willow goldfinch, also known as the American goldfinch, is the state bird of Washington. It was named in 1951 after years of indecision. The male has a bright yellow body with black wings and forehead, while the female has olive and yellow coloration. They inhabit grassy areas and feed on thistle or sunflower seeds. […]
The live oak is the state tree of Georgia and is prevalent in North America, Asia, and Europe. It is useful in shipbuilding due to its low-lying branches and dense wood, but not for furniture due to its tendency to change shape. The tree has specific characteristics, including slender gray twigs, red and scaly bark, […]
The sunflower is the state flower of Kansas and is found throughout the state. It has 11 different species and is on the state flag and quarter. The flower head follows the sun and is made up of 1,000 to 2,000 single flowers. Sunflower seeds are a good food source and were domesticated by Native […]
