The United States is a massively diverse country when it comes to geography. It’s home to just about everything, from the full blown arctic in Alaska to the tropical rainforests of Hawaii and the remarkable Everglades of Florida. But how would the states be ranked based on Geography?
Geography by Geoff took a look at the 50 states and gave them each a ranking based on climate, human habitation, and natural features. He admits that this is a limited ranking, not taking into account the negatives of each state’s geography like the prominence of natural disasters. Nonetheless, it’s a fun way to take a look at the United States.
5 States With The Worst Geography
For the full list of 50 states, you’ll have to give the video a watch, but we’ll still list the 5 worst and 5 best here. Keep in mind that, given the incredible variety of geography found throughout the country, saying a state is among the 5 worst doesn’t mean its geography is bad, it just means it’s not quite as good as the other 45. These are the bottom 5 states on Geography By Geoff’s list.
46. Connecticut
47. Delaware
48. Nebraska
49. North Dakota
50. Nevada
5 States With The Best Geography
5. North Carolina – North Carolina features diverse topography with the Appalachian Mountains (Mount Mitchell at 6,684 feet), 60% forest coverage, and an intricate coastline. It has a pleasant climate, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (the most visited in the U.S.), and growing urban centers like Raleigh, Durham, Charlotte, and Asheville.
4. Florida – Despite a low average elevation (100 feet), Florida stands out with its pleasant climate, extensive beaches, and diverse cities (Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville). Its coastline and warm weather make it a popular destination, though it lacks the dramatic topography of other top states.
3. Washington – Washington boasts dramatic topography with Olympic National Park, Mount Rainier, and North Cascades, alongside unique coastal features like Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands. It has abundant freshwater, a strong agricultural sector (cherries, apples, hops), and varied terrain, though it lacks a consistently warm climate.
2. Texas – Texas offers a diverse geography with the Guadalupe Mountains, Big Bend National Park, and 515 mountain peaks over 6,500 feet in the west. East Texas is more temperate with thousands of lakes and rivers, supporting a robust agricultural industry (cotton, dairy, poultry). Major cities like Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin add to its urban diversity and rapid population growth.
1. California – California excels in all categories with diverse topography (beaches, mountains, forests, deserts, and Mount Shasta), nine national parks (Yosemite, Death Valley, Redwood), a varied climate including a Mediterranean climate in coastal areas, and significant urban centers (Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego). It is also the most agriculturally productive state due to the Central Valley’s fertile soil and irrigation network.
