United States 50 States Abbreviations Quiz

United States 50 States Abbreviations Quiz

Postal abbreviations, matching state names (10 questions).

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United States 50 States Abbreviations Quiz: Quick Study Notes

The United States Postal Service (USPS) standardized two-letter state abbreviations in 1963 to accommodate ZIP codes and automated sorting. Mastering these codes is essential for geography students and ensuring mail reaches the correct destination.

Standard Format
Always two capital letters with no punctuation (e.g., NY, not N.Y.).
The “M” Challenge
Eight states start with M, causing confusion (MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT).
The “N” States
Eight states start with N. North Dakota is ND, but Nevada is NV.
No Duplicates
Codes are unique across all 50 states and U.S. territories like Puerto Rico (PR).

Key Takeaways

  • AL is Alabama, AK is Alaska, AZ is Arizona, AR is Arkansas.
  • NE is Nebraska, while NV is Nevada.
  • CO is Colorado, CT is Connecticut, CA is California.
  • KS (Kansas) and KY (Kentucky) are often mixed up.
  • IA is Iowa, ID is Idaho, IL is Illinois, IN is Indiana.
  • Codes were designed to fit within limited character spaces on early computers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the abbreviation for Missouri?

The abbreviation for Missouri is MO. Many confuse it with Montana (MT) or Mississippi (MS).

What state is PA?

PA stands for Pennsylvania. It is one of the most recognizable abbreviations due to the state’s long name.

Which state uses the code HI?

HI is the postal code for Hawaii. It replaced the older abbreviation ‘TH’ (Territory of Hawaii) after statehood.

Is the abbreviation for Maine MA or ME?

Maine is ME. Massachusetts uses MA.

Do abbreviations use periods?

No. The USPS standard is two capitalized letters with no periods (e.g., TX, not T.X.).

GeoQuizzy.com • United States 50 States Abbreviations Quiz

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