US Regions and States — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. Which river forms part of the border between the United States and Mexico?
A) Mississippi River
B) Colorado River
C) Rio Grande
D) Ohio River
The Rio Grande runs along the border between Texas and Mexico for about 1,250 miles before emptying into the Gulf of Mexico.
2. Which of the following states borders Canada?
A) Georgia
B) Montana
C) Texas
D) Arkansas
Montana shares a long northern border with the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.
3. The Everglades are a large wetland located in which state?
A) Louisiana
B) Georgia
C) Florida
D) South Carolina
The Everglades cover the southern tip of Florida, forming a vast wetland of swamps and marshes that is home to alligators and many rare birds.
4. Which region of the United States has the most coastline?
A) Midwest
B) Southwest
C) Northeast
D) West
The West region has the most coastline because it includes the entire Pacific coast plus Alaska's massive shoreline and Hawaii's island coasts.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. The Mississippi River is the longest river system in the United States and flows from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico.
The Mississippi River stretches about 2,340 miles from Lake Itasca in Minnesota all the way south to the Gulf of Mexico, making it the longest river system in the country.
2. The capital of Montana is Helena.
Helena became Montana's capital during the gold rush era. It is a small city in the western part of the state, nestled in the Rocky Mountains.
3. The Mojave Desert in the Southwest is the hottest place in North America.
The Mojave Desert spans parts of California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona. Death Valley, located in the Mojave, holds the record for the highest temperature ever recorded in North America.
4. The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States.
The Chesapeake Bay is where fresh river water mixes with salty ocean water along the coasts of Maryland and Virginia, making it the biggest estuary in the U.S.
5. The Columbia River forms much of the border between Oregon and Washington.
The Columbia River flows westward to the Pacific Ocean and serves as a natural boundary between Oregon to the south and Washington to the north.