On the subject of counties, Virginia is the only state to have more than one independent city, i.e., a city which is not part of a county (or counties). Virginia has 38 of them. (Maryland, Missouri and Nevada have one each.)
May I ask what that means exactly? A city that is not part of a county? I mean, what ramifications, legal aspects, etc, are there to such an arrangement? And how does it happen and why?
Here’s something I’ve always wondered, and this seems like the thread to ask: in any TV show set in Massachusetts (say, for example Rizzoli and Isles, because it’s current, but there have been others), whenever a cop, ME, or some other official wants to show a badge in order to bypass a line, or get in some other place, they say “Commonwealth business.” Do officials in Mass really say that? I know Mass is a commonwealth and not a state, but if someone in Indiana or NY were to flash a badge, they wouldn’t say “State business,” they’d say “Official business,” or “Government business.” Is this just some self-conscious thing the writers of the shows (who all probably live in California) do to show that they’ve “done the research,” or do officials in Mass really like to throw the word commonwealth around?
I’ve not spent much time in Massachusetts, but I have spent a lot of time Kentucky, another commonwealth, and they don’t toss the word around. The state police cars in Kentucky even say “State Police,” not “Commonwealth Police.”
So people who know Massachusetts, does the word “commonwealth” really get used a lot?
In 49 states, L.A. refers to Los Angeles. In Maine, L-A (pronounced the same but punctuated differently) refers to the twin cities of Lewiston and Auburn.
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I live in Massachusetts. The media uses the term ‘commonwealth’ a lot and it is fairly common in political-speak as well for things like speeches but it is understood to be synonymous with state. ‘State’ is used for functional purposes and in daily life. For example, nobody says ‘Commonwealth Police’ or ‘commonwealth budget’ at least not seriously. It is ‘the State Police’ and ‘the state budget’ just like in all the rest.
in Texas we go to the coast.
In Tennessee if you want to stay in-state and want some water to play or boat in, you go “to the lake” (of which we have quite a few thanks to the TVA and Corps of Engineers). If you want salt water and sharks you have to go at least 400 miles south or east. Of course, the folks in Memphis have the Big Muddy.
You need to split that hair pretty finely to exclude Virginia.
In Hawaii, the other 49 states are referred to as “The Mainland”.
On the outer islands, police drive their own vehicles. They have a portable light they stick on the roof when they are on duty.
In Hawaii (if you stay by the coast) it never gets cold (below 60 degrees). Hawaii’s average daytime temperature in July is 82 F (27.7 C) and the average daytime temperature in January is 72 F (22.2 C).
Hawaii is the only U.S. state whose land area is increasing (from volcanic eruptions).
Hawaii is the most isolated population center on Earth. It is 2,390 miles (3,846 km) from California, 3,850 miles (6,196 km) from Japan and 4,900 miles (7,886 km) from China.
Hawaii is the only U.S. state that grows coffee. Bananas and Pineapples are also grown commercially.
Hawaii has the highest population density in the United States.
Hawaii is the only U.S. state whose majority of people are non-white.
Hawaii has the lowest percentage of home ownership.
Hawaii has the highest life expectancy in the United States. Life expectancy for males is 75, for females 80 years.
Hawaii has a unique way of giving directions. To point people in the right path, local residents use “makai,” which means toward to sea and “mauka,” meaning toward the mountains.
Oahu is home to the world’s largest wind generator. The windmill is located on the top of a 20-story tower. It has two blades, each measuring 400 feet (122 m) in length.
Iolani Palace, located in downtown Honolulu, is the only royal palace in the United States.
The island of Kauai is home to the wettest spot on Earth. The average yearly rainfall on Mt. Waialeale is about 397 inches (10 m).
By law, no building on Kauai is allowed to be built taller than a palm tree.
The Big Island is home to the largest contiguous ranch in the United States. Parker Ranch near Kamuela is 480,000 acres big. (Sorry Texas).
The Big Island’s Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain in the world when measured from its base at the ocean floor. It rises 13,796 feet (4,205 m) above sea level and another 17,000 feet (5,181 m) extend to its base below the ocean’s surface.
The Big Island of Hawaii is home to the world’s biggest telescope. It’s located on the top of Mauna Kea. The Mauna Kea Observatory is at an altitude of 13,796 feet (4,205 m).
Or Minnesota.
I would assume LA does not mean Los Angeles to those in and around Louisiana.
In 49 of the 50 states, “I’m going to the City” means you’re going to Manhattan.
In California, it means you’re going to San Francisco.
It depends on whether you put periods after both the L and the A.
In my part of the world, “I’m going to the City” means I’m going to the closest population center. I live “out in the County”. My office is in the relatively nearby"City".
Lower Alabama.
I think you misunderstood the OP.
Hawaii is the only U.S. state whose land area is increasing from volcanic eruptions.
Hawaii might not the only U.S. state whose land area is increasing… depending on definition.
No it doesn’t.
In the other states, D.C. is often referred to as Washington. In WA, it’s not.
It’s actually been a pretty big pain to me several times when trying to google stuff about my state.