1

There's only one

Image: Keith Luke

How many states share a border with just one other state? Only one! Do you know which one it is?

Correct! It's Maine. The Pine Tree State, located in the northeastern United States, shares its only state border with New Hampshire to the west. But wait! It also borders Canada (the provinces of New Brunswick and Quebec) to the north and northeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east.

2

Alaska's distance

Image: Hari Nandakumar

If someone asked you what the shortest distance is between Alaska and the Lower 48 states, would you know the answer? Most people wouldn't! Well, the average distance between Alaska and the contiguous US is about 500 miles. But that's not the most interesting part. Believe it or not, Alaska is actually closer to Russia than to the mainland United States! At their closest point, Alaska and Russia are separated by just 2.4 miles across the Bering Strait.

3

The US-Canada border

Image: Sergey Pesterev

You probably already know that, at 5,525 miles, the US-Canada border is the longest land border in the world. But there are still some fascinating details about it that many people haven't heard before.

The Haskell Free Library and Opera House (Derby Line, Vermont & Stanstead, Quebec) has an international border inside the building! You read that right: Americans enter through one door, Canadians through another. But be careful! International law requires that you exit through the same door you entered.

4

The largest freshwater lake

Image: Andrew Ling

The Great Lakes —Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario— are one of the natural wonders of North America, and they also hold a world record!

That's right! The largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area is right here in North America. We're talking about Lake Superior, which is shared by both the United States and Canada.

5

The most densely populated state

Image: Rob Curran

Since New York City is the most densely populated city in the country, many tend to believe that, as a result, New York State is the most densely populated. However, that's not the case.

The most densely populated US state is actually New Jersey! Its small size, combined with the large population in its urban areas and its proximity to New York City, has earned The Garden State this title.

6

The largest US state

Image: Jacob Vizek

Most Americans know which state is the largest by area. But outside the US, some get this fact wrong!

Many people answer "Texas" when asked which is the largest of the 50 states. But in reality, Alaska is far bigger, covering about 665,300 square miles compared to Texas's 268,600. This misconception may stem from Texas's reputation as a "large state" or from the way many maps distort Alaska's true size, making it appear much smaller than it actually is.

7

Florida's capital

Image: Meadow Marie

Miami is not only the most densely populated city in Florida but also one of its most famous, right up there with Orlando! Perhaps that's why many people mistakenly believe Miami is the capital city of the Sunshine State. However, the capital city of Florida is actually Tallahassee, which is smaller and doesn't quite receive as much attention.

8

The longest river

Image: Samantha Sheppard

Measuring the actual length of a river can be tough due to the serpentine shape that these bodies of water often take. This may be why many people are unsure about which river holds the title of the longest in the US.

Well, here's the truth: At 2,341 miles, the Missouri River is the longest river in the US, though just by a small margin. In second place is the Mississippi River, which stretches for some 2,320 miles and is often mistakenly thought to be the longest due to that small difference.

9

New York's capital

Image: Charlize Kruger

Similar to Florida, New York State's capital city is not its largest or most famous.

Contrary to what many people think, the capital of New York is not NYC, but Albany. Although Albany is smaller than NYC, it's an important economic and political hub, and it was chosen as the state capital because of its central location along the Hudson River.

10

Large population

Image: Satyan Chawla

The United States is known for having a large population, partly due to the large size of its territory. But did you know it's also one of the most populated countries in the world? In fact, it's the 3rd most populated, coming right after India and China! There sure are a lot of us, aren't there?

11

1

Mt. McKinley/Denali

This Alaskan mountain has changed names several times. Historically called Denali (meaning ‘the big one’) by the Koyukon Athabaskan tribe, it was referred to as Bolshaya Gora (‘big mountain’) by the Russians. After the Alaska purchase, it was temporarily named Densmore's Mountain before gaining the name McKinley in support of the then-presidential candidate. It was renamed Denali in the 1970s at the state level and in 2015 at the federal level, before reverting to McKinley in 2024, although Denali is still the name of the National park that houses it . With this many changes, it’s no wonder some people still mix the names.

2

Liberty Enlightening the World/The Statue of Liberty

This statue is one of the indisputable icons of the USA and of New York City, but not everyone knows that ‘The Statue of Liberty’ is just a popular name. As a gift from France, it was named La Liberté éclairant le monde , or ‘Liberty Enlightening the World’ , but no matter what it’s called, it has become an iconic symbol of American values.

3

Alcatraz Island/The Rock

One of the most infamous American prisons, Alcatraz Island, is located less than two miles from the San Francisco coast. Spanish explorer Juan Manuel de Ayala named it Isla de los Alcatraces or Island of the Pelicans due to the prevalence of these birds. After becoming U.S. territory, Alcatraz Island became a military fort, and then a federal prison that housed some of America’s most notorious criminals. While many believe that it's popularly called The Rock because it was impossible to escape, the nickname is simply due to its rocky appearance and its isolated location.

4

Mt. Rainier/Tahoma

Located in the Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, Mt. Rainier is the tallest mountain (and volcano) in the Cascade Range. Native American tribes of the area have given numerous names to this peak, but the most prominent one is Tahoma or Tacoma , a name still used by some. Officially, however, it is called Mt. Rainier , a name given by the British explorer George Vancouver in the 1790s.

5

Lake Superior/Gitche Gumee

The largest of the Great Lakes, Lake Superior, is one of the biggest freshwater reserves in the world. Its current name originated when French explorers, after traversing Lake Huron, called this lake le lac supérieur (‘the lake above’). After the French and Indian War, the British simply translated the name. However, this lake also has a native name, usually transliterated as Gitche Gumee, a name used by the poet Longfellow in his work The Song of Hiawatha .

6

Mt. Rushmore/The Six Grandfathers

This mountain has been considered a sacred place by many tribes of the region —such as the Arapaho, Cheyenne, or Lakota Sioux— who named it ‘The Six Grandfathers’ after their ancestral deities . The place gained its current name when Charles E. Rushmore, a lawyer surveilling the area as a representative of a mining company, asked the name of the mountain. His guide replied that it had no name, but it would from that day be called ‘Rushmore’. The name stuck, and was officially recognized a few decades later.

7

Mission San Antonio de Valero/The Alamo

The battle of the Alamo is a well-known episode in Texan history, and its location is considered a shrine to Texan valor and liberty. However, what many don’t know is that the place is called Mission San Antonio de Valero , a name given by the Spanish. Where does the ‘Alamo’ name come from? After the place stopped being used as a Catholic mission, it became a military fortress, housing a military unit nicknamed Álamo de Parras after their city of origin, a nickname that extended to the site.

8

Cloud Gate/The Bean

Chicago regulars (and even those who never set foot in Chicago) know that The Bean is as iconic as it gets when talking about the city. Inspired by liquid mercury, this impressive sculpture might be shaped like a ginormous jellybean, but its official name is Cloud Gate . The sculptor, Anish Kapoor, initially disliked the popular nickname, but he has reportedly come to terms with it, even saying that he now calls it ‘the Bean’ too.

9

State House Bell/Liberty Bell

At its birth, this bell was simply the bell of the Pennsylvania State House (now Independence Hall). Cast in the 18th century, it cracked the first time it was rung. It was recast twice, but it cracked again in the 19th century. Allegedly rung after the Declaration of Independence, it was hidden during the Revolutionary War, and it changed hands several times in the following century. Despite its popular association with the American Revolution, the ‘Liberty Bell’ name was actually given by anti-slavery groups , who took it as a symbol due to its inscription reading "Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof."

10

Cape Canaveral/Cape Kennedy

Originally named Cabo Cañaveral by the Spanish after its abundance of canes, its name was simply anglicized after the territory became part of the United States. In the 20th century, Cape Canaveral became the center of a series of missile and rocket tests, and it was the launch site of the Apollo 11 mission. A few days after J.F.K.’s assassination, the newly-instated President Johnson publicly announced that the cape would be renamed ‘Cape Kennedy’ as a memorial . The name change was not well-received by local Floridians, and the original name was reinstated a decade later, with the full support of the Kennedy family. The NASA space center is still named after President Kennedy.

1

Marlon Brando vs. Frank Sinatra

Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando are names that hardly go unnoticed anywhere in the world. These stars of music and cinema crossed paths during the filming of Guys and Dolls in 1955, and it didn’t take long for a clash of egos. Brando’s method-acting style often conflicted with Sinatra’s more traditional approach, while Sinatra saw Brando’s performance as pure pretension. Their very different ways of thinking and working led to a long-standing animosity that lasted for years and, according to some sources, included everything from insults to threats.

2

Betty White vs. Bea Arthur

It’s hard to believe that these two women, who played best friends on The Golden Girls (1985-1992), couldn’t stand each other in real life. Apparently, Bea Arthur, who was more reserved, was often irritated by Betty White’s cheerful, outgoing humor. According to people who worked on the set, the two actresses didn’t get along at all, but they remained totally professional, and we have to admit that, on this side of the screen, you’d never know it.

3

Joan Crawford vs. Bette Davis

Joan Crawford and Bette Davis were divas of Hollywood’s Golden Age, both highly successful and Oscar winners. Ironically, it was their similarities that led to one of the most famous feuds in the industry, as professional competition slowly turned into personal resentment. In 1962, they finally worked together on What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? , and according to reports, fights, insults, pranks, and even acts of sabotage were constant throughout filming.

4

Debbie Reynolds vs. Elizabeth Taylor

Love triangles don’t exist only in fiction. And that’s what happened between Debbie Reynolds and Elizabeth Taylor. The two were close friends before Elizabeth had an affair with Debbie’s husband, singer Eddie Fisher. The scandal ended Reynolds’ marriage in the late 1950s and dominated headlines and magazine covers.

Surprisingly, it didn’t end there. Years later, Reynolds reached out, and the two actresses reconciled. Their bond was sealed when they worked together on These Old Broads (2001), a comedy written by Carrie Fisher, one of the daughters Reynolds had with Eddie Fisher.

5

Johnny Carson vs. Joan Rivers

American late-night television wouldn’t be the same without Johnny Carson and Joan Rivers. Carson was the king of TV, hosting The Tonight Show for 30 years, while Rivers was a frequent guest host. Their friendship ended when Rivers accepted her own competing show on Fox. Carson reportedly never forgave her and banned her from The Tonight Show for the rest of his life.

6

Sylvester Stallone vs. Arnold Schwarzenegger

Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger are undeniable icons of action cinema, which boomed in the 1980s and 1990s. But the battles weren’t just on screen; they spilled into real life. The two actors developed a long-running rivalry fueled by intense professional competition to be seen as the ultimate action star and land the biggest roles. They often criticized each other on TV and clashed at public events, but over the years, tensions eased, and these rivals eventually became close friends.

7

Madonna vs. Elton John

The music world is not immune to feuds. In fact, one of the most famous rivalries unfolded in pop music between two giants of the genre: Madonna and Elton John. The fight began in the early 2000s, when Elton publicly criticized the Queen of Pop, accusing her of lip-syncing. Although the tension lasted for years, there is good news: in 2025, the British singer apologized to Madonna, and the two reconciled, announcing it in a post on her Instagram.

8

Richard Gere vs. Sylvester Stallone

The Terminator wasn’t Stallone’s only rival. The star of Rocky also had a major feud with Richard Gere that nearly turned into a real fistfight. Tension began while filming The Lords of Flatbush (1974), when Stallone reportedly felt Gere was showing off in his role and openly criticized him. Things boiled over during a lunch break in a car, when Gere splashed mustard on Stallone, who reacted by elbowing him and throwing him out of the vehicle. The incident ultimately led to Gere being let go from the film.

9

Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird

Two NBA superstars collided in the 1980s. We’re talking about Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, who had different playing styles and approaches to the game and were constantly compared by the press and the public. This intense on-court rivalry eventually jumped off the court, creating real personal tension between them. Over time, however, both stars lowered their guard, grew closer, and ultimately formed a strong friendship.

10

Sarah Jessica Parker vs. Kim Cattrall

Although Carrie and Samantha were best friends on Sex and the City , the actresses behind them didn’t share that bond in real life. The rivalry reportedly began during filming, as they never got along. Kim Cattrall openly criticized the pay gap between Sarah Jessica Parker and the rest of the cast, and these professional tensions gradually turned personal. Cattrall later stated, "We were never friends," and after the series ended, their relationship did not improve.