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New Mexico
New Mexico is nicknamed the Land of Enchantment for its magnificent scenery. The scenery includes snowcapped mountains, desert landscapes, steep canyons, and colorful rock formations. The state’s beauty enchants, or delights, visitors and residents alike.
NEW MEXICO’S PEOPLE
New Mexico is proud of the three cultures that make up its heritage—Hispanic (Spanish-speaking), Native American, and Anglo (English-speaking). Today, about 42 percent of New Mexicans are Hispanic, and nearly 10 percent are Native Americans. The Navajo, Pueblo, and Apache are the largest Native American groups in the state.
New York
New York is nicknamed the Empire State. The nickname may have started with George Washington, the first president of the United States. Washington is supposed to have predicted that New York would become the center of a great empire. That empire was the newly formed United States. Washington was right. New York became one of the most influential and important states.
A LEADER AMONG THE STATES
New York led the states in manufacturing and population from the early 1800s until the 1960s. That’s when California overtook it. But New York is still an industrial powerhouse, and it ranks third among the states in population. Today, California and Texas both have more people than New York.
North Carolina
North Carolina is named in honor of two English kings: Charles I and Charles II. Carolinus is a Latin word that means “of Charles.” At first, the English founded one big colony called Carolina. Later, the colony split into North Carolina and South Carolina.
On November 21, 1789, North Carolina became the 12th state to join the United States. Today, more than 8 million people live there. North Carolina is one of the country’s fastest-growing states. The capital of North Carolina is Raleigh. Charlotte is the biggest city.
New York City
New York City, New York, is the biggest city in the United States. About 8.1 million people live in New York City, and 16.7 million live in the city and its surrounding urban area. New York City was once the largest city in the world. Today, it is the fourth largest.
New York City is in southeastern New York State. That’s where the broad Hudson River empties into the Atlantic Ocean.
PEOPLE FROM EVERYWHERE
New York is the world’s most ethnically diverse city. About one-third of New York’s residents, over 2.6 million people, were born in other countries. Schoolkids in New York speak more than 120 languages.
North Dakota
North Dakota is nicknamed the Peace Garden State. It takes its nickname from the International Peace Garden. North Dakota shares this garden with its neighbor to the north, the province of Manitoba in Canada. The garden honors the peaceful relations between the United States and Canada.
FLICKERTAIL STATE
Before North Dakota took the nickname Peace Garden State, it was known as the Flickertail State. A flickertail is a kind of squirrel that flicks its tail just before entering its burrow. Flickertail squirrels burrow in wheat fields and cause trouble for farmers. People in North Dakota used to get money for killing these pests and turning in their tails. For this reason, North Dakotans themselves were also called Flickertails.