Countries, States, and Capitals

A country has a government and borders recognized on maps. The United States is a country made up of fifty states. Canada and Mexico are countries that share land borders with the United States.

A capital is the city where a government meets and works. Washington, D.C. is the United States capital; Harrisburg is Pennsylvania capital. Capitals are not always the largest cities. Harrisburg is smaller than Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. is not a state.

On maps, stars or dots often mark capital cities. Check the legend to be sure. Country names, state lines, and some capital arrangements can change over time, so use an up-to-date atlas for detailed questions.