California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is the most populous U.S. state, with 38 million people, and the third largest state by area (after Alaska and Texas).
Illinois is a state in the Midwestern United States. It is the 5th most populous state and 25th largest state in terms of land area, and is often noted as a microcosm of the entire country.
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. In spite of its maritime position, it has a continental climate even in coastal cities such as its largest city Portland.
Indiana is a U.S. state located in the midwestern and Great Lakes regions of North America. Indiana is the 38th largest by area and the 16th most populous of the 50 United States.
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Oregon is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean, on the north by Washington, on the south by California, on the east by Idaho, and on the southeast by Nevada. The Columbia River delineates much of Oregon's northern boundary, and the Snake River delineates much of the eastern boundary. It is one of only three states of the contiguous United States to have a coastline on the Pacific Ocean. The capital of Oregon is Salem, the second most populous of its cities, with 160,614 residents (2013 estimate).
Minnesota is a state in the Midwestern United States. Minnesota was admitted as the 32nd state on May 11, 1858, created from the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory. Its name comes from the Dakota word for "clear blue water".