The United States is made up of 50 individual states, each with its own government and laws. These states vary widely in size, population, and geography, ranging from the large and populous California to the small and less populated Vermont. Each state has its own unique culture, history, and attractions. States are grouped into regions, such as the Northeast, South, Midwest, and West. They also have their own symbols, such as state flags and birds. The capital of the U.S. is Washington, D.C., which is not a state but a federal district.