Matthew Ewing, age 7, of Reno, Nov., for his question:

WHICH STATES ARE THE LARGEST AND SMALLEST?

Alaska is the largest state in area in the United States, and Rhode Island is the smallest.

Coming in second place on the large side is Texas with California, Montana and New Mexico making up the biggest five. At the other end of the scale, Delaware comes in as the second smallest state followed by Connecticut, Hawaii and New Jersey.

Would it surprise you to learn that the largest state in area in the United States is the state with the smallest population? Well, it's true. Alaska is in first place. Other states with small populations, in order, include Wyoming, Vermont, Delaware and North Dakota.

The state with the country's largest population is California. Rounding out the top five are, in order, New York, Texas, Pennsylvania and Illinois.