How to Create an Imaginary US State

Draw out the shape you would like your state to be. Anything goes! If you want, get a printed map of the United States and draw the state connected to it. Or just draw a map of your imaginary state.

Write down a name for your state. Do not choose a state name that already exists or that is offensive, and make sure your state name is G-rated. Other than that, go wild. You can even use country names.

• If stuck, use a translator site and translate a common word into any language which uses the same or similar alphabet as English. For example, a word translated into Spanish or Dutch is acceptable, but Chinese isn't.

Write down a nickname for your state. All states have nicknames (e.g. The Sunshine State for Florida). Choose a G-rated nickname that reflects what you want your state to be like. It's always in the format "The ______ State". Just fill in the blank.

Choose where the capital of the state will be, and the name of the capital.

Choose the terrain of the state. Are there mountains? Valleys? Wide prairies? Deep forests?

Choose and write down the official state bird, tree and flower. Also add whatever other official symbols you want!

Create a governor for the state. Decide name, age, personality, policies, what part of the state he or she is from, etc.

Draw a map of the state. Include counties or parishes, as well as cities, towns and geographical features. Also include what it borders, if applicable.

Write down some famous people, and for what they are famous.

Describe the population. Rich or poor? Mostly young or mostly elderly? Immigrant or native-born mostly? Attitude toward outsiders? What kind of clothing is "in" there? What sort of house is standard there? Does the state tend to vote Republican or Democrat? Do they have a good school system? You can even make it so that the population was alien immigrants from space. If so, draw what they look like.

Describe the prevailing weather in the state.

Jot down some tourist attractions and add them to your map.

Write down a few major disasters that have befallen the state. Include the death toll from these as well as the dates (month and day included) they happened.