Seeking American Non-Capitals [2] Quiz

Though Portland is the most-populated city in Oregon, Salem, about fifty miles south, is the state's capital. Sitting in the shadow of Mount Hood in the Cascade Range, Portland is a quirky city known for its vibrant cultural scene, especially for films and music.

Originally established as a trading post on the Oregon Trail, it would become one of the key destinations in the Pacific Northwest, partly due to its spot on the Colombia River, giving it easy access to the Pacific to the west.

Although Helena is the capital of Montana, it's Billings, sitting in Yellowstone County, that contains the most Montanans by population. Built to accommodate the railroad, Billings became a gateway for the edge of the Continental Divide and the Rocky Mountains to the west, it being at an unexpected flat location, constructed in a valley surrounded by the cliffs of the Rimrocks while mountain ranges of all sorts can be seen in the distance in each direction. Southeast of the city is the large expanse of reservation land for the Crow Tribe.

The 'City of Brotherly Love', Philadelphia was, at one time, America's capital. The city in which the Declaration of Independence was drafted, the U.S. Constitution was ratified, and congress first formed, it's a location of many important historical moments. Fast forwarding into the modern era, Philly is the largest Pennsylvanian city and one of the most populated in the country. With this said, Harrisburg is the state capital, and it's smaller, even, than Pittsburgh to the west.

The city sits on the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers, both of which connect and flow onward to Delaware Bay and the Atlantic.

While not the biggest city in California (not even in the top three), San Francisco is a massive city built on and around San Francisco Bay halfway up the state's coast, making it one of the more important economic hubs of Northern California. A densely-populated region known for its steep oceanside streets, its counterculture movements, and its pier-laden waterfront, it's home to the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and one of the most influential Chinatown districts in the world (it's the birthplace of the fortune cookie!).

Nevada's largest city, Las Vegas is more than just its famous casino strip. Established in the early 20th century, Las Vegas grew to become a key location for business and entertainment, but it was originally purchased for construction due to its proximity to the railroad. Nevada's legalized gambling laws allowed the city to become a one-stop location for builders and high-rollers, eventually making it the go-to destination for those looking to feel lucky.

But it's also a short drive from the engineering marvel that is the Hoover Dam, and it's close enough for a day trip to the Grand Canyon across the border in Arizona.

Found on the Missouri River, this not-capital is still the largest Nebraskan city. You'd have to drive an hour southwest through some real flat land to get to the actual capital, Lincoln. Omaha, however, became quite important as a railroad juncture, and as such, a prime spot for agricultural and ranching industries. Part of the flat prairies of Middle America, Omaha is considered a component of the American Heartland.

Found in Southern Arizona, Tucson was once the capital of Arizona Territory before it became a U.S. state, but after the region was purchased from Mexico. For a time, it was also the largest city in Arizona; Phoenix only overtook it after it became the capital. Sitting in a valley between several mountain ranges in the Sonoran Desert, Tucson is generally one of the hottest major U.S. cities (on a regular basis, that is) and one of the driest.

The Santa Cruz River, which cuts through it, is dry most of the year.

While sitting in Tennessee, the Greater Memphis Area is in a convenient spot that touches on a three-way border between Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi; through each of these, the Mississippi River flows southward on to the Gulf of Mexico. This location has, over time, allowed it to become not only one of the largest Southeast U.S. cities, but a massive city for historical events dating back to before the Civil War. Today, it's a key destination for those looking to reflect on the Civil Rights Movement, a unique location for music history, and a great spot for classic Southern BBQ.

While Atlanta is Georgia's capital and largest city, Savannah holds a spot next to the Atlantic coast, just a short ride upriver from the ocean. A city with a noteworthy history, especially when thinking about the U.S. Civil War, Savannah is actually much older, having been established as a royal colony in the 18th century before the American Revolution even took place. Nowadays, Savannah is a heavily-restored city battered by years of difficult Southern weather, and its historic central district is one of the largest preserved city districts in the nation.

Though it's not as prominent as Miami in terms of population or notability, Orlando is one of the most-visited destinations in the Eastern United States because it's a sunny city with access to some of the biggest theme park destinations in the world (including Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, amongst others).

The city of Orlando, itself, isn't a massive destination with a large, skyscraper-laden downtown core. Part of this is due to the fact that although Orlando experiences the often-hot weather that the rest of Florida does, it's built on extensive, unstable wetland.