How the States Got Their Shapes

Season 1

TV-PG

Follows correspondent Brian Unger as he criss-crosses the country reporting on the tales behind the boundaries. Think: Why does Montana look like it took a bite out of Idaho? Or how are flying fish threatening to re-draw the lines of Illinois?

Where to Watch Season 1

10 Episodes

A River Runs Through It
E1
A River Runs Through ItHow has water has literally shaped the States? There's surprising history hidden in the blue, squiggly lines on the map. Did the founding fathers make a mistake along the Georgia Tennessee border? Can that boundary actually change because of water? Why does Maine have so much water? Why was Nevada was left high and dry? -- All these answers can be found in the unique shapes of these states.
The Great Plains, Trains, and Automobiles
E2
The Great Plains, Trains, and AutomobilesThe history of transportation is hidden in the lines of the map. From canals to trains and cars, how did getting around help draw the American map? Could Chicago have been in Wisconsin? Why are states out West or so big and boxy? And why did we almost had a state called Forgottonia?
Force of Nature
E3
Force of NatureHow have massive geological events helped create the American map? Long before the Founding Fathers drew the map, mother nature shaped some states. How did an asteroid create the border for three states and change history? How did glaciers plow the great plains and how did natural disasters continue to alter the map?
State of Rebellion
E4
State of RebellionHow did the most rebellious states took shape? How did they earn their outsized features and outspoken reputations. For instance, why does Montana looks like it took a bite out of Idaho? Why wasn't Texas broken up into five states? And why exactly do we have not one but two Carolinas?
Living on the Edge
E5
Living on the EdgeMysterious or fringe areas and how they shaped the states are examined. States include Nevada; Florida; Missouri; and Georgia.
Use it or Lose it
E6
Use it or Lose itThe role of politics is examined. States include Ohio; and Missouri. Also: Washington, D.C.
Church and States
E7
Church and StatesThe influence of religion is considered. States include Utah; and Kansas; and New England states.
A Boom with a View
E8
A Boom with a ViewThe influences of money and prosperity are examined. States include Wisconsin; North Carolina; and North Dakota.
Culture Clash
E9
Culture ClashConflict can sometimes arise between different cultures that share the same state. Find out how culture clashes all over the country have shaped our map.
Mouthing Off
E10
Mouthing OffWe all live in the same country, so why do we sound do different? It's a matter of where you are on the map. Why didn't the southern accent exist until after the Civil War? How did California athletes end up coining so many new words? Why do we have so many different words for the same things -- like pop versus soda? Will one particularly strong accent cause New York to break up and create a 51st state?