Map of the 13 colonies
The thirteen British colonies that became the first United States, shown on today's state borders and coloured by region.
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| Colony | Region | Founded |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | New England | 1623 |
| Massachusetts Bay | New England | 1630 |
| Rhode Island | New England | 1636 |
| Connecticut | New England | 1636 |
| New York | Middle | 1664 |
| New Jersey | Middle | 1664 |
| Pennsylvania | Middle | 1682 |
| Delaware | Middle | 1664 |
| Maryland | Southern | 1634 |
| Virginia | Southern | 1607 |
| North Carolina | Southern | 1663 |
| South Carolina | Southern | 1663 |
| Georgia | Southern | 1732 |
From colonies to states
The colonies were founded over 125 years, from Jamestown, Virginia (1607) to Georgia (1732), for different reasons: tobacco profit in Virginia, religious freedom for Puritans in Massachusetts and Quakers in Pennsylvania, a Catholic refuge in Maryland, and a buffer against Spanish Florida in Georgia.
Delaware was the first to ratify the Constitution on December 7, 1787 and Rhode Island the last of the thirteen, on May 29, 1790. Explore each one on the interactive US map.
Frequently asked questions
What were the 13 colonies?
New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. They declared independence from Great Britain on July 4, 1776.
What were the three colonial regions?
New England (New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut), the Middle Colonies (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware) and the Southern Colonies (Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia).
Which was the first colony? The last?
Virginia, where the Jamestown settlement was founded in 1607. Georgia was the last, chartered in 1732.
Was Maine one of the 13 colonies?
No, Maine was part of Massachusetts until it became a separate state in 1820. Vermont was claimed by New Hampshire and New York and joined the Union as the 14th state in 1791.