Maps
The Largest Export of Every U.S. State in 2017
The Largest Export of Every U.S. State in 2017
Last year, the U.S. exported $2.3 trillion worth of goods to international customers.
The country’s main exports are exactly what one would expect, with categories like aircraft, refined petroleum, vehicles, vehicle parts, and computer chips constituting the biggest chunk of overall goods.
However, today’s infographic from HowMuch.net zooms down to the state level, where things get much more interesting. Some states tow the line by exporting one of the major U.S. goods, while others specialize in categories that you probably couldn’t ever guess.
Towing the Line
We’ll start by looking at dollar values for the states that have the single largest exports.
Here are the top 10 states:
Rank | State | Type of Good | 2017 Value |
---|---|---|---|
#1 | Washington | Airplanes | $41.8 billion |
#2 | Texas | Petroleum | $23.4 billion |
#3 | Louisiana | Petroleum | $13.4 billion |
#4 | New York | Diamonds | $12.2 billion |
#5 | Kentucky | Airplanes | $11.6 billion |
#6 | California | Airplanes | $7.1 billion |
#7 | Florida | Airplanes | $6.3 billion |
#8 | Nevada | Gold | $6.3 billion |
#9 | South Carolina | Airplanes | $6.3 billion |
#10 | Georgia | Airplanes | $5.8 billion |
Not surprisingly, some of the top national exports are represented here.
Airplanes dominate the list, and Boeing’s presence in particular is clearly felt. The company’s major factory in Everett, WA – the largest building in the world by volume – helps the state of Washington generate $41.8 billion in export sales from the aerospace sector. That said, airplanes are also the top export good for five other states in the above list.
The Gulf Coast is also well-represented with Texas and Louisiana as major refined oil exporters. New York (Diamonds) and Nevada (Gold) round out the list.
Keeping Exports Weird
The smaller the state, the better chance it has of specializing in a type of good that is outside of the norm.
Possibly the title of “Most Unusual Top State Export” can go to South Dakota, which sent $91 million of distillery dregs outside of the country in 2017. In case you were wondering, the U.S. Census Bureau’s full category title for this is as follows: BREWING OR DISTILLING DREGS AND WASTE, W/NT PELLET.
This spent grain is a byproduct of brewing or distilling processes, and is primarily sold for use in making animal feeds.
Other strange top exports?
The biggest state export of Wyoming is soda ash, which is used to manufacture of glass, paper, rayon, soaps, and detergents. In 2017, the state exported $842 million of soda ash, which is 10x larger than its second-biggest export category, which is also an uncommon one: rare gases.
Other interesting states include Rhode Island, which exported $187 million of iron and steel waste, as well as Maine – a state that shipped away $326 million of its famous lobsters.
Maps
Mapped: Which Countries Recognize Israel or Palestine, or Both?
In this visualization, we look at how international recognition of Israel and Palestine breaks down among the 193 UN member states.

Which Countries Recognize Israel or Palestine, or Both?
The modern-day conflict between Israel and Palestine emerged from the British Mandate for Palestine, which administered the former Ottoman Empire territory after World War I. But even after 75 years—and declarations of independence from each side—universal recognition eludes them.
In this visualization, we look at how Israel and Palestine recognition breaks down among the 193 UN member states as of November 14, 2023, using Wikpedia data for each state.
This post is a companion piece to separate maps showing the recognition of Israel and of Palestine by country.
A Declaration of Independence
The Jewish People’s Council declared the foundation of the State of Israel on May 14, 1948 (the same day that the last British forces left Haifa) on the basis of the 1947 UN Partition Plan, which divided the Mandate territories between Jewish and Arab populations.
U.S. President Truman granted de-facto recognition 11 minutes after the Israeli declaration. Not to be outdone by their Cold War adversary, the U.S.S.R. followed suit three days later with de-jure recognition and was joined by Warsaw Pact allies Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, and Poland.
By the end of 1948, 21 countries recognized Israel.
A Second Declaration of Independence
A declaration of independence for the State of Palestine, comprising the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, didn’t happen until 40 years later.
In the midst of the First Intifada, a five-year-long Palestinian uprising that began in 1987, the Palestine Liberation Organization proclaimed the new state in the city of Algiers on November 15, 1988.
A dozen countries, including 10 members of the Arab League along with Malaysia and Yemen, immediately recognized the new state. The Soviet Union, the Eastern Bloc, and most of the Muslim world also joined in recognizing the State of Palestine.
Recognition of Israel and Palestine by Country
As of November 2023, 163 UN member states have recognized Israel, while 138 have recognized Palestine.
UN Member State | Recognize Israel 🇮🇱 | Recognize Palestine 🇵🇸 | |
---|---|---|---|
🇦🇫 | Afghanistan | No | Yes |
🇦🇱 | Albania | Yes | Yes |
🇩🇿 | Algeria | No | Yes |
🇦🇩 | Andorra | Yes | No |
🇦🇴 | Angola | Yes | Yes |
🇦🇬 | Antigua and Barbuda | Yes | Yes |
🇦🇷 | Argentina | Yes | Yes |
🇦🇲 | Armenia | Yes | No |
🇦🇺 | Australia | Yes | No |
🇦🇹 | Austria | Yes | No |
🇦🇿 | Azerbaijan | Yes | Yes |
🇧🇸 | Bahamas | Yes | No |
🇧🇭 | Bahrain | Yes | Yes |
🇧🇩 | Bangladesh | No | Yes |
🇧🇧 | Barbados | Yes | No |
🇧🇾 | Belarus | Yes | Yes |
🇧🇪 | Belgium | Yes | No |
🇧🇿 | Belize | No | Yes |
🇧🇯 | Benin | Yes | Yes |
🇧🇹 | Bhutan | Yes | Yes |
🇧🇴 | Bolivia | No | Yes |
🇧🇦 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Yes | Yes |
🇧🇼 | Botswana | Yes | Yes |
🇧🇷 | Brazil | Yes | Yes |
🇧🇳 | Brunei | No | Yes |
🇧🇬 | Bulgaria | Yes | Yes |
🇧🇫 | Burkina Faso | Yes | Yes |
🇧🇮 | Burundi | Yes | Yes |
🇰🇭 | Cambodia | Yes | Yes |
🇨🇲 | Cameroon | Yes | No |
🇨🇦 | Canada | Yes | No |
🇨🇻 | Cape Verde | Yes | Yes |
🇨🇫 | Central African Republic | Yes | Yes |
🇹🇩 | Chad | Yes | Yes |
🇨🇱 | Chile | Yes | Yes |
🇨🇳 | China | Yes | Yes |
🇨🇴 | Colombia | Yes | Yes |
🇰🇲 | Comoros | No | Yes |
🇨🇷 | Costa Rica | Yes | Yes |
🇨🇮 | Côte d'Ivoire | Yes | Yes |
🇭🇷 | Croatia | Yes | No |
🇨🇺 | Cuba | No | Yes |
🇨🇾 | Cyprus | Yes | Yes |
🇨🇿 | Czechia | Yes | Yes |
🇨🇩 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | Yes | Yes |
🇩🇰 | Denmark | Yes | No |
🇩🇯 | Djibouti | No | Yes |
🇩🇲 | Dominica | Yes | Yes |
🇩🇴 | Dominican Republic | Yes | Yes |
🇪🇨 | Ecuador | Yes | Yes |
🇪🇬 | Egypt | Yes | Yes |
🇸🇻 | El Salvador | Yes | Yes |
🇬🇶 | Equatorial Guinea | Yes | Yes |
🇪🇷 | Eritrea | Yes | No |
🇪🇪 | Estonia | Yes | No |
🇸🇿 | Eswatini | Yes | Yes |
🇪🇹 | Ethiopia | Yes | Yes |
🇫🇲 | Federated States of Micronesia | Yes | No |
🇫🇯 | Fiji | Yes | No |
🇫🇮 | Finland | Yes | No |
🇫🇷 | France | Yes | No |
🇬🇦 | Gabon | Yes | Yes |
🇬🇪 | Georgia | Yes | Yes |
🇩🇪 | Germany | Yes | No |
🇬🇭 | Ghana | Yes | Yes |
🇬🇷 | Greece | Yes | No |
🇬🇩 | Grenada | Yes | Yes |
🇬🇹 | Guatemala | Yes | Yes |
🇬🇳 | Guinea | Yes | Yes |
🇬🇼 | Guinea-Bissau | Yes | Yes |
🇬🇾 | Guyana | Yes | Yes |
🇭🇹 | Haiti | Yes | Yes |
🇭🇳 | Honduras | Yes | Yes |
🇭🇺 | Hungary | Yes | Yes |
🇮🇸 | Iceland | Yes | Yes |
🇮🇳 | India | Yes | Yes |
🇮🇩 | Indonesia | No | Yes |
🇮🇷 | Iran | No | Yes |
🇮🇶 | Iraq | No | Yes |
🇮🇪 | Ireland | Yes | No |
🇮🇱 | Israel | Yes | No |
🇮🇹 | Italy | Yes | No |
🇯🇲 | Jamaica | Yes | No |
🇯🇵 | Japan | Yes | No |
🇯🇴 | Jordan | Yes | Yes |
🇰🇿 | Kazakhstan | Yes | Yes |
🇰🇪 | Kenya | Yes | Yes |
🇰🇮 | Kiribati | Yes | No |
🇰🇼 | Kuwait | No | Yes |
🇰🇬 | Kyrgyzstan | Yes | Yes |
🇱🇦 | Laos | Yes | Yes |
🇱🇻 | Latvia | Yes | No |
🇱🇧 | Lebanon | No | Yes |
🇱🇸 | Lesotho | Yes | Yes |
🇱🇷 | Liberia | Yes | Yes |
🇱🇾 | Libya | No | Yes |
🇱🇮 | Liechtenstein | Yes | No |
🇱🇹 | Lithuania | Yes | No |
🇱🇺 | Luxembourg | Yes | No |
🇲🇬 | Madagascar | Yes | Yes |
🇲🇼 | Malawi | Yes | Yes |
🇲🇾 | Malaysia | No | Yes |
🇲🇻 | Maldives | No | Yes |
🇲🇱 | Mali | No | Yes |
🇲🇹 | Malta | Yes | Yes |
🇲🇭 | Marshall Islands | Yes | No |
🇲🇷 | Mauritania | No | Yes |
🇲🇺 | Mauritius | Yes | Yes |
🇲🇽 | Mexico | Yes | No |
🇲🇩 | Moldova | Yes | No |
🇲🇨 | Monaco | Yes | No |
🇲🇳 | Mongolia | Yes | Yes |
🇲🇪 | Montenegro | Yes | Yes |
🇲🇦 | Morocco | Yes | Yes |
🇲🇿 | Mozambique | Yes | Yes |
🇲🇲 | Myanmar | Yes | No |
🇳🇦 | Namibia | Yes | Yes |
🇳🇷 | Nauru | Yes | No |
🇳🇵 | Nepal | Yes | Yes |
🇳🇱 | Netherlands | Yes | No |
🇳🇿 | New Zealand | Yes | No |
🇳🇮 | Nicaragua | Yes | Yes |
🇳🇪 | Niger | No | Yes |
🇳🇬 | Nigeria | Yes | Yes |
🇰🇵 | North Korea | No | Yes |
🇲🇰 | North Macedonia | Yes | No |
🇳🇴 | Norway | Yes | No |
🇴🇲 | Oman | No | Yes |
🇵🇰 | Pakistan | No | Yes |
🇵🇼 | Palau | Yes | No |
🇵🇦 | Panama | Yes | No |
🇵🇬 | Papua New Guinea | Yes | Yes |
🇵🇾 | Paraguay | Yes | Yes |
🇵🇪 | Peru | Yes | Yes |
🇵🇭 | Philippines | Yes | Yes |
🇵🇱 | Poland | Yes | Yes |
🇵🇹 | Portugal | Yes | No |
🇶🇦 | Qatar | No | Yes |
🇨🇬 | Republic of the Congo | Yes | Yes |
🇷🇴 | Romania | Yes | Yes |
🇷🇺 | Russia | Yes | Yes |
🇷🇼 | Rwanda | Yes | Yes |
🇰🇳 | Saint Kitts and Nevis | Yes | Yes |
🇱🇨 | Saint Lucia | Yes | Yes |
🇻🇨 | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Yes | Yes |
🇼🇸 | Samoa | Yes | No |
🇸🇲 | San Marino | Yes | No |
🇸🇹 | São Tomé and Príncipe | Yes | Yes |
🇸🇦 | Saudi Arabia | No | Yes |
🇸🇳 | Senegal | Yes | Yes |
🇷🇸 | Serbia | Yes | Yes |
🇸🇨 | Seychelles | Yes | Yes |
🇸🇱 | Sierra Leone | Yes | Yes |
🇸🇬 | Singapore | Yes | No |
🇸🇰 | Slovakia | Yes | Yes |
🇸🇮 | Slovenia | Yes | No |
🇸🇧 | Solomon Islands | Yes | No |
🇸🇴 | Somalia | No | Yes |
🇿🇦 | South Africa | Yes | Yes |
🇰🇷 | South Korea | Yes | No |
🇸🇸 | South Sudan | Yes | Yes |
🇪🇸 | Spain | Yes | No |
🇱🇰 | Sri Lanka | Yes | Yes |
🇸🇩 | Sudan | Yes | Yes |
🇸🇷 | Suriname | Yes | Yes |
🇸🇪 | Sweden | Yes | Yes |
🇨🇭 | Switzerland | Yes | No |
🇸🇾 | Syria | No | Yes |
🇹🇯 | Tajikistan | Yes | Yes |
🇹🇿 | Tanzania | Yes | Yes |
🇹🇭 | Thailand | Yes | Yes |
🇬🇲 | The Gambia | Yes | Yes |
🇹🇱 | Timor-Leste | Yes | Yes |
🇹🇬 | Togo | Yes | Yes |
🇹🇴 | Tonga | Yes | No |
🇹🇹 | Trinidad and Tobago | Yes | No |
🇹🇳 | Tunisia | No | Yes |
🇹🇷 | Türkiye | Yes | Yes |
🇹🇲 | Turkmenistan | Yes | Yes |
🇹🇻 | Tuvalu | Yes | No |
🇺🇬 | Uganda | Yes | Yes |
🇺🇦 | Ukraine | Yes | Yes |
🇦🇪 | United Arab Emirates | Yes | Yes |
🇬🇧 | United Kingdom | Yes | No |
🇺🇸 | United States | Yes | No |
🇺🇾 | Uruguay | Yes | Yes |
🇺🇿 | Uzbekistan | Yes | Yes |
🇻🇺 | Vanuatu | Yes | Yes |
🇻🇪 | Venezuela | No | Yes |
🇻🇳 | Vietnam | Yes | Yes |
🇾🇪 | Yemen | No | Yes |
🇿🇲 | Zambia | Yes | Yes |
🇿🇼 | Zimbabwe | Yes | Yes |
Most of the countries that do not currently recognize Israel are Muslim-majority countries. However, some Muslim-majority countries have recognized Israel, such as Egypt and Jordan, who specifically agreed to do so under peace treaties signed in 1979 and 1994 respectively.
Several conflicts have also resulted in some countries suspending relations with Israel. The 1967 and 1973 Arab-Israeli Wars (also called the Six-Day War and Yom Kippur War, respectively) all saw countries suspend diplomatic relations, including Mali and the Maldives. In the case of Eastern Bloc countries that did so in 1967 and 1973, many resumed relations after the fall of the Soviet Union.
On the other side, despite more countries recognizing the State of Palestine over time, none of the G7 and only nine of the G20 have recognized the state. Similarly, only a minority of the EU has endorsed the declaration.
Present-Day
Israel and Palestine continue to vie for recognition in the international arena, with the former gaining recognition from a few countries including Bhutan and the UAE in 2020, and the latter from Colombia in 2018 and Saint Kitts and Nevis in 2019.
But universal recognition continues to elude both sides, with many countries awaiting a formal resolution to the conflict from the two sides.
It’s worth noting that both Israel and Palestine took steps towards recognition under the Oslo Accords, signed on September 13, 1993. The agreement saw Palestine recognize the State of Israel, put an end to the First Intifada, and allowed for limited self-government under a new Palestinian National Authority in Gaza and the West Bank. It promised to lay the groundwork for a two-state solution; a promise of peace that has yet to be realized.
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