Abbreviation Nation (8/25)

Most of the fifty states contain at least one state’s abbreviation within their names. A chain of states can then be made by extracting a state’s abbreviation from the name of a state, spelling out the new state, and repeating.

For example, take NEW MEXICO. Extract "CO" from the end, and spell COLORADO. Then extract "OR" from the middle of Colorado, and spell OREGON, etc.

The object of this puzzle is to make a similar chain which loops back onto itself so that you start and end with the same state. The shortest chain is HAWAII (take the WA) to WASHINGTON (take the HI back to HAWAII), thus using two states.

Can you find the longest state chain?


Click here for the answer!