There are two US states each of which borders 8 other states. Can you name either one?

Tying for the record of most neighbors (Review), both Missouri and Tennessee share a border with eight other states. This distinction makes them central hubs for transportation, trade, and cultural exchange within the United States. Their locations, with Missouri in the Midwest and Tennessee in the Southeast, position them as crucial crossroads, connecting different regions of the country. Major rivers, like the Mississippi, which forms Missouri's eastern border and part of Tennessee's western border, have historically supported this connectivity.

For Missouri, its neighbors include Iowa to the north; Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee to the east; Arkansas to the south; and Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska to the west. The state's unique "Bootheel" region in the southeast is what allows it to connect with both Kentucky and Tennessee. Historically, Missouri was seen as a border state, representing a meeting point of eastern timberlands and western prairies. This central position made it a starting point for many westward expeditions.

Tennessee's long and relatively narrow shape contributes to its high number of bordering states. To its north are Kentucky and Virginia, while North Carolina lies to the east. Along its southern boundary are Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. To the west, it shares a border with Arkansas and Missouri across the Mississippi River. This extensive contact with other states has enriched its cultural identity, particularly in music, with influences flowing across its many borders.