Geographical terms - Place-names - Abbreviations - Part III. Style 20 spelling

A manual for writers of research papers, theses, and dissertations, 7th edition - Kate L. Turabian 2007

Geographical terms - Place-names
Abbreviations
Part III. Style 20 spelling

In text, always spell out and capitalize the names of countries, states, counties, provinces, territories, bodies of water, mountains, and the like (see 22.1.1). One exception is the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, commonly referred to as the former USSR.

Always spell out United States when using it as a noun. When using it as an adjective, you may either abbreviate it to U.S. or spell it out (for a more formal tone). By convention, it includes periods, even though it is an acronym.

She was ineligible for the presidency because she was not born in the United States.

His U.S. citizenship was revoked later that year.

In tables, figures, citations, and mailing addresses, abbreviate the names of U.S. states using the two-letter, no-period postal codes created by the U.S. Postal Service.

AK - Alaska

AL - Alabama

AR - Arkansas

AZ - Arizona

CA - California

CO - Colorado

CT - Connecticut

DC - District of Columbia

DE - Delaware

FL - Florida

GA - Georgia

HI - Hawaii

IA - Iowa

ID - Idaho

IL - Illinois

IN - Indiana

KS - Kansas

KY - Kentucky

LA - Louisiana

MA - Massachusetts

MD - Maryland

ME - Maine

MI - Michigan

MN - Minnesota

MO - Missouri

MS - Mississippi

MT - Montana

NC - North Carolina

ND - North Dakota

NE - Nebraska

NH - New Hampshire

NJ - New Jersey

NM - New Mexico

NV - Nevada

NY - New York

OH - Ohio

OK - Oklahoma

OR - Oregon

PA - Pennsylvania

RI - Rhode Island

SC - South Carolina

SD - South Dakota

TN - Tennessee

TX - Texas

UT - Utah

VA - Virginia

VT - Vermont

WA - Washington

WI - Wisconsin

WV - West Virginia

WY - Wyoming

You may also abbreviate the names of Canadian provinces and territories where state names would be abbreviated.

AB - Alberta

BC - British Columbia

MB - Manitoba

NB - New Brunswick

NL - Newfoundland and Labrador

NS - Nova Scotia

NT - Northwest Territories

NU - Nunavut

ON - Ontario

PE - Prince Edward Island

QC - Quebec

SK - Saskatchewan

YT - Yukon