Final answer:
Americans refer to their sub-national entities as 'states', not 'provinces'. The term 'state' can also describe an entire country. Answer B) states are correct for how Americans characterize their provinces.
Step-by-step explanation:
The word Americans use to characterize our provinces is states. When referring to their sub-national entities, Americans do not use the term provinces, which is common in countries like Canada. Instead, the term 'state' is applied. As such, the correct answer to the question is B) states. The term nation-state is used to describe a country where the boundaries of the nation (people with a common identity) and the state (political entity) coincide, and both terms can be used to describe the whole country in different contexts.
In the early history of the United States, the states operated almost as separate countries, emphasizing their distinct government and powers. Over time, a balance has been created between the central government in Washington DC, and the individual state governments. It is essential to note that in the context of the United States, 'state' can refer to one of the 50 major subnational governmental units, which align with the divisions listed on maps, such as those referred to in physiographic provinces.