Final answer:
States are divided based on historical criteria like Union, Confederate, and border states, or by physiographic regions, and politically according to cultural and social traits. Each state government has its own structure of governors, legislatures, and courts, creating a balance of powers with the federal government.
Step-by-step explanation:
States are divided based on various criteria. In terms of the American Civil War, states were classified as Union States in the north, Confederate States in the south, and border states in the middle. In the contemporary U.S, states can also be divided into political regions with unique cultural, economic, and social traits that influence voting patterns and political divisions.
From a geographical perspective, the contiguous United States is divided into eight physiographic regions, further subdivided into provinces and sections. Comparable divisions exist across the world, with Africa having eight regions and South America having four, each with its own set of provinces.
In the context of U.S government, each state has its own government structure, including governors, legislatures, and courts, which help create a balance of powers between the federal government and state governments. The political representatives must decide whether to act as trustees or delegates, whether term limits are beneficial, and how state and local governments gain their authority, considering the cultural and other differences between the states.