The latest Gallup Poll finds Mississippi is the most religious state, with Vermont and New Hampshire ranking as the least.

Overall, Gallup says, "America remains a generally religious nation, with more than two-thirds of the nation's residents classified as very or moderately religious."

But "dramatic regional differences" highlight and underscore the nation's deep divisions, which spill over into politics and culture.

Gallup found that 59% of Mississippians described themselves as "very religious," followed by 57% of Utahns and 56% of Alabamans. Louisiana, Arkansas and South Carolina came in at 54%.

New England — where the persecuted Pilgrims landed — continues to be a home for Americans focused less on religion than elsewhere in the union. Only 23% of the residents in Vermont and New Hampshire said they were "very religious," followed by Maine (25%) and Massachusetts (28%).

How did our most populous states rank? California, 35%; New York, 32%; Texas, 47%; Illinois, 39%; and Florida, 39%.

Gallup classifies 40% of Americans nationwide as very religious -- based on their statement that religion is an important part of their daily life and that they attend religious services every week or almost every week. Another 32% of Americans are non-religious, based on their statement that religion is not an important part of their daily life and that they seldom or never attend religious services. The remaining 28% of Americans are moderately religious, because they say religion is important but that they do not attend services regularly or because they say religion is not important but still attend services.

Gallup's research shows that "the most religious states in the union generally are the most Republican, while the least religious states skew more toward the Democratic Party."

Beyond politics and culture, the findings may also help explain well-being, LiveScience says. Research has suggested that attending worship services can help some people, in certain circumstances, "chase away the blues."

For instance, a study published in January 2012 in the journal Psychological Science found that people who are religious have higher self-esteem and better psychological adjustment than the non-religious only in countries where belief in religion is common. People who attend a church, mosque or synagogue get a sharp boost in happiness on Sundays, while less-frequent attendees see a decline in good feelings that day.

Another study suggested the social networks churchgoers build by sitting in the pews may be the reason religious people are happier.