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List of extreme points of the United States facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This is a list of points in the United States that are farther north, south, east, or west than any other location in the country. Also included are extreme points in elevation, extreme distances, and other points of peculiar geographic interest.

ExtremeUS1
Extreme points in the 50 states: Point Barrow, Ka Lae, Sail Rock, Peaked Island
USA-Extreme-Points
Extreme points in the contiguous 48 states: Northwest Angle, Ballast Key, Sail Rock, Bodelteh Islands
ExtremeUS3
Extreme points of the U.S. on the North American continent: Point Barrow, Cape Sable, West Quoddy Head, Cape Prince of Wales
ExtremeUS4
Extreme points in all U.S. territory: Point Barrow, Rose Atoll, Wake Island, Peaked Island (red dots); Point Udall, Guam, and Point Udall, USVI are shown as green dots. The International Date Line is shown in yellow.

Northernmost points

  • Point Barrow, Alaska 71°23′20″N 156°28′45″W / 71.38889°N 156.47917°W / 71.38889; -156.47917 (Point Barrow) – northernmost point in the United States
  • Utqiaġvik, Alaska 71°17′44″N 156°45′59″W / 71.29556°N 156.76639°W / 71.29556; -156.76639 (Barrow) – northernmost incorporated place in all U.S. territory, population about 4,000
  • Fairbanks, Alaska 64°50′22.94″N 147°43′14.63″W / 64.8397056°N 147.7207306°W / 64.8397056; -147.7207306 (Fairbanks City Hall) – northernmost city of more than 20,000 residents, and northernmost incorporated city with public road access
  • Anchorage, Alaska 61°13′4.17″N 149°53′33.17″W / 61.2178250°N 149.8925472°W / 61.2178250; -149.8925472 (Anchorage City Hall) – northernmost city of more than 100,000 residents
  • Juneau, Alaska 58°17′57″N 134°25′13″W / 58.299104°N 134.420240°W / 58.299104; -134.420240 (Downtown Juneau, AK) – northernmost capital city in the United States
  • Northwest Angle Inlet in Lake of the Woods, Minnesota 49°23′04.1″N 95°9′12.2″W / 49.384472°N 95.153389°W / 49.384472; -95.153389 (Northwest Angle) – northernmost point in the 48 contiguous states (because of incomplete information at the time of the Treaty of Paris (1783) settling the American Revolutionary War)
  • Sumas, Washington 49°00′08.6″N 122°15′40″W / 49.002389°N 122.26111°W / 49.002389; -122.26111 (Sumas, WA) – northernmost incorporated place in the 48 contiguous states (because of 19th century survey inaccuracy placing the international border slightly north of the 49th parallel here.)
  • Lynden, Washington 48°56′43″N 122°27′10″W / 48.94528°N 122.45278°W / 48.94528; -122.45278 (Lynden City Hall) – northernmost city of more than 10,000 residents in the 48 contiguous states
  • Bellingham, Washington 48°45′19.12″N 122°28′43.54″W / 48.7553111°N 122.4787611°W / 48.7553111; -122.4787611 (Bellingham City Hall) – northernmost city of more than 50,000 residents in the 48 contiguous states
  • Everett, Washington 47°58′41″N 122°12′27″W / 47.97806°N 122.20750°W / 47.97806; -122.20750 (Everett City Hall) – northernmost city of more than 100,000 residents in the 48 contiguous states
  • Spokane, Washington 47°39′37″N 117°25′25″W / 47.66028°N 117.42361°W / 47.66028; -117.42361 (Spokane City Hall) – northernmost city of more than 200,000 residents in the 48 contiguous states
  • Seattle, Washington 47°36′13.81″N 122°19′48.56″W / 47.6038361°N 122.3301556°W / 47.6038361; -122.3301556 (Seattle City Hall) – northernmost city of more than 500,000 residents in the United States
  • Olympia, Washington 47°2′16″N 122°54′3″W / 47.03778°N 122.90083°W / 47.03778; -122.90083 – northernmost capital city in the 48 contiguous states
  • Chicago, Illinois 41°53′1.9″N 87°37′53.87″W / 41.883861°N 87.6316306°W / 41.883861; -87.6316306 (Chicago City Hall) – northernmost city of more than 1,000,000 residents in the United States
  • Alaska has the northernmost geographic center of all the states. North Dakota has the northernmost geographic center of the 48 contiguous states.

Southernmost points

  • Rose Atoll, American Samoa 14°34′11″S 168°9′10″W / 14.56972°S 168.15278°W / -14.56972; -168.15278 (Rose Atoll) – southernmost point in the United States
  • Futiga, American Samoa 14°22′23″S 170°45′35″W / 14.372987°S 170.759741°W / -14.372987; -170.759741 (Steps Point, Futiga, American Samoa) – southernmost town in the United States
  • Pago Pago, American Samoa 14°16′26″S 170°42′05″W / 14.273821°S 170.701265°W / -14.273821; -170.701265 (Downtown Pago Pago, American Samoa) – southernmost capital city in the United States
  • Palmyra Atoll, U.S. Minor Outlying Islands 5°53′2″N 162°4′42″W / 5.88389°N 162.07833°W / 5.88389; -162.07833 – southernmost point in all U.S. incorporated territory
  • San Juan, Puerto Rico 18°27′56″N 66°06′21″W / 18.4655°N 66.1057°W / 18.4655; -66.1057 – southernmost city of more than 250,000 residents in all U.S. territory
  • Ka Lae, Hawaii 18°54′39″N 155°40′52″W / 18.91083°N 155.68111°W / 18.91083; -155.68111 (Ka Lae) – southernmost point in the 50 states
  • Discovery Harbour, Hawaii 19°02′3″N 155°37′49″W / 19.03417°N 155.63028°W / 19.03417; -155.63028 - southernmost settlement in the 50 states
  • Nā'ālehu, Hawaii 19°3′57″N 155°35′15″W / 19.06583°N 155.58750°W / 19.06583; -155.58750 (Nā'ālehu, HI) – southernmost town in the 50 states
  • Hilo, Hawaii 19°41′58″N 155°4′51″W / 19.69944°N 155.08083°W / 19.69944; -155.08083 – southernmost place with a population over 25,000 in the 50 states
  • City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii 21°18′19″N 157°51′25″W / 21.30528°N 157.85694°W / 21.30528; -157.85694 (Honolulu City Hall) – southernmost U.S. state capital and southernmost incorporated place in the 50 states (Hawaii's only incorporated place)
  • Western Dry Rocks, Florida Keys, Florida 24°26.8′N 81°55.6′W / 24.4467°N 81.9267°W / 24.4467; -81.9267 (Western Dry Rocks) – southernmost point in the 48 contiguous states occasionally above water at low tide
  • Ballast Key, Florida 24°31′15″N 81°57′49″W / 24.52083°N 81.96361°W / 24.52083; -81.96361 (Ballast Key) – southernmost point in the 48 contiguous states continuously above water
  • Key West, Florida 24°32′38.724″N 81°48′17.658″W / 24.54409000°N 81.80490500°W / 24.54409000; -81.80490500 (Key West, FL) – southernmost incorporated place in the contiguous 48 states
  • Cape Sable, Florida 25°7′6″N 81°5′11″W / 25.11833°N 81.08639°W / 25.11833; -81.08639 (Cape Sable) – southernmost point on the U.S. mainland
  • Florida City, Florida 25°26′54″N 80°28′57″W / 25.44833°N 80.48250°W / 25.44833; -80.48250 (Florida City City Hall) – southernmost municipality in the contiguous U.S.
  • Miami, Florida 25°43′40″N 80°14′2″W / 25.72778°N 80.23389°W / 25.72778; -80.23389 (Miami City Hall) – southernmost major metropolitan city in the 48 contiguous states
  • Cameron County, Texas 25°50′14.5″N 97°23′39.9″W / 25.837361°N 97.394417°W / 25.837361; -97.394417 – southernmost point on the Mexico–United States border.
  • San Antonio, Texas 29°28′21″N 98°31′30″W / 29.4724°N 98.5251°W / 29.4724; -98.5251 (San Antonio) – southernmost city of more than 1,000,000 residents in the United States
  • Austin, Texas 30°16′2″N 97°44′35″W / 30.26722°N 97.74306°W / 30.26722; -97.74306 – southernmost capital city in the 48 contiguous states
  • Hawaii has the southernmost geographic center of all the states. Florida has the southernmost geographic center of the 48 contiguous states.

Easternmost points

  • Point Udall, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands 17°45′19″N 64°33′54″W / 17.75528°N 64.56500°W / 17.75528; -64.56500 (Point Udall, St. Croix) – easternmost point in the United States, by direction of travel
  • Christiansted, U.S. Virgin Islands 17°44′54″N 64°43′00″W / 17.7482°N 64.7168°W / 17.7482; -64.7168 (Christainsted) – easternmost town in the United States, by direction of travel
  • Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands 18°20′26″N 64°55′52″W / 18.340688°N 64.931065°W / 18.340688; -64.931065 (Downtown Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands) – easternmost capital city in the United States, by direction of travel
  • San Juan, Puerto Rico 18°27′56″N 66°06′21″W / 18.4655°N 66.1057°W / 18.4655; -66.1057 (San Juan, PR) – easternmost major city of more than 250,000 residents in all U.S. territory
  • Sail Rock, Lubec, Maine 44°48′45.2″N 66°56′49.3″W / 44.812556°N 66.947028°W / 44.812556; -66.947028 (Sail Rock, Lubec, ME) – easternmost point in the 50 states, by direction of travel and easternmost incorporated place in the 50 states
  • West Quoddy Head, Maine 44°48′55.4″N 66°56′59.2″W / 44.815389°N 66.949778°W / 44.815389; -66.949778 (West Quoddy Head) – easternmost point on the U.S. mainland
  • Bangor, Maine 44°49.3′N 68°43.1′W / 44.8217°N 68.7183°W / 44.8217; -68.7183 (Bangor, ME) – easternmost city of more than 20,000 residents in the 50 states
  • Augusta, Maine 44°18′25″N 69°46′55″W / 44.307°N 69.782°W / 44.307; -69.782 (Augusta, ME) – easternmost U.S. state capital
  • Portland, Maine 43°42.0′N 70°5.2′W / 43.7000°N 70.0867°W / 43.7000; -70.0867 (Portland, ME) – easternmost city of more than 50,000 residents in the 50 states
  • Boston, Massachusetts 42°19′55″N 71°01′13″W / 42.3320°N 71.0202°W / 42.3320; -71.0202 (Boston) – easternmost city of more than 500,000 residents in the United States
  • New York City, New York 40°39′49″N 73°56′19″W / 40.6635°N 73.9387°W / 40.6635; -73.9387 (New York City) – easternmost city of more than 1,000,000 residents in the United States
  • Pochnoi Point, Semisopochnoi Island, Alaska 51°57′42″N 179°46′23″E / 51.96167°N 179.77306°E / 51.96167; 179.77306 (Pochnoi Point, Semisopochnoi Island) – easternmost point in all U.S. territory by longitude
  • Peacock Point, Wake Island 19°16′13.2″N 166°39′26.3″E / 19.270333°N 166.657306°E / 19.270333; 166.657306 (Peacock Point, Wake Island) – first sunrise (at equinox) in all U.S. territory
  • Northern Islands Municipality, Northern Mariana Islands 16°01′38″N 146°03′52″E / 16.0271°N 146.0645°E / 16.0271; 146.0645 (Farallon de Medinilla) – easternmost municipality in all U.S. territory, by longitude
  • Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands 15°11′N 145°45′E / 15.183°N 145.750°E / 15.183; 145.750 (Saipan, MP) – easternmost capital city in the United States, by longitude
  • Maine has the easternmost geographic center of the 50 states.

Westernmost points

  • Point Udall, Santa Rita, Guam (13°26′51″N 144°37′5.5″E / 13.44750°N 144.618194°E / 13.44750; 144.618194 (Point Udall, Santa Rita, Guam)) – westernmost point and westernmost town in the United States, by direction of travel
  • Hagåtña, Guam 13°28′38″N 144°44′50″E / 13.477264°N 144.747249°E / 13.477264; 144.747249 (Downtown Hagåtña, Guam) – westernmost capital city in the United States, by direction of travel
  • Peaked Island, offshore from Cape Wrangell, Attu Island, Alaska 52°55′14″N 172°26′16″E / 52.92056°N 172.43778°E / 52.92056; 172.43778 (Peaked Island) – westernmost point in the 50 states by direction of travel, and last sunset (at equinox) in all U.S. territories. West of it passes the International Date Line, after which come Russian territorial islands.
  • Amatignak Island, Alaska 51°16′7″N 179°8′55″W / 51.26861°N 179.14861°W / 51.26861; -179.14861 (Amatignak Island) – westernmost point in all U.S. territories by longitude
  • Adak, Alaska 51°49′21″N 176°42′53″W / 51.8224°N 176.7147°W / 51.8224; -176.7147 (Adak, AK) – westernmost incorporated city in the 50 states
  • Pago Pago, American Samoa 14°16′46″S 170°42′2″W / 14.27944°S 170.70056°W / -14.27944; -170.70056 (Pago Pago, AS) – westernmost capital city in the United States, by longitude
  • Cape Prince of Wales, Alaska 65°38′32″N 168°7′8″W / 65.64222°N 168.11889°W / 65.64222; -168.11889 (Cape Prince of Wales) – westernmost point on the North American continent
  • Unalaska, Alaska 53°53′20″N 166°31′38″W / 53.888984°N 166.527239°W / 53.888984; -166.527239 (Unalaska, AK) – westernmost city of more than 2,500 residents in the 50 states
  • Honolulu, Hawaii 21°18′25″N 157°51′30″W / 21.30694°N 157.85833°W / 21.30694; -157.85833 (Honolulu, HI) – westernmost U.S. state capital
  • Anchor Point, Alaska (59°46′20.8914″N 151°52′2.373″W / 59.772469833°N 151.86732583°W / 59.772469833; -151.86732583 (Anchor Point, AK)) – westernmost point on the continuous road system of North America
  • Umatilla Reef, offshore from Cape Alava, Washington 48°11.1′N 124°47.1′W / 48.1850°N 124.7850°W / 48.1850; -124.7850 (Umatilla Reef) – westernmost point in the 48 contiguous states occasionally above water at low tide
  • Bodelteh Islands, offshore from Cape Alava, Washington 48°10′42.7″N 124°46′18.1″W / 48.178528°N 124.771694°W / 48.178528; -124.771694 (Bodelteh Islands) – westernmost point in the 48 contiguous states continuously above water
  • Cape Alava, Washington 48°9′51″N 124°43′59″W / 48.16417°N 124.73306°W / 48.16417; -124.73306 (Cape Alava) – westernmost point on the U.S. mainland (contiguous)
  • Neah Bay, Washington 48°21′56″N 124°36′56″W / 48.36556°N 124.61556°W / 48.36556; -124.61556 (Neah Bay, WA) – westernmost town in the 48 contiguous states
  • Port Orford, Oregon 42°45′15″N 124°30′45″W / 42.754065°N 124.512605°W / 42.754065; -124.512605 (Port Orford, OR) – westernmost incorporated place in the 48 contiguous states
  • Brookings, Oregon 42°03′19″N 124°17′15″W / 42.0553°N 124.2875°W / 42.0553; -124.2875 (Brookings City Hall) – westernmost city of more than 5,000 residents in the 48 contiguous states
  • Coos Bay, Oregon 43°22′05″N 124°13′03″W / 43.3681°N 124.2174°W / 43.3681; -124.2174 (Coos Bay City Hall) – westernmost city of more than 10,000 residents in the 48 contiguous states
  • Eureka, California 40°46.3′N 124°12.2′W / 40.7717°N 124.2033°W / 40.7717; -124.2033 (Eureka, CA) – westernmost city of more than 25,000 residents in the 48 contiguous states
  • Corvallis, Oregon 44°32.6′N 123°20.2′W / 44.5433°N 123.3367°W / 44.5433; -123.3367 (Corvallis, OR) – westernmost city of more than 50,000 residents in the 48 contiguous states
  • Eugene, Oregon 44°05.1′N 123°12.5′W / 44.0850°N 123.2083°W / 44.0850; -123.2083 (Eugene, OR) – westernmost city of more than 100,000 residents in the 48 contiguous states
  • Salem, Oregon 44°56′21″N 123°2′22″W / 44.93917°N 123.03944°W / 44.93917; -123.03944 (Salem, OR) – westernmost capital city in the 48 contiguous states
  • Portland, Oregon 45°35.5′N 122°50.2′W / 45.5917°N 122.8367°W / 45.5917; -122.8367 (Portland, OR) – westernmost city of more than 500,000 residents in the United States
  • San Jose, California 37°26.9′N 122°2.8′W / 37.4483°N 122.0467°W / 37.4483; -122.0467 (San Jose, CA) – westernmost city of more than 1,000,000 residents in the United States
  • Hawaii has the westernmost geographic center of all the states. Oregon has the westernmost geographic center of the 48 contiguous states.

Highest points

  • Denali, Alaska 63°4′9″N 151°0′23″W / 63.06917°N 151.00639°W / 63.06917; -151.00639 (Mount McKinley) – highest summit in the United States, all US territories, and North America at 20,310 feet (6,190.5 m)
  • Mount Whitney, California 36°34′43″N 118°17′31″W / 36.57861°N 118.29194°W / 36.57861; -118.29194 (Mount Whitney) – highest point in the 48 contiguous states at 14,505 feet (4,421 m)
  • Grays Peak, Colorado 39°38′1″N 105°49′3″W / 39.63361°N 105.81750°W / 39.63361; -105.81750 (Grays Peak) – highest point on the Continental Divide of North America at 14,270 feet (4,350 m)
  • Mauna Kea, Hawaiʻi 19°49′14″N 155°28′5″W / 19.82056°N 155.46806°W / 19.82056; -155.46806 (Mauna Kea) – highest island summit in all U.S. territory and the entire Pacific Ocean at 13,796 feet (4,205 m)
  • Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico 36°35′52″N 105°26′42″W / 36.59778°N 105.44500°W / 36.59778; -105.44500 (Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico) – highest village limits in all U.S. territory at 12,581 feet (3,835 m) (No residents of Taos Ski Valley live above 10,350 feet (3,150 m))
  • Winter Park, Colorado 39°53′34″N 105°45′43″W / 39.89278°N 105.76194°W / 39.89278; -105.76194 (Winter Park, CO) – highest city limits in all U.S. territory at 12,060 feet (3,680 m) (No residents of Winter Park live above 9,550 feet (2,910 m))
  • San Juan County, Colorado 37°49′N 107°40′W / 37.817°N 107.667°W / 37.817; -107.667 (San Juan County, Colorado) – highest U.S. county based on a mean elevation (11,240 feet (3,430 m))
  • Alma, Colorado 39°17′2″N 106°3′46″W / 39.28389°N 106.06278°W / 39.28389; -106.06278 (Alma, Colorado) – highest town in all U.S. territory at 10,355 feet (3,156 m); contiguous residential areas extend to 11,680 feet (3,560 m).
  • Leadville, Colorado 39°14′50″N 106°17′30″W / 39.24722°N 106.29167°W / 39.24722; -106.29167 (Leadville, Colorado) – highest city in all U.S. territory at 10,152 feet (3,094 m). (No residents of Leadville live above 10,360 feet (3,160 m))
  • Woodland Park, Colorado 38°59′54″N 105°3′23″W / 38.99833°N 105.05639°W / 38.99833; -105.05639 (Woodland Park, Colorado) – highest city of more than 5,000 residents in all U.S. territory at 8,465 feet (2,580 m).
  • Laramie, Wyoming 41°18′40″N 105°35′37″W / 41.31111°N 105.59361°W / 41.31111; -105.59361 (Laramie, Wyoming) – highest city of more than 10,000 residents in all U.S. territory at 7,165 feet (2,184 m).
  • Santa Fe, New Mexico 35°40′2″N 105°57′52″W / 35.66722°N 105.96444°W / 35.66722; -105.96444 (Santa Fe, New Mexico) – highest city of more than 50,000 residents and highest capital city in all U.S. territory at 6,989 feet (2,130 m).
  • Colorado Springs, Colorado 38°50′2″N 104°49′31″W / 38.83389°N 104.82528°W / 38.83389; -104.82528 (Colorado Springs, Colorado) – highest city of more than 100,000 residents in all U.S. territory at 6,035 feet (1,839 m).
  • Denver, Colorado 39°45′43″N 104°52′52″W / 39.76194°N 104.88111°W / 39.76194; -104.88111 (Denver, Colorado) – highest major city of more than 500,000 residents in all U.S. territory at 5,280 feet (1,610 m).
  • Lake County Airport, Colorado 39°13′13″N 106°19′00″W / 39.22028°N 106.31667°W / 39.22028; -106.31667 (Lake County Airport) – highest airfield in all U.S. territory and North America at 9,927 feet (3,026 m)
  • New Mexico State Capitol, Santa Fe 35°40′56″N 105°56′23″W / 35.68222°N 105.93972°W / 35.68222; -105.93972 (New Mexico State Capitol) – highest state capitol in the United States at 7,005 feet (2,135 m)
  • Colorado 39°00′N 105°30′W / 39.000°N 105.500°W / 39.000; -105.500 (State of Colorado) – highest U.S. state based on an average elevation of 6,800 feet (2,100 m)
  • Mount Mitchell, North Carolina 35°45′53″N 82°15′54″W / 35.76472°N 82.26500°W / 35.76472; -82.26500 (Mount Mitchell) – highest point in eastern United States at 6,684 feet (2,037 m)
  • Mount Washington, New Hampshire 44°16′13″N 71°18′12″W / 44.27028°N 71.30333°W / 44.27028; -71.30333 (Mount Washington) – highest point in northeastern United States at 6,288 feet (1,917 m)
  • Arikaree River, Yuma County, Colorado at Kansas state line 39°58′42″N 102°3′6″W / 39.97833°N 102.05167°W / 39.97833; -102.05167 (Arikaree River) – highest U.S. state low point at 3,317 feet (1,011 m)
  • Beech Mountain, North Carolina 36°12′23″N 81°52′59″W / 36.20639°N 81.88306°W / 36.20639; -81.88306 – highest incorporated community east of the Mississippi River at an elevation of 5,506 feet (1,678 m).
  • Boone, North Carolina 36°12′41″N 81°40′7″W / 36.21139°N 81.66861°W / 36.21139; -81.66861 – highest elevation (3,333 feet, 1015.9 m) east of the Mississippi River of any town of its size (over 10,000 population).
  • Eisenhower Tunnel, west of Denver, Colorado 39°40′43″N 105°55′12″W / 39.6785°N 105.92°W / 39.6785; -105.92 (Eisenhower Tunnel) – highest point on the Interstate Highway System, at 11,158 feet (3,401 m).

Lowest points

  • Badwater Basin, Death Valley, California, 36°14′23″N 116°50′5″W / 36.23972°N 116.83472°W / 36.23972; -116.83472 (Badwater Basin) – lowest surface point in all U.S. territory and North America, at −279 feet (−85 m)
  • Salton Sea, California, 33°19′59″N 115°50′3″W / 33.33306°N 115.83417°W / 33.33306; -115.83417 (Salton Sea) – lowest lake in all U.S. territory and North America, at −226 feet (−69 m)
  • Furnace Creek Airport, California 36°27′50″N 116°52′53″W / 36.46389°N 116.88139°W / 36.46389; -116.88139 (Furnace Creek Airport) – lowest airfield in all U.S. territory and Western Hemisphere, at −210 feet (−64 m)
  • Furnace Creek, California, 36°27′29″N 116°52′15″W / 36.45806°N 116.87083°W / 36.45806; -116.87083 (Furnace Creek, California) – lowest settlement in all U.S. territory and Western Hemisphere, at −190 feet (−58 m)
  • Calipatria, California, 33°07′32″N 115°30′51″W / 33.12556°N 115.51417°W / 33.12556; -115.51417 (Calipatria, California) – lowest city in all U.S. territory and Western Hemisphere, at −184 feet (−56 m)
  • 9th Ward of New Orleans, Louisiana, 30°02′40″N 89°56′47″W / 30.04444°N 89.94639°W / 30.04444; -89.94639 (9th Ward of New Orleans, LA) – lowest surface point in eastern United States, at −7 feet (−2.1 m)
  • New Orleans, Louisiana, 29°58′N 90°03′W / 29.967°N 90.050°W / 29.967; -90.050 (New Orleans, Louisiana) – lowest city over 250,000 population in all U.S. territory and Western Hemisphere, with an average elevation of −1.5 feet (−0.46 m)
  • Delaware 39°0′17″N 75°32′46″W / 39.00472°N 75.54611°W / 39.00472; -75.54611 (State of Delaware) – lowest state, with an average elevation of 60 feet (18 m)
  • Britton Hill, Florida, 30°59′18″N 86°16′55″W / 30.98833°N 86.28194°W / 30.98833; -86.28194 (Britton Hill, FL) – lowest state high point, at 345 feet (105 m)
  • Lake Superior bottom, Michigan, 46°54′31″N 86°35′52″W / 46.90861°N 86.59778°W / 46.90861; -86.59778 (Deepest Point in Lake Superior) – lowest freshwater point in all U.S. territory, at −732 feet (−223 m)
  • Puget Sound bottom, Washington, 47°44.9′N 122°25.7′W / 47.7483°N 122.4283°W / 47.7483; -122.4283 (Deepest Point in Puget Sound) – lowest seawater point in the interior of the United States, at −956 feet (−291 m)

Other points

  • Most remote point in the 50 states: Ipnavik River, National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska, 68°45′N 156°41′W / 68.750°N 156.683°W / 68.750; -156.683 (most remote point); 120 miles (190 km) from nearest habitation.
  • Geographic center of the 50 states: approximately 20 miles (32 km) north of Belle Fourche, South Dakota, 44°58′N 103°46′W / 44.967°N 103.767°W / 44.967; -103.767 (geographic center of 50 states)
  • Geographic center of the 48 contiguous states: approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) west of Lebanon, Kansas, 39°50′N 98°35′W / 39.833°N 98.583°W / 39.833; -98.583 (geographic center of 48 contiguous states)
  • Closest to the equator: Baker Island is at 0°11′41″N 176°28′46″W / 0.19472°N 176.47944°W / 0.19472; -176.47944 (Baker Island).
  • The geographic center of North America is at 48°10′N 100°10′W / 48.167°N 100.167°W / 48.167; -100.167 (Geographic center of the North American continent), about 6 miles (10 km) west of Balta, in Pierce County, North Dakota.
  • The North American pole of inaccessibility (distant from ocean access) is at 43°22′N 101°58′W / 43.367°N 101.967°W / 43.367; -101.967 (North American pole of inaccessibility), about 11 miles (18 km) southeast of the town of Kyle, on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, in Bennett County, South Dakota, 1,025 miles (1,650 km) from the nearest coastline.
  • The southwesternmost point of the contiguous United States is Border Field State Park, California.
  • The northwesternmost point of the contiguous United States is Cape Flattery, Washington.

Islands

  • Island of Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi 19°49′15″N 155°28′5″W / 19.82083°N 155.46806°W / 19.82083; -155.46806 (Island of Hawaii) – most extensive island in all U.S. territory at 4,028 square miles (10,430 km2) and tallest island in all U.S. territory and the entire Pacific Ocean at 13,796 feet (4,205 m).
  • Kodiak Island, Alaska 57°28′N 153°26′W / 57.467°N 153.433°W / 57.467; -153.433 (Kodiak Island) – most extensive Gulf of Alaska island at 3,595.09 square miles (9,311.2 km2).
  • Island of Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico 18°15′N 66°30′W / 18.250°N 66.500°W / 18.250; -66.500 (Island of Puerto Rico) – most extensive island of U.S. Caribbean territory at 3,515.1 square miles (9,104 km2).
  • Prince of Wales Island, Alaska 55°37′55″N 132°54′27″W / 55.63194°N 132.90750°W / 55.63194; -132.90750 (Prince of Wales Island) – most extensive island of the Alexander Archipelago at 2,577 square miles (6,670 km2).
  • Saint Lawrence Island, Alaska 63°24′54″N 170°23′58″W / 63.41500°N 170.39944°W / 63.41500; -170.39944 (Saint Lawrence Island) – most extensive Bering Sea island at 1,791.56 square miles (4,640.1 km2).
  • Unimak Island, Alaska 54°46′6″N 164°11′12″W / 54.76833°N 164.18667°W / 54.76833; -164.18667 (Unimak Island) – most extensive Aleutian island at 1,571.41 square miles (4,069.9 km2).
  • Long Island, New York 40°52′10″N 73°00′00″W / 40.86944°N 73.00000°W / 40.86944; -73.00000 (Long Island) – most extensive island of the U.S. Atlantic coast at 1,401 square miles (3,630 km2).
  • Padre Island, Texas 26°50′40″N 97°22′04″W / 26.84444°N 97.36778°W / 26.84444; -97.36778 (Padre Island) – most extensive Gulf of Mexico island at 209 square miles (540 km2) and longest barrier island on Earth at 113 miles (182 km).
  • Isle Royale in Lake Superior, Michigan 48°0′N 88°55′W / 48.000°N 88.917°W / 48.000; -88.917 (Isle Royale) – most extensive island in a lake in all U.S. territory at 206.73 square miles (535.4 km2).
  • Whidbey Island, Washington 48°8′11″N 122°34′57″W / 48.13639°N 122.58250°W / 48.13639; -122.58250 (Whidbey Island) – most extensive island of Puget Sound at 168.67 square miles (436.9 km2).
  • Santa Cruz Island, California 34°0′13″N 119°43′35″W / 34.00361°N 119.72639°W / 34.00361; -119.72639 (Santa Cruz Island) – most extensive of the Channel Islands of California at 97 square miles (250 km2).
  • The most remote islands in the United States are within the U.S. Minor Outlying Islands (namely, islands such as Palmyra Atoll and Johnston Atoll.)

Lakes

  • Lake Michigan-Huron 45°48′N 84°45′W / 45.800°N 84.750°W / 45.800; -84.750 (Lake Michigan-Huron) – largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area, at 45,300 square miles (117,000 km2), of which 31,507 square miles (81,600 km2) is within the United States.
  • Lake Superior 47°42′N 87°30′W / 47.700°N 87.500°W / 47.700; -87.500 – Lying along the Canada–United States border, it is the second largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area, at 31,700 sq mi (82,100 km2), of which 20,600 square miles (53,350 km2) is within the United States. It is also North America's largest lake by volume, at 2,900 cu mi (12,000 km3); it is commonly called the largest lake by surface area when Lake Michigan and Lake Huron are not considered one lake.
  • Great Salt Lake, Utah, 41°10′N 112°35′W / 41.167°N 112.583°W / 41.167; -112.583 (Great Salt Lake) – most extensive endorheic lake, at 1,700 square miles (4,400 km2).
  • Crater Lake, Oregon, 42°57′N 122°5′W / 42.950°N 122.083°W / 42.950; -122.083 (Deepest point in Crater Lake) – deepest lake, at 1,943 feet (592 m).

Rivers

  • Mississippi River 29°9′4″N 89°15′12″W / 29.15111°N 89.25333°W / 29.15111; -89.25333 (Mississippi River) – most extensive river basin at 1,151,000 square miles (2,980,000 km2).
  • Mississippi-Missouri-Jefferson Rivers 29°9′4″N 89°15′12″W / 29.15111°N 89.25333°W / 29.15111; -89.25333 (Mississippi-Missouri-Jefferson Rivers) – longest river system at 3,902 miles (6,280 km).
  • Missouri River 38°48′49″N 90°7′11″W / 38.81361°N 90.11972°W / 38.81361; -90.11972 (Missouri River) – longest main stem river at 2,341 miles (3,767 km).
  • Mississippi River 29°9′4″N 89°15′12″W / 29.15111°N 89.25333°W / 29.15111; -89.25333 (Mississippi River) – longest Gulf of Mexico main stem river at 2,202 miles (3,544 km).
  • Yukon River 62°35′55″N 164°47′40″W / 62.59861°N 164.79444°W / 62.59861; -164.79444 (Yukon River) – longest Bering Sea main stem river at 1,979 miles (3,185 km).
  • Colorado River 31°48′57″N 114°48′22″W / 31.81583°N 114.80611°W / 31.81583; -114.80611 (Colorado River) – longest Gulf of California main stem river at 1,450 miles (2,330 km).
  • Columbia River 46°14′39″N 124°3′29″W / 46.24417°N 124.05806°W / 46.24417; -124.05806 (Columbia River) – longest Pacific Ocean main stem river at 1,243 miles (2,000 km).
  • Saint Lawrence River 49°40′N 64°30′W / 49.667°N 64.500°W / 49.667; -64.500 (Saint Lawrence River) – longest Atlantic Ocean main stem river at 600 miles (970 km).
  • Bear River 41°27′30″N 112°17′25″W / 41.45833°N 112.29028°W / 41.45833; -112.29028 (Bear River) – longest endorheic basin main stem river at 491 miles (790 km).

Extreme distances

  • Greatest east–west distance in the 48 contiguous states: 2,800 miles (4,500 km)
  • Greatest north–south distance in the 48 contiguous states: 1,650 miles (2,660 km).
  • Greatest distance between any two points in U.S. territory: 9,514 miles (15,311 km), from Point Udall, Guam, to Point Udall, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands (formerly known as Orote Point and East Point, respectively).
  • Greatest distance between any two points in the 50 states: 5,859 miles (9,429 km), from Kure Atoll, Hawaii, to Log Point, Elliott Key, Florida.
  • Greatest distance between any two points in the contiguous 48 states: 2,901 miles (4,669 km), from North Farallon Island, California, to Sail Rock, east of West Quoddy Head, Maine.
  • Greatest driving distance between any US territory in contiguous lower 48 states (via US highway system): 3,689 miles (5,937 km), from Fort Zachary Taylor, Key West, Florida, to Cape Flattery, Washington.
  • Greatest distance between any two mainland points in the contiguous 48 states (linear distance): 2,892 miles (4,654 km), from Point Arena, California, to West Quoddy Head, Maine.
  • Greatest east–west distance in U.S. territory [?]: 5,823 miles (9,371 km), from Kure Atoll, Hawaii, to Riviera Beach, Florida.
Some map projections make diagonal lines appear longer than they actually are. The diagonal line from Kure Atoll, Hawaii, to West Quoddy Head, Maine, is 5,797 miles (9,329 km); and the diagonal from Cape Wrangell, Attu Island, Alaska, to Log Point, on Elliott Key, Florida, is 5,505 miles (8,859 km).

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Anexo:Puntos extremos de los Estados Unidos para niños

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List of extreme points of the United States Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.