The United States is a big country located in North America. It has a special spot on the map, with geographical coordinates of 37.0902° N latitude and 95.7129° W longitude. This means it is in the northern hemisphere and to the west of the prime meridian. The United States is also surrounded by other countries. It shares borders with Canada to the north and Mexico to the south. These countries are like neighbors, and they have different cultures and languages. So, the United States is not just a cool place with interesting coordinates, but it also has other countries right next door!
Geographical Coordinates
The geographical coordinates of a place tell us its exact location on the Earth’s surface. For the United States, these coordinates are given by latitude and longitude. Latitude tells us how far north or south a place is from the Equator, while longitude tells us how far east or west a place is from the Prime Meridian.
Latitude
The latitude of the United States ranges from about 24 degrees N to 71 degrees N. The southernmost point of the country is in the state of Florida, close to the Tropic of Cancer. The northernmost point of the country is in the state of Alaska, near the Arctic Circle. So, the United States covers a wide range of latitudes, with some areas close to the warm tropical zone and others closer to the cold polar regions.
Longitude
The longitude of the United States ranges from about 66 degrees W to 125 degrees W. The easternmost point of the country is in the state of Maine, while the westernmost point is in the state of Alaska. So, the United States extends across a large span of longitudes, covering a vast distance from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.
Bordering Countries
The United States shares its borders with two countries: Canada to the north and Mexico to the south. Let’s take a closer look at each of these bordering countries.
Canada
To the north of the United States lies Canada, our friendly neighbor. Canada is the second-largest country in the world by land area, and it shares the longest undefended border with the United States. From east to west, the border between the two countries spans over 5,500 miles. This border is a mix of natural features like rivers and lakes, as well as artificial markers like fences and monuments. It is a symbol of the peaceful coexistence and close relationship between these two nations.
Mexico
To the south of the United States is Mexico, another neighboring country with a rich cultural heritage. The US-Mexico border is around 1,950 miles long and passes through several states on both sides. This border is characterized by geographical features like the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo River, which separates the two countries in many areas. The US-Mexico border has a significant influence on trade, culture, and migration between the United States and Mexico.
Northern Border
The northern border of the United States is shared with Canada. It extends from the east coast of Maine to the west coast of Alaska, covering a vast distance of over 5,500 miles. The latitude and longitude coordinates of this border vary depending on the location along its length.
Latitude
The latitude of the northern border ranges from about 45 degrees N to 71 degrees N. In the east, the border starts at a latitude of around 45 degrees N near the state of Maine. As we move westward, the latitude gradually increases, reaching its northernmost point in Alaska at around 71 degrees N. So, the northern border of the United States covers various latitudes, from the mid-latitudes in the east to the high latitudes in the north.
Longitude
The longitude of the northern border ranges from about 66 degrees W to 125 degrees W. In the east, the border starts at a longitude of around 66 degrees W near the state of Maine. As we move westward, the longitude gradually increases, reaching its westernmost point in Alaska at around 125 degrees W. So, the northern border of the United States covers a wide range of longitudes, from the eastern coast to the western coast.
Southern Border
The southern border of the United States is shared with Mexico. It extends from the west coast of California to the east coast of Texas, stretching for approximately 1,950 miles. The latitude and longitude coordinates of this border also vary depending on the location along its length.
Latitude
The latitude of the southern border ranges from about 24 degrees N to 32 degrees N. In the west, the border starts at a latitude of around 24 degrees N along the coast of California. As we move eastward, the latitude gradually increases, reaching its highest point in the southernmost tip of Texas at around 32 degrees N. So, the southern border of the United States covers a range of latitudes, from the subtropical zone in the west to the warmer regions in the east.
Longitude
The longitude of the southern border ranges from about 103 degrees W to 125 degrees W. In the west, the border starts at a longitude of around 103 degrees W near the coast of California. As we move eastward, the longitude gradually increases, reaching its easternmost point in Texas at around 125 degrees W. So, the southern border of the United States covers a wide span of longitudes, from the western coast to the central region.
Eastern Border
The eastern border of the United States stretches along the Atlantic Ocean, starting from the northernmost point in the state of Maine and extending down to the southeastern tip of Florida. The latitude and longitude coordinates of this border remain constant along its length.
Latitude
The latitude of the eastern border ranges from about 24 degrees N to 48 degrees N. In the south, the border starts at a latitude of around 24 degrees N on the coast of Florida. As we move northward, the latitude gradually increases, reaching its highest point at around 48 degrees N in the state of Maine. So, the eastern border of the United States covers a range of latitudes, from the subtropical zone in the south to the temperate regions in the north.
Longitude
The longitude of the eastern border remains constant at around 66 degrees W. Whether in Florida or Maine, the border is aligned along this longitude. So, the eastern border of the United States can be represented by a straight line extending from the south to the north, following the 66 degrees W longitude.
Western Border
The western border of the United States lies along the Pacific Ocean, starting from the northernmost point in the state of Alaska and extending down to the southernmost point in the state of California. The latitude and longitude coordinates of this border also remain constant along its length.
Latitude
The latitude of the western border ranges from about 24 degrees N to 71 degrees N. In the south, the border starts at a latitude of around 24 degrees N on the coast of California. As we move northward, the latitude gradually increases, reaching its northernmost point at around 71 degrees N in Alaska. So, the western border of the United States covers a wide range of latitudes, from the subtropical zone in the south to the Arctic Circle in the north.
Longitude
The longitude of the western border remains constant at around 125 degrees W. Whether in California or Alaska, the border is aligned along this longitude. So, the western border of the United States can be represented by a straight line extending from the south to the north, following the 125 degrees W longitude.
Northwestern Border
The northwestern border of the United States is a portion of the longer northern border that stretches along the west coast of the country. It spans from the state of Washington to the westernmost point in Alaska. The latitude and longitude coordinates of this border also vary along its length.
Latitude
The latitude of the northwestern border ranges from about 48 degrees N to 71 degrees N. In the south, the border starts at a latitude of around 48 degrees N in the state of Washington. As we move northward, the latitude gradually increases, reaching its northernmost point in Alaska at around 71 degrees N. So, the northwestern border of the United States covers a range of latitudes, from the temperate regions in the south to the cold polar areas in the north.
Longitude
The longitude of the northwestern border remains constant at around 125 degrees W. Whether in Washington or Alaska, the border is aligned along this longitude. So, the northwestern border of the United States can be represented by a straight line extending from the south to the north, following the 125 degrees W longitude.
Northeastern Border
The northeastern border of the United States is a portion of the longer northern border that extends along the east coast of the country. It spans from the state of Maine down to the state of New York, where it meets the eastern border. The latitude and longitude coordinates of this border remain constant along its length.
Latitude
The latitude of the northeastern border ranges from about 44 degrees N to 48 degrees N. In the south, the border starts at a latitude of around 44 degrees N in the state of New York. As we move northward, the latitude gradually increases, reaching its highest point at around 48 degrees N in the state of Maine. So, the northeastern border of the United States covers a range of latitudes, from the temperate regions in the south to the cooler regions in the north.
Longitude
The longitude of the northeastern border remains constant at around 66 degrees W. Whether in New York or Maine, the border is aligned along this longitude. So, the northeastern border of the United States can be represented by a straight line extending from the south to the north, following the 66 degrees W longitude.
Southeastern Border
The southeastern border of the United States is a portion of the longer southern border that stretches along the east coast of the country. It spans from the state of Florida to the state of Texas, where it meets the southern border. The latitude and longitude coordinates of this border remain constant along its length.
Latitude
The latitude of the southeastern border ranges from about 24 degrees N to 32 degrees N. In the south, the border starts at a latitude of around 24 degrees N in Florida. As we move northward, the latitude gradually increases, reaching its highest point at around 32 degrees N in the southernmost tip of Texas. So, the southeastern border of the United States covers a range of latitudes, from the subtropical zone in Florida to the warmer regions in Texas.
Longitude
The longitude of the southeastern border ranges from about 81 degrees W to 97 degrees W. In the east, the border starts at a longitude of around 81 degrees W in Florida. As we move westward, the longitude gradually increases, reaching its highest point at around 97 degrees W in Texas. So, the southeastern border of the United States covers a wide span of longitudes, from the eastern coast to the central region.
In conclusion, the geographical coordinates and bordering countries of the United States offer us valuable information about where the country is located and who its neighbors are. By understanding latitude and longitude, as well as the different borders with Canada and Mexico, we can appreciate the unique geography of this diverse and vast nation.