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Article |
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Profile of the People and Land of the United States |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080916092140im_/http://nationalatlas.gov/images/common/transparent.gif) |
Area
Population
Racial
and Ethnic Diversity
Languages
Borders
Coastline
and Shoreline
Islands
Extremes
Mountains
Water
Commonly
Used Terms
Related
Links
The United States of America is a large and varied country. Here
you can find basic facts about our population and its racial and
ethnic diversity, as well as statistics describing both the land
and water features of our Nation.
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|
Area |
|
The United States has
a total area of more than 3.5 million square miles, making it the
third largest country in the world after Russia and Canada. It is
slightly larger than China, and about half the size of Russia, but
has the largest and most technically powerful economy in the world.
The United States includes 50 States and one district, as well as
several territories and other associated areas that are not States
but that are under U.S. jurisdiction. The States vary in size from
Rhode Island, the smallest with 1,231 square miles, to Alaska, the
largest with 616,240 square miles. The District of Columbia, home
to our nation's capital of Washington, DC, covers an area of
only 68 square miles. How do the other States and areas stack up?
Take a look at the table below. All area measurements are in square
miles. |
|
Alabama |
52,218 |
50,744 |
1,475 |
30 |
Alaska |
616,240 |
571,949 |
44,292 |
1 |
Arizona |
113,998 |
113,634 |
364 |
6 |
Arkansas |
53,178 |
52,068 |
1,110 |
28 |
California |
158,854 |
155,959 |
2,896 |
3 |
Colorado |
104,093 |
103,717 |
376 |
8 |
Connecticut |
5,543 |
4,845 |
699 |
48 |
Delaware |
2,396 |
1,954 |
442 |
49 |
District of Columbia |
68 |
61 |
7 |
-- |
Florida |
59,909 |
53,927 |
5,983 |
23 |
Georgia |
58,970 |
57,906 |
1,064 |
24 |
Hawaii |
6,461 |
6,423 |
38 |
47 |
Idaho |
83,570 |
82,747 |
823 |
14 |
Illinois |
57,914 |
55,583 |
2,331 |
25 |
Indiana |
36,418 |
35,867 |
551 |
38 |
Iowa |
56,271 |
55,869 |
402 |
26 |
Kansas |
82,276 |
81,815 |
462 |
15 |
Kentucky |
40,409 |
39,728 |
681 |
37 |
Louisiana |
49,650 |
43,562 |
6,089 |
31 |
Maine |
33,738 |
30,861 |
2,877 |
39 |
Maryland |
12,297 |
9,774 |
2,523 |
42 |
Massachusetts |
9,240 |
7,840 |
1,400 |
45 |
Michigan |
96,716 |
56,804 |
39,912 |
11 |
Minnesota |
86,938 |
79,610 |
7,329 |
12 |
Mississippi |
48,282 |
46,907 |
1,375 |
32 |
Missouri |
69,704 |
68,886 |
818 |
21 |
Montana |
147,042 |
145,552 |
1,490 |
4 |
Nebraska |
77,353 |
76,872 |
481 |
16 |
Nevada |
110,560 |
109,825 |
735 |
7 |
New Hampshire |
9,282 |
8,968 |
314 |
44 |
New Jersey |
8,214 |
7,417 |
797 |
46 |
New Mexico |
121,589 |
121,355 |
234 |
5 |
New York |
54,077 |
47,214 |
6,863 |
27 |
North Carolina |
52,670 |
48,711 |
3,960 |
29 |
North Dakota |
70,699 |
68,976 |
1,724 |
18 |
Ohio |
44,825 |
40,948 |
3,877 |
34 |
Oklahoma |
69,898 |
68,667 |
1,231 |
20 |
Oregon |
97,126 |
95,996 |
1,130 |
10 |
Pennsylvania |
46,055 |
44,816 |
1,239 |
33 |
Rhode Island |
1,231 |
1,045 |
187 |
50 |
South Carolina |
31,190 |
30,109 |
1,080 |
40 |
South Dakota |
77,116 |
75,884 |
1,232 |
17 |
Tennessee |
42,143 |
41,217 |
926 |
36 |
Texas |
267,256 |
261,796 |
5,460 |
2 |
Utah |
84,898 |
82,143 |
2,755 |
13 |
Vermont |
9,614 |
9,250 |
365 |
43 |
Virginia |
42,328 |
39,594 |
2,734 |
35 |
Washington |
70,634 |
66,544 |
4,090 |
19 |
West Virginia |
24,230 |
24,078 |
152 |
41 |
Wisconsin |
65,498 |
54,310 |
11,188 |
22 |
Wyoming |
97,813 |
97,100 |
713 |
9 |
United States |
3,718,694 |
3,537,422 |
181,272 |
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|
|
Puerto Rico |
3,507 |
3,425 |
83 |
|
Virgin Islands of the U.S. |
149 |
134 |
15 |
|
American Samoa |
287 |
77 |
209 |
|
Guam |
217 |
210 |
7 |
|
No. Mariana Islands |
179 |
179 |
0 |
|
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|
Total |
3,723,033 |
3,541,447 |
181,587 |
|
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Statistical Abstract
of the United States, 2002 |
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Population |
|
In terms of population,
China and India are the two largest countres in the world; each has
more than 1 billion people. Third in the population rankings is the
United States with more than 280 million people. Those people are
not evenly distributed across the country. For example, Alaska, the
largest State in area, has one of the smallest populations. In contrast,
New Jersey is one of the smallest States but it ranks ninth in population.
The table below shows how the States rank for population and also
lists the largest city in each State, along with its population. |
|
Alabama |
4,447,100 |
23 |
Birmingham |
242,820 |
Alaska |
626,932 |
48 |
Anchorage |
260,283 |
Arizona |
5,130,632 |
20 |
Phoenix |
1,321,045 |
Arkansas |
2,673,400 |
33 |
Little Rock |
183,133 |
California |
33,871,648 |
1 |
Los Angeles |
3,694,820 |
Colorado |
4,301,261 |
24 |
Denver |
554,636 |
Connecticut |
3,405,565 |
29 |
Bridgeport |
139,529 |
Delaware |
783,600 |
45 |
Wilmington |
72,664 |
District of Columbia |
572,059 |
50 |
Washington |
572,059 |
Florida |
15,982,378 |
4 |
Jacksonville |
735,617 |
Georgia |
8,186,453 |
10 |
Atlanta |
416,474 |
Hawaii |
1,211,537 |
42 |
Honolulu |
371,657 |
Idaho |
1,293,953 |
39 |
Boise |
185,787 |
Illinois |
12,419,293 |
5 |
Chicago |
2,896,016 |
Indiana |
6,080,485 |
14 |
Indianapolis |
781,870 |
Iowa |
2,926,324 |
30 |
Des Moines |
198,682 |
Kansas |
2,688,418 |
32 |
Wichita |
344,284 |
Kentucky |
4,041,769 |
25 |
Louisville |
256,231 |
Louisiana |
4,468,976 |
22 |
New Orleans |
484,674 |
Maine |
1,274,923 |
40 |
Portland |
64,249 |
Maryland |
5,296,486 |
19 |
Baltimore |
651,154 |
Massachusetts |
6,349,097 |
13 |
Boston |
589,141 |
Michigan |
9,938,444 |
8 |
Detroit |
951,270 |
Minnesota |
4,919,479 |
21 |
Minneapolis |
382,618 |
Mississippi |
2,844,658 |
31 |
Jackson |
184,256 |
Missouri |
5,595,211 |
17 |
Kansas City |
441,545 |
Montana |
902,195 |
44 |
Billings |
89,847 |
Nebraska |
1,711,263 |
38 |
Omaha |
390,007 |
Nevada |
1,998,257 |
35 |
Las Vegas |
478,434 |
New Hampshire |
1,235,786 |
41 |
Manchester |
107,006 |
New Jersey |
8,414,350 |
9 |
Newark |
273,546 |
New Mexico |
1,819,046 |
36 |
Albuquerque |
448,607 |
New York |
18,976,457 |
3 |
New York |
8,008,278 |
North Carolina |
8,049,313 |
11 |
Charlotte |
540,828 |
North Dakota |
642,200 |
47 |
Fargo |
90,559 |
Ohio |
11,353,140 |
7 |
Columbus |
711,470 |
Oklahoma |
3,450,654 |
27 |
Oklahoma City |
506,132 |
Oregon |
3,421,399 |
28 |
Portland |
529,121 |
Pennsylvania |
12,281,054 |
6 |
Philadelphia |
1,517,550 |
Rhode Island |
1,048,319 |
43 |
Providence |
173,618 |
South Carolina |
4,012,012 |
26 |
Columbia |
116,278 |
South Dakota |
754,844 |
46 |
Sioux Falls |
123,975 |
Tennessee |
5,689,283 |
16 |
Memphis |
650,100 |
Texas |
20,851,820 |
2 |
Houston |
1,953,631 |
Utah |
2,233,169 |
34 |
Salt Lake City |
181,743 |
Vermont |
608,827 |
49 |
Burlington |
38,889 |
Virginia |
7,078,515 |
12 |
Virginia Beach |
425,257 |
Washington |
5,894,121 |
15 |
Seattle |
563,374 |
West Virginia |
1,808,344 |
37 |
Charleston |
53,421 |
Wisconsin |
5,363,675 |
18 |
Milwaukee |
596,974 |
Wyoming |
493,782 |
51 |
Cheyenne |
53,011 |
United States |
281,421,906 |
|
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|
U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Census of Population
and Housing |
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Racial and Ethnic Diversity |
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The United States is
a nation of many different races. The Census Bureau collects both
racial and ethnic information based on how people describe themselves.
The majority of Americans give their race as White, but many other
races are represented in our diverse population. |
|
American Indian and Alaska Native |
2,475,956 |
0.9 |
Asian |
10,242,998 |
3.6 |
Black or African American |
34,658,190 |
12.3 |
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander |
398,835 |
0.1 |
White |
211,460,626 |
75.1 |
Some other race |
15,359,073 |
5.5 |
Two or more races |
6,826,228 |
2.4 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 |
|
A significant number of people in the United States describe themselves
as Hispanic or Latino. According to the Office of Management and
Budget, Hispanic or Latino is defined as "a person of Cuban,
Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish
culture or origin regardless of race." In data collection
and presentation, Federal agencies are required to use a minimum
of two ethnicities: "Hispanic or Latino" and "Not
Hispanic or Latino."
|
|
Hispanic or Latino |
35,305,818 |
12.5 |
Not Hispanic or Latino |
246,116,088 |
87.5 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 |
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Languages |
|
While the United States
does not have an official language, 82 percent of the population
speaks English at home and English is the language most commonly
used for government business. English is used for legislation and
other official documents, and laws making it the official language
have been passed in more than half the States. However, millions
of people in the United States speak languages other than English.
Eleven percent of the population speaks Spanish or Spanish Creole
at home, and the remaining population speaks a variety of other
languages. Census Bureau statistics on language are only collected
for people over the age of 5. The major languages spoken in the
United States are listed in the table below.
|
|
English |
215,423,557 |
Spanish or Spanish Creole |
28,101,052 |
Chinese |
2,022,143 |
French |
1,643,838 |
German |
1,383,442 |
Tagalog |
1,224,241 |
Vietnamese |
1,009,627 |
Italian |
1,008,370 |
Total population over age 5 |
262,375,152 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 |
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Borders |
|
The United States shares borders with both Canada and Mexico. The
5,525-mile boundary between Canada and the United States is the
longest undefended boundary in the world. There are more than
86 million passenger trips between the United States and Canada
each year, and more than 227 million between the United States
and Mexico. Only those States with international borders are
included in the table below. |
|
Alaska |
1,538 |
Canada |
Idaho |
45 |
Canada |
Maine |
611 |
Canada |
Michigan |
721 |
Canada |
Minnesota |
547 |
Canada |
Montana |
545 |
Canada |
New Hampshire |
58 |
Canada |
New York |
445 |
Canada |
North Dakota |
310 |
Canada |
Ohio |
146 |
Canada |
Pennsylvania |
42 |
Canada |
Vermont |
90 |
Canada |
Washington |
427 |
Canada |
United States-Canada total |
5,525 |
Canada |
Arizona |
373 |
Mexico |
California |
140 |
Mexico |
New Mexico |
180 |
Mexico |
Texas |
1,241 |
Mexico |
United States-Mexico total |
1,933 |
Mexico |
Source: U.S.-Canada lengths: International
Boundary Commission, 2003
U.S.-Mexico lengths: U.S. Geological Survey, 1976 |
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Coastline and Shoreline |
|
The shore offers us
both recreation and commerce. The extensive shoreline of the United
States includes beaches, rocks, and swamps; it is the home of many
major ports and the location of thousands of homes.
The term coastline is used to describe the general outline of the
seacoast. For the table below, United States coastline measurements
were made from small-scale maps, and the coastline was generalized.
The coastlines of large sounds and bays were included. Measurements
were made in 1948.
Shoreline is the term used to describe a more detailed measure
of the seacoast. The tidal shoreline figures in the table below
were obtained in 1939-1940 from the largest-scale charts and maps
then available. Shoreline of the outer coast, offshore islands,
sounds, and bays was included, as well as the tidal portion of rivers
and creeks.
Only States with coastline or shoreline are included in the following
table.
|
|
Alabama |
53 |
607 |
Alaska |
6,640 |
33,904 |
California |
840 |
3,427 |
Connecticut |
-- |
618 |
Delaware |
28 |
381 |
Florida |
1,350 |
8,426 |
Georgia |
100 |
2,344 |
Hawaii |
750 |
1,052 |
Louisiana |
397 |
7,721 |
Maine |
228 |
3,478 |
Maryland |
31 |
3,190 |
Massachusetts |
192 |
1,519 |
Mississippi |
44 |
359 |
New Hampshire |
13 |
131 |
New Jersey |
130 |
1,792 |
New York |
127 |
1,850 |
North Carolina |
301 |
3,375 |
Oregon |
296 |
1,410 |
Pennsylvania |
-- |
89 |
Rhode Island |
40 |
384 |
South Carolina |
187 |
2,876 |
Texas |
367 |
3,359 |
Virginia |
112 |
3,315 |
Washington |
157 |
3,026 |
Atlantic |
2,069 |
28,673 |
Gulf of Mexico |
1,621 |
17,141 |
Pacific |
7,623 |
40,298 |
United States |
12,383 |
88,633 |
Source: National Oceanographic and Atmospheric
Administration, 1975 |
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Islands |
|
The island of Hawaii is the largest island in the United States,
although small by world standards (Australia is more than 2 million square
miles, and Greenland is more than 800,000 square miles). Most of the
other large islands in the United States are in Alaska. The top
20 islands in the United States are listed below.
|
|
Hawaii, Hawaii |
4,054 |
Kodiak, Alaska |
3,698 |
Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico |
3,372 |
Prince of Wales, Alaska |
2,630 |
Chichagof, Alaska |
2,083 |
St. Lawrence, Alaska |
1,903 |
Admiralty, Alaska |
1,688 |
Nunivak, Alaska |
1,639 |
Baranof, Alaska |
1,632 |
Unimak, Alaska |
1,599 |
Long Island, New York |
1,352 |
Revillagigedo, Alaska |
1,150 |
Kupreanof, Alaska |
1,094 |
Unalaska, Alaska |
1,084 |
Nelson, Alaska |
885 |
Kuiu, Alaska |
771 |
Maui, Hawaii |
739 |
Afognak, Alaska |
727 |
Umnak, Alaska |
700 |
Oahu, Hawaii |
607 |
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, 2002 |
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Extremes |
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Elevation
Death Valley, the lowest point in the United States, is hot, dry,
and far below sea level. Mount McKinley, the highest point in the
United States, is cold, icy, and thousands of feet above sea level.
There are 2,130 square miles of the United States below sea level,
and 20,230 square miles above 10,000 feet. See the table below for
the elevation extremes for each State in the United States.
Alabama |
Highest point |
Cheaha Mtn. |
Cleburne |
2,407 |
Lowest point |
Gulf of Mexico |
- |
Sea Level |
Alaska |
Highest point |
Mt. McKinley |
- |
20,320 |
Lowest point |
Pacific Ocean |
- |
Sea Level |
Arizona |
Highest point |
Humphreys Peak |
Coconino |
12,633 |
Lowest point |
Colorado River |
Yuma |
70 |
Arkansas |
Highest point |
Magazine Mtn. |
Logan |
2,753 |
Lowest point |
Ouachita River |
Ashley-Union |
55 |
California |
Highest point |
Mt. Whitney |
Inyo-Tulare |
14,494 |
Lowest point |
Death Valley |
Inyo |
-282 |
Colorado |
Highest point |
Mt. Elbert |
Lake |
14,433 |
Lowest point |
Arikaree River |
Yuma |
3,315 |
Connecticut |
Highest point |
Mt. Frissell |
Litchfield |
2,380 |
Lowest point |
Long Island Sound |
- |
Sea level |
Delaware |
Highest point |
Ebright Road at Delaware-Pennsylvania State
line |
New Castle |
448 |
Lowest point |
Atlantic Ocean |
- |
Sea level |
District of Columbia |
Highest point |
Tenleytown at Reno Reservoir |
- |
410 |
Lowest point |
Potomac River |
- |
1 |
Florida |
Highest point |
Britton Hill |
Walton |
345 |
Lowest point |
Atlantic Ocean |
- |
Sea level |
Georgia |
Highest point |
Brasstown Bald |
Towns-Union |
4,784 |
Lowest point |
Atlantic Ocean |
- |
Sea level |
Hawaii |
Highest point |
Pu'u Wekiu, Mauna Kea |
Hawaii |
13,796 |
Lowest point |
Pacific Ocean |
- |
Sea level |
Idaho |
Highest point |
Borah Peak |
Custer |
12,662 |
Lowest point |
Snake River |
Nez Perce |
710 |
Illinois |
Highest point |
Charles Mound |
Jo Daviess |
1,235 |
Lowest point |
Mississippi River |
Alexander |
279 |
Indiana |
Highest point |
Hoosier Hill |
Wayne |
1,257 |
Lowest point |
Ohio River |
Posey |
320 |
Iowa |
Highest point |
Hawkeye Point |
Osceola |
1,670 |
Lowest point |
Mississippi River |
Lee |
480 |
Kansas |
Highest point |
Mt. Sunflower |
Wallace |
4,039 |
Lowest point |
Verdigris River |
Montgomery |
679 |
Kentucky |
Highest point |
Black Mtn. |
Harlan |
4,145 |
Lowest point |
Mississippi River |
Fulton |
257 |
Louisiana |
Highest point |
Driskill Mtn. |
Bienville |
535 |
Lowest point |
New Orleans |
Orleans |
-8 |
Maine |
Highest point |
Mt. Katahdin |
Piscataquis |
5,268 |
Lowest point |
Atlantic Ocean |
- |
Sea level |
Maryland |
Highest point |
Backbone Mtn. |
Garrett |
3,360 |
Lowest point |
Atlantic Ocean |
- |
Sea level |
Massachusetts |
Highest point |
Mt. Greylock |
Berkshire |
3,491 |
Lowest point |
Atlantic Ocean |
- |
Sea level |
Michigan |
Highest point |
Mt. Arvon |
Baraga |
1,979 |
Lowest point |
Lake Erie |
- |
571 |
Minnesota |
Highest point |
Eagle Mtn. |
Cook |
2,301 |
Lowest point |
Lake Superior |
- - |
601 |
Mississippi |
Highest point |
Woodall Mtn. |
Tishomingo |
806 |
Lowest point |
Gulf of Mexico |
- |
Sea Level |
Missouri |
Highest point |
Taum Sauk Mtn. |
Iron |
1,772 |
Lowest point |
St. Francis River |
Dunklin |
230 |
Montana |
Highest point |
Granite Peak |
Park |
12,799 |
Lowest point |
Kootenai River |
Lincoln |
1,800 |
Nebraska |
Highest point |
Panorama Point |
Kimball |
5,424 |
Lowest point |
Missouri River |
Richardson |
840 |
Nevada |
Highest point |
Boundary Peak |
Esmeralda |
13,140 |
Lowest point |
Colorado River |
Clark |
479 |
New Hampshire |
Highest point |
Mt. Washington |
Coos |
6,288 |
Lowest point |
Atlantic Ocean |
- |
Sea level |
New Jersey |
Highest point |
High Point |
Sussex |
1,803 |
Lowest point |
Atlantic Ocean |
- |
Sea level |
New Mexico |
Highest point |
Wheeler Peak |
Taos |
13,161 |
Lowest point |
Red Bluff Reservoir |
Eddy |
2,842 |
New York |
Highest point |
Mt. Marcy |
Essex |
5,344 |
Lowest point |
Atlantic Ocean |
- |
Sea level |
North Carolina |
Highest point |
Mt. Mitchell |
Yancey |
6,684 |
Lowest point |
Atlantic Ocean |
- |
Sea level |
North Dakota |
Highest point |
White Butte |
Slope |
3,506 |
Lowest point |
Red River |
Pembina |
750 |
Ohio |
Highest point |
Campbell Hill |
Logan |
1,550 |
Lowest point |
Ohio River |
Hamilton |
455 |
Oklahoma |
Highest point |
Black Mesa |
Cimarron |
4,973 |
Lowest point |
Little River |
McCurtain |
289 |
Oregon |
Highest point |
Mt. Hood |
Clackamas- Hood River |
11,239 |
Lowest point |
Pacific Ocean |
- |
Sea level |
Pennsylvania |
Highest point |
Mt. Davis |
Somerset |
3,213 |
Lowest point |
Delaware River |
Delaware |
Sea level |
Puerto Rico |
Highest point |
Cerro de Punta |
Ponce District |
4,390 |
Lowest point |
Atlantic Ocean |
- |
Sea level |
Rhode Island |
Highest point |
Jerimoth Hill |
Providence |
812 |
Lowest point |
Atlantic Ocean |
- |
Sea level |
Samoa |
Highest point |
Lata Mtn. |
Tau Island |
3,160 |
Lowest point |
Pacific Ocean |
- |
Sea level |
South Carolina |
Highest point |
Sassafras Mtn. |
Pickens |
3,560 |
Lowest point |
Atlantic Ocean |
- |
Sea level |
South Dakota |
Highest point |
Harney Peak |
Pennington |
7,242 |
Lowest point |
Big Stone Lake |
Roberts |
966 |
Tennessee |
Highest point |
Clingmans Dome |
Sevier |
6,643 |
Lowest point |
Mississippi River |
Shelby |
178 |
Texas |
Highest point |
Guadalupe Peak |
Culberson |
8,749 |
Lowest point |
Gulf of Mexico |
- |
Sea level |
Utah |
Highest point |
Kings Peak |
Duchesne |
13,528 |
Lowest point |
Beaverdam Wash |
Washington |
2,000 |
Vermont |
Highest point |
Mt. Mansfield |
Chittenden |
4,393 |
Lowest point |
Lake Champlain |
- |
95 |
Virginia |
Highest point |
Mt. Rogers |
Grayson-Smyth |
5,729 |
Lowest point |
Atlantic Ocean |
- |
Sea level |
Virgin Islands |
Highest point |
Crown Mtn. |
St. Thomas Island |
1,556 |
Lowest point |
Atlantic Ocean |
- |
Sea level |
Washington |
Highest point |
Mt. Rainier West |
Pierce |
14,411 |
Lowest point |
Pacific Ocean |
- |
Sea level |
West Virginia |
Highest point |
Spruce Knob |
Pendleton |
4,863 |
Lowest point |
Potomac River |
Jefferson |
240 |
Wisconsin |
Highest point |
Timms Hill |
Price |
1,951 |
Lowest point |
Lake Michigan |
- |
579 |
Wyoming |
Highest point |
Gannett Peak |
Fremont |
13,804 |
Lowest point |
Belle Fourche River |
Crook |
3,099 |
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United States |
Highest point |
Mt. McKinley, AK |
- |
20,320 |
Lowest point |
Death Valley |
Inyo, CA |
-282 |
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, 2002 |
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Extent
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|
The United States crosses 6 time zones, about 120 degrees of longitude,
and more than 50 degrees of latitude. What point in the conterminous
United States is the farthest north? What point in the 50 States
is farthest south? The table below lists the extreme points of the
United States.
We have included several listings for the easternmost and westernmost
points. Technically, both the easternmost and the westernmost points
in the United States are in Alaska, because the tip of the Aleutian
Islands is in the Eastern hemisphere. However, when many people
think of the extent of the U.S., they are thinking of the span from
Maine to Alaska, the way the nation is often shown on a map.
For several of the extreme points, we've used the coordinates
for offshore islands as shown on USGS topographic maps. For two
of these extremes, there are more accessible places on the mainland
that are usually thought of as the extreme point, and we've
included the coordinates of those locations in parentheses.
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North - 50 States |
Alaska - Point Barrow |
71°23' N |
156°28' W |
North - 48 conterminous States |
Minnesota - Lake of the Woods |
49°23' N |
95°09' W |
South - 50 States |
Hawaii - Kalae |
18°55' N |
155°41' W |
South - 48 conterminous States |
Florida - Ballast Key |
24°31' N |
81°58' W |
(Key West) |
(24°33' N) |
(81°48' W) |
East |
Maine - West Quoddy Head |
44°49' N |
66°57' W |
West - 50 States |
Alaska - Cape Wrangell, Attu Island |
52°55' N |
172 27 E |
West - 48 conterminous States |
Washington - Bodelteh Islands |
48°11' N |
124°46' W |
(Cape Alava) |
(48°10' N) |
(124°44' W) |
East measured from Greenwich |
Alaska - Pochnoi Point, Semisopochnoi Island |
51°57' N |
179°47' E |
West measured from Greenwich |
Amatignak Island |
51°17' N |
179°09' W |
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, 2003 |
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Mountains |
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Mountains historically
have presented barriers to exploration and challenges to the adventurous.
The United States has varied and beautiful mountains, from the Appalachians
in the East, to the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains in the West.
Counting each summit on mountains with multiple summits, there
are 102 summits over 14,000 feet in the United States, and more
than 3500 summits over 10,000 feet.
Where are the largest mountains in the United States? See the table
below for a list of the 20 highest mountains. Mountains with multiple
summits are listed only once.
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Mount McKinley, Alaska |
20,320 |
Mount St. Elias, Alaska |
18,008 |
Mount Foraker, Alaska |
17,400 |
Mount Bona, Alaska |
16,500 |
Mount Blackburn, Alaska |
16,390 |
Mount Sanford, Alaska |
16,237 |
Mount Vancouver, Alaska |
15,979 |
Mount Churchill, Alaska |
15,638 |
Mount Fairweather, Alaska |
15,300 |
Mount Hubbard, Alaska |
14,950 |
Mount Bear, Alaska |
14,831 |
Mount Hunter, Alaska |
14,573 |
Mount Alverstone, Alaska |
14,500 |
Mount Whitney, California |
14,494 |
University Peak, Alaska |
14,470 |
Mount Elbert, Colorado |
14,433 |
Mount Massive, Colorado |
14,421 |
Mount Harvard, Colorado |
14,420 |
Mount Rainier, Washington |
14,411 |
Mount Williamson, California |
14,370 |
U.S. Geological Survey, Geographic Names Information
System, 2003 |
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Water |
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Rivers
Rivers provide transportation, recreation opportunities, water
supplies, and habitat for animals. They also shape the surface of
the earth. The Mississippi River is probably the most famous river
in the United States and it has the greatest discharge, but it isn't
the longest river. See the table below for statistics on the rivers
of the United States, including the location of the river source,
length and rank, discharge and rank, and drainage area and rank.
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Missouri2 |
Missouri |
Red Rock Creek, Beaverhead County, MT |
2,540 (1) |
76.2 (6) |
529 (2) (U.S.- Canada) |
Mississippi (excluding Atchafalaya- Red
River basin)1,2 |
Louisiana |
Mississippi River,Clearwater County, MN |
2,340 (2) |
593 (1) |
1,150 (1) (U.S.-Canada) |
Yukon |
Alaska |
McNeil River, Yukon Territory, Canada. |
1,980 (3) |
225 (5) |
328 (5) (U.S.-Canada) |
Rio Grande |
Mexico - Texas |
Rio Grande, San Juan County, CO |
1,900 (4) |
* (-) |
336 (4) (U.S.-Mexico) |
St. Lawrence (-Great Lakes) |
Canada |
North River, Lake County, MN |
1,900 (4) |
348 (2) |
396 (3) (U.S.-Canada) |
Arkansas |
Arkansas |
East Fork Arkansas River, Lake County, CO
|
1,469 (6) |
41 (16) |
161 (9) |
Colorado |
Mexico |
Colorado River, Grand County, CO |
1,450 (7) |
* (-) |
246 (7) (U.S.-Mexico) |
Atchafalaya (excluding water diverted from
the Mississippi River)1 |
Louisiana |
Tierra Blanca Creek, Curry County, NM |
1,420 (8) |
58 (11) |
95.1 (11) |
Ohio |
Illinois- Kentucky |
Allegheny River, Potter County, PA |
1,310 (9) |
281 (3) |
203 (8) |
Red1 |
Louisiana |
Tierra Blanca Creek, Curry County, NM |
1,290 (10) |
56 (13) |
93.2 (12) |
Brazos |
Texas |
Blackwater Draw, Curry County, NM |
1,280 (11) |
* (-) |
45.6 (19) |
Columbia |
Oregon - Washington |
Columbia River, British Columbia, Canada. |
1,249 (12) |
265 (4) |
258 (6) (U.S.-Canada) |
Snake |
Washington |
Snake River, Teton County, WY |
1,040 (13) |
56.9 (12) |
108 (10) |
Platte |
Nebraska |
Grizzly Creek, Jackson County, CO |
990 (14) |
* (-) |
84.9 (13) |
Pecos |
Texas |
Pecos River, Mora County, NM |
926 (15) |
* (-) |
44.3 (-) |
Canadian |
Oklahoma |
Canadian River, Las Animas, County, CO |
906 (16) |
* (-) |
46.9 (18) |
Tennessee |
Kentucky |
Courthouse Creek, Transylvania County, NC |
886 (17) |
68 (7) |
40.9 (-) |
Colorado (of Texas) |
Texas |
Colorado River (of Texas), Dawson County,
TX |
862 (18) |
* (-) |
42.3 (-) |
North Canadian |
Oklahoma |
Corrumpa Creek, Union County, NM |
800 (19) |
* (-) |
17.6 (-) |
Mobile |
Alabama |
Tickanetley Creek, Gilmer County, GA |
774 (20) |
67.2 (8) |
44.6 (-) |
Kansas |
Kansas |
Arikaree River, Elbert County, CO |
743 (-) |
* (-) |
59.5 (15) |
Kuskokwim |
Alaska |
South Fork Kuskokwim River at terminus of
unnamed glacier, AK |
724 (-) |
67 (9) |
48 (17) |
Yellowstone |
North Dakota |
North Folk Yellowstone River, Park County,
WY |
692 (-) |
* (-) |
70 (14) |
Tanana |
Alaska |
Nabesna River at terminus of Nabesna Glacier,
AK |
659 (-) |
41 (16) |
44.5 (-) |
Gila |
Arizona |
Middle Fork Gila River, Catron County, NM |
649 (-) |
* (-) |
58.2 (16) (U.S.- Mexico) |
Porcupine |
Alaska |
Porcupine River, Yukon Territory, Canada |
569 (-) |
23 (-) |
45.1 (20) (U.S.-Canada) |
Susquehanna |
Maryland |
Hayden Creek, Otsego County, NY |
447 (-) |
38.2 (18) |
27.2 (-) |
Stikine |
Alaska |
Stikine River, British Columbia, Canada |
379 (-) |
56 (13) |
20 (-) (U.S.-Canada) |
Susitna |
Alaska |
Susitna River at terminus of Susitna Glacier,
AK |
313 (-) |
51 (15) |
20 (-) |
Willamette |
Oregon |
Middle Fork Willamette River, Douglas County,
OR |
309 (-) |
37.4 (19) |
11.4 (-) |
Copper |
Alaska |
Copper River at Terminus of Copper Glacier,
AK |
286 (-) |
59 (10) |
24.4 (-) |
Nushagak |
Alaska |
Nushagak River, AK |
285 (-) |
36 (20) |
13.4 (-) |
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, 1990
*Less than 15,000 cubic feet per second and
therefore not among the largest rivers in terms of discharge.
1In east-central Louisiana 50 miles northwest of
Baton Rouge, the Red River flows into the Atchafalaya River, a distributary
of the Mississippi River. The discharge of the Atchafalaya River,
as shown in the table above, includes the entire discharge of the
Red River, but excludes all water diverted into the Atchafalaya
River from the Mississippi River (about 167,000 cubic feet per second).
Thus, the respective discharges represent drainage from corresponding
drainage areas.
2The total discharge from the entire 1,250,00-square mile Mississippi
River system, including the Atchafalaya, Red, and Missouri River
basins, averages 651,000 cubic feet per second. For the Mississippi
River system as a whole, the longest continuous river channel is
from the Missouri River headwater source in Montana to the mouth
of the Missouri to the Gulf of Mexico, a combined length of about
3,710 miles.
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Lakes
The Great Lakes are the largest lakes in the United States and
some of the largest lakes in the world. The 20 largest lakes in
the United States are listed below. Included are manmade lakes and
those that are only partially within the United States.
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Lake Superior |
Michigan-Minnesota-Wisconsin-Ontario |
31,700 |
Lake Huron |
Michigan-Ontario |
23,000 |
Lake Michigan |
Illinois-Indiana-Michigan-Wisconsin |
22,300 |
Lake Erie |
Michigan-New York-Ohio-Pennsylvania-Ontario |
9,910 |
Lake Ontario |
New York-Ontario |
7,340 |
Lake of the Woods |
Minnesota-Manitoba-Ontario |
1,485 |
Great Salt Lake |
Utah |
2,117 |
Iliamna Lake |
Alaska |
1,014 |
Lake Oahe (manmade) |
North Dakota-South Dakota |
685 |
Lake Okeechobee |
Florida |
662 |
Lake Pontchartrain |
Louisiana |
631 |
Lake Sakakawea (manmade) |
North Dakota |
520 |
Lake Champlain |
New York-Vermont-Quebec |
490 |
Becharof Lake |
Alaska |
453 |
Lake St. Clair |
Michigan-Ontario |
430 |
Red Lake |
Minnesota |
427 |
Selawik Lake |
Alaska |
404 |
Fort Peck Lake (manmade) |
Montana |
393 |
Salton Sea |
California |
347 |
Rainy Lake |
Minnesota-Ontario |
345 |
About our Great Lakes, NOAA, 2002
U.S. Geological Survey, 2003 |
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Commonly Used Terms |
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Coastline – The general outline of the seacoast.
Conterminous – Enclosed within a common
boundary.
Discharge – The volume of water that passes
a given location within a given period of time. Usually expressed
in cubic feet per second.
Drainage area – The land area drained by
a stream or river, or a network of streams and rivers. Also called
a drainage basin or a watershed. Large drainage areas can contain
many smaller drainage areas.
Shoreline – A detailed outline of the seacoast.
Statute miles – A distance of 5,280 feet.
In contrast, a nautical mile is about 6,076 feet.
Tidal – The portion of a river or creek
that is affected by the tide.
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Related Links |
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Online unit conversions
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References
About
our Great Lakes, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA)
Borderland
lakes information
Boundaries of the United States and the Several States, F.K. Van
Zandt, 1976, U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 909.
Bureau
of Transportation Statistics
The
World Factbook 2002, United States
Geographic
Names Information System
The
Great Lakes, an Environmental Atlas and Resource Book, Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and Environment Canada
International
Boundary Commission
Largest
Rivers in the United States, J.C. Kammerer, 1990, U.S. Geological
Survey Open File Report 87-242.
U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 Brief, Overview
of Race and Hispanic Origin
U.S. Census Bureau, City
and County Data Book
U.S. Census Bureau, Detailed
table of languages spoken at home
U.S. Census Bureau, Population Profile 2000, Chapter
2: Population Distribution and Composition
U.S. Census Bureau, Statistical
Abstract of the United States, 2002, Section 6, Geography and
Environment
U.S. Geological Survey, Elevations
and Distances in the United States.
U.S. Geological Survey, EROS Data Center, personal communication:
amount of land below sea level and above 10,000 feet.
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