Geography of the United States
The United States spans the North American continent, bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the East Coast and the Pacific Ocean on the West Coast.
Major Oceans
- Pacific Ocean: Located along the West Coast of the continental US, Alaska, and Hawaii.
- Atlantic Ocean: Located along the East Coast of the continental US.
Longest Rivers in the US
- The Missouri River: The longest river in the United States, flowing approximately 2,341 miles from Montana to near St. Louis.
- The Mississippi River: Flowing approximately 2,320 miles from Minnesota into the Gulf of Mexico, forming the central drainage artery of North America.
International Land Borders
- Canada Border: 13 US states share a land or water border with Canada: Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
- Mexico Border: 4 US states border Mexico: California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
The National Capital District
Washington, D.C. is the federal capital district of the United States. It is not part of any state, lying along the Potomac River between Maryland and Virginia.
United States Territories
The United States holds sovereignty over five major inhabited overseas territories whose residents are American nationals or citizens:
- Puerto Rico (Caribbean)
- U.S. Virgin Islands (Caribbean)
- Guam (Pacific)
- Northern Mariana Islands (Pacific)
- American Samoa (South Pacific)