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15 U.S. Geography Facts to Challenge Your Knowledge

Aldoarianto.87/Wikipedia 

You might be surprised by how much (or how little) you know about the diverse geography that shapes this nation. The geography of the United States is as varied as its people. Despite its prominence, many are unaware of fascinating facts that define regions, states, and even cities. To build on your knowledge, here are 15 fascinating geography facts about the U.S. Tell us how many you were aware of!

Alaska’s Unique Geographic Extremes

Frank K/Wikipedia 

Alaska is the northernmost, westernmost, and even easternmost state in the U.S. Due to its positioning, part of Alaska stretches into the eastern hemisphere, which accounts for this seemingly contradictory geographic designation.

The Lowest and Hottest Place in the United States

AndrewKPepper/Wikimedia Commons 

Death Valley, located in California, is both the hottest and lowest point in the U.S. It sits 279 feet below sea level, and the hottest day ever recorded in the region was 134°F in 1913, making it a geographical and climatic marvel.

Tallest Mountain in the World (Technically)

Vadim Kurland/Wikipedia 

Mauna Kea in Hawaii is technically the world’s tallest mountain IF you measure it from base to summit. Its total height reaches over 32,000 feet from the seafloor, surpassing Mount Everest, which stands at 29,028 feet above sea level.

The Longest U.S. Coastline Belongs to Alaska

Paxson Woelber/Wikimedia Commons 

Alaska has the longest coastline of any U.S. state, measuring 6,640 miles along the Pacific Ocean. Its rugged, scenic coast stretches far beyond any other state’s, adding to its geographic isolation and wilderness appeal.

The Largest Freshwater Lake by Area

Andy Gnias/Wikimedia Commons 

Lake Superior, shared by the U.S. and Canada, is the biggest freshwater lake in the entire world by surface area. It spans over 31,700 square miles and holds enough water to cover North and South America in a foot of water.

A Vast Drainage System

Bpluke01/Wikimedia Commons 

The Mississippi River flows 2,320 miles from north to south and is the fourth-longest river in the world. It drains water from 31 states, so it’s one of the largest river systems in the world, and it shapes much of the U.S. topography.

Tallest Peak in North America

Nic McPhee/Wikipedia 

Denali, Alaska is the highest mountain in North America. Standing at 20,310 feet above sea level, it is a large presence in the Alaskan Range and offers one of the most challenging climbing experiences on the continent.

America’s Deepest Lake

WolfmanSF/Wikipedia 

Crater Lake, found in Oregon, is the deepest lake in the United States as it plunges to a depth of 1,932 feet. It was formed within a volcanic caldera after Mount Mazama erupted approximately 8,000 years ago, which makes it a unique geographical feature.

Home to All Major Biomes

Jack French,Miguel.v/Wikipedia 

The North American continent contains some of Earth’s major biomes, including tundra, desert, grassland, and tropical rainforest. This makes it one of the most ecologically diverse regions on the planet, with ecosystems ranging from the Arctic Circle to tropical climates.

Coldest Temperature Recorded in the U.S.

Ed Plumb/Wikipedia 

In January 1971, the coldest temperature ever recorded in the United States was measured at Prospect Creek, Alaska, hitting -80°F (-62°C). This extreme cold snap highlights Alaska’s place as one of the harshest environments in the country.

The Great Lakes

Copernicus Sentinel-3/Wikipedia 

The Great Lakes, which border the U.S. and Canada, hold approximately 21% of the Earth’s surface freshwater. Lake Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario form the largest freshwater system in the world. 

Mount Whitney and Death Valley

Cullen328/Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons 

California hosts both the highest and lowest points in the contiguous U.S. Mount Whitney, at 14,505 feet, is just 84 miles from Death Valley, which sits at 279 feet below sea level. The dramatic elevation change makes this region geographically remarkable.

The U.S. Lacks an Official Language

Buchoamerica/Wikipedia 

Despite the prevalence of English, the U.S. does not have an official national language. While English is the most commonly used and de facto language for government and legal matters, there is no law establishing it as the official language of the country.

Population Density Variation

chensiyuan/Wikipedia 

The U.S. is the most populous country in North America, with a population exceeding 320 million people. Despite this, its population density varies greatly, from crowded cities like New York to vast, sparsely populated areas in Alaska.

Alaska is Bigger Than You Think

Karl Musser/Wikipedia 

To add to the last point, Alaska is the largest state in the United States, covering 663,268 square miles. To put this into perspective, it is more than twice the size of Texas and accounts for almost one-sixth of the entire United States’ land area, yet it has one of the smallest populations.

Written by Jace Lamonica

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