List of extreme points of U.S. states and territories

US-Canadian border along the 49th parallel

List of Extreme Points of U.S. States and Territories

The List of Extreme Points of U.S. States and Territories encompasses the geographical points that are farther north, south, east, or west than any other location within the respective states, districts, or territories of the United States. This list includes the highest and lowest points in terms of elevation, as well as the northernmost, southernmost, easternmost, and westernmost points of each state and territory. Understanding these points is crucial for geographical, navigational, and historical purposes.

Extreme Points of U.S. States

Each of the 50 U.S. states has its own set of extreme points. For instance, the northernmost point of the contiguous United States is at the Angle Inlet in Minnesota, while the southernmost point is located at the tip of the Florida Keys. The highest elevation point is found at the summit of Mount Whitney in California, and the lowest point is at Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park, also in California.

Northernmost Points

• Alaska: Point Barrow
• Maine: Estcourt Station
• Minnesota: Northwest Angle

Southernmost Points

• Florida: Ballast Key
• Hawaii: Ka Lae (South Point)
• Texas: Boca Chica

Easternmost Points

• Alaska: Pochnoi Point (Semisopochnoi Island) - Due to the Aleutian Islands crossing the 180th meridian, Alaska also contains the easternmost points by longitude.
• Maine: West Quoddy Head

Westernmost Points

• Alaska: Amatignak Island
• Washington: Cape Alava

Extreme Points of U.S. Territories

The United States territories also have their own extreme points. These territories include Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, and others. For example, Point Udall in the U.S. Virgin Islands is the easternmost point, while Point Udall in Guam is considered the westernmost point in terms of the United States' jurisdiction.

Northernmost Territory

• Northern Mariana Islands: Farallon de Pajaros

Southernmost Territory

• American Samoa: Rose Atoll

Easternmost Territory

• U.S. Virgin Islands: Point Udall (Saint Croix)

Westernmost Territory

• Guam: Point Udall

Elevation Extremes

The highest and lowest points in the United States and its territories vary dramatically, showcasing the diverse topography across the nation and its holdings.

Highest Points

• Alaska: Denali, the highest peak in North America.
• Colorado: Mount Elbert, the highest peak in the Rocky Mountains.

Lowest Points

• California: Badwater Basin in Death Valley, the lowest point in North America.
• U.S. Virgin Islands: The Caribbean Sea at sea level.

Significance

The extreme points of the U.S. states and territories hold significant geographical, cultural, and historical value. They are often tourist attractions and are crucial for understanding the vastness and diversity of the United States' geography.