Geography of the United States

The geography of the United States is remarkably diverse, spanning vast plains, towering mountain ranges, arid deserts, lush forests, and extensive coastlines. As the third-largest country in the world by area, the U.S. stretches across multiple time zones and climate zones.

Location and Size

• Total area: Over 3.8 million square miles (9.8 million km²)
• Borders:

 * Canada (north)
 * Mexico (south)
 * Atlantic Ocean (east)
 * Pacific Ocean (west)

• The U.S. includes 50 states, the federal District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.), and several overseas territories.

Major Geographic Regions

1. The Northeast

• Characterized by rolling hills, Appalachian Mountains, and dense urban centers.
• Includes states like New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania.

2. The Southeast

• Known for warm climate, flatlands, and the Mississippi River Delta.
• Includes states like Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas.

3. The Midwest

• Dominated by plains, prairies, and the Great Lakes.
• Known as “America’s Heartland” with major agricultural output.

4. The Southwest

• Features deserts, canyons, and dry plateaus.
• Includes Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Texas and Nevada.

5. The West

• Home to the Rocky Mountains, Sierra Nevada, and coastal ranges.
• Includes California, Washington, and Colorado — with diverse geography from beaches to snowy peaks.

6. Non-Contiguous States

• **Alaska** – Vast, rugged, and cold with mountain ranges and tundra.
• **Hawaii** – A tropical archipelago with volcanic origins in the Pacific Ocean.

Notable Geographic Features

• **Rocky Mountains** – Stretching from Canada to New Mexico
• **Mississippi River** – One of the longest rivers in the world
• **Great Lakes** – Largest freshwater lake system on Earth
• **Grand Canyon** – A massive geological wonder in Arizona
• **Great Plains** – Fertile, flat lands ideal for agriculture

Climate Zones

The U.S. spans a wide range of climates:

• **Arctic** – In northern Alaska
• **Tropical** – In Hawaii and parts of Florida
• **Arid/Desert** – In the Southwest
• **Humid Continental** – In the Northeast and Midwest
• **Mediterranean** – Along the California coast

Geographic Extremes

• **Highest Point** – Denali (Mount McKinley), Alaska (20,310 ft)
• **Lowest Point** – Badwater Basin, Death Valley, California (-282 ft)
• **Longest River** – Missouri River
• **Largest Lake** – Lake Superior

See Also

• 50 States of America
• History of the United States
• American Culture
• United States Government
• Regions of the United States