When most people think about the easternmost state in the United States, they often assume it must be a state like Maine, located on the northeastern corner of the continental U.S. However, the true answer might come as a surprise. Due to the way longitude lines work and the location of U.S. territories and states across the globe, the easternmost point in the entire country is actually found far from the mainland. To fully understand this, it’s essential to examine the geography, time zones, and specific coordinates that define the extreme boundaries of the United States.
Understanding Easternmost by Longitude
To determine which state is the easternmost in the U.S., it’s necessary to rely on geographic coordinates specifically, lines of longitude. Longitude measures a location’s distance east or west of the Prime Meridian, which is located at 0° in Greenwich, England. Because the Earth is a sphere, the lines of longitude continue past 180°, wrapping around the globe, which leads to some unexpected results.
Longitude and the International Date Line
- Lines of longitude range from 0° to 180° east and 0° to 180° west.
- The International Date Line, located near 180°, separates calendar days.
- Some parts of the U.S. cross this line, placing them technically in the Eastern Hemisphere.
This means that even though certain U.S. states may appear to be far west, they can actually be the farthest east when considering longitude alone.
The Contenders Maine vs. Alaska
Maine is often regarded as the easternmost state in the contiguous United States. In fact, the easternmost point of land in the lower 48 states is located at West Quoddy Head, Maine. This is the first place in the continental U.S. to see the sunrise during parts of the year.
Easternmost Point in the Continental U.S.
- StateMaine
- LocationWest Quoddy Head
- CoordinatesApproximately 66.95°W
While Maine clearly holds the title for the easternmost point in the lower 48, the title for the overall easternmost state goes to another surprising location Alaska.
Alaska The True Easternmost State
Alaska is commonly thought of as the westernmost state, which is true. It also holds the title for the northernmost and surprisingly the easternmost state in the U.S. The reason lies in the Aleutian Islands, which stretch far into the Pacific Ocean and cross the 180th meridian into the Eastern Hemisphere.
How Alaska Is the Easternmost
- Alaska’s Aleutian Islands extend beyond 180°W longitude.
- These islands enter the Eastern Hemisphere, where longitudes are measured in degrees east.
- This makes parts of Alaska farther east than even Maine.
The specific point that secures this title is Semisopochnoi Island, which lies at approximately 179°46’E. Because of its position, it is technically the easternmost point in the United States by longitude.
Key Facts About Semisopochnoi Island
- Located inAlaska’s Aleutian Islands
- Longitude179°46′ East
- HemisphereEastern Hemisphere
- UninhabitedYes, but still part of U.S. territory
This makes Alaska the only U.S. state to occupy parts of both the Eastern and Western Hemispheres, a geographic rarity.
Summary of Directional Extremes in U.S. States
Alaska’s vast size and wide-reaching boundaries give it multiple geographic superlatives. It holds more directional extremes than any other U.S. state.
Alaska’s Geographic Records
- Northernmost PointPoint Barrow
- Westernmost PointAttu Island (Aleutian Islands)
- Easternmost PointSemisopochnoi Island (Aleutian Islands)
These extremes are based purely on geographic coordinates. If only the contiguous states are considered, Maine would retain its easternmost title.
Why This Matters
The topic of geographic extremes may seem like trivia, but it highlights the complexity of mapping a globe on a flat surface. It also sheds light on the unique nature of U.S. geography. The fact that Alaska stretches across so many degrees of longitude challenges the conventional east-west understanding of the map.
Implications and Curiosities
- Alaska is both the farthest west and farthest east state in the U.S.
- Some islands in Alaska experience the day’s earliest sunrises due to their position across the Date Line.
- Alaska spans multiple time zones, including regions that observe different calendars when looking strictly at longitude.
These facts often confuse students and geography enthusiasts but serve as a fascinating example of how Earth’s layout defies basic assumptions.
Other U.S. Geographic Extremes
For those interested in more geographic records, the United States includes many extreme points worth noting beyond just longitude.
Additional U.S. Extremes
- Southernmost StateHawaii (Ka Lae on the Big Island)
- Westernmost Point (by direction, not longitude)Cape Wrangell, Alaska
- Lowest PointBadwater Basin, California (Death Valley, 282 feet below sea level)
- Highest PointDenali, Alaska (20,310 feet)
Each of these extremes tells a story about the diverse landscape and expansive reach of the United States across oceans and continents.
So, what state is the easternmost in the United States? While many would guess Maine based on maps and sunrises, the correct answer is Alaska. Due to the unusual position of the Aleutian Islands crossing the 180° meridian, Alaska claims the easternmost point of U.S. territory on Semisopochnoi Island. This geographic curiosity shows how global positioning and cartography can yield surprising results. While Maine remains the easternmost state in the continental U.S., Alaska holds the record in terms of absolute longitudinal measurement, making it both the westernmost and easternmost state in the nation.