Fascinating and Intriguing Facts About US Geography We Never Learned Until Now

This article was originally published on Travellergazette.com

Ah, America, land of the free and home of some of the most beautiful and natural ancient sights on the planet. The United States holds a special place in our hearts. With a broad climate ranging from deserts to swamps to mountain ranges, there is something for everyone. But what are we looking at, you ask? That’s the big question, and that’s why we’re here with several facts about America’s geography to help us all appreciate our country just a little bit more as we learn about all its hidden little details.

1. Don’t Mess With Our Boats

This vast, natural “highway system” has significantly facilitated the nation’s development, offering unparalleled advantages over other countries. However, the secret behind this impressive statistic lies in America’s broad definition of “navigable waterway.”

Unlike elsewhere, the U.S. classifies even seasonal creeks, flowing just a few months annually, as navigable. While the country truly enjoys a wealth of genuinely navigable waterways, it also appears to be stretching the definition to its limits.

2. The Best State to Launch From

Surprisingly, the closest U.S. state to Africa is Maine, not Florida as many might guess. Despite its northern location, Maine’s proximity to Africa is roughly equivalent to the distance from Florida to California, debunking common misconceptions about geography.

This intriguing fact arises from the Earth’s tilt and the spherical shape of our planet, leading to unexpected geographical truths. The shortest distance between the U.S. and Africa is approximately 5,076 kilometers (3,154 miles), stretching from Quoddy Head in Maine to El Beddouza in Morocco.

3. Mountains Competing against Mountains

The towering peaks of Mount Rainier in Washington, Mount Elbert in Colorado, and Mount Whitney in California are marvels of nature, each standing within a mere 100 feet of each other’s height, despite their locations in three distinct mountain ranges.

Intriguingly, both the highest (Mount Whitney) and the lowest point (Death Valley) in the contiguous United States are located within the same California county, offering adventurous souls the unique opportunity to explore these extreme places in a single day.

4. Can’t Build on Water

Despite the common perception that Canada is larger than the United States, when considering land area alone, the US actually surpasses its northern neighbor. The total area of a country is divided into land area and water area, revealing the crucial detail that places the U.S. ahead.

Canada’s vast lakes and internal waters contribute significantly to its overall size, but when focusing purely on land, Canada encompasses 9.094 million square kilometers, slightly less than the U.S.’s 9.148 million square kilometers. This distinction highlights the importance of distinguishing between total surface area and land area when comparing the sizes of countries.