15 incredible facts about U.S. geography
Did I just create a listicle? You're darn right I did!
A new week means a new video for YouTube! And this week, I tried something a little different. While most of my videos focus on really large questions or topics that I attempt to explain over 10-15 minutes, this week I decided to gather up all of the small little geography facts that don’t make sense for a whole video and create a fun listicle video out of it! It’s doing pretty well with over 100,000 views in less than 24 hours so there must be some kind of appetite for it.
You can watch the video too if you prefer, but just scrolling to the end of the article, but in keeping with my new tradition of converting my videos into short, more concise articles for you all: here are those same 15 geography facts!
1. Alaska: the westernmost and easternmost state
Alaska’s Aleutian Islands cross the 180th meridian, placing part of the state in the Eastern Hemisphere. This means that Alaska is “technically” both the westernmost and easternmost state in the U.S.—a distinction most would assume belongs to states like Maine.
2. Maine us closer to Africa than Florida
Despite Florida’s southern position, Maine is actually geographically closer to Africa. The distance from Quoddy Head, Maine, to Morocco is about 3,154 miles, while it’s 4,025 miles from Miami. This surprising fact comes down to the curvature of the Earth and Africa’s northern extension. Africa is extends MUCH farther north than most people probably think.
3. The U.S. population is mostly east of San Antonio
If you draw a line just west of San Antonio, Texas, you’ll find that 80% of the U.S. population lives to the east of it while only 20% live to the west. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the west’s rugged mountains, deserts, and wilderness have historically limited large-scale settlement, despite major cities growing like Los Angeles, Denver and Seattle.
4. Wyoming has more cattle than people
Wyoming’s population of just over 580,000 people is absolutely dwarfed by its cattle population, which is roughly double that. The state’s economy is heavily influenced by cattle ranching, reflecting a broader trend in sparsely populated Western states. 🐄🤠
5. The Longest International Border in the World
The U.S.-Canada border spans approximately 5,525 miles, making it the longest international boundary in the world. Despite its length, the border is largely peaceful, with cooperative agreements that manage shared natural resources like the Great Lakes.
6. The Great Lakes hold about 21% of Earth’s surface freshwater
The five Great Lakes—Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario—contain over 6 quadrillion gallons of water, providing drinking water to more than 40 million people. This interconnected system also supports a vast array of ecosystems and serves as a crucial trade route.
7. Colorado’s borders aren’t perfectly straight
Though Colorado appears rectangular, its borders deviate slightly due to 19th-century surveying inaccuracies. These tiny imperfections show how early technology influenced political boundaries.
8. The U.S.’s Largest Rainforest Is in Alaska
Alaska’s Tongass National Forest is the largest temperate rainforest in the world, covering 16.7 million acres. Its dense old-growth forests and abundant wildlife make it a vital ecological treasure, though it faces threats from logging and climate change.
9. Mount Whitney and Death Valley Are Neighbors in Extremes
California’s Mount Whitney (14,505 feet) and Death Valley’s Badwater Basin (282 feet below sea level) are just 85 miles apart. This dramatic elevation contrast is the result of tectonic forces shaping California’s diverse landscape.
10. The Vast Mississippi River Basin
Covering 1.2 million square miles, the Mississippi River Basin drains 41% of the U.S. and spans 31 states. It supports agriculture, transportation, and ecosystems but faces environmental challenges like pollution and flooding.
11. The Mississippi River Has Flowed Backward
During the New Madrid earthquakes of 1811-1812, the Mississippi River briefly flowed backward due to ground subsidence. This geologic phenomenon underscores the power of tectonic forces even far from active fault lines.
12. The Graveyard of the Pacific
The Columbia River Bar, where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean, is one of the most dangerous waterways in the world. Known as the "Graveyard of the Pacific," it has claimed more than 2,000 ships due to treacherous currents and shifting sandbars.
13. Mammoth Cave: The World’s Longest Cave System
Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave National Park boasts over 400 miles of explored passages, with more waiting to be discovered. This massive limestone cave system is home to unique subterranean ecosystems and has been explored for thousands of years.
14. The Expanding Great Basin Desert
Unlike the hot deserts of the Southwest, the Great Basin Desert experiences snowy winters. Climate change is causing this already arid region in Nevada and Utah to grow, affecting ecosystems and water resources.
15. Hawaii Is Growing
Thanks to the active Kilauea volcano, Hawaii’s Big Island continues to expand as lava flows into the ocean, solidifying into new land. This volcanic activity also creates the island’s stunning black sand beaches and fertile soil.
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The United States is a land of contrasts, extremes, and surprises. Whether it’s a state with more cattle than people or a river that can flow backward, there’s always something new to learn about this vast country. If you want to watch the video, here it is:
Nicely done. Thank you
By George, Gibson,
You left out California, the third largest state by land mass, but having the most citizens of all the US, but they are all leaving for Texas, another large state.
Denis CA de Souza, Linkedin