Which is the westernmost state in the United States?

Bizarre but true. Alaska stretches from Longitude 130°W to 172°E. The Aleutian Islands, part of Alaska, extend into the western hemisphere. Alaska is simultaneously the most northern, eastern and western state in the US!

Can you believe this? It's quite hard to imagine, isn't it? What other bizarre facts about our planet can you share with us? Our world is full of them. Write in the comments below!

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

Test your knowledge

What are your thoughts on this subject?

272 Comments

Theodore Creelman

I call bull chit.

Robert Feeney

Steve Garton the Prime Meridian is not in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. It runs through Greenwich England and Western Africa . The Prime Meridian is 0 degrees Longitude. The International date line has nothing to do with the Prime Meridean. The 180 degrees longitude is known as Anti Meridian. The International date line does not follow the Anti Meridian especially between the countries Russia and the United States. Just for the record the island known as Attu in the Aleutians islands part of Alaska has a Longitude of 172 degrees east. The first place to see sunrise in the United States each day is Eastport Maine. Eastport Maine Longitude is 67 degrees West. so the island of Attu is in the Eastern Hemisphere and Eastport Maine is in the Western Hemisphere . So Alaska is farther east than Maine. Some people here have no understanding about geography and how our home planet Earth is divided up.

Keith Gwinn

Wrong answer again, one point can't be both most eastern & western. Does anyone check the facts or do they let just anyone put post bad questions?

Robert Feeney

If you can tell me what time it is .When you are standing directly on the North Pole .Since the North Pole Latitude is 90 degrees N and it doesn't have a Longitude but is known as "indefinite". Then you would understand why their answer is correct.

Robert Feeney

Michael Dunham part of Alaska is the Eastern Hemisphere. I don't think people really understand how we do longitude. Greenwich is 0 Longitude. so as you head west from Greenwich the degrees go up so NewYork City is 74 degrees West. Again you head east of Greenwich the degrees go up so Berlin Germany is 13 degrees East. So New York is in the western Hemisphere and Berlin is in the Eastern Hemisphere. So there is no longitude greater than 180 degrees. O degrees is the Prime Meridian and 180 degrees is the Anti Meridian. So countries east of 180 degrees longitude and west of 0 degrees longitude are in the Western Hemsiphere and countries west of 180 degrees longitude and east of 0 degrees longitude are in the Eastern Hemisphere. Just for the record I am a geography geek and the true problem they do not teach geography anymore in school and that is our children losing out.

Larry Freeman

Keith Gwinn You are absolutely correct... one point can't be both most eastern and most western. However, two points side by side, can be most eastern and the most western. If you can grasp the fact that it can be Monday where you are standing, assuming you're standing on the International Date Line, and yet can be Sunday just 80 feet away then you should be able to handle this east/west thing without too much trouble.

Jerome Chavis

I don't agree with

Michael Nayt

Isn't Hawaii further west?

Travis Herrera

It's in the eastern and Western Hemisphere duhhhhhhh

John Douglas

From anywhere in the US you must travel west to get to Alaska.

Kevin Dale Streets

Well, Cape Blanco, Oregon, is the westernmost point in the continental United States. I know that wasn't the question. Just thought I'd share!

Armadillo

sponge, As far as the east is from the West is how much this would confuse folks. What is an Atlas anyway?

Armadillo

Larry Freeman, Curious indeed. Geography has changed.

Armadillo

Mark Hamilton, I hear it's full of drugs and prostitutes. I think that is terrible as it is such a beautiful state. I hope you aren't offended by my comment.