Which state in the contiguous United States borders the least number of other states?
The most of the US states are nestled in and rub shoulders with other states. Even California with its expansive coastline has a lot of neighbors! Of course, the states of Hawaii and Alaska are in a special position: they have no borders at all with other states (Hawaii is an island, and Alaska only borders Canada).
The unique distinction of only bordering a single state, however, belongs to Maine. Located far up the East coast of the United States, Maine shares a single state border with New Hampshire. The rest of Maine’s borders are shared with the Canadian provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick, as well as the Atlantic Ocean.
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159 Comments
Jeff Rogers
just re-read. the question does say contiguous so my fault for jumping the gun and only looking at the qualifier "least"
William Laughlin
The question is correct as written. Reread the question. It is quite precise and leaves no question about what it is asking. It reads, "Which state in THE CONTIGUOUS UNITED STATES borders the least number of other states?" Alaska and Hawaii are not considered to be among the contiguous United States BECAUSE they do not border any other states!
Jeff Rogers
Poor wording.
RainingStars
There is nothing wrong with the wording, to this question! It, specifically, said the word "Contiguous" in the question! People must not know what the word "Contiguous" means!
The contiguous United States consists of the 48 adjoining U.S. states plus Washington, D.C. (federal district), on the continent of North America. The term excludes the non-contiguous states of Alaska and Hawaii and all off-shore United States territories and possessions, which include American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Therefore, Alaska (and Hawai'i) are NOT considered part of the 48 "Contiguous States"!
William Laughlin
You are missing the fact the Alaska is NOT among the contiguous states. Reread the question. It is quite precise and leaves no question about what it is asking. It reads, "Which state in THE CONTIGUOUS UNITED STATES borders the least number of other states?" Alaska and Hawaii are not considered to be among the contiguous United States BECAUSE they do not border any other states!
Ruben Pages
Jeff, thank you for being honest.
David Grimsrud
it isn't contiguous, so it does not fit the peramiters of the question
William Laughlin
You are missing the fact the Alaska is NOT among the contiguous states. Reread the question. It is quite precise and leaves no question about what it is asking. It reads, "Which state "IN" THE CONTIGUOUS UNITED STATES borders the least number of other states?" Alaska and Hawaii are not considered to be among the contiguous United States BECAUSE they do not border any other states!
Patty K
Alaska is not part of the contiguous (or continental) US. That is in the explanation. So why is it an option?!
jthomas
So how is Alaska NOT the answer to the question, as it is stated?
fdeisner
It is a well-worded question if you insert to commas although the meaning is clear as it is.
Which state, in the contiguous United States, borders the least number of other states?
earlepg
It's unfortunate that so many don't comprehend what contiguous means, when so many others tried to set them straight.. It certainly doesn't mean "nearby". Contiguous means " sharing a common border, in actual contact, adjacent, together, neighboring, connected, touching".
I imagine that Alaska was inserted as an option since, while being a sister state, it is far from touching any other state, just as Hawaii is; one with Canada in between and the other with the Pacific Ocean between.
Vermont is contiguous with New York, New Hampshire, and Massachusettes. Florida is neighbors with Georgia and Alabama. Maine shares its border with only New Hampshire.
Christy Jarrett
RainingStars, we’ll said👏🏻
Robert Dillow
Jeff Rogers, I did the same thing.
Elsy O. Stromberg
Jeff Rogers, I did the same thing.
Kerry MacNamara Tymich
Jeff Rogers, I did exactly the same.
Howard Groopman
Easy answer, and Alaska is NOT one of the contiguous states.
Johnny Rock
Since Alaska isn't part of the contiguous United States this was made easy. It seems other posters did not read this very well.
Steve Edwards
M Kevin Ezell,
But the question asked about the contiguous USA. Alaska isn't part of the contiguous USA
RainingStars
Albeck Wilson-Smith...The contiguous United States consists of the 48 adjoining U.S. states plus Washington, D.C. (federal district), on the continent of North America. The term excludes the non-contiguous states of Alaska and Hawaii and all off-shore United States territories and possessions, which include American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Therefore, Alaska (and Hawai'i) are NOT considered part of the 48 "Contiguous States"!
RainingStars
akaumbra...Do you know what "Contiguous" means? Alaska (and Hawai'i) are NOT considered to be part of the "Contiguous States", therefore, Alaska is NOT the correct answer!
RainingStars
williamrlaughlin...people must not understand what the word "CONTIGUOUS" means, if they think the correct answer is "Alaska"! Apparently, they weren't taught, in Geography Class which States are considered to be part of the "Contiguous United States" and, Alaska and Hawai'i are NOT part of those "Contiguous States"! 😂 😂 😂