The Interstate Highway System, a marvel of modern engineering, crisscrosses this zone to facilitate the transport of goods and people. When journalists, geographers, or officials refer to the "lower 48," they are describing this specific, connected area that covers approximately 3,119,884 square miles of land.
Geographic Regions of the Contiguous United States Area
Mountain ranges like the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada dominate the western interior, while the vast Mississippi River system drains much of the central plains into the Gulf of Mexico, creating a complex network of natural features. The contiguous United States area represents the 48 adjoining states that form the continuous landmass of the nation, excluding Alaska and Hawaii.
Distinction from Non-Contiguous States It is important to differentiate the contiguous area from the broader concept of the United States. This definition excludes the non-contiguous states of Alaska, which borders Canada and is separated from the rest of the US by Canada, and Hawaii, which is an island chain in the Pacific Ocean.
Geographic Regions of the Contiguous United States Area
The Pacific Coast ranges along the western edge. The Great Plains stretching through the central states.
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