continental United States
Mainland American territory
The continental United States refers to the 48 states that share the North American landmass, excluding Alaska and Hawaii.
The term distinguishes the contiguous states from those separated by water or foreign territory: Shipping is free to the continental United States.
Sometimes used interchangeably with "contiguous United States," though technically Alaska is also on the continent.
Principal connected territory
- homelandOne's native land
- heartlandCentral region of significance
- interiorInside area or region
- bordersLines separating regions
federal · nationwide · domestic · sovereign · jurisdiction · annexation · expansion · manifest destiny
Sharing a common boundary
- conterminousSharing a boundary completely
- lower 48Connected American states
- landmassContinuous area of ground
- topographyPhysical feature mapping
terrain · climate · latitude · longitude · rivers · mountains · plains · deserts
American seat of government
- CapitolLegislative assembly building
- CongressU.S. lawmaking body
- Supreme CourtNation's top tribunal
- White HouseOfficial presidential residence
federal government · constitution · republic · union · democracy · citizenship · national parks · census
Major road for travel
- AmtrakU.S. passenger rail corporation
- railroadPermanent track for trains
- cross-countryTraversing wide natural terrain
- infrastructureBasic physical systems
network · transportation · freight · commerce · logistics · routes · corridor · bridges
mainland
Principal connected territory
borders · federal · nationwide · domestic · sovereign · jurisdiction · annexation · expansion · manifest destiny · Louisiana Purchase
contiguous
Sharing a common boundary
- conterminousSharing a boundary completely
- lower 48Connected American states
- landmassContinuous area of ground
topography · terrain · climate · latitude · longitude · rivers · mountains · plains · deserts · forests
Washington DC
American seat of government
- CapitolLegislative assembly building
- CongressU.S. lawmaking body
- Supreme CourtNation's top tribunal
White House · federal government · constitution · republic · union · democracy · citizenship · national parks · census
highway
Major road for travel
- AmtrakU.S. passenger rail corporation
- railroadPermanent track for trains
- cross-countryTraversing wide natural terrain
infrastructure · network · transportation · freight · commerce · logistics · routes · corridor · bridges · tunnels
continental United StatesAlaska
America's frozen northwest
Hawaii · Puerto Rico · Guam · US Virgin Islands · American Samoa
continental United Statesoverseas territories
Lands governed by distant nations
continental, continent, continents, intercontinental, transcontinental, united, unites, uniter, unified