Fact Finder - Geography

Alaska is the answer to several 'extreme' geography questions. It is the northernmost and westernmost state in the US. However, it is also technically the easternmost state. This is because the Aleutian Islands cross the 180th meridian (the Antimeridian). Therefore, the islands on the other side of the line are technically in the Eastern Hemisphere. Specifically, Semisopochnoi Island is the easternmost point in the United States by longitude. This is a classic 'brain teaser' because people naturally think of Maine as the easternmost state, which is true for the contiguous US, but Alaska’s vast reach across the globe's longitudinal center point gives it the technical title for both East and West.