Geography Trivia: Which the easternmost state in the US?

[HURAKAN]

When talking of hurricanes, having a good knowledge of Geography is very important. That's why this year I'm taking A.P Human Geography in my senior year of high school. Thereafter, I'm asking you, which the easternmost state in the US?

The answer will be revealed on Tuesday in case no one can explain why the state they selected is the easternmost.

[Wpwxguy]

I voted and I can tell you why...I did not realize the reasoning until now. I would explain it now, but that would take away all the fun. Hurakan, if you want me to explain it I will.

[HURAKAN]

I voted and I can tell you why...I did not realize the reasoning until now. I would explain it now, but that would take away all the fun. Hurakan, if you want me to explain it I will.

EXPLAIN IT, BE MY GUESS!!! I THINK YOU GOT IT.

[Wpwxguy]

Well, logic and what we've been taught would say Maine....Well not true. Actually Alaska is the easternmost state in the United States. The reason being : Parts of the Alleutian Islands extend beyond 180 degrees in longitude. Which is the international date line I believe. That puts parts of Alaska in the eastern Hemisphere, therefore it is the eastermost point in the U.S. Wierd huh? LOL!

[Aslkahuna]

However, the International Dateline jogs to the West to ensure that the Aleutians remain in the same date as the mainland of Alaska. Guam, incidentally, though not a state but a Territory, says it's where America's Day Begins though that is not entirely correect since both Wake Island (a US Possession) and American Samoa (also a US Possession) are both east of Guam but also west of the Dateline so the new day starts earlier there than in Guam.

Steve

[Wpwxguy]

That's true, but thats cheating on mans part. We can move a line on a map, but you can't move the hemisphere. LOL!! It is a fun fact though. Here's a link.......hope its okay to post it. Thanks

http://www.alaskais.com/information.htm

[senorpepr]

yup yup, I'm backing up the Alaska answer. It was something that I was taught, believe it or not, in public schools. Actually, some of those far western islands aren't even in the same time zone as the mainland. They fall in the same zone as Hawai'i.

[kevin]

Well thats nonsense. The prime meridian is a manmade construction also. If we're talking about the United States, and east and west (seeing as there are no poles), it only makes sense to denote west as the furthest territory to the left when facing north that is in America, and east as the furthest to the right. Maine is obviously the correct answer.

[Steve]

Man-made or not, it's the correct answer. It's also the westernmost state.

Steve

[HURAKAN]

THE ACTUAL ANSWER IS: "BIG COUNTRY" ALASKA

MAN-MADE OR NOT, BECAUSE WHAT Wpwxguy EXPLAINED ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL DATELINE, ALASKA IS THE RIGHT ANSWER.