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The contiguous U.S.is made from the lower 48 states plus the District of Columbia. The continental U.S. contains the contiguous U.S. plus Alaska.

Remember it this way. Alaska is part of the North America continent, hence it is part of the continental U.S. Generally, you don't say contiguous 48, just contiguous U.S.

The lower 48 states do not include the District of Columbia, since it is not a state. So, there are three separate terms: continental U.S., contiguous U.S. and lower 48 states.

See Sources and related links for additional information.

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Q: What is the difference between the continental U.S. and the contiguous 48 states?
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Related questions

What is the word for a non contiguous US state?

You answered your own question. There are the Continental United States , or contiguous states, and the non-contiguous States . Although Alaska is continental , it touches no other state.


What is the difference between continental US contiguous US and lower forty-eight states?

The contiguous U.S.is made from the lower forty-eght states plus the District of Columbia. The continental U.S. contains the contiguous U.S. plus Alaska.Since the District of Columbia is not a state, when you speak of the lower forty-eight, you are not including D.C.Remember it this way. Alaska is part of the North America continent, hence it is part of the continental U.S. Generally, you don't say contiguous 48, just contiguous U.S.See Sources and related links for more information.


What is all 53 states called?

The word is contiguous. The 48 contiguous states are the states located on the North America continent that are between Canada and Mexico. Sometimes they are referred to incorrectly as the 'continental' United States. Continental is incorrect because Alaska is also on North America.


What is a big part of the continental US?

The Great Plains region is a significant part of the continental US, spanning from the Rocky Mountains in the west to the Mississippi River in the east. This vast area is known for its flat landscapes, agricultural productivity, and important rivers like the Missouri and the Platte.


What is the difference between the contiguous us and the continental us?

The Contiguous US is the lower 48 (all connected, situated between Canada and Mexico). The Continental US is the lower 48 and Alaska (US on the North American continent)


How many states do we have in the continental US?

There are 49 states in continental America.


How many states are in the conitinental us?

49 of the 50 U.S. states are on the continent (all except Hawaii). 48 of them are contiguous. Alaska is continental but not contiguous.


Which two states are not within the continental U.S?

Hawaii and Alaska are not part of the Contiguous United States.


Which two states are not within the Continental U.S.?

Hawaii and Alaska are not part of the Contiguous United States.


Which states in the continental United states borders the pacific ocean?

They are Alaska, Washington, Oregon and California.(Alaska is continental, but it is not contiguous with the "lower 48.")


How many states are in the whole us?

The Continental or Contiguous US means the states that touch each other. The contiguous United States are the "Lower 48" States on the continent of North America that are south of Canada, plus the Capital (Washington, D.C.) The term excludes the states of Alaska and Hawaii, and all off-shore territories and possessions, such as Puerto Rico.There are 50 US states, but only 48 are 48 contiguous states. Alaska and Hawaii are the only 2 that are not part of the mainland and do not have a border with the other 48 states.


What is the difference between the continental states and the US?

The US states are all 50 sates, the continental states are the states connected on the mainland which excludes Alaska and Hawaii.