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West Quoddy Head far from easternmost spot

Rick Kanter, Niantic

Publication: The Day

Published 09/02/2010 12:00 AM
Updated 09/02/2010 04:29 AM

Good article on West Quoddy Head, Maine, as the U.S.'s easternmost point and a great tourist attraction, but the premise in incorrect. ("West Quoddy Head: Sunrise comes early," Aug. 29.)
West Quoddy Head, Maine, is the easternmost point in the lower 48 states, but not close to being the United States' easternmost point.
The U.S. is in the Western Hemisphere as East and West are measured from the prime meridian at Greenwich, England. Going east from Greenwich, you eventually reach eastern Asia, hence the term Far East.
West Quoddy Head, Maine, is at almost 067 degrees west longitude, leaving much of the world farther east.
Alaska's Aleutian Islands cross the 180th meridian in the Pacific Ocean. Amatignak Island, just east of the 180th meridian, is the westernmost point of the U. S. at 179+ degrees west longitude.
Semisopochnoi Island, just west of the 180th meridian, is the easternmost point of the U. S. at 179+ degrees east longitude.
Alaska contains the United States' northernmost, westernmost and easternmost points. Hawaii contains the southernmost.
Visit West Quoddy Head for the beautiful lighthouse and sunrises. Ask your friends what states contain the United States' northernmost, southernmost, easternmost and westernmost points and surprise them with geographic trivia.

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