# Discovering the True Easternmost Point of the U.S.
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Chapter 1: Understanding Semisopochnoi Island
You may assume that Maine hosts the easternmost point of the United States, but this is a misconception. In fact, it is located on Alaska’s remote Semisopochnoi Island. This surprising fact is based on our global coordinate system.
Semisopochnoi Island forms part of the Rat Islands in Alaska's western Aleutian chain. This uninhabited land is crucial for nesting marine birds and is volcanic, featuring several peaks, including Mount Young. The island spans 85.558 square miles and measures approximately 11 miles long and 12 miles wide.
The designation of Semisopochnoi Island as the easternmost point in the U.S. stems from its proximity to the 180th meridian, which serves as the dividing line between the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. The easternmost tip of Semisopochnoi is located at 179°46′ East (+179.7667), making it the furthest east land point in both the United States and North America. It lies 14 minutes (0.2333 degrees) or approximately 9.7 miles (15.6 km) west of this meridian.
Section 1.1: The Perspective of Geography
This concept can be perplexing, but it revolves around perspective. Typically, when visualizing the globe, we position the Prime Meridian (0 degrees longitude) at the center, creating a division between the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. However, since the Earth is spherical, it can be rotated in various ways. If one were to adjust the globe so that the 180th meridian is central, Alaska would appear on the far right, thus positioning it as the easternmost U.S. point.
Subsection 1.1.1: Wildlife and Habitat
In addition to its geographic significance, Semisopochnoi Island serves as an essential wildlife habitat. Although there are no native land mammals, Arctic foxes were introduced in the 19th century for fur farming and later eradicated in 1997. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, "Most ground-nesting bird species and most burrow-nesting seabirds were extirpated by foxes; Semisopochnoi Island is currently in the early stages of recovery." The island remains rat-free and hosts a significant colony of least and crested auklets, particularly near Sugarloaf Head, one of the largest among the nine auklet colonies in the Aleutians.
Section 1.2: The Complexity of Geography
While it may seem unusual to identify Alaska as the easternmost U.S. point, it underscores the intriguing complexities of our planet's geography. Next time you peruse a map, remember that the distinctions between east and west can be quite unexpected.
Chapter 2: Discovering More About Semisopochnoi Island
Explore the surprising realities about the easternmost point of the U.S. through this engaging video.
Dive deeper into the Aleutian Islands with this informative audio article, offering insights about their geography and ecology.
Relevant articles:
- Semisopochnoi Island — Wikipedia
- The Easternmost Point in North America Is Actually West of Alaska
- Budget Travel | Quiz: What’s the easternmost point of the U.S.?