Catherine's post on the not-so-well-known geographical center of the United States got me thinking: there's something fun and intriguing about visiting, say, the northernmost point in a country, or perhaps driving eastward until you can drive no further -- if only so that you can say, "There's no one further east than me," unless there's someone else standing next to you. If so you'll have to say, "There's no one further east than me...and this other person." But somehow that's not quite as romantic. Unless it's a girl and you're a guy and there's a bit of chemistry going on. Anyway. Here we go:

All 50 states:

• Northernmost: Point Barrow, Alaska -- A jumping point for many Arctic expeditions.
  
• Southernmost: Ka Lae, Hawaii -- One of Hawaii's most popular fishing spots.
  
• Easternmost: West Quoddy Head, Maine -- Home to the famous West Quoddy Head Lighthouse (pictured).
  
• Westernmost: Adak, Alaska -- Only 316 people call Adak home.
  
• Center: approximately (20 mi) north of Belle Fourche, South Dakota.
  

48 Contiguous:

• Northernmost: Northwest Angle, Minnesota -- Known simply as "The Angle" to tourists.
  
• Southernmost: Key West, Florida -- Did you know that David Robinson (of NBA fame) was born there?
  
• Easternmost: West Quoddy Head, Maine -- The only spot to be extreme twice.
  
• Westernmost: Ozette, Washington -- Sorry, Ozette, but I've got nothing to say about you.
  
• Center: approximately 6 km (4 mi) west of Lebanon, Kansas.

P.S. This is my 500th post with Gadling. Woo!

Filed under: Learning, North America, United States