The Great Plains, characterized by prairies and grasslands, are a hub for agriculture due to their fertile soil. This region covers much of the central United States and extends into Canada. The Great Plains: Beyond the Appalachian Mountains lies the vast expanse of the Interior Lowlands, also known as the Great Plains. These mountains, which include notable peaks such as Mount Mitchell, were among the first regions settled by Europeans in the colonial period. The Appalachian Mountains: Moving westward, one encounters the Appalachian Mountains, a system of ranges extending from the Canadian province of Quebec to northern Alabama. It includes both low-lying, swampy areas, especially in the south, and more elevated regions to the north. The Atlantic Coastal Plain: Starting in the eastern part of the country, the Atlantic Coastal Plain extends from the northeastern states down to Florida, bordering the Atlantic Ocean. In regards to north-south, the longest distance in the 48 contiguous states region is 2,660 km (1653 mi). Last, the greatest east-west distance in the 48 contiguous United States is 4,500 km (2796 mi). Spanning a total area of approximately 9,833,520 km 2 (3,796,742 sq mi), the United States ranks as the third or fourth- largest country by total area, depending on if one includes or omits water area, respectively.įurthermore, there are numerous geographical regions that form the contiguous United States as well as its various island territories and states. To the east lies the vast Atlantic Ocean, while the equally expansive Pacific Ocean borders the western coastline.

The United States, officially known as the United States of America (USA), shares its borders with Canada to the north and Mexico to the south.

Map california