What constitutes the United States, what are the official definitions?
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USGS Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What constitutes the United States, what are the official definitions?

Answer:

Geographically, and as a general reference, the United States (short form of the official name, United States of America) includes all areas considered under the sovereignty of the United States, but does not include any leased areas. In 1959, the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN), which is responsible by law for standardizing geographic names throughout the Federal Government, was asked to define United States. On May 14, 1959, the Board issued the following definitions based partially on the reference in the Alaska Omnibus Bill, which had defined the Continental United States as “the 49 States on the North American Continent and the District of Columbia…”

United States: The 50 States and the District of Columbia.

Continental United States: The 49 States (including Alaska, excluding Hawaii) located on the continent of North America, and the District of Columbia.

Conterminous United States: The 48 States and the District of Columbia, that is, the United States prior to January 3, 1959 (Alaska Statehood), which wholly filled an unbroken block of territory. This excludes Alaska and Hawaii. Please note that the official reference is by use of the term “conterminous”, however, many use the term “contiguous”, which is almost synonymous, and because that term is better known.

In May 1999, the Board was asked if these definitions still apply, and as a result, the Board reaffirmed these definitions on May 13, 1999. For more information contact the GNIS Manager.

Source of this FAQ:
http://geonames.usgs.gov/faqs.html#26

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