Newark post. (Newark, Del.) 1910-1969, 1921-06-22
Things You Don't
Know About Your
Country ~ ~

About 500 people out of every 1000
are dead certain that the state of !
Maine is a whole lot farther north
than any other state. So cock-sure is
the average American in this belief
that he will cheerfully bet his last
dollar or only spare tire on the
proposition. But how his eyes will
bulge with surprise when he opens
up the old family atlas and takes
souint at the big map of the dear
old U. S. A., and discovers that
little detached corner of Minnesota
sticks up into Canada considerably
more than the northernmost part Of
the Pine Tree state.
Most folks are likewise absolutely
positive that Texas is a good deal
farther south than Florida, which is
another very common mistake. Cape
Sable, the southernmost point on the
mainland of Florida, is just exactly
40 miles farther south than the most
southern point in Texas. The town of
Key West, Florida, which is located
on an island, is, of course, even
farther south than Cape Sable.
Who can tell right off the reel
which town in the United States is
farthest east and which farthest
west? It's funny how every person
will cheerfully make wild guess in
trying to answer this question. They
lust naturally hate to admit they
don't know. By the way, have you
ever noticed how few of US really
have the courage to say 81 don't
know" It's not bad idea at all
now and then to say 81 don't know u
It gives the person who "does know
an opportunity to tell you something
worth while. Try it. The eastermost
point in this country is West Quoddy
Head, near Eastport, Maine. The
westernmost point is Cape Alva
Wash.
If one wanted to take the shortest
possible hike across the country from
ocean to ocean, he would begin his
trip at Charleston, S. c., and WING
up at San Diego, Calf. If his fee
and determination held out he woult
cover 2,152 miles on the trip, pro
vidng he kept due west course ant
didn't wobble to the north or south
From West Quoddy head due ives
to the Pacific ocean the distance il
2,S07 miles. From the southermos
point in Texas due north to tn
boundary of Canada is 1888 miles.
The length of the Canadian bound
airy line from Atlantic to the Pacifi
is 1,744 miles. The length of tn
Atlantic coast line is 2,730 miles. Tn
Gulf of Mexico borders the Unite
States for 3,640 miles.
Would it amaze you trifle t
learn that the island of Cuba,
transported directly north would eS
tend from New York City to Indiana
or that Havana is farther west tina
Cleveland, Ohio, or that the Panam
canal is due south of Pittsgurgh, Pa
or that Nome, Alaska, is farther ives
than Hawaii?
The gross area of the Unite
States is 3,O26,7s9 square miles. Til
land area amounts to 2,973,77
square miles, and the water area
exclusive of the area of the Gres
Lakes, the Atlantic, the Pacific, an
the Gulf of Mexico within the three
mile limit-amounts to 53,015 squa1
miles.
Delaware is the lowest state in tn
Union. The average elevation is onl
sixty feet above sea level, less tina
that of any other state in the Uniol
although it's highest point, at Cente'
vile, New Castle county, is 444 fe'
above sea level, higher than the higl
est points in Florida, Louisiana, an
the District of Columbia.
The highest state is Colorado, b
ing an average Of $500 feet aboN
sea level. The highest spot in thu
state is Mt. Ebert, 14,420 feet aboN
sea level.-The National Republica