Is there a real difference between "continental" and "contiguous" US?

Question

This is a follow-up to a question I answered. I was taught that the "contiguous United States" is the lower 48, and that the "continental Unites States" should be considered to include Alaska (once Alaska, also on the North American continent, became a state). Another person who answered the same question strongly disagreed, but said the two expressions are synonymous. Makes no sense to me, but it would be nice to find out what others were taught on this.

Hey, y'all: Thanks for the great answers. I didn't know about the CONUS issue -- that explains a lot! Keep it coming. I am giving thumbs up and WILL award Best Answer.

Answer 1

I have heard the two terms used interchangeably, but in the vernacular, it's "contiguous United States" when referring to the lower 48 states and District of Columbia, and "continental" when referring to these and Alaska. (Actually Hawaii is further south and "lower" than much of the 48, but that's another topic.) This is also the definition United Airlines endorses.

According to Wikipedia, Alaskans and Hawaiians don't typically use either phrase, instead preferring "the mainland", "stateside", "outside" or "the lower 48" (these last two exclusive to AK). Wiki also claims the phrase "continental United States" originated around 1898, when the US acquired Hawaii and other off-shore territories.

Proper linguists could argue against this. "Continental" is easily defined, but "contiguous" is often mistaken. According to Dictionary.com, "contiguous" has a few definitions, and not only means "touching" or "in contact" (as in real estate), but also "near" or "in close proximity without actually touching." This then, when applied to this issue, could include Alaska, depending on whether you regard a little less than 500 miles as "close proximity".

To complicate things further, there is also the "conterminous United States". "Conterminous" means having common borders, the definition often erroneously attributed to "contiguous".

Answer 2

Contiguous States

Answer 3

I'm not sure.

Contiguous literally means "touching one another" so Alaska and Hawaii wouldn't be counted.

Continental means "on the continent" so it would make sense that Alaska would be counted, but it's normally not used that way. When I hear "continental" I think 48 states.

Answer 4

As someone who lives in Alaska, there is a big difference. One means I can get something shipped to me and the other means they won't LOL.

Continental US is the North American continent, the lower 48 states, plus Alaska.
Contiguous US is the lower 48 states only.

Answer 5

Yes there is....

Contiguous is the states that border and touch each other, where the continental is those located on the North American continent... according to Wikipedia

Answer 6

Contiguous Us

Answer 7

Forty eight contiguous (joined together)states in the USA

There are three countries in the continental North America, USA is one of them, the others are Canada and Mexico

The USA is not a continent on its own

Answer 8

The contiguous U.S. is a.k.a. the Lower Forty-Eight. I'm sure that the continental U.S. would also include AK, but perhaps 2 further distinguish HI from the others, they're also collectively known as the "mainland."

Answer 9

Continental US is the land in the country staying there,
Contiguous US is the land outside of It but is still owned by USA!

Answer 10

When the government uses the phrase "continental United States" or CONUS, it excludes Alaska and Hawaii.