This is true? - Geographic oddities that defy conventional wisdom

[tmoore952]

Virginia reaches further west than West Virginia.

What surprised me more than this is that the westernmost point of Virginia (at Cumberland Gap)--- is at the same longitude as about halfway between Cincinnati and Columbus in Ohio. To drive from DC to Cumberland Gap and staying completely in Virginia would take you the better part of a day's drive (i have done it).

Also noticed that --- using the routes suggested by the Internet ---- the driving distance from DC to Cumberland Gap (I-66, I-81, US 58) is about 25 miles farther than the distance from Cumberland Gap to Memphis (most of this is I-40). Note though that DC to Cumberland Gap drive is not as the crow flies due to mountainous terrain.

[vdeane]

Lithuania reaches further south than Denmark. Lithuania also reaches further north than Belarus.

Not that all surprising

Honestly, I'm more surprised that it only barely reaches further north than Belarus.

[Poiponen13]

The northernmost point of Kazakhstan is also further north than the southernmost point of Sweden. So, it is possible to have a Kazakh living further north than a Swede.

[kphoger]

Both of those oddities about Kazakhstan surprise me.  Good ones!

[freebrickproductions]

Washington, D.C. is a little more than 1° north of San Francisco, CA.

[Rothman]

Washington, D.C. is a little more than 1° north of San Francisco, CA.

Meh.

[freebrickproductions]

Washington, D.C. is a little more than 1° north of San Francisco, CA.

Meh.

IDK why, but I've always thought of the two as being close to the middle of their respective coastlines of the contiguous 48. So I thought it was neat that one is justly slightly north of the other.

[bing101]

Washington, D.C. is a little more than 1° north of San Francisco, CA.

Likewise Sacramento is on the 38th parallel with Washington D.C.

[webny99]

Washington, D.C. is a little more than 1° north of San Francisco, CA.

Meh.

IDK why, but I've always thought of the two as being close to the middle of their respective coastlines of the contiguous 48. So I thought it was neat that one is justly slightly north of the other.

San Fran is actually quite a bit south of the middle. That would be roughly 250 miles north, somewhere near Eureka. Meanwhile, DC is quite a bit north of the middle (thanks, Florida).

[bing101]

Washington, D.C. is a little more than 1° north of San Francisco, CA.

Meh.

IDK why, but I've always thought of the two as being close to the middle of their respective coastlines of the contiguous 48. So I thought it was neat that one is justly slightly north of the other.

San Fran is actually quite a bit south of the middle. That would be roughly 250 miles north, somewhere near Eureka. Meanwhile, DC is quite a bit north of the middle (thanks, Florida).

Yes I remember looking at a map that the California/Oregon border is the approximate halfway point between Canada and Mexico.

[Rothman]

Washington, D.C. is a little more than 1° north of San Francisco, CA.

Meh.

IDK why, but I've always thought of the two as being close to the middle of their respective coastlines of the contiguous 48. So I thought it was neat that one is justly slightly north of the other.

San Fran is actually quite a bit south of the middle. That would be roughly 250 miles north, somewhere near Eureka. Meanwhile, DC is quite a bit north of the middle (thanks, Florida).

Yes I remember looking at a map that the California/Oregon border is the approximate halfway point between Canada and Mexico.

Wut.

I-5, from OR to San Ysidro: About 795 miles.
OR to Canada: About 586.

Perhaps not as lopsided as some would expect, but still lopsided.

[webny99]

Washington, D.C. is a little more than 1° north of San Francisco, CA.

Meh.

IDK why, but I've always thought of the two as being close to the middle of their respective coastlines of the contiguous 48. So I thought it was neat that one is justly slightly north of the other.

San Fran is actually quite a bit south of the middle. That would be roughly 250 miles north, somewhere near Eureka. Meanwhile, DC is quite a bit north of the middle (thanks, Florida).

Yes I remember looking at a map that the California/Oregon border is the approximate halfway point between Canada and Mexico.

Wut.

I-5, from OR to San Ysidro: About 795 miles.
OR to Canada: About 586.

Perhaps not as lopsided as some would expect, but still lopsided.

795 - 586 = 209 / 2 = 104.5

I-5 from OR line to Pit River Bridge at Shasta Lake = 104.5 miles

Eureka!

[Poiponen13]

Reykjavik has milder winters than Prague, despite being about 14 degrees further north.

[tmoore952]

Reykjavik has milder winters than Prague, despite being about 14 degrees further north.

Due to geothermal heat in Iceland. Same reason why Iceland has a distinct hydrogen sulfide smell which is noticeable when you shower there, and volcanoes that erupt every once in a while.

[GaryV]

Reykjavik has milder winters than Prague, despite being about 14 degrees further north.

Due to geothermal heat in Iceland.

More likely due to the moderating effect of the surrounding ocean and its currents.

[tmoore952]

Reykjavik has milder winters than Prague, despite being about 14 degrees further north.

Due to geothermal heat in Iceland.

More likely due to the moderating effect of the surrounding ocean and its currents.

I'll agree it is more due to the Gulf Stream, but the geothermal effect is not insignificant.

[bing101]

Parts of Southern Nevada used to be a part of the Arizona territory if you look at :50 of the clip.

[Scott5114]

Yep, and it was part of New Mexico Territory before that. What is now Clark County was awarded to Nevada after the Civil War to punish Arizona Territory for supporting the Confederacy.

[Road Hog]

The "mighty" Hudson River is only 315 miles long and discharges 21,900 ft³/sec into the ocean at its mouth. Most of its length is an ocean estuary created by glaciation.

The White River (AR/MO) is 733 miles long and its discharge into the Mississippi is 26,180 ft³.

[Rothman]

The "mighty" Hudson River is only 315 miles long and discharges 21,900 ft³/sec into the ocean at its mouth. Most of its length is an ocean estuary created by glaciation.

The White River (AR/MO) is 733 miles long and its discharge into the Mississippi is 26,180 ft³.

White River?  Never heard of it.

[Bruce]

Bunch of wimpy rivers out east.

The Yakima River discharges 59,400 cu ft/sec into the Columbia River and is only 214 miles long.

[kphoger]

The "mighty" Hudson River is only 315 miles long and discharges 21,900 ft³/sec into the ocean at its mouth. Most of its length is an ocean estuary created by glaciation.

The White River (AR/MO) is 733 miles long and its discharge into the Mississippi is 26,180 ft³.

White River?  Never heard of it.

I think that's kind of his point.  We've all heard of the Hudson.

But I've never heard it called "the mighty Hudson".  Is that a thing?

[JayhawkCO]

The "mighty" Hudson River is only 315 miles long and discharges 21,900 ft³/sec into the ocean at its mouth. Most of its length is an ocean estuary created by glaciation.

The White River (AR/MO) is 733 miles long and its discharge into the Mississippi is 26,180 ft³.

White River?  Never heard of it.

I think that's kind of his point.  We've all heard of the Hudson.

But I've never heard it called "the mighty Hudson".  Is that a thing?

Some people call it that.

[Rothman]

The "mighty" Hudson River is only 315 miles long and discharges 21,900 ft³/sec into the ocean at its mouth. Most of its length is an ocean estuary created by glaciation.

The White River (AR/MO) is 733 miles long and its discharge into the Mississippi is 26,180 ft³.

White River?  Never heard of it.

I think that's kind of his point.  We've all heard of the Hudson.

But I've never heard it called "the mighty Hudson".  Is that a thing?

Some people call it that.

Makes me wonder how much water comes up the Hudson from the ocean.

[webny99]

The "mighty" Hudson River is only 315 miles long and discharges 21,900 ft³/sec into the ocean at its mouth. Most of its length is an ocean estuary created by glaciation.

The White River (AR/MO) is 733 miles long and its discharge into the Mississippi is 26,180 ft³.

White River?  Never heard of it.

I think that's kind of his point.  We've all heard of the Hudson.

But I've never heard it called "the mighty Hudson".  Is that a thing?

Some people call it that.

I've definitely heard it called that. Probably not as widespread as "mighty Mississippi", but I would say yes, it is a thing.