There was a brief period–from 3 January to 20 August 1959–when there were 49 states: Alaska way up north and “The Lower 48”. But after that, the other 48 were no longer “lower” than both of the other two. And yet the phrase “The Lower 48” is still pret

[vdeane]

Those are all contiguous, just over water instead of land.  Meanwhile, Hawaii is surrounded by international water, and one has to pass though either the Canadian mainland, Canadian territorial waters, or international waters to get to Alaska.

I would count all of those minor islands and exclaves as part of the contiguous 48, or the lower 48, on the basis that their separation from the mainland is not great.  In the case of the Northwest Angle, it is possible to have a quibble on the "territorial waters" aspect since while the US considers the waters surrounding the Northwest Angle to be its territorial waters, Canada maintains that they are international waters.  This is (per Wikipedia) one of the few remaining boundary disputes between the US and Canada.

IMO Northwest Angle should just be given to Canada.  Point Roberts as well.  In return we could take Kanatakon and Cornwall Island (and that other piece of Quebec that is only connected to the US) and the Akwasasne could stop complaining about having to constantly report to customs.  Canada can take Estcourt Junction as well.  Not sure who should get Derby Line/Stanstead.

[Brandon]

Those are all contiguous, just over water instead of land.  Meanwhile, Hawaii is surrounded by international water, and one has to pass though either the Canadian mainland, Canadian territorial waters, or international waters to get to Alaska.

I would count all of those minor islands and exclaves as part of the contiguous 48, or the lower 48, on the basis that their separation from the mainland is not great.  In the case of the Northwest Angle, it is possible to have a quibble on the "territorial waters" aspect since while the US considers the waters surrounding the Northwest Angle to be its territorial waters, Canada maintains that they are international waters.  This is (per Wikipedia) one of the few remaining boundary disputes between the US and Canada.

IMO Northwest Angle should just be given to Canada.  Point Roberts as well.  In return we could take Kanatakon and Cornwall Island (and that other piece of Quebec that is only connected to the US) and the Akwasasne could stop complaining about having to constantly report to customs.  Canada can take Estcourt Junction as well.  Not sure who should get Derby Line/Stanstead.

I'd rather we just got rid of customs between the US and Canada.