The Atlantic Ocean: Bordering the U.S. East Coast from Maine to Florida

The ocean bordering the East Coast of the United States is the Atlantic Ocean—the world's second-largest ocean (106.4M km² / 41.1M mi²).

U.S. East Coast States (North to South)

• Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida.

Key Features

• Continental Shelf: Broad (50–200 km), shallow — productive fisheries (Georges Bank, Grand Banks).
• Gulf Stream: Warm current flowing northeast, moderating climate, powering hurricanes.
• Major Ports: NY/NJ, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Hampton Roads, Charleston, Savannah, Jacksonville, Miami.
• Estuaries: Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay, Long Island Sound, Narragansett Bay.
• Barrier Islands: Outer Banks, Sea Islands, Florida Keys.

Economic & Strategic Role

• Trade: 2B+ tons/year through East Coast ports.
• Energy: Offshore wind leases (NY, NJ, MA, VA); oil/gas (limited, moratorium areas).
• Defense: Naval Station Norfolk (world's largest), submarine bases, Coast Guard.
• Tourism: 100M+ beach visits/year.

Challenges

• Sea-level rise (accelerating on East Coast).
• Hurricane vulnerability.
• Pollution: nutrients, plastics, PFAS.
• Overfishing, habitat loss.

The Atlantic defines the Eastern Seaboard's economy, ecology, and identity.