Most people think of big waves, sand, dolphins, seagulls and sun when the word beach comes up. By definition, a beach is the land along the edge of a lake or ocean, typically covered in little rocks or sand.
Shores are another term to classify the area of land that lies next to water. The seashore is the land along the sea, however, all bodies of water have a shore. Although most often thought of in terms of fun in the sun, Alaska actually has the most shoreline in the United States.
Florida comes in second to Alaska in terms of the most beaches, coastline or shoreline. The Florida coast stretches over 1,200 miles and is a popular spot for visitors from all over the world. Alaska offers a completely different type of shoreline and plenty of it. The shorelines of all of Alaska, including its islands, adds up to more than 40,000 miles.
When people go to the beach, they usually have a particular spot in mind. The majority of the most popular beaches in the country are on the east coast, bordering the Atlantic Ocean. Hawaii is, of course, a sought-after travel destination, but not as easy to get to. The beaches of the Atlantic run the gamut as far as temperature goes for both the air and water, but that way, there is a place for everyone.
