Oceans Bordering the Contiguous United States: Three, Not Two

The contiguous (lower 48) United States is bordered by three oceans:

1. Atlantic Ocean — East coast (Maine to Florida).
2. Pacific Ocean — West coast (Washington to California).
3. Arctic Ocean — North coast of Alaska.

Wait—Alaska is not part of the contiguous U.S. The contiguous U.S. (conterminous 48 states) borders only two oceans: Atlantic and Pacific. Alaska (non-contiguous) borders the Arctic Ocean (and Pacific). Hawaii (non-contiguous) borders the Pacific.

Correction: The original statement "contiguous United States is bordered by three oceans... Arctic Ocean to the north" is incorrect. The contiguous U.S. has no Arctic coastline. Only Alaska does.

So: Contiguous U.S. = 2 oceans (Atlantic, Pacific). United States (all 50 states) = 3 oceans (Atlantic, Pacific, Arctic).