The U.S. state that is closest to Africa is, interestingly, Maine. Although it is located in the northeastern part of the United States, proximity to the African continent comes down to geographical peculiarities, specifically the orientation of the Atlantic Ocean. When considering the distance from land to land, the shortest point from the United States to Africa comes from the easternmost point of the U.S., which is in Maine.
Maine's closest point to Africa is through the Atlantic Ocean, notably towards the Canary Islands, which are an autonomous community of Spain located off the northwest coast of Africa. The distance from Maine to the Canary Islands is far shorter than the distance from many other states that also have an Atlantic coastline. This is primarily due to the way the continental shelf extends and due to the curvature of the Earth.
The distance to Africa is approximately 3,100 miles (around 5,000 kilometers), which seems substantial but is surprisingly closer than other states that are typically considered to have a more direct route to Africa. For instance, Florida is closer to a mainland African country, namely Morocco, but the distance across the ocean from Florida's coast is greater due to the strategic layout of the Atlantic. Maine serves as a reminder that geographical definitions of 'closeness' can sometimes yield unexpected twists.
Interestingly enough, the other U.S. states that border the Atlantic Ocean, such as New York, New Jersey, and Virginia, have longer distances to Africa compared to Maine. This highlights the unique geography of the North Atlantic Ocean, where distances can vary significantly based on the specific latitude and longitude of each point of measurement.
Ultimately, while Florida might be known for its beaches and warm climate and is often thought of as being close to the Caribbean, Maine holds the title for being closest to Africa when examining the direct routes across the Atlantic. This fact can often surprise many and serves as a great conversation starter regarding geography and the distances between countries.