View source for Extreme points of North America

{{Short description|Most prominent locations of the continent's physical boundaries}}
[[File:Location North America.svg|thumb|right|North America]]

This is a list of the '''extreme points of North America''': the points that are highest and lowest, and farther north, south, east or west than any other location on the [[continent]]. Some of these points are debatable, given the varying definitions of [[North America]].

==North America and surrounding islands==
*Northernmost point &mdash; [[Kaffeklubben Island]], [[Greenland]] {{coord|83|40||N|29|50||W|region:GL_type:landmark|name=Kaffeklubben Island}}. Although politically part of the [[Kingdom of Denmark]], Greenland is geologically part of the [[North American Plate]].  If non-permanent islands are included, then the northernmost point is [[Qeqertaq Avannarleq]]. If Greenland is excluded from North America, the northernmost point is [[Cape Columbia]], [[Ellesmere Island]], [[Nunavut]], Canada {{coord|83|8||N|74|13||W|region:CA-NU_type:landmark|name=Cape Columbia}}.
*Southernmost point &mdash; [[Cocos Island]], [[Costa Rica]] {{coord|5|31|8|N|87|4|18|W|region:CR_type:landmark|name=Cocos Island}}
*Westernmost point &mdash; The westernmost point depends on the definition of "westernmost". If following the [[International Date Line]], it would be [[Cape Wrangell]] on [[Attu Island]], [[Alaska]], [[United States]] {{coord|52|55|28|N|172|28|22|E|region:US-AK_type:landmark|name=Cape Wrangell}}, or the tiny (ca. 200m diameter) [[Peaked Island (Alaska)|Peaked Island]], just off the coast to the west.  However, if the border between east and west is defined by the [[180th meridian]], the westernmost point is the West Point of [[Amatignak Island]] {{coord|51|17||N|179|9||W|region:US-AK_type:landmark|name=West Point of Amatignak Island}}, as Attu Island is in the [[Eastern Hemisphere]].
*Easternmost point &mdash; [[Nordostrundingen]], [[Greenland]] {{coord|81|26|25|N|11|29|22|W|region:GL_type:landmark|name=Nordostrundingen}}. If Greenland is excluded, then the easternmost point is [[Cape Spear]], [[Newfoundland and Labrador|Newfoundland]], Canada {{coord|47|31|25|N|52|37|10|W|region:CA-NL_type:landmark|name=Cape Spear}}.  Again, if one uses the technical definition of longitude, it is [[Pochnoi Point]] on [[Semisopochnoi Island]], Alaska, {{coord|51|57||N|179|52||E|region:US-AK_type:landmark|name=Pochnoi Point}} since the state stretches into the Eastern Hemisphere. However, other sources argue it would be [[Cape Wrangell]] on [[Attu Island]], [[Alaska]], [[United States]] at {{coord|52|55|28|N|172|28|22|E|region:US-AK_type:landmark|name=Cape Wrangell}}, as well as the tiny (ca. 200m diameter) Peaked Island, just off the coast to the west.

==Continental North America==
*Northernmost point &mdash;  [[Murchison Promontory]], [[Canada]] [https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Murchison_Promontory&params=71_58_N_94_57_W_type:landmark_region:CA-NU_source:http://www4.rncan.gc.ca/search-place-names/unique/OALDT&title=Murchison+Promontory 71°58′N 94°57′W]
*Southernmost point &mdash; [[Punta Mariato]], [[Panama]] {{coord|7|12|32|N|80|53|10|W|region:PA-9_type:landmark|name=Punta Mariato}}
*Westernmost point &mdash; [[Cape Prince of Wales]], [[Alaska]] {{coord|65|35|47|N|168|5|5|W|region:US-AK_type:landmark|name=Cape Prince of Wales}}
*Easternmost point &mdash; [[Cape St. Charles|Cape Saint Charles]], [[Newfoundland and Labrador|Labrador]] {{coord|52|13|3|N|55|37|15|W|region:CA-NL_type:landmark|name=Cape Saint Charles}}

==Highest points==
*[[Denali]], Alaska, United States {{coord|63|4|10|N|151|0|26|W|region:US-AK_type:mountain|name=Mount McKinley}} — highest summit of North America at {{convert|6190.5|m|abbr=in}}.<ref name=ADN>{{cite press release | url=https://www.usgs.gov/blogs/features/usgs_top_story/new-elevation-for-nations-highest-peak/?from=title | publisher=USGS | title= New Elevation for Nation's Highest Peak | author1=Mark Newell | author2=Blaine Horner | date=September 2, 2015 |accessdate=September 26, 2015}}</ref>
*[[Pico de Orizaba]] ([[Volcán Citlaltépetl]]),<ref group=note>[[Pico de Orizaba]] is the highest point of [[Estado Libre y Soberano de Puebla]], [[Estado Libre y Soberano de Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave]], and all of México</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Pico de Orizaba|url=http://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=8049|work=Summits of the World|publisher=peakbagger.com|accessdate=September 8, 2012}}</ref> [[Puebla]] and [[Veracruz]], Mexico {{coord|19|1|50|N|97|16|11|W|region:MX_type:mountain|name=Pico de Orizaba}} — highest volcano summit of North America at {{convert|5636|m|abbr=in}}.
*[[Grays Peak]],<ref group=note>The summit of [[Grays Peak]] is the highest point of the [[Front Range]] and the [[Continental Divide of North America]].</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Grays Peak|url=http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/ds_mark.prl?PidBox=KK2036|work=NGS Station Datasheet|publisher=[[United States National Geodetic Survey]]|accessdate=September 8, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Grays Peak|url=http://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=5664|work=Summits of the World|publisher=peakbagger.com|accessdate=September 8, 2012}}</ref><ref group=note>The summit elevation of [[Grays Peak]] includes an adjustment of +1.881&nbsp;m (+{{rnd|1.881/0.3048|1}}&nbsp;ft) from [[NGVD 29]] to [[NAVD 88]].</ref> [[Colorado]], United States {{coord|39|38|2|N|105|49|3|W|region:US-CO_type:mountain|name=Grays Peak}} — highest point on the [[Continental Divide of the Americas|Continental Divide of North America]] at {{convert|4352|m|abbr=in}}.
*[[Volcán Tajumulco]],<ref group=note>[[Volcán Tajumulco]] is the highest point of the [[Republic of Guatemala]] and all of [[Central America]].  Volcán Tajumulco is the southernmost and easternmost 4000 m (13,123-foot) summit of [[North America]]</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Volcán Tajumulco|url=http://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=8079|work=Summits of the World|publisher=peakbagger.com|accessdate=January 11, 2010}}</ref> [[San Marcos Department|San Marcos]], [[Guatemala]] {{coord|15|2|37|N|91|54|12|W|region:GT_type:mountain|name=Volcán Tajumulco}} — highest summit of [[Central America]] at {{convert|4220|m|abbr=in}}.
*[[Gunnbjørn Fjeld]],<ref group=note>[[Gunnbjørn Fjeld]] is the highest point on the [[Island of Greenland]], [[Kalaallit Nunaat]], the [[Kingdom of Denmark]], and the entire [[Arctic]]</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Gunnbjørn Fjeld|url=http://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=719|work=Summits of the World|publisher=peakbagger.com|accessdate=September 8, 2012}}</ref> [[Sermersooq]], [[Geography of Greenland|Island of Greenland]], Greenland {{coord|68|55|10|N|29|53|55|W|region:GL_type:mountain|name=Gunnbjørn Fjeld}} — highest island summit of the [[Americas]] and highest summit of the entire [[Arctic]] at {{convert|3694|m|abbr=in}}.
*[[Pico Duarte]],<ref group=note>[[Pico Duarte]] is the highest point on the [[Island of Hispaniola]], the [[Dominican Republic]], and all the islands of the [[Caribbean Sea]]</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Pico Duarte|url=http://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=8224|work=Summits of the World|publisher=peakbagger.com|accessdate=January 2, 2010}}</ref> [[Dominican Republic]], [[Hispaniola]] {{coord|19|1|23|N|70|59|53|W|region:DO_type:mountain|name=Pico Duarte}} — highest summit of the [[Caribbean]] at {{convert|3175|m|abbr=in}}.
*[[Ixchiguán]], [[San Marcos Department]], [[Guatemala]] — highest town of North America at 3200&nbsp;m (10,500&nbsp;feet)
*[[Leadville, Colorado]], United States {{coord|39|14|50|N|106|17|30|W|region:US-CO_type:city|name=Leadville, Colorado}} — highest city of North America at 3094&nbsp;m (10,152&nbsp;feet)
*[[Lake County Airport (Colorado)|Lake County Airport, Colorado]], United States {{coord|39|13|13|N|106|19|00|W|region:US-CO_type:airport|name=Lake County Airport}} — highest airfield of North America at 3026&nbsp;m (9,927&nbsp;feet)

==Lowest points==
*[[Badwater Basin]], [[Death Valley]], [[California]], United States {{coord|36|14|23|N|116|50|5|W|region:US-CA_type:landmark|name=Badwater Basin}} — lowest land surface of North America at {{convert|-282|ft|0|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Highest and Lowest Elevations |publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]] |url=https://www.usgs.gov/science-support/osqi/yes/resources-teachers/highest-and-lowest-elevations |access-date=April 26, 2021}}</ref>
*[[Salton Sea]], California, United States {{coord|33|19|59|N|115|50|3|W|region:US-CA_type:waterbody|name=Salton Sea}} — lowest lake of North America at &minus;69&nbsp;m (&minus;226&nbsp;feet)
*[[Furnace Creek Airport]], California, United States {{coord|36|27|50|N|116|52|53|W|region:US-CA_type:airport|name=Furnace Creek Airport}} — lowest airfield of the Americas at &minus;64&nbsp;m (&minus;210&nbsp;feet)
*[[Furnace Creek, California|Furnace Creek]],<ref group=note>[[Furnace Creek, California|Furnace Creek]] in [[Death Valley]], California, United States set the world record for the highest reliably reported ambient air temperature of 134&nbsp;°F (56.7&nbsp;°C) on July 10, 1913.  This record has been eclipsed only once by a questionable reading of 136&nbsp;°F (57.8&nbsp;°C) recorded in [['Aziziya]], [[Libya]], on September 13, 1922.</ref> [[California]], United States {{coord|36|27|29|N|116|52|15|W|region:US-CA_type:city|name=Furnace Creek, California}} — lowest settlement of the Americas at &minus;58&nbsp;m (&minus;190&nbsp;ft)
*[[Calipatria, California]], United States {{coord|33|07|32|N|115|30|51|W|region:US-CA_type:city|name=Calipatria, California}} — lowest city of the Americas at &minus;56&nbsp;m (&minus;184&nbsp;feet)
*[[Lake Enriquillo|Lago Enriquillo]], [[Dominican Republic]], [[Hispaniola]] {{coord|18|30|N|71|35|W|region:DO_type:waterbody|name=Lago Enriquillo}} — lowest lake on an island and lowest surface point on any ocean island on Earth at &minus;27&nbsp;m (&minus;89&nbsp;feet)
*[[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]], United States {{coord|29|58||N|90|03||W|region:US-LA_type:city|name=New Orleans, Louisiana}} — lowest city of the Americas with an average elevation of &minus;0.5&nbsp;m (&minus;1.5&nbsp;feet)
*[[Isthmus of Rivas]], [[Rivas Department|Rivas]], [[Nicaragua]] {{coord|12|1|N|86|27|W|region:NI-RI_type:pass|name=Isthmus of Rivas}} — lowest pass between [[Caribbean Sea]] and [[Pacific Ocean]] (on the [[Continental Divide of the Americas]]) at 56&nbsp;m (184&nbsp;feet)
*[[Great Slave Lake]] bottom, [[Northwest Territories]], Canada {{coord|61|40|N|114|00|W|region:CA-NT_type:waterbody|name=Great Slave Lake}} — lowest fresh water point of the Americas at &minus;458&nbsp;m (&minus;1,503&nbsp;feet)

==Other points==
*The [[geographic center]] of the North American continent is located at {{coord|48|10||N|100|10||W|region:US-ND_type:landmark|name=Geographic center of the North American continent}}, about 6 miles west of [[Balta, North Dakota|Balta]] in [[Pierce County, North Dakota]], United States.
*The North American [[pole of inaccessibility]] is located at {{coord|43|22||N|101|58||W|region:US-SD_type:landmark|name=North American pole of inaccessibility}}, about eleven miles southeast of the town of [[Kyle, South Dakota|Kyle]] on the [[Pine Ridge Indian Reservation]] in [[Bennett County, South Dakota]], United States, 1650&nbsp;km (1025&nbsp;miles) from the nearest coastlines.

==Islands==
*[[Geography of Greenland|Island of Greenland]] {{coord|68|55|10|N|29|53|55|W|region:GL_type:isle|name=Island of Greenland}}  — most extensive island on Earth at 2,130,800&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> (822,700&nbsp;square&nbsp;miles) and tallest island of [[Western Hemisphere]].   Highest point is [[Gunnbjørn|Gunnbjørn Fjeld]] at {{convert|12118|ft}}.
*[[Geography of Cuba|Island of Cuba]] {{coord|21|30|N|80|0|W|region:CU_type:isle|name=Island of Cuba}} — most extensive island of the [[Caribbean]] at 104,556&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> (40,369&nbsp;square&nbsp;miles). Highest point is [[Pico Turquino]] at {{convert|6480|ft}}.
*[[Hispaniola]] {{coord|19|1|23|N|70|59|53|W|region:DO_type:isle|name=Hispaniola}} — tallest island of the [[Caribbean]] and second most extensive island of the Caribbean at 76,480&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> (29,529&nbsp;square&nbsp;miles).  Highest peak is [[Pico Duarte]] at {{convert|10417|ft|abbr=on}}. 
*[[Manitoulin Island]] in [[Lake Huron]], [[Ontario]], Canada {{coord|45|46|N|82|12|W|region:CA-ON_type:isle|name=Manitoulin Island}} — most extensive lake island on Earth at 2,766&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> (1,068&nbsp;square&nbsp;miles)
*[[Unimak Island]] &mdash; highest point is [[Shishaldin Volcano]] at {{convert|9373|ft|abbr=on}}. 
*[[Ellesmere Island]] &mdash; highest point is [[Barbeau Peak]] at {{convert|8583|ft|abbr=on}}. 
*[[Jamaica]] &mdash; highest point is [[Blue Mountain Peak]] at {{convert|7402|ft|abbr=on}}. 
*[[Axel Heiberg Island]] &mdash; highest point is [[Outlook Peak]] at {{convert|7251|ft|abbr=on}}. 
*[[Vancouver Island]] &mdash; highest point is [[Golden Hinde (British Columbia)|Golden Hinde]] at {{convert|7211|ft|abbr=on}}. 
*[[Baffin Island]] &mdash; highest point is [[Mount Odin]] at {{convert|7044|ft|abbr=on}}. 
*[[Umnak Island]] &mdash; highest point is [[Mount Vsevidof]] at {{convert|6920|ft|abbr=on}}. 
*[[Unalaska Island]] &mdash; highest point is [[Makushin Volcano]] at {{convert|6680|ft|abbr=on}}.

==Lakes==
*[[Lake Superior]], Canada and the United States {{coord|47|45|N|87|30|W|type:waterbody|name=Lake Superior}} — most voluminous lake in [[Western Hemisphere]] at 11,600&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup> (2,800&nbsp;cubic&nbsp;miles)
*[[Great Slave Lake]], [[Northwest Territories]], Canada {{coord|61|40|N|114|00|W|region:CA-NT_type:waterbody|name=Great Slave Lake}} — deepest lake in [[Western Hemisphere]] at 614&nbsp;m (2,014&nbsp;feet)
*[[Lake Michigan–Huron]], Canada and the United States {{coord|45|49|N|84|45|W|type:waterbody|name=Lake Michigan–Huron}} — most extensive lake in [[Western Hemisphere]] and the most extensive fresh water lake on Earth at 117,702&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> (45,445&nbsp;square&nbsp;miles)
*[[Nettilling Lake]] on [[Baffin Island]], [[Nunavut]], Canada {{coord|66|30|N|70|50|W|region:CA_type:waterbody|name=Nettilling Lake}} — most extensive lake on an island on Earth at 5,066&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> (1,956&nbsp;square miles)
*[[Great Salt Lake]], [[Utah]], United States {{coord|41|10|N|112|35|W|region:US-UT_type:waterbody|name=Great Salt Lake}} — most extensive [[endorheic lake]] at 4,400&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> (1,700&nbsp;square miles)
*[[Lake Manitou]] on [[Manitoulin Island]] in [[Lake Huron]], [[Ontario]], Canada {{coord|45|46|42|N|81|59|30|W|region:CA-ON_type:waterbody|name=Lake Manitou}} — most extensive lake on an island in a lake on Earth at 104&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> (40&nbsp;square miles)

==Rivers==
*[[Mississippi River|Mississippi Basin]], Canada and the United States {{coord|29|9|4|N|89|15|12|W|region:US_type:river|name=Mississippi River}} — most extensive [[river basin]] at 2,981,076&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> (1,151,000&nbsp;square miles)
*[[Mississippi River|Mississippi]]-[[Missouri River|Missouri]]-[[Jefferson River]]s, United States {{coord|29|9|4|N|89|15|12|W|region:US_type:river|name=Mississippi-Missouri-Jefferson Rivers}} — longest [[List of rivers by length|river system]] at 6,275&nbsp;km (3,902&nbsp;miles)
*[[Missouri River]], United States {{coord|38|48|49|N|90|7|11|W|region:US_type:river|name=Missouri River}} — longest [[List of longest rivers of the United States (by main stem)|main stem river]] at 3,768&nbsp;km (2,341&nbsp;miles)
*[[Mississippi River]], United States {{coord|29|9|4|N|89|15|12|W|region:US_type:river|name=Mississippi River}} — longest [[Gulf of Mexico]] main stem river at 3,544&nbsp;km (2,202&nbsp;miles)
*[[Yukon River]], Canada and the United States {{coord|62|35|55|N|164|47|40|W|region:US-AK_type:river|name=Yukon River}} — longest [[Bering Sea]] main stem river at 3,185&nbsp;km (1,979&nbsp;miles)
*[[Nelson River]], [[Manitoba]], Canada {{coord|57|5|5|N|92|30|8|W|region:CA-MB_type:river|name=Nelson River}} — longest [[Hudson Bay]] main stem river at 2,575&nbsp;km (1,600&nbsp;miles)
*[[Colorado River]], United States and Mexico {{coord|31|48|57|N|114|48|22|W|region:MX_type:river|name=Colorado River}} — longest [[Gulf of California]] main stem river at 2,330&nbsp;km (1,450&nbsp;miles)
*[[Columbia River]], Canada and the United States {{coord|46|14|39|N|124|3|29|W|region:US_type:river|name=Columbia River}} — longest [[Pacific Ocean]] main stem river at 2,000&nbsp;km (1,243&nbsp;miles)
*[[Mackenzie River]], [[Northwest Territories]], Canada {{coord|68|56|23|N|136|10|22|W|region:CA_type:river|name=Mackenzie River}} — longest [[Arctic Ocean]] main stem river at 1,738&nbsp;km (1,080&nbsp;miles)
*[[Saint Lawrence River]], United States and Canada {{coord|49|40||N|64|30||W|region:CA_type:river|name=Saint Lawrence River}} — longest [[Atlantic Ocean]] main stem river at 965&nbsp;km (600&nbsp;miles)

== Extreme points of North American countries ==
*[[Geography of Canada#Extreme points|Extreme points of Canada]]
*[[Geography of Cuba#Extreme points|Extreme points of Cuba]]
*[[Geography of Greenland|Extreme points of Greenland]]
*[[List of extreme points of Mexico|Extreme points of Mexico]]
*[[List of extreme points of the United States|Extreme points of the United States]]

==See also==
*[[Geography of North America]]
*[[Extreme points of Earth|Extreme points of the Earth]]
**[[Extreme points of the Americas]]
***Extreme points of North America
****[[List of extreme points of Canada|Extreme points of Canada]]
*****[[Extreme points of Canadian provinces]]
*****[[Extreme communities of Canada]]
****[[Geography of Greenland|Extreme points of Greenland]]
****[[List of extreme points of Mexico|Extreme points of Mexico]]
****[[List of extreme points of the United States|Extreme points of the United States]]
*****[[List of extreme points of U.S. states and territories|Extreme points of U.S. states]]
*****[[Extreme points of New England]]
****[[Extreme points of Central America]]
****[[Extreme points of the Caribbean]]
*****[[Geography of Cuba|Extreme points of Cuba]]
***[[Extreme points of South America]]
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==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{sister project links|North America|auto=1}}

{{Americas topic|Extreme points of}}
{{North America in topic|Extreme points of}}
{{coord|48|10||N|100|10||W|display=title|name=North America}}

[[Category:Geography of North America]]
[[Category:Extreme points of Earth|North America]]
[[Category:Extreme points of North America|*]]
[[Category:Lists of extreme points|North America]]