Conterminous vs. Contiguous — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 13, 2024
Conterminous refers to sharing a common boundary entirely, while contiguous implies being next to or touching without necessarily sharing all borders.
Difference Between Conterminous and Contiguous
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Conterminous is most commonly used to describe the 48 conterminous states of the United States, meaning they are all connected to one another without any intervening body like a sea or a foreign territory; whereas contiguous can refer to any items or regions that are physically touching or connected, not limited to political entities.
The term conterminous emphasizes a complete union or alignment within a specified boundary or area, often used in a more formal or technical context like law or geography. On the other hand, contiguous is used more broadly and can describe anything from pieces of a puzzle that fit together to areas of land that merely touch at the border.
In geographical terms, when you say the conterminous United States, it excludes Alaska and Hawaii as they do not share borders with the other states. Conversely, contiguous can be used to describe areas in different countries that share a common border, thus highlighting its more general application.
When discussing political boundaries, conterminous often suggests a political unity or coherence within national borders. Contiguous, however, might be used to discuss regions within a country or between countries that share a common border, focusing more on the physical rather than political implications.
In terms of usage in everyday language, conterminous is less commonly used and more specific compared to contiguous, which is more versatile and appears in a variety of contexts, from geography to everyday observations about objects or areas that are adjacent to one another.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Sharing a common boundary within a major unit
Touching or being next to each other
Common Usage
The 48 conterminous states of the U.S.
Any areas or objects that are next to each other
Scope
Generally limited to specific formal contexts
Broadly used in various contexts
Geographical Implication
Excludes regions outside the contiguous block
Includes any touching regions
Implication in Discussion
Political or geographical unity
Physical proximity or connection
Compare with Definitions
Conterminous
Adjacent or touching within a larger framework.
The park is conterminous with the city limits.
Contiguous
Adjoining or adjacent.
He bought the contiguous lot to expand his garden.
Conterminous
Meeting at the boundaries.
The two properties are conterminous, sharing a long garden wall.
Contiguous
Touching or connected in space along a boundary or point.
The two states are contiguous along their northern borders.
Conterminous
Being of common boundary or extent; coextensive.
The habitat of the species is conterminous with the tropical rainforest region.
Contiguous
Next or together in sequence.
The contiguous rooms were booked for the family reunion.
Conterminous
Sharing a common boundary, especially in the context of geographical areas within a larger entity.
The conterminous United States does not include Alaska and Hawaii.
Contiguous
Sharing an edge or boundary; touching.
Conterminous
Fully encompassed or contained.
The study area is conterminous with the historical downtown district.
Contiguous
Neighboring; adjacent.
Conterminous
Having a boundary in common; contiguous
The northern border of the United States is conterminous with the southern border of Canada.
Contiguous
Connecting without a break
The 48 contiguous states.
Conterminous
Contained in the same boundaries; coextensive
The conterminous 48 states.
Contiguous
Connected in time; uninterrupted
Served two contiguous terms in office.
Conterminous
Having the same scope, range of meaning, or extent in time.
Contiguous
Connected; touching; abutting.
Conterminous
Alternative form of coterminous
Contiguous
Adjacent; neighboring.
Conterminous
Having the same bounds, or limits; bordering upon; contiguous.
This conformed so many of them as were conterminous to the colonies and garrisons, to the Roman laws.
Contiguous
Connecting without a break.
The forty-eight contiguous states
Conterminous
Connecting without a break; within a common boundary;
The 48 conterminous states
The contiguous 48 states
Contiguous
In actual contact; touching; also, adjacent; near; neighboring; adjoining.
The two halves of the paper did not appear fully divided . . . but seemed contiguous at one of their angles.
Sees no contiguous palace rear its head.
Conterminous
Having a common boundary or edge; touching;
Abutting lots
Adjoining rooms
Rhode Island has two bordering states; Massachusetts and Conncecticut
The side of Germany conterminous with France
Utah and the contiguous state of Idaho
Neighboring cities
Contiguous
Very close or connected in space or time;
Contiguous events
Immediate contact
The immediate vicinity
The immediate past
Conterminous
Of equal extent or scope or duration
Contiguous
Connecting without a break; within a common boundary;
The 48 conterminous states
The contiguous 48 states
Contiguous
Having a common boundary or edge; touching;
Abutting lots
Adjoining rooms
Rhode Island has two bordering states; Massachusetts and Conncecticut
The side of Germany conterminous with France
Utah and the contiguous state of Idaho
Neighboring cities
Contiguous
Sharing a common border.
The contiguous nations often share resources and trade agreements.
Contiguous
Physically touching or connected.
The building was added to the existing structure, making them contiguous.
Common Curiosities
Can two different countries be contiguous?
Yes, two different countries that share a common border are considered contiguous.
Can objects be described as conterminous?
Yes, but it's less common; conterminous is usually used to describe larger entities like geographical areas rather than small objects.
Is Alaska conterminous with the other U.S. states?
No, Alaska is not conterminous with the other 48 states because it does not share a direct boundary with any of them.
What is an example of a contiguous urban area?
An example would be the San Francisco Bay Area, where several cities and towns touch and interconnect, forming a larger metropolitan area.
What are some examples of conterminous use in legal contexts?
In legal contexts, conterminous can describe jurisdictions or properties that share a boundary and may have legal implications regarding ownership and use.
How does contiguity influence property development?
Contiguity can significantly influence property development by determining access rights, potential for expansion, and planning permissions.
What does conterminous mean in geography?
In geography, conterminous refers to areas that share a common boundary within a larger geographical or political unit.
What is the difference between contiguous and adjacent?
Contiguous implies physical contact along a boundary, whereas adjacent might just mean near or next to without necessarily touching.
How do contiguous zones affect international relations?
Contiguous zones can affect international relations by defining national jurisdictions, impacting border control, security, and resource management.
Can islands be contiguous?
Technically, islands cannot be contiguous unless they are connected by landforms like sandbars or man-made structures.
What makes an area conterminous in the context of urban development?
An area is conterminous in urban development if it matches exactly with designated urban boundaries, impacting governance and policy implementation.
Why is it important to know if areas are conterminous?
Knowing if areas are conterminous can be important for legal, environmental, and urban planning, as it affects how these areas are managed and governed.
Can a body of water be contiguous?
Bodies of water like lakes or seas between land masses are not typically described as contiguous but can be connected to land areas that are.
What role do contiguous territories play in wildlife conservation?
Contiguous territories can play a crucial role in wildlife conservation by providing continuous habitats that are crucial for the migration and survival of species.
How do contiguous and conterminous relate to each other?
Both terms relate to proximity and boundary-sharing but differ in usage intensity and context, with conterminous being more specialized.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
