What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States?

Why This Matters

The Atlantic Ocean is on the East Coast of the United States. It is the second-largest ocean in the world, after the Pacific. The Atlantic separates the Americas from Europe and Africa and has been one of the most important bodies of water in human history. For the United States, the Atlantic coastline stretches from Maine in the north all the way down to Florida in the south.

The Atlantic Ocean is deeply connected to the story of how America was built. European explorers like Christopher Columbus crossed the Atlantic to reach the Americas. The original thirteen colonies were all along the Atlantic coast, which is why the East Coast has some of the oldest cities in the country, including Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Charleston. For centuries, millions of immigrants crossed the Atlantic to start new lives in the United States, arriving at places like Ellis Island in New York Harbor.

Trade across the Atlantic has been central to the American economy since the colonial era. Today, major ports along the East Coast, including those in New York, Savannah, and Norfolk, handle enormous amounts of international shipping. The Atlantic also played a strategic role in both World Wars, as troops and supplies crossed the ocean to reach Europe. Knowing that the Atlantic is on the East Coast is a basic piece of American geography that helps you understand the country's connections to the rest of the world.

Key Facts

• The Atlantic Ocean is on the East Coast of the United States
• It is the second-largest ocean in the world
• The original 13 colonies were all located along the Atlantic coast
• Millions of immigrants arrived in the U.S. by crossing the Atlantic
• Major East Coast cities like New York, Boston, and Miami sit along the Atlantic

Common Mistakes

• Saying "Pacific", the Pacific is on the West Coast, not the East Coast
• Confusing the Atlantic with the Gulf of Mexico, which borders the southern coast of states like Texas, Louisiana, and Florida
• Mixing up Atlantic and Arctic, the Arctic Ocean is near the North Pole

Study Tip

Think of the letter A: Atlantic starts with A, and it is on the side of America where the sun rises, the east. Many immigrants Arrived in America by crossing the Atlantic. The A in Atlantic and the A in Arrived can help you link this ocean to the East Coast and to the history of immigration.