The Difference between Contiguous and Continental United States

If you’ve ever wondered about the terms “contiguous United States” and “continental United States,” especially in sweepstakes rules, you’re not alone. Companies often use these terms to set eligibility criteria for giveaways, so understanding their differences is crucial.

The Contiguous United States includes the 48 connected states, excluding Alaska and Hawaii. These states share borders without any other countries or large bodies of water between them. Territories like Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are also excluded. Sweepstakes with a “contiguous U.S.” restriction typically don’t allow residents from these areas to participate. Terms like “lower 48” and “conterminous” also refer to these states.

The Continental United States, however, covers all 49 states on the North American continent, including Alaska but not Hawaii. Sweepstakes open to the “continental U.S.” allow Alaskan residents to enter, while Hawaiian residents remain excluded.

To complicate matters, the military and some government agencies use the acronym CONUS, which refers specifically to the contiguous U.S. Many mistakenly think it means “continental U.S.,” leading to confusion about the terms.

Sweepstakes sponsors often limit participation to the contiguous or continental U.S. for practical reasons. Prizes involving travel or large items become more expensive when winners live in Alaska or Hawaii due to high shipping costs or costly flights. Sponsors may also exclude these areas to avoid complications with local laws or limited availability.

If you live in Alaska or Hawaii, you can still find sweepstakes open to all U.S. states or local giveaways, which often have less competition and better odds of winning.

Final Tip: Always review the sweepstakes rules carefully. Many clearly outline eligibility, but some use unclear terms or specify exclusions for Alaska and Hawaii. Understanding these details will save you time when deciding which giveaways to enter.

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