The Columbus/Tallahassee surprise comes in part because of map projection issues. To display the (round) earth on a (flat) map and still keep everything about the right size, most mapmakers draw the country so that the lines of longitude aren't quite vertical. So if you're starting from Tallahassee such on a map, due north isn't vertical, but has a sizeable slant to the left. It makes the city look a lot further east than it actually is.
The same projection issues also make it look on many maps like the northernmost point in the continental US is in Maine, when the top of Maine is actually more than 100 miles further south than northern Minnesota. |
US Capitals East to West
MLB Franchises, East to West
NFL Franchises, East to West
