What ocean borders the west coast of the United States?

The Pacific Ocean borders the west coast of the United States. This ocean is the largest and deepest in the world, extending from the Arctic region in the north down to the southern tip of South America. The significant geographic features along the west coast, such as the states of California, Oregon, and Washington, all have coastlines that directly face the Pacific Ocean. This positioning not only influences the climate and ecosystems of those states but also plays a crucial role in trade and transportation, as many major ports along the west coast facilitate international shipping routes across the Pacific.

Other options do not apply to the west coast; for instance, the Gulf of Mexico is located to the southeast of the United States, the Atlantic Ocean is on the east coast, and the Arctic Ocean lies to the north of North America, far from the west coast. Understanding the geographical context of the Pacific Ocean is essential for grasping the broader framework of U.S. geography.