What is the significance of the Pacific Ocean to the United States?

The significance of the Pacific Ocean to the United States primarily lies in its role as a border on the West Coast. Stretching from Alaska down through California and into Washington and Oregon, the Pacific Ocean forms a crucial geographical boundary that influences a variety of aspects, including trade, military strategy, and environmental climate.

Being the largest and deepest ocean, the Pacific also serves as a major conduit for international trade and a gateway to markets in Asia and beyond. This extensive coastline allows for significant maritime activities, including shipping, fishing, and recreational opportunities, which are vital for the economic and cultural landscape of the states that border it.

While naval bases are indeed present and play a strategic role, the border function encompasses a broader range of implications for national security and economic activity. The assertion that the Pacific is the only ocean the U.S. recognizes is incorrect, as the U.S. has coastlines along both the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans as well. Lastly, the physical size comparison to the Atlantic is irrelevant to the broader significance of the Pacific. Therefore, its role as a border is paramount in understanding its importance to the United States.