Which Georgia is closer to you?

Key points

• Most of Europe and Asia are closer to Georgia, the country
• Most of the Americas are closer to the U.S. state of Georgia
• The dividing line cuts through the North Atlantic and Pacific

The name Georgia refers to two very different places separated by thousands of kilometres, and where you live determines which one is actually closer.

The map compares straight-line distance to Georgia, the U.S. state, and Georgia, the country in the Caucasus. The result creates a striking geographical divide between much of the Eastern and Western Hemispheres.

Georgia in the United States lies in the southeast of the country, bordering Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina. It stretches roughly from 30.4°N to 35°N, making it much closer to most of North America, Central America and South America than the country of Georgia is.

Across the Atlantic, the country of Georgia sits at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, on the eastern side of the Black Sea. It borders Russia, Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan and covers about 69,700 square kilometres.

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

The Amazon spans nine territories but one country dominates

That location makes the country of Georgia closer to most of Europe, Africa and Asia. Australia is also closer to the country than to the American state.

The more interesting cases appear around the edges. Greenland is divided, with its western areas closer to the U.S. state and its eastern areas closer to the country. The map also shows the boundary passing through the Pacific, leaving some islands closer to the U.S. state and others closer to the country.

The comparison is a reminder that geographical distance does not always follow the continental divisions we are used to seeing. Two places sharing the same English name can divide the planet into surprisingly different spheres of proximity.