Nevada is really wider than Colorado ?

Question

It is said that the area of Nevada (110,567sqrm,7th widest) is wider than Colorado (104,100sqrm, 8th) . But considering from the 3 dimentional point of view, I think the mountain state with many ups and downs has wider area than the desert state.

How do you think about it ?

Answer 1

No, Nevada is not wider (east to west) than Colorado.  I-80 through Nevada has it's last exit at 410.  I-70 through Colorado has it's last exit at 438.

Furthermore, the east and west  boundaries of Nevada are W114 and 120 degrees, a six degree spread.  Colorado's boundaries are W102 and 109 degrees, a seven degree spread.

Granted, the area of Nevada is larger because of N-S boundaries.

Answer 2

The numbers you are stating are square miles. This would be area. Colorado is wider, yet has less land area.

Answer 3

What do you mean "widest"? Width is the distance east to west, but the figures you quoted are the areas.

It is true Colorado might have a larger surface area considering the "ups and downs", but area is generally not measured that way.

Answer 4

Ups and downs don't show up as measured on the map. Distances are the same on a flat globe as on that has mountains on it.