Continental United States (CONUS)

The Continental United States (CONUS) refers to the 48 adjoining US states located on the North American continent, excluding Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories outside the mainland. It encompasses all the contiguous landmass where most of the country’s population resides. In military, governmental, and logistical contexts, CONUS is often distinguished from overseas areas to clarify jurisdiction, operations, or logistics that are limited to the mainland. Understanding this distinction helps in coordination, policy making, and resource allocation within the contiguous U.S. boundary.