Wiki User
∙ 11y agoThe answer lies in Non-Euclidean geometry (spherical geometry). Florida, the Philippines, and Alaska are three collinear points on a great circle, a great circle is the equivalent to a line in Euclidean(2-D) geometry. A great circle is also classified as the shortest distance from one point to another around a circle. Because the earth is round, the distance seen on a flat map is a lot further than the distance on a globe, due to distortion. Therefore, following the great circle that goes through the three collinear points of Florida, the Philippines, and Alaska, it is a shorter distance to fly over Alaska
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoConsider the Earth as a sphere - the fact that it is oblate is only of minor significance. The shortest route on the surface of a sphere is an arc of the Great Circle. This is a circle whose centre is at the centre of the sphere and which passes through the start and end points.
The three are Alaska, Michigan, and Florida. Florida Michigan Michign Alaska Alaska Florida
Florida, Maine, and Alaska
It's Alaska, not Florida.
Obviously hot in Florida and cold in Alaska.
Alaska has a higher elevation than Florida.
Alaska has ice landforms and Florida has tropical landforms
Definitely Alaska
Alaska
Great circle (shortest direct) = 539 miles
Alaska
Alaska has higher elevations than Florida. Alaska's highest point is 2,320 feet.