alaska is not contiguous with the "lower 48" states, but is contiguous with the canadian northwest. when displaying the US on a map the continental US is shown

alaska is not contiguous with the "lower 48" states, but is contiguous with the canadian northwest. when displaying the US on a map the continental US is shown, and Alaska, and US territories are shown in a manner that suggests they are island land masses, rather than showing the actual positions relative to other continents.