I count 18. Here's my list:
Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, California, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.
Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, California, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.
1. Start by listing all the states that directly border the Atlantic Ocean:
- Maine
- New Hampshire
- Massachusetts
- Rhode Island
- Connecticut
- New York
- New Jersey
- Delaware
- Maryland
- Virginia
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Georgia
- Florida
2. Next, list the states that directly border the Pacific Ocean:
- Washington
- Oregon
- California
- Alaska (though not technically contiguous, it still borders the Pacific Ocean)
3. Lastly, consider the states that directly border the Gulf of Mexico:
- Florida (listed above as an Atlantic Ocean state)
- Alabama
- Mississippi
- Louisiana
- Texas
By summing up the states listed, we find that there are 17 states in total that border oceans (not including Hawaii which borders the Pacific Ocean). Therefore, your answer of 15 states is incorrect. It is important to include states like Texas and Connecticut that border the Gulf of Mexico and Long Island Sound, respectively, as they are considered coastal states.