seaboard

Seaboard is a term used to describe the coast along a sea, or a region adjacent to the sea. As a noun, it denotes the coastal zone; as an adjective, it characterizes areas that lie along the sea or are part of a sea-facing region. It is often used in contrast with inland or inland regions. The seaboard comprises shorelines, beaches, estuaries and coastal plains, and is subject to maritime climate influences.

The term is widely used in geographic and political contexts to designate countries or subnational regions that run along a sea. In the United States, the Atlantic Seaboard—also called the East Coast—extends from Maine to Florida, while the Pacific Seaboard runs along the western edge from Washington to California. Similar usage occurs in other regions (for example, the European seaboards of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea).

Economically, seaboards are centers for ports, shipping, fisheries, tourism and related industries. They are also exposed to coastal hazards such as storms, erosion and sea-level rise, which influence urban planning, infrastructure and environmental management.

Historically, seaboards have been focal points of trade and empire, enabling sea routes and maritime commerce. The term also appears in proper names and corporate titles (for example, Seaboard Air Line Railroad and Seaboard Corporation), reflecting the historical importance of sea access.

See also: Seacoast, Littoral, Maritime climate, East Coast, West Coast.