ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Point Roberts, Washington

Point Roberts is a tiny place in Washington State in the United States. It's like a little dot that sticks out into the water, kind of like a finger pointing into a lake. You may be wondering, "Why is it so special?" Well, it's because it's not connected to the rest of the United States by land. It's actually surrounded by water on three sides, and the only way to get there by car is to drive through Canada first.

Imagine if you wanted to go to your friend's house, but you couldn't just walk or drive there directly. Instead, you had to go to the house next door, then walk or drive through your neighbor's yard, then go back to your friend's house. That's kind of what it's like to visit Point Roberts. You have to drive through Canada to get to this small piece of America.

But why is Point Roberts not connected to the rest of the United States? Well, a long time ago, people drew lines on maps to separate countries. The line between the United States and Canada wasn't drawn in a straight line, so it ended up cutting off this little piece of land. The people who live in Point Roberts have to go through a special border crossing every time they want to leave or enter their little town.

Even though it's a small place, Point Roberts has a lot of interesting things to do. It's right by the ocean, so people can go to the beach and play in the sand or swim in the water. There are also parks with beautiful trees and places to explore. People who live there can even see mountains in the distance!

Life in Point Roberts is a bit different from other cities because it's so isolated from the rest of the United States. There aren't as many businesses or stores, so people sometimes have to drive all the way to Canada to buy groceries or go to the doctor. But the residents of Point Roberts enjoy the peace and quiet of their little community, and they make the most of living in such a unique place.

So, Point Roberts is a special tiny part of Washington State that's not connected to the rest of the United States by land. People have to drive through Canada to get there, and it's a quiet and beautiful place with beaches, parks, and friendly people. It may be small, but it's definitely something interesting to learn about!