Capitalization of east coast

Capitalize East Coast when it names a recognized region, such as the East Coast of the United States. Use lowercase for a purely directional description, such as the east coast of a small island when no established regional name is intended.

Meaning and context

The key distinction is a regional name versus a compass description. The same principle can affect east, west, north, and south in other place expressions. A publication’s style guide may specify how it handles borderline regional references.

Examples and usage

She moved to the East Coast treats the phrase as a regional name. The boat followed the island’s east coast describes the side of an island. Capitalization communicates the intended use rather than changing the physical direction.

What to check

Check whether your sentence gives the reader enough location information. East Coast can be ambiguous outside a shared national context. On first mention, naming the country or region can be clearer than relying on capitalization alone.

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