In the context of the original thirteen American colonies, which of the following colonies was located farthest to the north?

Introduction / Context:
Before the formation of the United States, the eastern coast of North America contained thirteen British colonies. Understanding their relative locations is important in early American history and geography. This question asks you to identify which of the listed colonies lay farthest to the north, testing your mental map of the colonial seaboard from New England down to the southern colonies.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The focus is on the original thirteen British colonies in North America.
• We compare the latitudinal position of four colonies: Massachusetts, Virginia, Georgia, and New Hampshire.
• We interpret farthest north as the colony whose territory extended to the highest latitude.
• We assume the approximate historical boundaries as commonly taught in school history.

Concept / Approach:
Among the original thirteen colonies, the New England colonies occupied the northernmost positions along the Atlantic coast. These included New Hampshire, Massachusetts (which at one time included what is now Maine), Rhode Island, and Connecticut. New Hampshire lies to the north of Massachusetts, while Virginia and Georgia are further south in the middle and southern colonies. Therefore, when comparing Massachusetts, Virginia, Georgia, and New Hampshire, the colony whose territory extended the farthest north is New Hampshire.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Visualise the map of the eastern seaboard of North America with the thirteen colonies arranged roughly from north to south. Step 2: Recall that New England colonies such as New Hampshire and Massachusetts lie in the northern part of this chain. Step 3: Recognise that Virginia and Georgia were historically part of the southern half, with Georgia near the southern end of the colonial line. Step 4: Compare New Hampshire and Massachusetts and remember that New Hampshire is situated directly north of Massachusetts. Step 5: Conclude that New Hampshire was the colony located farthest to the north among the options.

Verification / Alternative check:
Historical maps of the thirteen colonies show New Hampshire bordering present day Canada (then British territory), while Massachusetts lies immediately to its south. Virginia occupies a more central position further south, and Georgia was one of the southernmost colonies, bordering Spanish Florida. These maps confirm that New Hampshire's northern latitude exceeded that of Massachusetts, Virginia, and Georgia, leaving it as the northernmost among those listed.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Massachusetts is indeed a northern colony but lies south of New Hampshire, so while it is far north, it is not the farthest north among the options, making option A incorrect. Virginia was a middle colony located well south of New England, so option B is clearly not the northernmost. Georgia was established as a southern colony bordering Florida and is among the southernmost of the thirteen, making option C incorrect. Only New Hampshire, in option D, lies farthest north among the four choices.

Common Pitfalls:
A common error is to assume Massachusetts is the northernmost because students remember Boston and New England as cold and snowy. Another pitfall is not recalling that New Hampshire exists separately and lies just above Massachusetts. To avoid such mistakes, study a simple north to south list of the thirteen colonies and remember that New Hampshire was at the northern end of the group of colonies given in this question.

Final Answer:
Among the listed colonies, the one located farthest to the north was New Hampshire.