Expert: Dan Smith - 11/15/2004

Question
I thought I understood the rules, but it does get complicated at times.  I read were someone used West Coast, both capitalized.  So know I am wondering which is right:  Eastern edge of Iowa,  or Eastern Edge of Iowa, or eastern edge of Iowa.

Also: ... Western cost of America, or western coast of America, or Wewstern Coast of America.
Thank you.


Answer
It is a confusing area. But the general rule, taken from the Chicago Manual of Style, is that geographical and related terms are capitalized if they are part of a proper name and not otherwise. Thus:

East, the East Coast, the Orient, the North Pole, the South, the Middle East, and so on.

But,

eastern, eastern edge of Iowa, central Asia (but Russian Central Asia), North Atlantic (but northern Atlantic), and the eastern coast of North America.

I've only chosen a few examples, but if you want to know the full confusion check out the Chicago Manual 7.36 (Place Names). Name one of these things often enough, and everyone will eventually get something wrong about one. Don't lose sleep over it. ;-)

Hope this helps. By the way, the Chicago Manual of Style is pretty much the ultimate arbitor of such matters.