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The U.S. state closest to Cuba is Florida. Specifically, the southernmost point of the continental United States is located in Key West, Florida, which is about 90 miles from Cuba. Given the proximity, Key West is the part of the United States that is nearest to Cuba.
The relationship between the distance from Florida to Cuba can be an interesting geographical topic for students to explore. Looking at a map of the southern region of the United States and the northern Caribbean, one can see that Florida is a peninsula that extends into the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, getting very close to the island of Cuba at its southernmost point.
Furthermore, students can learn about the Florida Straits, the body of water that separates Florida from Cuba. This strait is considered part of the Atlantic Ocean, and is a crucial passage for ships traveling from the East Coast of the United States to the Gulf of Mexico, as well as part of a historic migratory route for people traveling by boat from Cuba to the United States.
Understanding this geography also helps explain political and cultural connections historically, such as during the Cold War when the proximity of Cuba to the United States (especially during the Cuban Missile Crisis) was a major point of tension. Additionally, the Florida Keys, a chain of tropical islands stretching about 120 miles off the state's southern tip, offer a fascinating study in marine biology, tourism, and environmental science, given their unique ecosystem and proximity to the world's third-largest barrier reef.