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Southern United States

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

The Southern United States is a huge and important region.

Map of USA South
Map of USA South

It sits between the Atlantic Ocean and the Western United States. To the south, the region meets the Gulf of Mexico. The North is bordered by the Midwestern and Northeastern states. Many people call this area the Southland or Dixie. It is the fastest-growing part of the whole country today.

The Harmsworth atlas and Gazetter 1908 (135851607)
The Harmsworth atlas and Gazetter 1908 (135851607)

Houston is the largest city found in this region.

The weather in the South is very diverse. Most areas have a humid subtropical climate. This means the air often feels hot and wet. Summers are usually long and winters stay quite mild. This warm weather is great for growing many crops. Most places have a growing season of at least six months.

You might see pine forests or swampy bayous.

Pearl River backwater in Mississippi
Pearl River backwater in Mississippi

Many animals live here, such as alligators and black bears.

ChesapeakeTidalWetlands
ChesapeakeTidalWetlands

You can also find armadillos and many different birds.

History has shaped the South in deep ways. Long ago, Paleo-Indians lived here as hunter-gatherers. They roamed the land in small bands. Later, the region was shaped by the institution of slave labor. This lasted from the early 1600s until the mid-1800s. This time caused much hardship for African Americans. The Civil War and the Reconstruction era followed.

Slavery in the 13 colonies
Slavery in the 13 colonies

These events left a lasting legacy of racism. Many people fought for their rights during this time.

Little Bo Peep. Group of men and women seated outside, child peeking out of a barrel in the foreground
Little Bo Peep. Group of men and women seated outside, child peeking out of a barrel in the foreground

The Census Bureau defines the South using sixteen states.

Southern United States Civil War Map
Southern United States Civil War Map

This includes the District of Columbia. The region is split into three smaller parts. The South Atlantic states include Florida and Georgia. The East South Central states include Alabama and Kentucky. The West South Central states include Texas and Louisiana. In 2010, about 114,555,744 people lived in the South. This was thirty-seven percent of all people in the U.S.

CottonpickHoustonWhere17
CottonpickHoustonWhere17

The South has a very distinct culture. It is known for unique music, food, and fashion. Many areas are very diverse with many different people. This makes the region a melting pot of cultures. Some parts are known as the Deep South. Other parts are called the Upper South.

Texas Hill Country 187N-2
Texas Hill Country 187N-2

You might also hear about the Bible Belt. This is an area with many Protestant churches. The South is a place of many different stories.

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🖼️ Images & Media (55)
File:Map of USA South.svg
Map of USA South.svg
File:Texas Hill Country 187N-2.JPG
Texas Hill Country 187N-2.JPG
File:Kentucky horse farm.JPEG
Kentucky horse farm.JPEG
File:Gloss Mountains.jpg
Gloss Mountains.jpg
File:Linville Gorge-27527-3.jpg
Linville Gorge-27527-3.jpg
File:Lone Oak in Saint Bernard Parish.jpg
Lone Oak in Saint Bernard Parish.jpg
File:Pearl River backwater in Mississippi.jpg
Pearl River backwater in Mississippi.jpg
File:Misty Bluff along the Buffalo River.jpg
Misty Bluff along the Buffalo River.jpg
File:ChesapeakeTidalWetlands.jpg
ChesapeakeTidalWetlands.jpg
File:Cherry River West Virginia.jpg
Cherry River West Virginia.jpg
File:Grayson County VA.jpg
Grayson County VA.jpg
File:Gacolony.png
Gacolony.png

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