Southern United States

The Southern United States is a major geographic and cultural region.

It is one of the four census regions defined by the United States Census Bureau. The region sits between the Atlantic Ocean and the Western United States. To the north, it is bordered by the Midwestern and Northeastern United States. To the south, it meets the Gulf of Mexico and the country of Mexico. Many people refer to this area by different names. These include Dixie, the Southland, or Dixieland.

Defining the exact boundaries of the South is a complex task. Historically, the region was defined by specific markers. These included the 18th-century Mason–Dixon line, the Ohio River, and the 36°30′ parallel. Today, definitions often vary among scholars and organizations. The U.S. Census Bureau defines the South as including sixteen states and the District of Columbia. This includes the South Atlantic, East South Central, and West South Central divisions.

Some scholars suggest definitions based on culture rather than state lines. For example, Maryland and Delaware are often seen as part of the Northeast. However, the Census Bureau still classifies them as part of the South.

The South is divided into several distinct subregions. The Deep South is a term often used for states like Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina. The Upper South includes states such as Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia. There is also the Southeast and the South Central regions. Some areas are known as the Border States, including Missouri, Kentucky, Maryland, and Delaware. These were states near the Confederacy during the Civil War.

These subregions help explain the diverse identities found throughout the territory.

History has profoundly shaped the social and political landscape of the South. The region's development was heavily influenced by the institution of slave labor. This occurred from the early 1600s until the mid-1800s, especially in the Deep South and coastal plains. This era left a legacy of racism that was magnified by the Civil War and the Reconstruction era from 1865 to 1877. Following these events, the region saw the establishment of Jim Crow laws. These laws created a segregated system of separate schools and public facilities.

These laws and methods like poll taxes remained until the 1960s.

The South is a highly diverse meteorological region. It contains many climatic zones, including temperate, tropical, and arid environments. Most of the region falls within the humid subtropical climate zone. This means the South is often hot and humid with long summers. It also features short, mild winters. This climate allows for long growing seasons of at least six months.

Such conditions allow various crops to grow readily across the landscape.

Nature in the South is incredibly varied. You can find bayous, swamplands, and southern pine forests. The Appalachian Mountains offer warm temperate montane forests.

Other areas include the savannas of the southern Great Plains. Along the coasts, there are subtropical jungles and maritime forests.

The region is home to unique plants like magnolia, palm, and hickory. It also hosts diverse animals. These include the American alligator, the American black bear, and the roseate spoonbill.

Today, the South is the fastest-growing region in the United States. Houston is the largest city in the region. As of 2010, the South was the nation's most populous region. It held an estimated 114,555,744 people. This number represented thirty-seven percent of all U.S. residents.

The region has a distinct culture with unique music, food, and architecture. While it has a history of being more conservative, many areas have become a melting pot of cultures. This cultural shift has continued since the late 20th century.