Southern United States

Southern United States
Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	Southern United States
Other name	The American South, Dixie
Population	126,266,107
GDP	$5.5 trillion
States	Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia
Largest city	Houston
Time zone	EST/CST

Southern United States. The Southern United States, often called the American South or Dixie, is a major cultural and geographic region of the United States. It is defined by a distinct history centered on plantation agriculture, the institution of slavery, secession, and the American Civil War, which has profoundly shaped its social and political identity. The region is known for its unique cultural traditions in cuisine, music, literature, and dialect, and encompasses a diverse landscape ranging from the coastal plains of the Atlantic Ocean to the Appalachian Mountains.

Geography

The physical geography of the South is highly varied, featuring the low-lying Atlantic coastal plain and the Gulf Coastal Plain which include major river systems like the Mississippi River and the Missouri River. The interior is marked by the rolling hills of the Piedmont and the ancient, forested ranges of the Appalachian Mountains, which extend through states like West Virginia and Tennessee. Significant waterways include the Ohio River, forming a northern border, and the Rio Grande along the southwestern boundary with Mexico. The climate is predominantly humid subtropical, supporting extensive agriculture, though it includes the arid landscapes of West Texas and the unique wetland environment of the Florida Everglades.

History

The region's history began with indigenous cultures such as the Cherokee, Choctaw, and Creek, followed by early European colonization by Spain, England, and France. The economy became dominated by plantation agriculture, reliant on enslaved Africans, leading to the antebellum era. The Confederacy's formation and the subsequent American Civil War, including pivotal battles like the Battle of Gettysburg and the Battle of Antietam, concluded with Reconstruction. The 20th century was defined by the Great Migration, the Civil Rights Movement—centered on events like the Montgomery bus boycott and leaders like Martin Luther King Jr.—and the transformative Sun Belt growth.

Demographics

The South is the most populous U.S. region, with major metropolitan areas including Dallas-Fort Worth, Atlanta, Houston, and Miami. It has a diverse population with significant African American communities, particularly in the Black Belt, and growing Hispanic populations in states like Texas and Florida. Other notable groups include Cajuns in Louisiana, descendants of Acadians, and concentrated populations of Scotch-Irish in Appalachia. Religious affiliation is predominantly Evangelical Protestant, with high adherence to the Southern Baptist Convention and United Methodist Church.

Culture

Southern culture is globally influential, giving birth to blues in the Mississippi Delta, country music in Nashville, jazz in New Orleans, and rock and roll in Memphis. Culinary traditions include soul food, Cajun cuisine, Creole cuisine, and staples like barbecue and grits. The region has a rich literary tradition through writers like William Faulkner, Flannery O'Connor, and Tennessee Williams. Cultural events range from Mardi Gras in New Orleans to the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, and the sport of college football holds particular cultural significance, with powerhouse conferences like the Southeastern Conference.

Economy

Historically agrarian, based on cash crops like cotton, tobacco, and sugarcane, the modern Southern economy is now highly diversified. It is a national leader in energy production, including petroleum in Texas and Louisiana and coal in Appalachia, and in aerospace manufacturing, centered in Huntsville, Alabama and Cape Canaveral. The Port of South Louisiana and the Port of Houston are among the nation's busiest, and financial hubs like Charlotte house major institutions such as Bank of America. The tourism industry thrives on destinations like Walt Disney World, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the French Quarter.

Politics

The political landscape has undergone a dramatic shift from the solidly Democratic "Solid South" of the post-Reconstruction period to a modern stronghold for the Republican Party, particularly in presidential elections since the Southern strategy. This realignment was influenced by the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Contemporary politics are characterized by conservative policies on many social issues, strong support for the Second Amendment, and active political figures such as Mitch McConnell and Lindsey Graham. However, demographic changes have made states like Virginia and Georgia increasingly competitive in national elections.

Category:Regions of the United States Category:Census regions of the United States