Southern United States

Southern United States‏‎

The Southern United States‏‎, also known as the American South, the South, or simply Dixie, is a region in the southeastern and south-central United States. The region's culture, geography, history, and politics are distinct from the rest of the country.

Geography

The Southern United States‏‎ is located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico to the east, and the Mississippi River to the west. It includes the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. Some definitions also include parts of Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio.

Culture

The culture of the Southern United States‏‎ is a subculture of the United States. The combination of its unique history and the fact that many Southerners maintain—and even nurture—an identity separate from the rest of the country has led to it being the most studied and written-about region of the U.S.

History

The history of the Southern United States‏‎ reaches back hundreds of years and includes the Mississippian culture, the American Civil War, the Reconstruction Era, the Jim Crow Era, and the Civil Rights Movement.

Economy

The economy of the Southern United States‏‎ is one of the largest in the world, with a gross domestic product (GDP) of over $5.6 trillion in 2016. The South's economic activity is diverse and includes strong sectors in agriculture, manufacturing, and services.

Politics

The politics of the Southern United States‏‎ have been heavily influenced by its history. The South was the stronghold of the Democratic Party for many decades, but it has become increasingly Republican since the 1960s.

See also

• Culture of the Southern United States
• History of the Southern United States
• Economy of the Southern United States
• Politics of the Southern United States