Southern
United States

Interesting Information

Just the Facts

The Southern United States is a region with a rich cultural heritage and complex history. For thousands of years, tribes such as the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminole lived here, leaving a lasting legacy.

The South was among the first areas colonized by Europeans, with Spanish settlements in Florida, French influence in Louisiana, and English colonies in Virginia and the Carolinas. The economy of the South developed around agriculture and plantations that relied heavily on enslaved labor, shaping both the culture and the conflicts of the region. This history culminated in the Civil War, after which the South began a long period of reconstruction and transformation.

Today, the South is known for its music, food, traditions, and hospitality, with influences from African American, Native American, and European cultures. The states in this region are Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Population & Language

English and Spanish are the two most commonly spoken languages in the Southwestern United States. Due to its history and proximity to Mexico, Spanish is widely spoken here, alongside Native American languages in certain communities. The population of this area is approximately 42 million, about 13% of the U.S. population.

Geography & Climate

The South’s geography ranges from Atlantic coastlines to the Appalachian Mountains, Gulf Coast marshes, and Mississippi River plains. The climate is generally humid and warm, with hot summers and mild winters. The Gulf Coast is prone to hurricanes.

Top Tourist Destinations

Walt Disney World
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
New Orleans French Quarter
Kennedy Space Center
Colonial Williamsburg
Blue Ridge Parkway

Most Populated Cities

Jacksonville, Florida
Charlotte, North Carolina
Nashville, Tennessee
Louisville, Kentucky
Memphis, Tennessee
Atlanta, Georgia
Raleigh, North Carolina
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Miami, Florida
New Orleans, Louisiana

Where do you want to go?

Alabama

Kentucky

South Carolina

Arkansas

Louisiana

Tennessee

Florida

Mississippi

Virginia

Georgia

North Carolina

West Virginia

“This is a place where grandmothers hold babies on their laps under the stars and whisper in their ears that the lights in the sky are holes in the floor of heaven.”
Rick Bragg

Where is it?