Explore the southern states map to see the US states located in the southern part of United States.
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States in the Southern United States
State
Capital
Largest City
Population (2023 est.)
Area (sq mi)
Time Zone(s)
Major Geographic Features
Notable Facts
Alabama
Montgomery
Birmingham
5,100,000
52,420
Central
Appalachian Mountains, Gulf Coast
Site of major Civil Rights Movement events.
Arkansas
Little Rock
Little Rock
3,050,000
53,179
Central
Ozark Mountains, Mississippi River
Known for hot springs and natural beauty.
Delaware
Dover
Wilmington
1,030,000
2,489
Eastern
Delaware River, Atlantic Coastal Plain
First state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.
Florida
Tallahassee
Jacksonville
22,610,000
65,758
Eastern / Central
Everglades, Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico
Home to NASA's Kennedy Space Center and world-famous beaches.
Georgia
Atlanta
Atlanta
11,000,000
59,425
Eastern
Blue Ridge Mountains, Coastal Plain
Major hub for transportation and commerce in the Southeast.
Kentucky
Frankfort
Louisville
4,540,000
40,408
Eastern / Central
Cumberland Plateau, Ohio River
Famous for bourbon, horse racing, and bluegrass music.
Louisiana
Baton Rouge
New Orleans
4,620,000
52,378
Central
Mississippi River Delta, Gulf Coast
Rich French and Creole heritage; birthplace of jazz.
Maryland
Annapolis
Baltimore
6,180,000
12,407
Eastern
Chesapeake Bay, Appalachian Mountains
One of the original 13 colonies, significant Revolutionary history.
Mississippi
Jackson
Jackson
2,930,000
48,432
Central
Mississippi River, Gulf of Mexico
Important roots in blues music and Southern literature.
North Carolina
Raleigh
Charlotte
10,870,000
53,819
Eastern
Appalachian Mountains, Outer Banks
Home to Research Triangle and significant colonial history.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
4,050,000
69,899
Central
Great Plains, Red River
High Native American population; oil-rich economy.
South Carolina
Columbia
Charleston
5,400,000
32,020
Eastern
Piedmont Plateau, Atlantic Coast
Site of the first shots of the American Civil War.
Tennessee
Nashville
Memphis
7,120,000
42,144
Central / Eastern
Smoky Mountains, Mississippi River
Heart of country music and blues heritage.
Texas
Austin
Houston
30,500,000
268,596
Central / Mountain
Rio Grande, Gulf Coast, Hill Country
Second most populous state, diverse economy and culture.
Virginia
Richmond
Virginia Beach
8,680,000
42,775
Eastern
Blue Ridge Mountains, Chesapeake Bay
Cradle of early U.S. history and leadership.
West Virginia
Charleston
Charleston
1,770,000
24,230
Eastern
Appalachian Mountains, Ohio River
Famous for coal mining history and rugged terrain.
Southern United States
The Southern United States stands as one of America's essential historical territories which extends from the Atlantic coast to the western plains. The core states of Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia make up the traditional Southern United States. The region holds crucial importance in American history while maintaining its unique geographical features and climate patterns and cultural heritage.
Geographic Characteristics
The Southern United States covers a large area of diverse geography. The South extends from the Appalachian Mountains in the east to the Great Plains in the west and from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico with its varied landscape of rolling hills and coastal plains and fertile river valleys and expansive forested areas. The Appalachian range dominates West Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee while Texas and Oklahoma extend into central lowlands and prairie regions.
The Mississippi River stands as one of North America's major river systems which drives both regional topography and economic growth. The Chesapeake Bay runs through Maryland while Chesapeake coastal regions extend into Virginia to serve as essential geographic markers. The region extends across Florida and Alabama and Louisiana and Texas where extensive coastlines create both its humid subtropical climate and its regular exposure to hurricanes and tropical storms.
The Southern United States has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. The states near the Gulf Coast and Atlantic shoreline, such as Florida and Louisiana, have higher humidity and more rainfall than the inland states. Texas and Oklahoma also have drier and more arid conditions, especially in their western regions.
Historical Significance
The Southern United States occupies a significant position in American history because it played a major role in colonial settlement and the American Revolution and Civil War and Civil Rights Movement. The region was first settled by the British, Spanish and French and many of its oldest cities such as St. Augustine, Charleston and New Orleans still have colonial architecture and cultural influences.
The agricultural sector of the South became its main economic driver during the 18th and 19th centuries through plantation slavery which produced cotton and tobacco and rice. The American Civil War started in 1861 because several Southern states seceded from the Union. Following the Confederacy's defeat in 1865 the South entered Reconstruction which brought social political and economic changes that shaped future developments.
The 20th century brought new transformations. The South was the epicenter of the Civil Rights Movement, with key events such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the March on Selma, and the integration of public schools shaping national policy and consciousness. Atlanta, Birmingham, and Memphis were cities that became symbolic battlegrounds for racial equality and justice.
Culture and Identity
The Southern United States maintains its reputation for friendly hospitality alongside religious traditionalism and its unique food culture and musical heritage. The Southern United States serves as the origin point for five major musical genres including Gospel blues country bluegrass and rock and roll. The Southern food tradition combines elements from Native American and African and European culinary backgrounds through its main dishes of fried chicken cornbread collard greens barbecue and gumbo.
The area earns its religious nickname as the "Bible Belt" because evangelical Protestantism strongly influences both public and private life throughout the region. The Southern identity consists of strong social traditions alongside storytelling and family ties and local pride.
Economic Landscape and Growth
The South has shifted its economic foundation from farming to contemporary diversified operations. Major cities including Houston, Atlanta, Dallas, Nashville, Charlotte and Tampa serve as industrial centers that support energy production and manufacturing alongside finance, healthcare and technology sectors. The region enjoys a low cost of living together with strong transportation networks and its population grows because of domestic migration.
The United States has witnessed a rapid increase in population and economic growth in Florida, Texas, and North Carolina, which has made them among the most populous and economically influential states in the country. Tourism is also an important sector, with places like Disney World, Graceland, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and New Orleans' French Quarter attracting millions of visitors every year.
Modern Demographics and Diversity
The Southern United States contains a diverse population which undergoes rapid demographic changes. Historically associated with Anglo-American and African American populations the region has experienced major Hispanic and Latino population growth particularly in Texas and Florida. Native American tribes consisting of Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw and Seminole maintain important historical roots as well as ongoing presence in the region.
The South experiences ongoing transformation through urbanization and immigration and cultural fusion which creates modern metropolitan areas alongside traditional rural communities. The wide range of educational and political institutions across states creates the South's multifaceted social and political environment.