Southern US Map

About Southern US Map

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.