# Travel >> Destinations >> Central America

Which U.S. Region Contains the Most States?

The South is the largest U.S. Census region by number of states, containing 16 states (plus District of Columbia).

Four Census Regions

Region	States	Count
South	TX, OK, AR, LA, MS, AL, TN, KY, WV, VA, NC, SC, GA, FL, MD, DE (+ DC)	16
Midwest	OH, MI, IN, IL, WI, MN, IA, MO, ND, SD, NE, KS	12
West	MT, WY, CO, NM, ID, UT, AZ, NV, WA, OR, CA, AK, HI	13
Northeast	ME, NH, VT, MA, RI, CT, NY, NJ, PA	9

Subregional Breakdown (South)

South Atlantic: DE, MD, DC, VA, WV, NC, SC, GA, FL (9)
East South Central: KY, TN, AL, MS (4)
West South Central: AR, LA, OK, TX (4)

Why the South Has More States

Early colonization created many original colonies/states
Large territory acquired via Louisiana Purchase, annexation, cession
Post-Civil War readmission created distinct state identities
Less consolidation than Midwest/West where territories became fewer, larger states

Alternative Regional Definitions

Other frameworks (time zones, cultural regions, federal districts) yield different groupings. The Census Bureau's four-region model is the standard for statistical comparison.

Countries Within 1,000 Miles of New Orleans: None

Who Leads Cuba? Understanding the Political Structure

Central America