Characteristics of the U.S. South: Geography, Climate, Culture, Economy

Geography

• Appalachians (north/west), Coastal Plain (south/east), Piedmont (transition).
• Mississippi River + major tributaries (Tennessee, Ohio, Arkansas, Red).
• Gulf/Atlantic coasts: barrier islands, marshes, estuaries.
• Wetlands: Everglades, Atchafalaya, Okefenokee.
• Karst: Florida/AL/TN/KY caves, springs, sinkholes.

Climate

• Humid subtropical (most): hot summers (>90°F), mild winters, ample rain.
• Tropical (S. Florida, Keys): no frost.
• Hurricanes (Gulf/Atlantic), tornadoes (Dixie Alley), ice storms (north).

Culture

• Diverse: Black, White, Latino, Native, Asian communities.
• Bible Belt: evangelical Protestant dominance.
• Music: blues, jazz, country, rock, hip-hop (Atlanta, Houston, Memphis, New Orleans).
• Food: BBQ, fried chicken, grits, gumbo, Tex-Mex, Lowcountry, soul food.

Economy

• Legacy: cotton, textiles, steel, auto (AL, TN, SC, KY).
• Growth: logistics, aerospace, finance (Charlotte, Atlanta), tech (Austin, Raleigh), healthcare, tourism.
• Disparities: metros boom; rural Black Belt / Appalachia lag.