Coastal Plain Example: The Atlantic Coastal Plain Stretching from New York to Florida

A classic example of a coastal plain is the Atlantic Coastal Plain, a low-lying, gently sloping region extending from New York City southward to the Florida Keys, covering parts of:

• New York (Long Island)
• New Jersey
• Delaware
• Maryland
• Virginia
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• Georgia
• Florida
• Alabama (small southwestern corner)

Characteristics:

• Flat to gently rolling terrain, elevation generally <100 m (330 ft)
• Young sedimentary deposits (sand, clay, gravel) over ancient basement rock
• Numerous rivers, estuaries, and wetlands
• Barrier islands (Outer Banks, Sea Islands) protecting lagoons and marshes
• Long sandy beaches, salt marshes, maritime forests

This plain formed as sea levels fluctuated over millions of years, depositing sediments eroded from the Appalachians. It's a prime agricultural zone (cotton, peanuts, soy) and hosts major cities (NYC, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Charleston, Jacksonville).