1. Regions of the United States Chapter Seven
The South
Section Two

2. Linking Climate to Vegetation
The South has one of the warmest climates in the U.S. Because it is closest to the equator.
Weather from the Gulf of Mexico produces much precipitation throughout the South.
The wet hot climate is able to provide for different vegetation in the area.
The eastern part of the South is the most humid and has the most vegetation.
The western part of the South is the most arid with limited vegetation.
Mangroves- tropical trees that grow in swampy ground along coastal areas.
Bayous- swampy areas of land in Louisiana found near lakes and rivers.

3. Linking Climate, History, and Agriculture
The South has an abundance of rich soil.
This fact attracted European settlers to this region. The first European settlements in North America were in this region.
This region has a longer growing season than northern Europe.
Native Americans grew a variety of crops in the region. See pg. 163
European settlers developed large plantations and used slave labor from Africa and the West Indies.
Some of the poorest areas in the U.S. are found in the South.

4. Linking Resources to Industry
The South is mainly agricultural, but has important industries as well.
Fall Line- an area along the Appalachians where rivers, streams, and waterfalls helped lead to the development of the mill industry and the spread of cities.
Texas developed the oil industry in by the 60’s and 70’s it was a major industry in the region.
The Gulf Coast developed other industries due to many natural resources being available.

5. A Changing Region
Beginning in the 1950’s new industries began to develop in the South. (Space Program in Florida)
Some industries moved from the North to the South due to cheaper labor, land, and newer facilities.
Due to its mild climate, the South has grown as a retirement and tourism center.
Sunbelt- The region of southern states from the Carolinas to southern California.
The Sunbelt is in both the South and the West.

6. Southern Population
During the 1970’s the South’s population increased by 7 million.
By 1990, three of our nations largest cities were in the South: Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio.
By 1995, Texas was second only to California as the nations most populous state.

7. A Varied Population
Over half of the nation’s African American population lives in the South.
Hundreds of thousands of Hispanics have moved to the South from Mexico and other Latin American countries. San Antonio is one of the largest cities to have a Hispanic majority.
Southern Florida has a large Cuban population. Many Cubans settled in Miami since 1960 after a communist takeover of their country.
White Southerners have ancestors from England, Scotland, Ireland and France. New Orleans has a large population of French background.

8. Major Cities Miami- U.S. gateway to the Caribbean and South America.
Atlanta- major railroad and airline center.
New Orleans- major trading center and port at the mouth of the Mississippi River.
Houston- large industrial, trading, oil, and banking center. Also home to NASA.
Fort Worth- center of Texas cattle industry.
Dallas- business and electronics center.
Washington D.C.- our nations capital city. It is in the District of Columbia, carved out of Virginia and Maryland. Located on the shore of the Potomac River.