the southern united states

The Southern United States Outline Notes

Mr. Zunic

Vocabulary• Barrier Islands-a long

narrow, sandy island separated from the mainland. EX-Outer Banks NC

• Wetlands-land areas that are flooded for at least part of the year.

• Sediment-small bits of mud, sand, and gravel that collect at the river’s mouth.

• Diversify-farmers produce a variety of crops and not just one.

12 States that make up the South

• Louisiana

• Texas

• Arkansas

• Tennessee

• Mississippi

• Alabama

• Kentucky

• Georgia

• Florida

• South Carolina

• North Carolina

• Virginia

Landforms • What is the major

landform region in the South? What are two geographic features included in this landform?– Coastal Plain-stretches

inland from Atlantic ocean and Gulf of Mexico; Barrier Islands line most of the Shore

– Ozark Plateau-mainly lies in Arkansas; rugged. Hilly region

Ozark Plateau

Landforms Contd

• Where are some of the largest wetlands areas? – The Everglades in

Florida & Okefenokee Swamp in Georgia

– Louisiana marsh areas on the Mississippi delta.

– Mississippi Delta-a low swampy area cut by small streams

Everglades

Mississippi River Delta

Mississippi River delta from space.

Landforms Contd• Describe features of

the Piedmont in the Southern states.– Piedmont is an upland

region– Covers much of Virginia,

Carolina, & Georgia – Farther in from the coast

lies the Appalachians – Landforms in the region

include Blue Ridge and Great Smokey Mts. & Cumberland Plateau

Piedmont Region in Orange

Landforms Contd• Where are the

Interior plains? – Plains cover much of

Kentucky & Tennessee and eastern Texas

– In some places the land rises between 2,000 & 5,000 ft.

– Texas is a region of mountain ranges & desert basins

Climate

• What type of climate dominates the South. –Humid Subtropical-winters are mild;

summers are long, hot, and humid

–Appalachians and Ozarks experience cooler temperatures

–Texas ranges from humid subtropical to desert

Climate Contd• What about

precipitation? – Much of the South

receives between 40-60 inches of rain per year.

– Thunderstorms with dangerous lightening & Tornadoes

– Late summer and early fall is Hurricane season

Economy

• Historically, the South has been an agricultural society. However, there are now many major cities & commercial centers including:– Huston – Dallas-Fort Worth – Atlanta – Miami – New Orleans

Agriculture

• No longer the South’s major economic activity.

• Region has been a major producer of cotton, tobacco, and citrus fruits

• Recently, farmers have tried to diversify-producing a variety of crops, not just one.

Resources

• Coastal waters of Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic are rich in ocean life.

• Louisiana & Texas are leading in fishing (oysters, shrimp, etc…)

• Mineral resources include coal, sulfur, salt, phosphates, oil, and natural gas

• Florida has the largest phosphate mining industry

• Louisiana & Texas have oil.

Texas Oil Well

Industry • Textile industries operate in the Piedmont

regions of Georgia, Carolinas, & Virginia

• Gulf coast and lower Mississippi have huge oil refineries.

• Some cities have computer, software, and publishing companies

• Warm weather and beautiful beaches draw many vacationers

• Many southern cities have important links to central & south America such as Miami.

Southern Beaches