The Northeast region of the U.S. is made up of the majority of eastern seaboard states. This region is sometimes subdivided into New England the Mid-Atlantic. In sum, the Northeast includes 11 states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. The District of Columbia is also located in this region.
Many of the first English settlements in the 17th century colonial era, including Plymouth and Boston, are located in this region. The first American college, now Harvard University, is also in the Northeast, matching the strong emphasis on education from the early Puritan settlers.
States in the United States' South include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
Home to the first permanent English settlement in North America, at Jamestown, Virginia, the South boasts a mild climate that provides a crop-growing office of six months or more, as well as enticing retirees to relocate to the region for their "golden years."
Tourist attractions include the Okefenokee Swamp, Mardi Gras and the French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana, and the country music industry in Nashville, Tennessee.
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Ohio and Wisconsin make up the Middle West region of the United States, usually referred to simply as "the midwest." The Great Lakes are also popular recreation areas in the region.
Nicknamed the "breadbasket of the U.S.," the region is remarkable for its agricultural industry. Corn constitutes a major crop for the area and the region is well known for its dairy products and hog farming. Wisconsin, in particular, in renowned for producing high-quality cheeses.
Home to the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley, the Southwest region encompasses the states of Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. The region boasts a strong Latin American and Native American influence on its culture.
With a climate drier than more eastern areas, the major resources of the region include cattle, cotton, oil and gas, and manufacturing.
Cattle, forests, and gold and silver mining support the sparse population of most of the Westen region of the U.S. Recreational opportunities for camping and hiking in the million acres under federal control in the area are also major draws. The area also boasts strong agricultural areas, including the wine areas of California and Washington.
The states in the West region include Alaska, Colorado, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Hawaii is usually also considered a part of this region, despite its far-flung Pacific location.