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Eastern United States facts for kids

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U.S. Territorial Acquisitions
This map shows the land the United States gained from Great Britain in 1783 after the American Revolutionary War. This area is now known as the Eastern United States.

The Eastern United States, often called the East, is a big part of the United States located east of the Mississippi River. It includes many states, usually between 17 and 26, plus Washington, D.C., which is the nation's capital city.

In 2011, over 179 million people lived in the Eastern United States. That's more than half of everyone in the entire U.S.! The three biggest cities in the East are New York City, Chicago, and Philadelphia.

Exploring the Northeastern United States

Main article: Northeastern United States

The United States Census Bureau says the Northeastern United States has nine states. These are (from north to south): Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Long ago, before Europeans arrived, this area was home to many different Native American groups. They lived in different zones, like the coastal areas, along the Saint Lawrence River, and near the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes area was especially important because many different tribes lived there.

What is New England?

Main article: New England

New England is a special part of the northeastern U.S. It's bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, Canada, and the state of New York. Six states make up New England: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.

The first English settlers, called Pilgrims, arrived in New England in 1620 at Plymouth Colony. This was one of the earliest British settlements in the New World. Later, in the late 1700s, New England played a huge role in starting the American Revolution against Great Britain. Events like the Boston Tea Party in 1773 and the first shots of the war at the Battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775 happened here.

New England is also famous for its history of education and new ideas. It was where American literature and philosophy first grew. It was also a leader in making public education available to everyone. In the 1800s, New England was a key place for the movement to end slavery. It was also the first part of the U.S. to be changed by the Industrial Revolution, where factories and machines became very important.

Today, New England is still known for its excellent schools. In 2023, two of the top universities in the nation, Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), are located in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Discovering the Mid-Atlantic States

Main article: Mid-Atlantic (United States)

The United States Census Bureau also defines the Mid-Atlantic as a subregion of the northeastern U.S. It includes three states: New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

This region is home to New York City, which is the largest city in the U.S. and a major global hub for money and culture. Philadelphia is also in this region. It's the nation's sixth-largest city and was once the first capital of the U.S. Important historical documents like the Declaration of Independence (signed in 1776) and the U.S. Constitution (written in 1789) were created in Philadelphia at Independence Hall.

The Mid-Atlantic region also has many top universities. In 2023, four of the top 25 universities in the nation were here: Princeton University in New Jersey, Cornell University in New York, Columbia University in New York City, and the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

The East North Central States

Main article: East North Central States

The East North Central area is another important part of the Eastern United States. It includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin. These states are often considered part of the Midwest, but they also connect to the Northeast through the Great Lakes region.

Historically, this area was influenced by both British and French cultures. As the United States grew westward, American culture became very strong here. Most people in these states are Christians, with many different types of churches like Catholic, Methodist, Lutheran, and Baptist. Islam is the largest non-Christian religion.

Chicago is the biggest city in this region, followed by Columbus, Ohio and Indianapolis. The oldest city in the region is Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, founded by French missionaries in 1668.

The East North Central States are also home to a highly-ranked university. In 2023, the University of Chicago was ranked among the top ten universities in the nation.

Exploring the Southeastern United States

Main article: Southeastern United States

The Southeastern United States is a large and diverse region. It stretches north to states like Maryland and West Virginia, and west to Arkansas and Louisiana. Unlike the Northeast, there isn't one official way the U.S. government defines the Southeast, so its exact borders can change depending on who you ask.

The Southeast has a very special culture and history. Some key parts of its heritage include:

  • Unique Native American cultures.
  • Early European settlers, mainly from England, Scotland, and Germany.
  • Important events during the American Revolutionary War.
  • A period of significant social and economic change that shaped its society.
  • The lasting impact of the American Civil War.
  • Important social movements, like the Civil rights movement, which brought about big changes.

These historical events and influences have led to the South having its own distinct customs, stories, music, and food that have greatly influenced American culture.

After World War II in the 1940s, the Southeast began to change from mostly rural areas (farms and small towns) to more cities and large urban areas. Since the late 1900s, many parts of the Southeast have seen a lot of economic growth. This growth has attracted many people to move to these states. For example, in 2020, many large companies from the Fortune 500 list had their main offices in states like Virginia, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

The South Atlantic States

Main article: South Atlantic states

The South Atlantic region is one of the nine areas defined by the United States Census Bureau. This region includes states that were part of the original Thirteen Colonies in the South, plus Florida. It has eight states and one federal district: Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.). All of these, except for Washington, D.C. and West Virginia, are located along the Atlantic Ocean.

In 2010, over 61 million people lived in the South Atlantic states. The region covers a large area of land. Except for West Virginia, this region has grown very quickly in population and economy in recent years.

The South Atlantic region is also home to some of the nation's best universities. In 2023, three of the top ten universities were here: Johns Hopkins University in Maryland, Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and Duke University in North Carolina.

The East South Central States

Main article: East South Central States

The East South Central region is another division used by the United States Census Bureau. Four states make up this area: Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama. Historically, this region was influenced by French, Spanish, British, and early U.S. governments.

Politically and culturally, the East South Central states are often seen as more traditional than the South Atlantic states. Many people in this region are part of conservative Evangelical Protestantism, which is a central part of what is known as the "Bible Belt".

In 2020, the East South Central states had a combined population of over 19 million people. Tennessee is the state with the most people in this region, and it was also the fastest-growing state here between 2010 and 2020. Alabama is the largest state by land area.

Major Cities in the Eastern United States

Here are some of the largest cities in the Eastern United States, based on how many people lived there in 2021:

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