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List of regions of the United States facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The United States is a huge country! To make it easier to understand, people divide it into different areas called regions. These regions can be defined in many ways. Some regions are set by the government for official reasons. Others are based on shared culture, history, or how people earn a living.

Official Regions of the United States

Census Bureau Regions

Census Regions and Division of the United States
U.S. Census Bureau regions and divisions

Since 1950, the United States Census Bureau has divided the country into four main statistical regions. These regions are often used when collecting and analyzing information about the country. Each region is then split into smaller divisions.

It's important to know that Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories are not part of these Census Bureau regions or divisions.

Federal Reserve Bank Districts

Federal Reserve Districts Map
Federal Reserve districts.

The Federal Reserve Act was passed in 1913. It divided the country into twelve districts. Each district has a main Federal Reserve Bank. These twelve banks work together to form the Federal Reserve System. This system acts as the central bank for the United States. Missouri is the only state that has two Federal Reserve locations within its borders. However, parts of other states can also belong to more than one district.

Time Zones

Main article: Time in the United States
US-Timezones
U.S. time zones. (Some U.S. time zones are not on this map.)

The United States is so wide that it has many different time zones. This helps keep track of time across the country.

Courts of Appeals Circuits

Main article: United States courts of appeals
US Court of Appeals and District Court map
U.S. Courts of Appeals circuits

The U.S. legal system divides the country into different circuits for its Courts of Appeals. These courts hear appeals from lower courts.

The Federal Circuit is different. It handles specific types of cases from all over the country, not just one region.

Agency Administrative Regions

In 1969, the government tried to make it easier for different federal agencies to work together. They created ten "Standard Federal Regions." Even though this system was officially stopped in 1995, some agencies still use it. Examples include the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

EPA Regions and Offices

Regions of the United States EPA
Regions of the U.S. EPA
Region I

Office location: Boston States: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont

Region II

Office location: New York City States: New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands

Region III

Office location: Philadelphia States: Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia

Region IV

Office location: Atlanta States: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee

Region V

Office location: Chicago States: Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin

Region VI

Office location: Dallas States: Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas

Region VII

Office location: Kansas City States: Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska

Region VIII

Office location: Denver States: Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming

Region IX

Office location: San Francisco States: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Guam, and American Samoa

Region X

Office location: Seattle States: Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington

Unofficial Regions

These regions are not set by the government. Instead, they are areas that people recognize because they share similar features. This could be their geography, culture, or history.

Multi-State Regions

These regions stretch across several states.

  • Appalachia (a mountain region in the eastern U.S.)
  • Cascadia (includes parts of Oregon, Washington, and Canada)
  • Deep South (a cultural region in the southeastern U.S.)
  • Great Lakes Region (around the Great Lakes)
  • Great Plains (a large, flat area in the central U.S.)
  • New England (a historic region in the northeastern U.S.)
  • Rocky Mountains (a major mountain range)
  • Sun Belt (a warm region in the southern and western U.S.)
  • Tornado Alley (an area where tornadoes are common)

The Belts

For a more comprehensive list, see List of belt regions of the United States.

Some unofficial regions are called "belts" because they form a long strip across the country. They are often named after what they are known for.

  • Bible Belt (known for strong religious beliefs)
  • Corn Belt (where a lot of corn is grown)
  • Rust Belt (an older industrial area)
  • Snowbelt (gets a lot of snow)
  • Sun Belt (a warm, sunny region)

Interstate Megalopolises

See also: Megaregions of the United States
Further information: Megalopolis

A megalopolis is a very large urban area. It is formed when several big cities and their suburbs grow together.

  • California (includes cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco)
  • Great Lakes (around cities like Chicago and Detroit)
  • Northeast (from Boston to Washington, D.C.)

Interstate Metropolitan Areas

See also: Tri-state area

These are large city areas that cross state lines.

Intrastate and Intraterritory Regions

Each state and territory also has its own unique regions. These are smaller areas within a single state or territory. Here are a few examples:

Alabama

AlaCounties
A map of Alabama regions.

Alaska

Alaska Panhandle
The Alaska Panhandle

Arizona

Az strip
The Arizona Strip

California

For a more comprehensive list, see List of regions of California.

California is a very large state with many distinct regions. These include coastal areas, mountains, deserts, and valleys.

Colorado

Front Range Urban Corridor
An enlargeable map of the Front Range Urban Corridor of Colorado and Wyoming.

Florida

The First Coast
The First Coast
Panhandle Florida
The Florida Panhandle

Florida has many regions, often named for their location or features.

Hawaii

Hawaiianislandchain USGS
Hawaiian archipelago
Hawaii islands
Main Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii is made up of many islands, each with its own unique areas.

Illinois

Littleegyptmap
Southern Illinois is also known as "Little Egypt".

Louisiana

Louisiana regions map
A map of Louisiana's regions

Michigan

Michigan Regions
Michigan's regions

Michigan is divided into two main parts: the Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula.

Lower Peninsula

Upper Peninsula

New York

Map of New York Economic Regions
Regions of New York as defined by the New York State Department of Economic Development.
1. Western New York – counties: Niagara, Erie, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany
2. Finger Lakes – counties: Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Monroe, Livingston, Wayne, Ontario, Yates, Seneca
3. Southern Tier – counties: Steuben, Schuyler, Chemung, Tompkins, Tioga, Chenango, Broome, Delaware
4. Central New York – counties: Cortland, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oswego, Madison
5. North Country – counties : St. Lawrence, Lewis, Jefferson, Hamilton, Essex, Clinton, Franklin
6. Mohawk Valley – counties: Oneida, Herkimer, Fulton, Montgomery, Otsego, Schoharie
7. Capital District – counties : Albany, Columbia, Greene, Warren, Washington, Saratoga, Schenectady, Rensselaer
8. Hudson Valley – counties: Sullivan, Ulster, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Westchester
9. New York City – counties (boroughs): New York (Manhattan), Bronx (The Bronx), Queens (Queens), Kings (Brooklyn), Richmond (Staten Island)
10. Long Island – counties: Nassau, Suffolk

New York State has many distinct regions, from its famous city to vast wilderness.

North Carolina

NC regions
Regions of North Carolina.

North Carolina is often divided into three main geographic regions.

Oklahoma

Map of Oklahoma highlighting Panhandle
The Oklahoma Panhandle

Oregon

Oregon DEM relief map
Oregon's topography
Map of Oregon High Desert Country
Oregon's High Desert

Oregon's regions are shaped by its mountains, valleys, and coast.

Pennsylvania

Puerto Rico

Rico (1)
Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory with its own distinct areas.

South Carolina

South Dakota

South Dakota East River West River
South Dakota
East River and West River

South Dakota is often split by the Missouri River.

Tennessee

Main article: Grand Divisions of Tennessee

Tennessee is officially divided into three "Grand Divisions."

Texas

Texas Panhandle
The Texas Panhandle

Texas is a very large state, so it has many different regions.

U.S. Minor Outlying Islands

United States Minor Outlying Islands
The United States Minor Outlying Islands (Navassa Island not on map)

These are small, uninhabited islands and atolls that belong to the U.S.

U.S. Virgin Islands

Virginia

Shenandoah watershed
A map of the Shenandoah Valley

Washington

Wisconsin

Wisconsin geographic provinces
Wisconsin's five geographic regions

Wisconsin has five main geographic regions.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Regiones de Estados Unidos para niños

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