Third Coast facts for kids

The Third Coast is a special nickname used in the United States. It describes parts of the country that have long coastlines, but are not the well-known East Coast or West Coast. When people say "Third Coast," they usually mean either the areas around the Great Lakes or the Gulf Coast of the United States. Sometimes, the same areas are even called the "Fourth Coast," depending on how people count.

What is the Third Coast?

The term "Third Coast" helps us talk about important coastal areas that are different from the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. These areas are very important for many reasons, like shipping, nature, and culture.

The Great Lakes: A Freshwater Coast

The Great Lakes are a huge system of freshwater lakes in North America. They are so big that they feel like oceans! States like Michigan have a lot of shoreline along these lakes. In fact, Michigan has more miles of shoreline than almost any other state in the lower 48 states. It also has more freshwater shoreline than any other state. This makes the Great Lakes region a very unique "coast."

The Gulf Coast: A Warm Water Coast

The Gulf of Mexico is a very large body of water that borders the southern United States. States like Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida have coasts along the Gulf. The Gulf of Mexico is much larger than the Great Lakes combined. Its warm waters and unique ecosystems make it another important "Third Coast."

How People Use "Third Coast"

The name "Third Coast" is used in many ways, especially by businesses and artists.

Businesses and Products

Many companies use "Third Coast" in their names to show where they are from. For example, in Michigan, there's a company called "Third Coast Kite and Hobby." Its logo even shows sandy dunes, like those you find along the Great Lakes. In Texas, you might find "Third Coast Coffee," which connects to the Gulf Coast.

Music and Film

The term "Third Coast" is also popular in music, especially rap and hip hop music. Many famous artists from cities like Houston and other places along the Gulf Coast are known as "Third Coast" artists. This shows their unique style and where they come from.

In filmmaking, "Third Coast" can mean places outside of major film centers like Hollywood or New York City. These places are also used to make movies and TV shows. Some examples include Toronto and Vancouver in Canada, or the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex in Texas. Even Australia has been called a "Third Coast" for filmmaking because it's a big production hub far from Hollywood.

The "Fresh Coast" Idea

Sometimes, people use the term "Fresh Coast" instead of "Third Coast" for the Great Lakes region. This idea was made popular by Milwaukee mayor Tom Barrett. He wanted to help businesses grow in the Great Lakes area.

The name "Fresh Coast" is meant to be a positive way to describe the region. It's different from older terms like "Rust Belt," which made the area sound old and industrial. "Fresh Coast" highlights two important things:

• The huge amount of fresh water in the Great Lakes.
• The many great schools and learning centers in the region.

Local news and media have started using "Fresh Coast" to help improve the image of the Great Lakes area. They want to show that it's a place with lots of new opportunities and resources.