1. The Southern United States
Outline Notes
Mr. Zunic

2. 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.

4. 12 States that make up the South
• Louisiana
• Texas
• Arkansas
• Tennessee
• Mississippi
• Alabama
• Kentucky
• Georgia
• Florida
• South Carolina
• North Carolina
• Virginia

5. 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

6. 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

7. Everglades

8. Mississippi River Delta
Mississippi River delta from space.

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. Texas Oil Well

17. 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.

18. Southern Beaches