Southern Byways

Just How Big Is the South Anyway??

by SP on August 14th, 2006

It seems that my image of the southern states might be just a bit small. While delving into a bit of the culture of the area, I found this map. Apparently, I have a lot more byways to explore!

“The South is a large region consisting of many subregions–coastal plains, mountains, swamps, deltas, and piedmont. While there is some dispute about where precisely the South is–some argue, for example, that Texas is more Western than Southern–most people who are interested in the issue start with the eleven states of the former Confederacy (Virginia, Texas, the states in between, Tennessee, and Arkansas) and add in Missouri, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Maryland. Sociologist John Reed, who is more interested in culture than geography, has studied this issue for years using survey data and argues that some areas of the South are more Southern than others. Historian James Cobb would agree; he has argued that the Yazoo-Mississippi delta is The Most Southern Place on Earth. Certainly each of the different subregions is home to a distinct variation of Southern culture. Reed has found a waning of “Southerness” in a number of values and preferences over the years, but still believes a number of unique cultural characteristics persist in the region that distinguish it from the rest of the country.”

So, I think that I will be turning some of my attention to the culture of the south and leave most of the touring (Britt’s Tour of the South) to darling daughter. I’m also going to have to have a good talk with darling husband. I’m starting to fall in more in love with the south than I ever expected to! There is just so much to soak up! I need to spend a lot more time down there! I’m sure Britt would definitely agree!

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POSTED IN: Maps, Southern Byways