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The 50 States: Northeast and Southeast

Summary

This chapter introduces the states located in the northeastern and southeastern regions of the United States. Students will learn about the states that make up New England, the Mid-Atlantic region, and the Southern states. Each state's location, key features, and relationship to its region will be explored, building a foundation for understanding state capitals and attributes in later chapters.

Concepts Covered

This chapter covers the following 17 concepts from the learning graph:

  1. Northeast Region
  2. Southeast Region
  3. New England
  4. Mid-Atlantic States
  5. Southern States
  6. Connecticut
  7. Delaware
  8. Maine
  9. Maryland
  10. Massachusetts
  11. New Hampshire
  12. New Jersey
  13. New York
  14. Pennsylvania
  15. Rhode Island
  16. Vermont
  17. Virginia

Prerequisites

This chapter builds on concepts from:

Introduction to US Regions

The United States is divided into regions—groups of states that share similar geography, history, and culture. Learning about regions helps us understand how different parts of our country are alike and different.

In this chapter, we'll explore the states in the eastern part of the United States. These were some of the first areas settled by European colonists, and many of our country's oldest cities and historical sites are found here.

The Northeast Region

The Northeast Region includes states along the Atlantic Ocean from Maine down to Maryland. This region is home to some of America's largest cities, oldest history, and most famous landmarks.

The Northeast can be divided into two sub-regions:

  • New England (6 states in the far northeast)
  • Mid-Atlantic States (states from New York to Maryland)

What Makes the Northeast Special?

  • History: The 13 original colonies were here
  • Cities: New York City, Boston, and Philadelphia
  • Fall foliage: Beautiful autumn leaves attract millions of visitors
  • Coastline: Rocky shores, beaches, and busy ports

New England

New England is a region of six states in the far northeastern corner of the United States. These states share a common history, culture, and landscape.

The six New England states are:

  1. Maine
  2. New Hampshire
  3. Vermont
  4. Massachusetts
  5. Rhode Island
  6. Connecticut

Fun Fact

New England got its name from Captain John Smith, who explored the region in 1614 and thought it looked like England!

Maine

Maine is the largest New England state and the most northeastern state in the country. It's famous for:

  • Rocky coastlines and lighthouses
  • Lobster fishing
  • Acadia National Park
  • Dense forests covering 90% of the state

Maine borders only one other US state—New Hampshire. It also borders Canada.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire is a small state known for mountains and forests. The White Mountains are a popular destination for hiking and skiing. The state's motto is "Live Free or Die."

Vermont

Vermont means "Green Mountain" in French, and the Green Mountains run through the state. Vermont is famous for:

  • Maple syrup production (more than any other state)
  • Fall foliage
  • Dairy farms
  • Ski resorts

Massachusetts

Massachusetts is often considered the heart of New England. Important facts about Massachusetts:

  • Boston, the capital, is one of America's oldest cities
  • Plymouth is where the Pilgrims landed in 1620
  • Home to Harvard University, the oldest college in America
  • Cape Cod is a famous beach destination

Rhode Island

Rhode Island is the smallest state in the United States! You could fit about 425 Rhode Islands inside Alaska. Despite its small size, Rhode Island has:

  • Beautiful beaches
  • Historic Newport mansions
  • A long maritime history

Connecticut

Connecticut connects New England to New York. It's one of the wealthiest states and is home to many people who work in New York City but live in Connecticut.

State Capital Notable Feature
Maine Augusta Largest New England state
New Hampshire Concord "Live Free or Die" motto
Vermont Montpelier Top maple syrup producer
Massachusetts Boston Pilgrims landed here
Rhode Island Providence Smallest US state
Connecticut Hartford Insurance industry center

Diagram: New England States

New England States Interactive Map **Type**: microsim **Learning Objective**: Students will identify (L1) all six New England states and locate (L1) their capitals on a map. **Bloom Level**: Remember **Bloom Verbs**: identify, locate, name

MicroSim Description: An interactive map focused on the six New England states. Students click on each state to see its name, capital, and key facts. A quiz mode asks students to click on states when given their names. The map shows state borders clearly and highlights each state when selected.

UI Complexity: Low - Simple clickable map with state identification

Instructional Rationale: Focusing on just six states helps students master this small region before moving on to larger groups of states. The quiz mode reinforces location recognition.

Mid-Atlantic States

The Mid-Atlantic States are located between New England and the South. This region includes some of America's most important cities and historical sites.

The major Mid-Atlantic states are:

  • New York
  • New Jersey
  • Pennsylvania
  • Delaware
  • Maryland

New York

New York is much more than just New York City! The state includes:

  • New York City: The largest city in the United States
  • The Hudson River Valley: Beautiful farms and estates
  • The Adirondack Mountains: Wilderness and forests
  • Niagara Falls: One of the most famous waterfalls in the world
  • Long Island: Beaches and suburbs

New York was one of the original 13 colonies and was crucial in American history.

New York City

New York City has five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. More than 8 million people live there!

New Jersey

New Jersey is called the "Garden State" because of its many farms. Despite being small, New Jersey is the most densely populated state in America. It has:

  • Beautiful beaches along the Atlantic shore
  • The Pine Barrens wilderness
  • Important ports near New York City

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania played a huge role in American history:

  • Philadelphia was the nation's first capital
  • The Declaration of Independence was signed here
  • The Liberty Bell is in Philadelphia
  • The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the Civil War

Pennsylvania also has:

  • Pittsburgh, a major industrial city
  • The Appalachian Mountains running through the state
  • Amish communities with traditional farming

Delaware

Delaware was the first state to ratify (approve) the Constitution in 1787, so it's called "The First State." Despite being the second-smallest state, Delaware is important for business—many companies are headquartered here.

Maryland

Maryland surrounds the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. The state is famous for:

  • Blue crabs and seafood
  • Baltimore, a major port city
  • Being close to Washington, DC (which is not a state!)
State Capital Notable Feature
New York Albany Home to NYC, largest US city
New Jersey Trenton Most densely populated state
Pennsylvania Harrisburg Declaration of Independence signed
Delaware Dover First state to ratify Constitution
Maryland Annapolis Chesapeake Bay and blue crabs

The Southeast Region

The Southeast Region includes states in the southern and eastern parts of the United States. This region has warm weather, beautiful coastlines, and a rich cultural heritage.

What Makes the Southeast Special?

  • Warm climate: Hot summers and mild winters
  • Agriculture: Cotton, tobacco, peanuts, and peaches
  • Music: Birthplace of jazz, blues, and country music
  • History: Civil War battlefields and Civil Rights landmarks
  • Coastlines: Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico beaches

Southern States

The Southern States share a common history and culture. Many of these states were part of the Confederacy during the Civil War and have worked to overcome that difficult past.

Virginia

Virginia is often called the "Mother of Presidents" because eight US presidents were born there, more than any other state!

Virginia is important because:

  • Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement (1607), is here
  • Colonial Williamsburg shows what life was like in the 1700s
  • Many Civil War battles were fought here
  • It borders Washington, DC

Virginia's landscape includes:

  • The Blue Ridge Mountains
  • The Shenandoah Valley
  • The Chesapeake Bay region
  • Beach towns like Virginia Beach

Diagram: Northeast and Southeast Regions

Eastern US Regions Interactive Map **Type**: microsim **Learning Objective**: Students will distinguish (L4) between the Northeast and Southeast regions and classify (L3) states into their correct regions. **Bloom Level**: Apply **Bloom Verbs**: distinguish, classify, categorize

MicroSim Description: An interactive map of the eastern United States showing both the Northeast and Southeast regions. The map uses different colors for New England, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast states. Students can drag states into the correct region category or click to see which region each state belongs to. A quiz mode tests regional classification.

UI Complexity: Medium - Color-coded regions with drag-and-drop classification activity

Instructional Rationale: Comparing regions side-by-side helps students understand how the eastern US is organized and what characteristics define each region.

How These Regions Are Connected

The Northeast and Southeast regions are connected by:

Geography

  • The Atlantic Ocean borders both regions
  • The Appalachian Mountains run through both regions
  • Major rivers like the Hudson and Potomac flow to the Atlantic

History

  • The 13 original colonies were in these regions
  • Both regions played key roles in the American Revolution
  • The Civil War was fought largely in these regions

Today

  • Interstate 95 runs from Maine to Florida, connecting all these states
  • Many people travel between regions for work and vacation
  • Industries like finance, technology, and tourism are important in both

Key Takeaways

What You Learned

  • The Northeast Region includes New England and the Mid-Atlantic States
  • New England has six states: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut
  • The Mid-Atlantic includes New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland
  • Virginia is part of the Southeast Region and is called the "Mother of Presidents"
  • These regions share the Atlantic coastline and the Appalachian Mountains

Review Questions

What are the six states that make up New England?

The six New England states are:

  1. Maine - Largest New England state, famous for lobster
  2. New Hampshire - "Live Free or Die" motto
  3. Vermont - Top maple syrup producer
  4. Massachusetts - Home to Boston and Plymouth
  5. Rhode Island - Smallest US state
  6. Connecticut - Connects New England to New York
Which state was the first to ratify the Constitution, and what nickname does it have?

Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution in 1787. Because of this, Delaware has the nickname "The First State."

Why is Virginia called the 'Mother of Presidents'?

Virginia is called the "Mother of Presidents" because eight US presidents were born there—more than any other state. Some famous Virginia-born presidents include George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison.

What is the difference between New York City and New York State?

New York City is one city located in the southeastern corner of New York State. The state is much larger and includes:

  • Mountains (the Adirondacks)
  • Rivers (the Hudson River)
  • Farmland and small towns
  • Niagara Falls
  • The capital city, Albany (not New York City!)

While over 8 million people live in New York City, millions more live in other parts of the state.

What body of water is Maryland famous for? What food comes from there?

Maryland is famous for the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. The Chesapeake Bay is known for its blue crabs, which are a famous Maryland food. The bay also produces oysters and fish.

Name one way the Northeast and Southeast regions are similar and one way they are different.

Similar: Both regions border the Atlantic Ocean and have the Appalachian Mountains running through them. Both were home to the original 13 colonies.

Different: The Northeast has colder winters with lots of snow, while the Southeast has milder winters and hotter summers. The Northeast is known for fall foliage, while the Southeast is known for warm beaches.