1srelluc
Diamond Member
Based on Colin Woodard's 2013 book that argues that the US isn't a single cohesive culture or nation, but rather a collection of distinct regional cultures, each with its own historical roots, values, and worldviews.
These differences are deep enough that they shape everything from politics and religion to attitudes about education, violence, and government.
Yankeedom – Rooted in New England, values education, social reform, and community; leans progressive.
New Netherland – Centered around New York City, values commerce, tolerance, and globalism.
The Midlands – Stretches from Pennsylvania through the Midwest; moderate, multicultural, and skeptical of government.
Tidewater – Founded by English gentry in Virginia; conservative, hierarchical, and aristocratic.
Greater Appalachia – Values individual liberty, personal honor, and distrusts elites and government.
Deep South – Founded by slaveholding plantation elites; favors strict social hierarchy and traditional values.
El Norte – The Southwest, heavily influenced by Hispanic culture; hardworking, independent, and bilingual.
The Left Coast – A mix of Yankee idealism and Pacific Coast individualism; progressive and tech-savvy.
The Far West – Harsh geography bred dependency on federal infrastructure; libertarian but pro-government investment.
New France – Small area (Louisiana and parts of Canada); communal and egalitarian.
First Nation – Indigenous populations in the far north; self-sufficient and culturally distinct.
Spanish Caribbean - Bilingual, bicultural.
Whoo! I just made into greater Appalachia!
Interesting but about 8 million people a year move to a different state.
The USA is much more homogenized than it was 50 and especially 100 years ago. Cars, interstate highways, airlines; people move around a LOT more now than then.
IMHO this is the only map that matters.
