Appalachia
United States · Americas
About Appalachia
Appalachia is a broad term with many meanings. The Appalachian Mountains extend from Labrador in Canada to Alabama in the southern United States.
In the United States, the Appalachian Region (capitalized) refers to a region of thirteen states from New York to Mississippi designated by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). ARC's definition includes parts of Mississippi lowland and excludes parts of the Virginian highlands, for various political and economic reasons. Appalachian culture is most often associated with Southern Appalachia, from Georgia to West Virginia. West Virginia is the only state entirely within the Appalachian Region.
Appalachia travel guide
Understand
Appalachians have historically been associated with a wide variety of negative stereotypes, to the point that some cities actually have laws prohibiting discrimination against Appalachians. Appalachia however has a very rich and diverse array of cultures albeit with a long and often troublesome history, including slavery and cruelties against Native Americans. Today many Appalachians are proud of their Appalachian identity, and a variety of institutions work to preserve Appalachian culture and history while maintaining its diversity.
Getting around
In the mountains, it is most convenient to have a car.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.