Which of the 11 American nations do you live in? The map that shows how the U.S. was divided...

Mail Online ^ | 10 November 2013 | Alex Greig

[Bratch]

...into separate cultures as settlers spread West

---

You might think you live in a nation of 50 unified states, but according to author and journalist Colin Woodard, the U.S. is a lot less united than we like to think.

According to Woodard, the country is divided not by state lines but is in fact separated into 11 neatly delineated nation states where dominant cultures are explained by who their early settlers were 'and the lasting cultural fissures they established.'

Woodard writes in Tufts University's alumni magazine that the original North American cultures developed in isolation from each other in distinct regions settled by Britain, France, the Netherlands and Spain.

Settlers spread across the US, establishing cultural norms and ideals as they went. The strip of land along the eastern seacoast was settled primarily by English colonists in the 17th century while the Dutch colony centered on present-day New York City was a barrier to British expansion. The Spanish created settlements from the late 1500s in the Southwest and the French colonized areas of Canada as well as the Hudson bay and Louisiana.

Each had their own religious, political and cultural traits.

'Throughout the colonial period and the Early Republic, they saw themselves as competitors,' writes Woodard, 'for land, capital, and other settlers - and even as enemies, taking opposing sides in the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Civil War.'

[Baumer]

This reminded me of the old “World According to Reagan” map.
http://jeffpelline.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/the-world-according-to-ronald-reagan.jpg

[Antoninus II]

You DO know that if it wasn’t for a couple of Tennesseans (David Crockett and Samuel Houston) Texas would be North Mexico today.....

That's quite true. But the first huge influx of Americans into the Republic of Texas came from the Deep South thru the "Gateway of Texas", Nacogdoches. My family came to Texas in 1839. Originally from South Carolina, they came here from Alabama.

Most of my paternal ancestors are buried in Nacogdoches County and I will be too...

[ForAmerica]

I live in northeast Mexico (southeast Texas)! /s

[Mouton]

I live in the deep south:

I wish I was in the land ob cotton old time daredum not forgotten, look away look away look away Dixieland, etc.

[backwoods-engineer]

The original Tufts article is full of so much hatred for the South and country people that I could barely stand to read it. The guy does make some good points, though: New York and that area really is New Amsterdam, priortizing the collective over individual rights. Also, Greater Appalachia really does extend all the way through Oklahoma to North Texas.

[DefeatCorruption]

LOL...South Florida is an entity unto itself!

---

Yep, we are!

[M-cubed]

Great map!...lol...It kinda reminds me of how an old girlfriend from Texas explained texas swagger to me....They compensate any...errr...little shortcomings they may have by buying a bigger belt buckle......*W*..Did u draw that map??....She may have known you

[SailormanCGA72]

I was not aware of any Texas shortcomngs. ;)

[left that other site]

Yep!

[left that other site]

I love St Augustine, but it is not exactly “South” Florida. It takes me five hours to get there from the “Deep” South.

[BubbaBasher]

“Bilgewater” is more accurate.

I beg to differ. Tidewater, as it's been called for a very long time, is a beautiful place and is rich in history.