- The United States has many regions, and author Colin Woodard argues that they can be divided into 11 sub-nations.
- Woodard's designated nations range from the “Deep South” to the “Midlands” and “El Norte.”
- Cultural differences between them contribute to political tensions between the states and how they fit into the U.S. as a whole, he said.
The United States includes many different regions, each with its own rich history and cultural identity.
Exactly where these regions begin and end has been a long-standing debate, but according to author Colin Woodard, the United States can be divided into 11 distinct sub-nations.
Woodard mapped the areas in his 2012 book “American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North AmericaSome of his regions may sound familiar, such as the “Deep South,” others may surprise American readers, such as the “Midlands” region that stretches from New Jersey to northeastern New Mexico.
Recognizing each region's distinct values is critical to understanding the United States, Woodard said.
“The country has been arguing about a lot of fundamental things lately, including government roles and individual liberty,” Woodard, a Maine native, told Business Insider in 2015.
“To have any productive conversation about these issues, you have to know where you're coming from,” he said. “Once you know where you're coming from, it helps move the conversation forward.”
Here's how Woodard described each US region:
