Northern United States

Map of the Northern United States shown in blue. Regional definitions vary from source to source.
This video was taken at night by the crew of Expedition 29 on board the International Space Station while it passed over the Northern United States.

The Northern United States, commonly referred to as the American North or simply the North, may be either a geographic or a historical term.

Geographically, the term includes the U.S. states and regions of the United States that are located across the northernmost part of the country. It includes but is not limited to states along the Canada–United States border.

Census Bureau

The United States Census Bureau divides some of the Northern United States into the Midwest Region and the Northeast Region.[1] The Census Bureau also includes the northernmost states of the Northwest, those that are in the West.[1]

Historical term

Before 19th century westward expansion, the term "Northern United States" was considered to be New England. By the 1830s, it was is now the Northeastern United States

American Civil War

During the American Civil War, the "Northern United States" meant the states that remained in the United States and were also called the Union states. In that context, the "Southern United States" meant the states that seceded to form the Confederate States. However, some slave states remained in the Union; callthed the "border states," they may be counted on either side.[2]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Census Regions and Divisions of the United States" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2009-10-27.
  2. "the North (region, United States)". Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-27.