Southern Colonies
Climate
The climate in the southern region is very warm!
Geographic Features
The southern region is less mountainous than the other two regions, although there are some smaller mountain ranges like the Blue Ridge and Smokey Mountains in North Carolina. The south is characterized by mostly flat coastal plains with swamps, creeks, and rivers. Estuaries, farmlands, and bays ensure ecosystem diversity in this region.
Soil
Much like the mid-Atlantic colonies the soil of the southern region is very fertile and is well suited for farming.
Crops
The southern colonies relied heavily on tobacco, rice, cotton, and indigo for trade crops.
Natural Resources
The southern colonists had access to natural resources including good farmland and lumber.
Purpose of Founding
Each southern colony was founded for a unique reason. Look at the pages of the specific colonies to find out more about purpose for founding in the southern colonies.
Religion
The southern colonies were made up of religiously diverse settlers, like in the mid-Atlantic colonies. The settlers were mostly Anglicans, Catholics, Baptists, Lutherans, and Presbyterians.
National Origin of Settlers
Southern settlers were mostly English.
Economy
Because the south was dependent on agriculture for trade settlers relied on slave labor to work in the farms. This caused a plantation economy. To learn more about what a plantation economy is and more about slavery in the south click here.
Education
In the south, colonists pursuing education sent their children to private tutors rather than normal schools.