Eastern United States, Geographic region east of Mississippi River, United States
The eastern part of the country stretches along the Atlantic coast and includes forests, mountains and plains across a large area. The landscape shifts from rocky shores in the north to sandy beaches and wetlands in the south.
European settlers founded coastal colonies during the 16th and 17th centuries and pushed settlement westward over time. Independence was declared in the late 18th century and formed the basis of the current state system.
The region gave birth to jazz, blues and other musical forms still heard in clubs and at festivals today. Cuisine ranges from coastal seafood traditions to hearty inland cooking styles.
Major cities are connected by rail and highways, while rural areas are mostly accessible by car. The best time to visit depends on the latitude, as northern parts have cold winters and southern areas stay mild year round.
The Appalachian range is among the oldest mountain chains on Earth and once stood much taller than today. Erosion over millions of years has worn the peaks down to the gentle hills hikers now experience.
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