We like to think of the United States as just one cohesive thing, but the truth is that the sheer size of this country, along with the economies, histories and people of its different regions can make things very different within our borders just a short plane ride away.
Award-winning author and journalist Colin Woodard went as far as breaking the U.S. down into 11 separate "nations" in his book American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures in North America.
He spoke to Business Insider to run down the differences between Yankeedom, The Deep South, New France, The Left Coast, Appalachia, Tidewater, New Netherland, The Midlands, El Norte, First Nation and The Far West.
Here's a taste:
Yankeedom: Encompassing the entire Northeast north of New York City and spreading through Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, Yankeedom values education, intellectual achievement, communal empowerment, and citizen participation in government as a shield against tyranny. Yankees are comfortable with government regulation. Woodard notes that Yankees have a "Utopian streak." The area was settled by radical Calvinists.
El Norte: Composed of the borderlands of the Spanish-American empire, El Norte is "a place apart" from the rest of America, according to Woodard. Hispanic culture dominates in the area, and the region values independence, self-sufficiency, and hard work above all else. Parts of Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and California are in El Norte.
New France: A pocket of liberalism nestled in the Deep South, its people are consensus driven, tolerant, and comfortable with government involvement in the economy. Woodard says New France is among the most liberal places in North America. New France is focused around New Orleans in Louisiana as well as the Canadian province of Quebec.
If you don't have time to read the book, it's worth checking out the descriptions of the other eight nations over at Business Insider.
