Getting to Know the U.S. Northeast Region

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Where Is the Northeast?

The U.S. Northeast includes nine states.

Maine

New Hampshire

Vermont

Massachusetts

Rhode Island

Connecticut

New York

New Jersey

Pennsylvania

(Some definitions also include Delaware and Maryland, especially when discussing urban and cultural regions.)

This area is the smallest in land size of all U.S. regions, but it’s also the most densely populated, with cities and towns packed close together and many people living in a relatively small space

Geography: From Crashing Waves to Rolling Mountains

The Northeast's geography is all about variety.

• Rocky coastlines in Maine and Massachusetts

• Sandy beaches on Cape Cod and Long Island

• Towering mountain ranges like the Appalachians and Adirondacks

• Rushing rivers like the Hudson, Susquehanna, and Connecticut

• Waterfalls and lakes, including the world-famous Niagara Falls and the long, narrow Finger Lakes in New York

Despite all the urban buzz, much of the Northeast is rural—farmland, forest, and small towns dot the land beyond the big cities.

Cities and Megalopolis Madness

The Northeast is home to many of the country’s largest and most famous cities.

• New York City (largest in the U.S.)

• Philadelphia (5th largest)

• Boston, Pittsburgh, and Newark

These cities form a huge urban strip called a megalopolis—a chain of cities and suburbs that have grown into one big, connected area.

It stretches from Boston to Washington, D.C., following highways like I-95 and railways like Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor.

But even with all the crowds and buildings, this region still has places to get away, like Vermont’s forests, rural Maine, and the mountain valleys of Pennsylvania.

What’s the Weather Like?

The Northeast has four distinct seasons.

• Cold, snowy winters in the north (especially New England)

• Warm, humid summers in cities and coastal areas

• Color-packed autumns, famous for leaf peeping

• Rainy springs that help fuel its forests and farms

Some areas, such as upstate New York, can get more than 100 inches of snow a year! Meanwhile, cities near the coast have milder winters and steamy summers

Culture and People

The Northeast is known for its rich cultural mix, and that’s no accident.

Cities like New York and Philadelphia were early entry points for immigrants. People came (and still come!) from all over the world, adding their languages, foods, religions, and traditions.

Here’s a glimpse of who lives here.

• The largest Jewish population in the U.S.

• High numbers of Catholics, especially due to Irish and Italian immigrants

• Large communities of Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, and other Hispanic groups

• Major populations of Indian, Chinese, Korean, and Filipino Americans

• The second-largest population of African Americans, mostly in NY, NJ, and PA

You’ll find that diversity reflected in everything from languages and street art to neighborhood restaurants and music.

Food You’ll Want to Try

You can thank the Northeast for many tasty treats.

• New England clam chowder

• Maine lobster

• Philly cheesesteaks

• New York-style pizza and bagels

• Maple syrup from Vermont

• Pennsylvania Dutch treats like shoofly pie

Thanks to its history of immigration and coastal access, the food here is a mouthwatering mix of tradition and innovation.

History Happens Here

The Northeast was where America began.

All nine states were part of the original 13 colonies. Many key events of the Revolutionary War took place here.

• The Battle of Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts

• The signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia

• The writing of the U.S. Constitution, also in Philadelphia

And don’t forget historical locations.

• Boston’s Freedom Trail

• Gettysburg Battlefield in Pennsylvania

• The Mark Twain House in Connecticut

It’s no surprise that nearly half of all U.S. National Historic Landmarks are in this region!

Want to Remember All This?

Whew—so much packed into one region! But now that you’ve explored its places, people, history, and culture, you’re ready to put that knowledge into action.

Get ready to test your skills and dive into some fun activities in the Got It? section!