Dividing the United States of America into regions and thus getting the huge diversity of 50 US states under one roof is not easy. Many different approaches have resulted in many different division models.
The fact that there are so many subdivision models for the United States of America often leads to confusion because the borders are fluid. We summarize the most important formal models for you:
The Census divides the United States into regions of Northeast, Midwest, South, and West.
The Bureau of Economic Analysis divides the United States into New England, Mideast, Great Lakes, Plains, Southeast, Southwest, Rocky Mountain, and Far West.
The Agricultural Research Service divides the United States into Midwest, Northeast, Pacific West, Plains, and Southeast.
The U.S. National Park Service divides the United States into the Northeast, National Capital, Southeast, Midwest, Intermountain, Pacific, and Alaska regions.
The simplest and most commonly used division model for the USA is the division into four regions:
Here's what makes up these four regions in detail and which US states are assigned to them:
| Area: | 469,630 km2 |
| Population: | about 56 million |
| Climate: | warm summers, chilly winters |
| Time zones: | UTC-5 |
Where it all began: The Northeast, or more precisely the state of Massachusetts, is where the first colonists settled in America. Today, the Northeast is the smallest of America's four major regions in terms of area, but it is densely populated, predominantly urban, and contains the most prosperous states:
If you're looking to immigrate to the northeastern USA, or just vacation here, check out these highlights:
From megacities to sleepy small towns, you'll find just about everything in the Northeast. Here are the most exciting cities in and around New England:
Nature in the Northeast of the USA is wild and exhilarating. We have selected the most beautiful national parks and natural wonders for you:
A trip to the US Northeast is also a trip into the exciting history of the United States. Here are our sightseeing highlights for the Northeast:
| Area: | 4,846,233 km2 |
| Population: | about 80 million |
| Climate: | all climate zones are represented |
| Time zones: | UTC-6, UTC-7, UTC-8, UTC-9, UTC-10 |
The beauty, wilderness, and sheer size of the "Wild West" will blow your mind. In addition, the West has two particularly exotic "members," each of which is quite a distance from the great USA landmass. The following US states are officially part of the western USA:
If you want to immigrate to the west of the USA or just spend your vacation there, then you can look forward to the following highlights:
From sleepy desert towns to touristy gambling capitals, you'll find everything your heart desires in the West. Here are the most exciting cities in the Western Region of the USA:
The Western USA is a spectacular place for nature lovers, with canyons, deserts, glaciers, and wildlife abounding. Here are the most beautiful places in the Western USA:
The following places and events in the Western United States are must-sees and should be on your travel list:
| Area: | 2,384,143 km2 |
| Population: | about 100 million |
| Climate: | warm summers, mild winters |
| Time zones: | UTC-5, UTC-6 |
The southern states of the USA cover more than two million m2 - from pristine nature on the Mississippi to the monumental Appalachian Mountains and the plantations of South Carolina to the white beaches of Florida. The following 16 US states make up the southern region of the USA:
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If you want to immigrate to the southern states of the USA or just spend a vacation there, you can look forward to the following highlights:
On a city trip through the South of the USA, you will find many historic places and vibrant metropolises. The most important cities in the Southern States are:
Whether on foot, on horseback, or on a bike, the best way to explore the beauty of the American South is in nature. Here are the most important national parks and natural wonders of the US South:
Amidst all the love of nature, sightseeing should not be neglected. Here are our must-see sights for the South of the USA:
| Area: | 2,128,454 km2 |
| Population: | about 60 million |
| Climate: | mostly continental |
| Time zones: | UTC-4, UTC-5, UTC-6, UTC-7 |
You don't have to miss out on hills, waterfalls, and dense forests because you'll find them in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan, for example. The Midwest also surprises you with vibrant metropolises like Chicago and Indianapolis. The following states officially belong to the Midwest of the USA:
If you want to immigrate or just vacation in the Midwest of the USA, you can look forward to the following highlights:
From romantic small towns to mega-metropolises, you'll find everything your heart desires. Here are the most exciting cities in the Midwest:
In the Midwest of the USA, an adventure in nature is always within reach! Here are the most beautiful places in the Midwest region:
The following places and events in the Midwest are must-sees and should definitely be on your travel list:
The regions and states of the USA are so different and diverse that it is tough to decide on a vacation destination or a place to live in America.
Would you like to find out more about the different US states and living and working in the USA? Then get comfortable with our US states guides. We keep our fingers crossed that your American dream will soon come true and are happy to support you!