The Appalachian Mountain Range is a prominent geographical feature in eastern North America, but defining its exact location requires understanding the broader context of the Appalachian region. Often, when people ask “Where Is The Appalachian Mountain Range?”, they are interested in more than just the peaks themselves; they want to know about the cultural and economic area associated with these mountains, known as Appalachia.
Geographically, the Appalachian Mountains are a vast system that stretches from Newfoundland in Canada southwestward to Alabama in the United States. However, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), a federal-state partnership focused on economic development, defines Appalachia more specifically as a 206,000-square-mile region encompassing 423 counties across 13 states. This region, while anchored by the mountain range, is defined by a combination of geographical, cultural, and socio-economic factors.
Therefore, to answer “where is the appalachian mountain range” in the context of Appalachia, we need to consider this broader regional definition. Appalachia, as defined by ARC, extends from Southern New York to Northern Mississippi. It includes entire states like West Virginia, and portions of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Within this extensive area, the Appalachian Mountains themselves form the backbone, running through states like Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. However, the Appalachian region as a whole is more than just mountains. It includes valleys, plateaus, and diverse ecosystems, all contributing to its unique character.
This region is home to 26.4 million residents and includes diverse communities, including three federally recognized and five state-recognized Native American tribal communities. These tribal entities are located within Appalachian Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, New York, and North Carolina, adding to the rich cultural tapestry of the region.
Since 1965, the Appalachian Regional Commission has played a vital role in investing in Appalachia’s economic development. While the region has seen significant progress in areas like poverty reduction and education rates, socio-economic challenges persist. Understanding “where is the appalachian mountain range” also means understanding the ongoing efforts to improve the lives of people living within this historically significant and geographically diverse area.
Share of Population 25 Years and Over with a Bachelor’s Degree or More in Appalachia: Educational attainment levels across the Appalachian region.
Poverty Rates in Appalachia: Map showing the percentage of the population living in poverty across Appalachian counties.
Per Capita Personal Income in Appalachia: 2022 data illustrating income levels across the Appalachian region in US dollars.
To delve deeper into the specifics of Appalachia, resources like “The Chartbook” from the Appalachian Regional Commission offer detailed data on demographics, income, employment, education, and more at regional, subregional, state, and county levels. This wealth of information provides a comprehensive understanding of the Appalachian region beyond just the mountain range itself.
Learn More About Subregions
Learn More About Appalachian States
Explore Appalachian Counties Served by ARC
Understand Economic Distress in Appalachian Counties
Discover Tribal Communities in the Appalachian Region
Congressional Districts in Appalachia
Local Development Districts in Appalachia
In conclusion, while the Appalachian Mountain Range itself is a continuous chain spanning from Canada to Alabama, the Appalachian region, as commonly understood and defined by the Appalachian Regional Commission, is a distinct area across 13 US states in the eastern part of the country. It is a region shaped by its mountains but also defined by its people, culture, and ongoing journey towards economic vitality.
