The '''Northeastern United States''', also referred to as the '''Northeast''', the '''East Coast''',{{efn|The term "East Coast" is almost exclusively used to refer to the [[Northeast megalopolis|Northeastern megalopolis]]. As stated in numerous dictionaries and encyclopedias, including both the Oxford English Dictionary and the American Heritage Dictionary, the 'East Coast' primarily refers to the region between [[Washington D.C.]] in the south and [[Boston]] in the north.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://lexico.com/en/definition/east_coast|title=East Coast|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220803185431/https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/east_coast|archive-date=August 3, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://thefreedictionary.com/East+Coast|title=East Coast |newspaper=Thefreedictionary.com }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vocabulary.com/dictionary/East%20Coast|title=East Coast - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms |website=Vocabulary.com|access-date=September 30, 2023}}</ref> Historically, the term has always connoted the Northeast.}} or the '''American Northeast''', is a geographic [[list of regions of the United States|region]] of the [[United States]] located on the [[East Coast of the United States|Atlantic coast]] of [[North America]]. It borders [[Canada]] to its north, the [[Southern United States]] to its south, the [[Midwestern United States]] to its west, and the [[Atlantic Ocean]] to its east.
The '''Northeastern United States''', also referred to as the '''Northeast''', the '''East Coast''',{{efn|The term "East Coast" is almost exclusively used to refer to the [[Northeast megalopolis|Northeastern megalopolis]]. As stated in numerous dictionaries and encyclopedias, including both the Oxford English Dictionary and the American Heritage Dictionary, the 'East Coast' primarily refers to the region between [[Washington D.C.]] in the south and [[Boston]] in the north.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://lexico.com/en/definition/east_coast|title=East Coast|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220803185431/https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/east_coast|archive-date=August 3, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://thefreedictionary.com/East+Coast|title=East Coast |newspaper=Thefreedictionary.com }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vocabulary.com/dictionary/East%20Coast|title=East Coast - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms |website=Vocabulary.com|access-date=September 30, 2023}}</ref> Historically, the term has always connoted the Northeast.}} or the '''American Northeast''', is a geographic [[list of regions of the United States|region]] of the [[United States]] located on the [[East Coast of the United States|Atlantic coast]] of [[North America]]. It borders [[Canada]] to its north, the [[Southern United States]] to its south, the [[Midwestern United States]] to its west, and the [[Atlantic Ocean]] to its east.
The Northeast is one of the four regions defined by the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]] for the collection and analysis of statistics.<ref name=Census>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/maps/pdfs/reference/us_regdiv.pdf |title=Census Regions and Divisions of the United States |publisher=[[United States Department of Commerce]], [[Economics and Statistics Administration]], [[United States Census Bureau]], Geography Division |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921053705/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/maps/pdfs/reference/us_regdiv.pdf |archive-date=September 21, 2013 }}</ref> The Census Bureau defines the region as including the six [[New England]] states of [[Connecticut]], [[Maine]], [[Massachusetts]], [[New Hampshire]], [[Rhode Island]], and [[Vermont]], and three northern [[Mid-Atlantic (United States)|Mid-Atlantic]] states of [[New York (state)|New York]], [[New Jersey]], and [[Pennsylvania]]. Some expanded definitions of the region include [[Delaware]], [[Maryland]], [[Northern Virginia]], and [[Washington, D.C.]].
The Northeast is one of the four regions defined by the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]] for the collection and analysis of statistics.<ref name=Census>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/maps/pdfs/reference/us_regdiv.pdf |title=Census Regions and Divisions of the United States |publisher=[[United States Department of Commerce]], [[Economics and Statistics Administration]], [[United States Census Bureau]], Geography Division |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921053705/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/maps/pdfs/reference/us_regdiv.pdf |archive-date=September 21, 2013 }}</ref> The Census Bureau defines the region as including the six [[New England]] states of [[Connecticut]], [[Maine]], [[Massachusetts]], [[New Hampshire]], [[Rhode Island]], and [[Vermont]], and three northern [[Mid-Atlantic (United States)|Mid-Atlantic]] states of [[New Jersey]], [[New York (state)|New York]], and [[Pennsylvania]]. Some expanded definitions of the region include [[Delaware]], [[Maryland]], [[Northern Virginia]], and [[Washington, D.C.]]<ref name="Hobbs" /><ref name="Hudson">{{cite book|title=Across This Land: A Regional Geography of the United States and Canada|author=John C. Hudson|year=2002|page=81 ff|publisher=JHU Press |isbn=0-8018-6567-0}}</ref><ref name="McIlwraith">{{cite book|title=North America: The Historical Geography of a Changing Continent|author1=Thomas F. McIlwraith|author2=Edward K. Muller|year=2001|page=[https://archive.org/details/northamericahist00mcil/page/190 190]|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=0-7425-0019-5|url=https://archive.org/details/northamericahist00mcil/page/190}}</ref><ref name="Shelley">{{cite book|title=Political Geography of the United States|editor=Shelley, Fred M.|publisher=Guilford Press|year=1996|isbn=1-57230-048-5}}</ref><ref name="USDA">{{cite web|url=https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/84880/eib-178.pdf|title=Major Uses of Land in the United States|year=2012|author1=Daniel P. Bigelow|author2=Allison Borchers|name-list-style=amp|publisher=USDA's Economic Research Service|access-date=August 5, 2021|archive-date=November 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129084208/https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/84880/eib-178.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
The region is home to the [[Northeast megalopolis]], which includes many of the nation's largest metropolitan areas, including [[Boston]], [[New York City]], [[Philadelphia]],and [[Washington, D.C.]] The megalopolis makes up 67% of the region's total population of 57,609,148. The [[gross domestic product]] of the region was $5.1 trillion dollars as of 2022 and contains some of the [[List of U.S. states and territories by Human Development Index|most developed states]] based on the [[Human Development Index]], with every state with the exception of [[Maine]] above the national average.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=GDP by State {{!}} U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) |url=https://www.bea.gov/data/gdp/gdp-state |access-date=March 5, 2023 |website=Bea.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sub-national HDI - Subnational HDI - Table - Global Data Lab |url=https://globaldatalab.org/shdi/shdi/?levels=1+4&interpolation=1&extrapolation=0&nearest_real=0 |access-date=March 5, 2023 |website=globaldatalab.org}}</ref> It is also the most densely populated region in the United States, with 320 people per square mile (120 people/km<sup>2</sup>).<ref name="Zelinksy1" /><ref name="Hobbs">{{cite book|title=World Regional Geography|author=Hobbs, Joseph John|publisher=[[Cengage Learning]]|year=2009|page=647|isbn=978-0-495-38950-7|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yAgGHnENHjoC&pg=PA647|access-date=November 4, 2013|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126170436/https://books.google.com/books?id=yAgGHnENHjoC&pg=PA647|url-status=live}}</ref> The U.S. Census Bureau defines the Northeast United States as having a total area of {{convert|181324|mi2|km2|abbr=on}}, making it the smallest region of the United States by total area.
The region is home to the [[Northeast megalopolis]], which includes many of the nation's largest metropolitan areas, including [[Boston]], [[New York City]], and [[Philadelphia]]. The megalopolis makes up 67% of the region's total population of 57,609,148. The [[gross domestic product]] of the region was $5.1 trillion as of 2022 and contains some of the [[List of U.S. states and territories by Human Development Index|most developed states]] based on the [[Human Development Index]], with every state with the exception of [[Maine]] above the national average.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=GDP by State {{!}} U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) |url=https://www.bea.gov/data/gdp/gdp-state |access-date=March 5, 2023 |website=Bea.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sub-national HDI - Subnational HDI - Table - Global Data Lab |url=https://globaldatalab.org/shdi/shdi/?levels=1+4&interpolation=1&extrapolation=0&nearest_real=0 |access-date=March 5, 2023 |website=globaldatalab.org}}</ref> It is also the most densely populated region in the United States, with 320 people per square mile (120 people/km<sup>2</sup>).<ref name="Zelinksy1" /><ref name="Hobbs">{{cite book|title=World Regional Geography|author=Hobbs, Joseph John|publisher=[[Cengage Learning]]|year=2009|page=647|isbn=978-0-495-38950-7|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yAgGHnENHjoC&pg=PA647|access-date=November 4, 2013|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126170436/https://books.google.com/books?id=yAgGHnENHjoC&pg=PA647|url-status=live}}</ref> The U.S. Census Bureau defines the Northeast United States as having a total area of {{convert|181324|mi2|km2|abbr=on}}, making it the smallest region of the United States by total area.
==History==
==History==
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All of the [[U.S. state]]s making up the Northeastern region were among the original [[Thirteen Colonies]], though Maine and Vermont were part of other colonies before the United States became independent in the [[American Revolution]]. The two cultural and geographic regions that form parts of the Northeastern region have distinct histories. The first European explorer known to have explored the Atlantic shoreline of the Northeast since the [[Norse colonization of the Americas|Norse]] was [[Giovanni da Verrazzano]] in 1524. His ship ''La Dauphine'' explored the coast from what is now known as Florida to New Brunswick.
All of the [[U.S. state]]s making up the Northeastern region were among the original [[Thirteen Colonies]], though Maine and Vermont were part of other colonies before the United States became independent in the [[American Revolution]]. The two cultural and geographic regions that form parts of the Northeastern region have distinct histories. The first European explorer known to have explored the Atlantic shoreline of the Northeast since the [[Norse colonization of the Americas|Norse]] was [[Giovanni da Verrazzano]] in 1524. His ship ''La Dauphine'' explored the coast from what is now known as Florida to New Brunswick.
The first Europeans to settle and colonize New England were [[Pilgrims (Plymouth Colony)|Pilgrims]] from [[Kingdom of England|England]], who landed in present-day Massachusetts in 1620.<ref name="Arenstam">{{cite book|last=Arenstam|first=Peter|title=Mayflower 1620: A New Look at a Pilgrim Voyage|year=2007|publisher=[[National Geographic (magazine)|National Geographic]]|location=Washington, D.C.|isbn=978-0-7922-6276-3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KX5F19BCgecC|author2=Kemp, John|author3=Grace, Catherine O'Neill|access-date=October 17, 2015|archive-date=April 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424112548/https://books.google.com/books?id=KX5F19BCgecC|url-status=live}}</ref> The Pilgrims arrived on the ship ''[[Mayflower]]'' and founded [[Plymouth Colony]] so they could practice religion freely.<ref name="Arenstam" /> Ten years later, a larger group of [[Puritan]]s settled north of Plymouth Colony in [[Boston]] to form [[Massachusetts Bay Colony]].<ref>{{cite web|title=A Brief History of Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA |url=http://www2.cambridgema.gov/historic/cambridgehistory.html |work=Cambridge Historical Commission |access-date=August 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930095250/http://www2.cambridgema.gov/historic/cambridgehistory.html |archive-date=September 30, 2012 }}</ref> In 1636, colonists established [[Connecticut Colony]] and [[Providence Plantations]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Kelly|first=Martin|title=Connecticut Colony|url=http://americanhistory.about.com/cs/colonialamerica/p/connectcolony.htm|work=About.com|access-date=August 16, 2012|archive-date=June 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626160320/http://americanhistory.about.com/cs/colonialamerica/p/connectcolony.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Martin">{{cite web|last=Kelly|first=Martin|title=Rhode Island Colony|url=http://americanhistory.about.com/cs/colonialamerica/p/rhodecolony.htm|work=About.com|access-date=August 16, 2012|archive-date=September 17, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050917054430/http://americanhistory.about.com/cs/colonialamerica/p/rhodecolony.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
The first Europeans to settle and colonize New England were [[Pilgrims (Plymouth Colony)|Pilgrims]] from [[Kingdom of England|England]], who landed in present-day Massachusetts in 1620.<ref name="Arenstam">{{cite book|last=Arenstam|first=Peter|title=Mayflower 1620: A New Look at a Pilgrim Voyage|year=2007|publisher=[[National Geographic (magazine)|National Geographic]]|location=Washington, D.C.|isbn=978-0-7922-6276-3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KX5F19BCgecC|author2=Kemp, John|author3=Grace, Catherine O'Neill|access-date=October 17, 2015|archive-date=April 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424112548/https://books.google.com/books?id=KX5F19BCgecC|url-status=live}}</ref> The Pilgrims arrived on the ship ''[[Mayflower]]'' and founded [[Plymouth Colony]] so they could practice religion freely.<ref name="Arenstam" /> Ten years later, a larger group of [[Puritan]]s settled north of Plymouth Colony in [[Boston]] to form [[Massachusetts Bay Colony]].<ref>{{cite web|title=A Brief History of Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA |url=http://www2.cambridgema.gov/historic/cambridgehistory.html |work=Cambridge Historical Commission |access-date=August 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930095250/http://www2.cambridgema.gov/historic/cambridgehistory.html |archive-date=September 30, 2012 }}</ref> In 1636, colonists established [[Connecticut Colony]] and [[Providence Plantations]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Kelly|first=Martin|title=Connecticut Colony|url=http://americanhistory.about.com/cs/colonialamerica/p/connectcolony.htm|work=About.com|access-date=August 16, 2012|archive-date=June 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626160320/http://americanhistory.about.com/cs/colonialamerica/p/connectcolony.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Martin">{{cite web|last=Kelly|first=Martin|title=Rhode Island Colony|url=http://americanhistory.about.com/cs/colonialamerica/p/rhodecolony.htm|work=About.com|access-date=August 16, 2012|archive-date=September 17, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050917054430/http://americanhistory.about.com/cs/colonialamerica/p/rhodecolony.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
Providence was founded by [[Roger Williams (theologian)|Roger Williams]], who was banished by Massachusetts for his beliefs in freedom of religion, and it was the first colony to guarantee all citizens freedom of worship.<ref name="Martin" /> [[Anne Hutchinson]], who was also banished by Massachusetts, formed the town of [[Portsmouth, Rhode Island|Portsmouth]].<ref name="Martin" /> Providence, Portsmouth and two other towns ([[Newport, Rhode Island|Newport]] and [[Warwick, Rhode Island|Warwick]]) consolidated to form the [[Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations]].<ref name="Martin" />
Providence was founded by [[Roger Williams (theologian)|Roger Williams]], who was banished by Massachusetts for his beliefs in freedom of religion, and it was the first colony to guarantee all citizens freedom of worship.<ref name="Martin" /> [[Anne Hutchinson]], who was also banished by Massachusetts, formed the town of [[Portsmouth, Rhode Island|Portsmouth]].<ref name="Martin" /> Providence, Portsmouth and two other towns ([[Newport, Rhode Island|Newport]] and [[Warwick, Rhode Island|Warwick]]) consolidated to form the [[Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations]].<ref name="Martin" />
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[[New England]] played a prominent role in early American education. Starting in the 17th century, the larger towns in New England opened [[grammar schools]], the forerunner of the modern [[high school]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2012}} The first public school in the English colonies was the [[Boston Latin School]], founded in 1635.<ref>{{cite book |last=Jenks |first=Henry Fitch |url=https://archive.org/details/bostonpubliclat02jenkgoog |title=The Boston Public Latin School. 1635-1880 |publisher=M. King |year=1880 |access-date=August 16, 2012}}</ref> In 1636, the colonial [[legislature of Massachusetts]] founded [[Harvard College]], the oldest [[Higher education|institution of higher learning]] in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |title=Harvard University Founded |url=http://www.celebrateboston.com/cambridge/harvard-college-founded.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120606101239/http://www.celebrateboston.com/cambridge/harvard-college-founded.htm |archive-date=June 6, 2012 |access-date=August 16, 2012 |work=CelebrateBoston.com}}</ref>
[[New England]] played a prominent role in early American education. Starting in the 17th century, the larger towns in New England opened [[grammar schools]], the forerunner of the modern [[high school]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2012}} The first public school in the English colonies was the [[Boston Latin School]], founded in 1635.<ref>{{cite book |last=Jenks |first=Henry Fitch |url=https://archive.org/details/bostonpubliclat02jenkgoog |title=The Boston Public Latin School. 1635-1880 |publisher=M. King |year=1880 |access-date=August 16, 2012}}</ref> In 1636, the colonial [[legislature of Massachusetts]] founded [[Harvard College]], the oldest [[Higher education|institution of higher learning]] in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |title=Harvard University Founded |url=http://www.celebrateboston.com/cambridge/harvard-college-founded.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120606101239/http://www.celebrateboston.com/cambridge/harvard-college-founded.htm |archive-date=June 6, 2012 |access-date=August 16, 2012 |work=CelebrateBoston.com}}</ref>
In 1681, [[William Penn]], who wanted to give [[Quakers]] a land of religious freedom, founded [[Province of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] and extended freedom of religion to all citizens.<ref>{{cite web |last=Forrest |first=Tuomi J. |title=William Penn – Introduction |url=http://xroads.virginia.edu/~cap/penn/pnintro.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208102924/http://xroads.virginia.edu/~CAP/PENN/pnintro.html |archive-date=December 8, 2013 |access-date=August 16, 2012}}</ref>
In 1681, [[William Penn]], who wanted to give [[Quakers]] a land of religious freedom, founded [[Province of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] and extended freedom of religion to all citizens.<ref>{{cite web |last=Forrest |first=Tuomi J. |title=William Penn – Introduction |url=http://xroads.virginia.edu/~cap/penn/pnintro.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208102924/http://xroads.virginia.edu/~CAP/PENN/pnintro.html |archive-date=December 8, 2013 |access-date=August 16, 2012}}</ref>
Penn strongly desired access to the sea for the [[Province of Pennsylvania]] and leased what then came to be known as the "Lower Counties on the Delaware" from the Duke.<ref name="hod">{{cite book |last=Munroe |first=John A |title=History of Delaware |publisher=University of Delaware Press |year=2006 |isbn=0-87413-947-3 |edition=5th, illustrated |page=45 |chapter=3. The Lower Counties on The Delaware |access-date=November 2, 2020 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vs7NcOKnlNUC&q=%22Lower+counties%22+%22on+the+delaware%22&pg=PA46 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210220153248/https://books.google.com/books?id=vs7NcOKnlNUC&q=%22Lower+counties%22+%22on+the+delaware%22&pg=PA46 |archive-date=February 20, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> Penn established representative government and briefly combined his two possessions under one General Assembly in 1682.
Penn strongly desired access to the sea for the [[Province of Pennsylvania]] and leased what then came to be known as the "Lower Counties on the Delaware" from the Duke.<ref name="hod">{{cite book |last=Munroe |first=John A |title=History of Delaware |publisher=University of Delaware Press |year=2006 |isbn=0-87413-947-3 |edition=5th, illustrated |page=45 |chapter=3. The Lower Counties on The Delaware |access-date=November 2, 2020 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vs7NcOKnlNUC&q=%22Lower+counties%22+%22on+the+delaware%22&pg=PA46 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210220153248/https://books.google.com/books?id=vs7NcOKnlNUC&q=%22Lower+counties%22+%22on+the+delaware%22&pg=PA46 |archive-date=February 20, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> Penn established representative government and briefly combined his two possessions under one General Assembly in 1682.
By 1704, the Province of Pennsylvania had grown so large that their representatives wanted to make decisions without the assent of the Lower Counties and the two groups of representatives began meeting on their own, one at [[Philadelphia]], and the other at [[New Castle, Delaware]]. Penn and his heirs remained proprietors of both and always appointed the same person Governor for their Province of Pennsylvania and their territory of the Lower Counties. The fact that Delaware and Pennsylvania shared the same governor was not unique. From 1703 to 1738, both New York and New Jersey shared a governor.<ref>{{Citation |last=Lurie |first=Mappen M |title=Encyclopedia of New Jersey |page=327 |year=2004 |publisher=Rutgers University Press |isbn=0-8135-3325-2}}.</ref> Massachusetts and New Hampshire also shared a governor for some time.<ref>{{Citation |last=Mayo |first=LS |title=John Wentworth, Governor of New Hampshire: 1767–1775 |page=5 |year=1921 |publisher=Harvard University Press}}.</ref>
By 1704, the Province of Pennsylvania had grown so large that their representatives wanted to make decisions without the assent of the Lower Counties and the two groups of representatives began meeting on their own, one at [[Philadelphia]], and the other at [[New Castle, Delaware]]. Penn and his heirs remained proprietors of both and always appointed the same person Governor for their Province of Pennsylvania and their territory of the Lower Counties. The fact that Delaware and Pennsylvania shared the same governor was not unique. From 1703 to 1738, both New York and New Jersey shared a governor.<ref>{{Citation |last=Lurie |first=Mappen M |title=Encyclopedia of New Jersey |page=327 |year=2004 |publisher=Rutgers University Press |isbn=0-8135-3325-2}}.</ref> Massachusetts and New Hampshire also shared a governor for some time.<ref>{{Citation |last=Mayo |first=LS |title=John Wentworth, Governor of New Hampshire: 1767–1775 |page=5 |year=1921 |publisher=Harvard University Press}}.</ref>
[[File:Battle of Trenton by Charles McBarron.jpg|thumb|The [[Battle of Trenton]], fought in New Jersey in December 1776 following [[George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River|Washington's covert crossing of the Delaware]] during the night of December 25, 1776, represented an inspiring victory for Washington's [[Continental Army]] and began to turn the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]] in the Americans' favor.]]
[[File:Battle of Trenton by Charles McBarron.jpg|thumb|The [[Battle of Trenton]], fought in New Jersey in December 1776 following [[George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River|Washington's covert crossing of the Delaware]] during the night of December 25, 1776, represented an inspiring victory for Washington's [[Continental Army]] and began to turn the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]] in the Americans' favor.]]
The beginnings of the [[American Revolutionary War]] would be in the Northeast, specifically in Massachusetts. The [[Battles of Lexington and Concord]] in northeast of Boston would be the first military engagements between the Revolutionaries and the British.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Daughan |first=George C. |title=Lexington and Concord: the battle heard round the world |date=2018 |isbn=978-0-393-24575-2 |edition=First |location=New York, NY |oclc=1089832154}}</ref> Many of the major battles of the revolution would be fought in the Northeast. The British would [[Siege of Boston|evacuate Boston]] in early-1776 and would move to [[Landing at Kip's Bay|capture New York City]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=McCullough |first=David G. |title=1776 |date=2005 |isbn=0-7432-2671-2 |location=New York |oclc=57557578}}</ref>
The beginnings of the [[American Revolutionary War]] would be in the Northeast, specifically in Massachusetts. The [[Battles of Lexington and Concord]] in northeast of Boston would be the first military engagements between the Revolutionaries and the British.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Daughan |first=George C. |title=Lexington and Concord: the battle heard round the world |date=2018 |isbn=978-0-393-24575-2 |edition=First |location=New York, NY |oclc=1089832154}}</ref> Many of the major battles of the revolution would be fought in the Northeast. The British would [[Siege of Boston|evacuate Boston]] in early-1776 and would move to [[Landing at Kip's Bay|capture New York City]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=McCullough |first=David G. |title=1776 |date=2005 |isbn=0-7432-2671-2 |location=New York |oclc=57557578}}</ref>
The revolutionaries were pushed to the [[Delaware River]] before suddenly moving forward against the British in the [[Battle of Trenton|Battles of Trenton]] and [[Battle of Princeton|Princeton]].<ref name=":3" /> A stalemate was reached in 1778, between the British and American Revolutionaries and continued until the end of the war in 1783.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Boatner |first=Mark M. III |title=Encyclopedia of the American Revolution |date=1994 |publisher=Stackpole Books |isbn=0-8117-0578-1 |edition=3rd |location=Mechanicsburg, Pa. |oclc=29595553}}</ref> The war would move to southern states and eventually conclude with the [[Siege of Yorktown|Battle of Yorktown]] in Virginia.<ref name=":3" />
The revolutionaries were pushed to the [[Delaware River]] before suddenly moving forward against the British in the [[Battle of Trenton|Battles of Trenton]] and [[Battle of Princeton|Princeton]].<ref name=":3" /> A stalemate was reached in 1778, between the British and American Revolutionaries and continued until the end of the war in 1783.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Boatner |first=Mark M. III |title=Encyclopedia of the American Revolution |date=1994 |publisher=Stackpole Books |isbn=0-8117-0578-1 |edition=3rd |location=Mechanicsburg, Pa. |oclc=29595553}}</ref> The war would move to southern states and eventually conclude with the [[Siege of Yorktown|Battle of Yorktown]] in Virginia.<ref name=":3" />
==== Formation of the United States of America ====
==== Formation of the United States of America ====
The idea of an independent United States of America, with the designs of its government would be created primarily in the Northeast in a series of declarations, constitutions, and documents. The [[Continental Congress]]es would meet in Philadelphia, which would produce the [[United States Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]] and [[Articles of Confederation|the Articles of Confederation]]. Following the American Revolution, the [[List of capitals in the United States|capital of the newly formed United States]] would move around in the states of [[Pennsylvania]], [[New Jersey]], and [[New York (state)|New York]]. It was based in [[New York Cit]]y from 1785 until 1790, when it was moved to [[Congress Hall]] in [[Philadelphia]], where it remained for a decade, until 1800, when the construction of the new national capital of [[Washington, D.C.]] was completed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=González |first=Jennifer |date=November 17, 2015 |title=On This Day: Congress Moves to Washington, D.C. {{!}} In Custodia Legis: Law Librarians of Congress |url=https://blogs.loc.gov/law/2015/11/on-this-day-congress-moves-to-washington-d-c/ |access-date=February 19, 2023 |website=blogs.loc.gov}}</ref>
The idea of an independent United States of America, with the designs of its government would be created primarily in the Northeast in a series of declarations, constitutions, and documents. The [[Continental Congress]]es would meet in Philadelphia, which would produce the [[United States Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]] and [[Articles of Confederation|the Articles of Confederation]]. Following the American Revolution, the [[List of capitals in the United States|capital of the newly formed United States]] would move around in the states of [[Pennsylvania]], [[New Jersey]], and [[New York (state)|New York]]. It was based in [[New York City]] from 1785 until 1790, when it was moved to [[Congress Hall]] in [[Philadelphia]], where it remained for a decade, until 1800, when the construction of the new national capital of [[Washington, D.C.]] was completed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=González |first=Jennifer |date=November 17, 2015 |title=On This Day: Congress Moves to Washington, D.C. {{!}} In Custodia Legis: Law Librarians of Congress |url=https://blogs.loc.gov/law/2015/11/on-this-day-congress-moves-to-washington-d-c/ |access-date=February 19, 2023 |website=blogs.loc.gov}}</ref>
The [[Constitutional Convention (United States)|Constitutional Convention]] was held in Philadelphia, where the [[Constitution of the United States|new United States Constitution]] was drafted in 1787.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Jillson |first=Calvin C. |title=American government: political development and institutional change |date=2009 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-415-99570-2 |edition=5th |location=New York |oclc=263497894}}</ref> 6 of the [[History of the United States Constitution#Ratification of the Constitution|first 13 states to ratify]] the new constitution would be in the Northeast, with the last of the original 13, Rhode Island, ratifying the constitution in 1790. Vermont would be admitted in 1791 as the 14th state. The [[1st United States Congress|first Congress]] would convene in [[Federal Hall]] in New York City in March 1789.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774 - 1875 |url=https://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=llsj&fileName=001/llsj001.db&recNum=4 |access-date=February 19, 2023 |website=memory.loc.gov}}</ref>
The [[Constitutional Convention (United States)|Constitutional Convention]] was held in Philadelphia, where the [[Constitution of the United States|new United States Constitution]] was drafted in 1787.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Jillson |first=Calvin C. |title=American government: political development and institutional change |date=2009 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-415-99570-2 |edition=5th |location=New York |oclc=263497894}}</ref> 6 of the [[History of the United States Constitution#Ratification of the Constitution|first 13 states to ratify]] the new constitution would be in the Northeast, with the last of the original 13, Rhode Island, ratifying the constitution in 1790. Vermont would be admitted in 1791 as the 14th state. The [[1st United States Congress|first Congress]] would convene in [[Federal Hall]] in New York City in March 1789.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774 - 1875 |url=https://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=llsj&fileName=001/llsj001.db&recNum=4 |access-date=February 19, 2023 |website=memory.loc.gov}}</ref>
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=== Early and mid-19th century ===
=== Early and mid-19th century ===
[[File:Battle of Gettysburg, by Currier and Ives.png|thumb|The [[Battle of Gettysburg]], fought in and around [[Gettysburg, Pennsylvania]], was the [[American Civil War]]'s bloodiest battle; the [[Union Army|Union]]'s victory at Gettysburg represented a turning point in the war in the Union's favor.]]
[[File:Battle of Gettysburg, by Currier and Ives.png|thumb|The [[Battle of Gettysburg]], fought in and around [[Gettysburg, Pennsylvania]], was the [[American Civil War]]'s bloodiest battle; the [[Union Army|Union]]'s victory at Gettysburg represented a turning point in the war in the Union's favor.]]
Following the revolution the Northeast would see small skirmishes like the [[Whiskey Rebellion]] in western parts of Pennsylvania.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Berkin |first=Carol |title=A sovereign people: the crises of the 1790s and the birth of American nationalism |date=2017 |isbn=978-0-465-06088-7 |location=New York, NY |oclc=958798629}}</ref> Many northeastern states would continue trading with the British and other European powers. Tensions between the United States and Europe (specifically Britain) would sour in the lead up to the [[War of 1812]].
Following the revolution the Northeast would see small skirmishes like the [[Whiskey Rebellion]] in western parts of Pennsylvania.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Berkin |first=Carol |title=A sovereign people: the crises of the 1790s and the birth of American nationalism |date=2017 |isbn=978-0-465-06088-7 |location=New York, NY |oclc=958798629}}</ref> Many northeastern states would continue trading with the British and other European powers. Tensions between the United States and Europe (specifically Britain) would sour in the lead up to the [[War of 1812]].
This caused certain trade merchants to [[Hartford Convention|meet in Hartford]] to propose succeeding from the United States.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Buel |first=Richard |title=America on the brink: how the political struggle over the war of 1812 almost destroyed the young republic |date=2005 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |isbn=1-4039-6238-3 |location=New York, N.Y. |oclc=55510543}}</ref> The [[War of 1812]] would see less fighting in the Northeast and instead more fighting in western and southern areas. A failed [[Invasion of Canada (1812)|invasion of Canada]] and the occupation of Maine would be some of the major conflicts during the war.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Benn |first=Carl |title=The War of 1812 |date=2002 |publisher=Osprey |isbn=1-84176-466-3 |location=Oxford |oclc=59463925}}</ref> The war would end in 1815 and most of the Northeast has not seen any major conflict since then.
This caused certain trade merchants to [[Hartford Convention|meet in Hartford]] to propose succeeding from the United States.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Buel |first=Richard |title=America on the brink: how the political struggle over the war of 1812 almost destroyed the young republic |date=2005 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |isbn=1-4039-6238-3 |location=New York, N.Y. |oclc=55510543}}</ref> The [[War of 1812]] would see less fighting in the Northeast and instead more fighting in western and southern areas. A failed [[Invasion of Canada (1812)|invasion of Canada]] and the occupation of Maine would be some of the major conflicts during the war.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Benn |first=Carl |title=The War of 1812 |date=2002 |publisher=Osprey |isbn=1-84176-466-3 |location=Oxford |oclc=59463925}}</ref> The war would end in 1815 and most of the Northeast has not seen any major conflict since then.
The [[Industrial Revolution in the United States|American Industrail Revolution]] was launched in [[Blackstone Valley]] in [[Rhode Island]] and [[Massachusetts]], where [[Textile manufacturing|textile mills]] spread across New England, and in eastern [[Pennsylvania]], where coal, steel, and industrialization launched the nation's manufacturing sector.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October7,2012 |title=National Historic Landmarks Program (NHL) |url=http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=6&ResourceType=District |access-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007141543/http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=6&ResourceType=District |archive-date=October 7, 2012 }}</ref>
The [[Industrial Revolution in the United States|American Industrial Revolution]] was launched in [[Blackstone Valley]] in [[Rhode Island]] and [[Massachusetts]], where [[Textile manufacturing|textile mills]] spread across New England, and in eastern [[Pennsylvania]], where coal, steel, and industrialization launched the nation's manufacturing sector.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Old Slater Mill |website=National Historic Landmarks Program |url=http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=6&ResourceType=District |access-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007141543/http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=6&ResourceType=District |archive-date=October 7, 2012 }}</ref>
After the end of the War of 1812, industry boomed in the Northeast in the early and middle parts of the 19th century. With the construction of railroad and canals crossing the northeast and the rise of western territories and resources from the south, the Northeast experienced the development of new industries and a fast-growing population. Many of the coastal cities, including [[Boston]], [[New York City]], and [[Philadelphia]], served as ocean trade ports for American goods.
After the end of the War of 1812, industry boomed in the Northeast in the early and middle parts of the 19th century. With the construction of railroad and canals crossing the northeast and the rise of western territories and resources from the south, the Northeast experienced the development of new industries and a fast-growing population. Many of the coastal cities, including [[Boston]], [[New York City]], and [[Philadelphia]], served as ocean trade ports for American goods.
Cities, including [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]], [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]], [[Pittsburgh]], [[Rochester, New York|Rochester]], and [[Syracuse, New York|Syracuse]], were settled and emerged as major industrial centers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Industrial Revolution in the United States {{!}} Classroom Materials at the Library of Congress {{!}} Library of Congress |url=https://www.loc.gov/classroom-materials/industrial-revolution-in-the-united-states/ |access-date=February 19, 2023 |website=Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA}}</ref>
Cities, including [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]], [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]], [[Pittsburgh]], [[Rochester, New York|Rochester]], and [[Syracuse, New York|Syracuse]], were settled and emerged as major industrial centers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Industrial Revolution in the United States {{!}} Classroom Materials at the Library of Congress {{!}} Library of Congress |url=https://www.loc.gov/classroom-materials/industrial-revolution-in-the-united-states/ |access-date=February 19, 2023 |website=Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA}}</ref>
By 1860, New York City, based on its present-day boundaries, was the first U.S. city to reach a population exceeding one million.<ref name=":4">{{Cite book |title=The encyclopedia of New York City |date=1995 |publisher=Yale University Press |others=Kenneth T. Jackson, New-York Historical Society |isbn=0-300-05536-6 |location=New Haven, Conn. |oclc=32395903}}</ref> Due to the settlement of the [[Midwestern United States|Midwest]] and [[Great Plains]], agriculture would collapse in the Mid-Atlantic and New England, with many farms being abandoned by the end of the century, returning to rural forest.
By 1860, New York City, based on its present-day boundaries, was the first U.S. city to reach a population exceeding one million.<ref name=":4">{{Cite book |title=The encyclopedia of New York City |date=1995 |publisher=Yale University Press |others=Kenneth T. Jackson, New-York Historical Society |isbn=0-300-05536-6 |location=New Haven, Conn. |oclc=32395903}}</ref> Due to the settlement of the [[Midwestern United States|Midwest]] and [[Great Plains]], agriculture would collapse in the Mid-Atlantic and New England, with many farms being abandoned by the end of the century, returning to rural forest.
Conflicts with the south over the [[Slave states and free states|spread of slavery]] would become a large factor in the start of the American Civil War, between the United States (western and Northeastern states) and [[Confederate States of America|the Confederacy]] (southeastern states). The admission of Maine as a free state in exchange for [[Missouri]] becoming a slave state as part of the [[Missouri Compromise]] in 1820 would settle the final boundaries of the Northeastern states.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Mueller |first=Ken S. |date=2017 |title=Wolf by the Ears: The Missouri Crisis, 1819–1821 by John R. Van Atta (review) |url=https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/56/article/649287 |journal=Journal of the Early Republic |volume=37 |issue=1 |pages=173–175 |doi=10.1353/jer.2017.0011 |s2cid=151453560 |issn=1553-0620}}</ref>
Conflicts with the south over the [[Slave states and free states|spread of slavery]] would become a large factor in the start of the American Civil War, between the United States (western and Northeastern states) and [[Confederate States of America|the Confederacy]] (southeastern states). The admission of Maine as a free state in exchange for [[Missouri]] becoming a slave state as part of the [[Missouri Compromise]] in 1820 would settle the final boundaries of the Northeastern states.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Mueller |first=Ken S. |date=2017 |title=Wolf by the Ears: The Missouri Crisis, 1819–1821 by John R. Van Atta (review) |url=https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/56/article/649287 |journal=Journal of the Early Republic |volume=37 |issue=1 |pages=173–175 |doi=10.1353/jer.2017.0011 |s2cid=151453560 |issn=1553-0620}}</ref>
The [[Mason–Dixon line|Mason-Dixon line]] would be established as the border of slavery, following the border of Pennsylvania and Delaware/Maryland.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Slavery in Delaware |url=http://slavenorth.com/delaware.htm |access-date=February 19, 2023 |website=slavenorth.com}}</ref> [[Abolitionism in the United States|Abolitionist movements]] would start in the Northeast and Midwest and would become prominent towards the mid-19th century, these groups advocated the shrinking or banning of slavery in the United States. Some Northeastern states still had small amounts of slaves into the 1850s, though some would ban it during the decade.
The [[Mason–Dixon line|Mason-Dixon line]] would be established as the border of slavery, following the border of Pennsylvania and Delaware/Maryland.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Slavery in Delaware |url=http://slavenorth.com/delaware.htm |access-date=February 19, 2023 |website=slavenorth.com}}</ref> [[Abolitionism in the United States|Abolitionist movements]] would start in the Northeast and Midwest and would become prominent towards the mid-19th century, these groups advocated the shrinking or banning of slavery in the United States. Some Northeastern states still had small amounts of slaves into the 1850s, though some would ban it during the decade.
The [[1860 United States presidential election|election of 1860]] led to the start of the Civil War; southern states succeeded from the United States in late-1860 and early-1861. States like [[Maryland]] and [[Delaware]] would remain in the union, even with slavery still legal. For the first two years, the [[Eastern theater of the American Civil War|eastern theater of the war]] would remain in [[Virginia]] and Maryland, but in 1863 the war would reach its northeastern most extent in [[Gettysburg, Pennsylvania]]. The [[Battle of Gettysburg]] is considered a turning point in the Civil War, seeing the end of the Confederate push northwards.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 21, 2011 |title=List of Classified Structures |url=http://www.hscl.cr.nps.gov/insidenps/report.asp?STATE=&PARK=GETT&RECORDNO=461 |access-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721060321/http://www.hscl.cr.nps.gov/insidenps/report.asp?STATE=&PARK=GETT&RECORDNO=461 |archive-date=July 21, 2011 }}</ref>
The [[1860 United States presidential election|election of 1860]] led to the start of the Civil War; southern states succeeded from the United States in late-1860 and early-1861. States like [[Maryland]] and [[Delaware]] would remain in the union, even with slavery still legal. For the first two years, the [[Eastern theater of the American Civil War|eastern theater of the war]] would remain in [[Virginia]] and Maryland, but in 1863 the war would reach its northeastern most extent in [[Gettysburg, Pennsylvania]]. The [[Battle of Gettysburg]] is considered a turning point in the Civil War, seeing the end of the Confederate push northwards.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 21, 2011 |title=List of Classified Structures |url=http://www.hscl.cr.nps.gov/insidenps/report.asp?STATE=&PARK=GETT&RECORDNO=461 |access-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721060321/http://www.hscl.cr.nps.gov/insidenps/report.asp?STATE=&PARK=GETT&RECORDNO=461 |archive-date=July 21, 2011 }}</ref>
While all Northeastern states would remain in the United States during the war, conflicts did arise, like the [[New York City draft riots|New York draft riots]] in 1863.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Foner |first=Eric |title=Reconstruction: America's unfinished revolution, 1863-1877 |date=2002 |publisher=Perennial Classics |isbn=0-06-093716-5 |edition=1st Perennial Classics |location=New York |oclc=48074168}}</ref> The war would end in 1865 with the United States taking back control of Southern states.
While all Northeastern states would remain in the United States during the war, conflicts did arise, like the [[New York City draft riots|New York draft riots]] in 1863.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Foner |first=Eric |title=Reconstruction: America's unfinished revolution, 1863-1877 |date=2002 |publisher=Perennial Classics |isbn=0-06-093716-5 |edition=1st Perennial Classics |location=New York |oclc=48074168}}</ref> The war would end in 1865 with the United States taking back control of Southern states.
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=== Industrial Revolution and modern times ===
=== Industrial Revolution and modern times ===
[[File:Mulberry Street NYC c1900 LOC 3g04637u edit.jpg|thumb|[[Little Italy, Manhattan|Little Italy]] in [[Lower Manhattan]], {{Circa|1900}}]]
[[File:Mulberry Street NYC c1900 LOC 3g04637u edit.jpg|thumb|[[Little Italy, Manhattan|Little Italy]] in [[Lower Manhattan]], {{Circa|1900}}]]
[[File:The Harmsworth atlas and Gazetter 1908 (135851517).jpg|thumb|Northeastern United States in 1908 from ''The Harmsworth atlas and Gazetter'']]
Following the Civil War, the Northeast would see a large economic boom and would become one of the most industrialized regions in the world. Many technological innovation would be made in the Northeast during this time. The [[Second Industrial Revolution]] would see the northeast grow massively, even more so than before the Civil War. Many cities in the Northeast would explode in population, with cities like Philadelphia and New York climbing over one million people, while other cities like Buffalo, Boston, and Pittsburgh would rise above half a million during this time.
Following the Civil War, the Northeast would see a large economic boom and would become one of the most industrialized regions in the world. Many technological innovation would be made in the Northeast during this time. The [[Second Industrial Revolution]] would see the northeast grow massively, even more so than before the Civil War. Many cities in the Northeast would explode in population, with cities like Philadelphia and New York climbing over one million people, while other cities like Buffalo, Boston, and Pittsburgh would rise above half a million during this time.
New York City eventually grew to become one of the largest cities in the world by 1900. With the American involvement in both World Wars, the Northeast would become a large base of war production, with the [[Brooklyn Navy Yard|Brooklyn Naval Yard]] producing many navy ships.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle 09 Dec 1940, page Page 10 |url=https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/52774625/ |access-date=February 19, 2023 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en}}</ref> Many worker strikes would occur in the states, including the [[Homestead strike]] in 1892.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Strike at Homestead Mill {{!}} American Experience {{!}} PBS |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/carnegie-strike-homestead-mill/ |access-date=February 19, 2023 |website=Pbs.org |language=en}}</ref> Many of these cities would see a peak population and industrial output in the aftermath of [[World War II]] in the 1950s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Who Makes It? |url=http://www.63alfred.com/whomakesit/ |access-date=February 19, 2023 |website=63alfred.com}}</ref>
New York City eventually grew to become one of the largest cities in the world by 1900. With the American involvement in both World Wars, the Northeast would become a large base of war production, with the [[Brooklyn Navy Yard|Brooklyn Naval Yard]] producing many navy ships.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle 09 Dec 1940, page Page 10 |url=https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/52774625/ |access-date=February 19, 2023 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en}}</ref> Many worker strikes would occur in the states, including the [[Homestead strike]] in 1892.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Strike at Homestead Mill {{!}} American Experience {{!}} PBS |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/carnegie-strike-homestead-mill/ |access-date=February 19, 2023 |website=Pbs.org |language=en}}</ref> Many of these cities would see a peak population and industrial output in the aftermath of [[World War II]] in the 1950s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Who Makes It? |url=http://www.63alfred.com/whomakesit/ |access-date=February 19, 2023 |website=63alfred.com}}</ref>
Starting in the 1950s and continuing into the 21st century, a large [[Deindustrialization|industrial decline]] in the Northeast resulted in a depopulation of many Northeastern cities, many of which had not yet recovered from it into the 21st century. This led to the rise of programs of [[urban renewal]] and demolition of large parts of Northeastern cities during the mid and late 20th century.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sugrue |first=Thomas J. |title=Origins of the urban crisis: race and inequality in postwar Detroit |date=2014 |isbn=978-1-4008-5121-8 |location=New Jersey |oclc=878919151}}</ref> There has also been a large population shift to the [[Sun Belt|Sun Belt states]] starting in the 1960s.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 24, 2008 |title=Sun Belt Growth Shapes Housing's Future {{!}} Government > Government Bodies & Offices from AllBusiness.com |url=http://www.allbusiness.com/government/government-bodies-offices/6324745-1.html |access-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624084300/http://www.allbusiness.com/government/government-bodies-offices/6324745-1.html |archive-date=June 24, 2008 }}</ref>
Starting in the 1950s and continuing into the 21st century, a large [[Deindustrialization|industrial decline]] in the Northeast resulted in a depopulation of many Northeastern cities, many of which had not yet recovered from it into the 21st century. This led to the rise of programs of [[urban renewal]] and demolition of large parts of Northeastern cities during the mid and late 20th century.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sugrue |first=Thomas J. |title=Origins of the urban crisis: race and inequality in postwar Detroit |date=2014 |isbn=978-1-4008-5121-8 |location=New Jersey |oclc=878919151}}</ref> There has also been a large population shift to the [[Sun Belt|Sun Belt states]] starting in the 1960s.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 24, 2008 |title=Sun Belt Growth Shapes Housing's Future {{!}} Government > Government Bodies & Offices from AllBusiness.com |url=http://www.allbusiness.com/government/government-bodies-offices/6324745-1.html |access-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624084300/http://www.allbusiness.com/government/government-bodies-offices/6324745-1.html |archive-date=June 24, 2008 }}</ref>
[[New York (state)|New York state]] lost its claim to being the most populated state after it was surpassed by [[California]] in the 1970s. Some Northeastern cities, including New York City, have recovered from its decline in the mid-20th century.<ref name=":4" /> Many new information and service industries have risen in the northeast, which has led to a boom in the 21st century in some cities in the Northeast like Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. Some other cities like [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]], Syracuse, and Buffalo still are declining though in the 21st century.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 29, 2006 |title=Table 7. Connecticut - Race and Hispanic Origin for Selected Large Cities and Other Places: Earliest Census to 1990 |url=http://www.census.gov/population/documentation/twps0076/CTtab.pdf |access-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060629035530/http://www.census.gov/population/documentation/twps0076/CTtab.pdf |archive-date=June 29, 2006 }}</ref> [[Hurricane Sandy]] would impact much of the northeast in 2012, severely damaging much of the coast and causing flooding inland. The hurricane would directly impact [[New Jersey]] and caused large amounts of flooding in New York City.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 1, 2012 |title=NEW YORK - Water, fire, destruction: NYC after the superstorm - Nation - TheState.com |url=http://www.thestate.com/2012/10/29/2499940/nyc-waters-rise-to-irene-levels.html |access-date=February 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101080214/http://www.thestate.com/2012/10/29/2499940/nyc-waters-rise-to-irene-levels.html |archive-date=November 1, 2012 }}</ref>
[[New York (state)|New York state]] lost its claim to being the most populated state after it was surpassed by [[California]] in the 1970s. Some Northeastern cities, including New York City, have recovered from its decline in the mid-20th century.<ref name=":4" /> Many new information and service industries have risen in the northeast, which has led to a boom in the 21st century in some cities in the Northeast like Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. Some other cities like [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]], Syracuse, and Buffalo still are declining though in the 21st century.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 29, 2006 |title=Table 7. Connecticut - Race and Hispanic Origin for Selected Large Cities and Other Places: Earliest Census to 1990 |url=http://www.census.gov/population/documentation/twps0076/CTtab.pdf |access-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060629035530/http://www.census.gov/population/documentation/twps0076/CTtab.pdf |archive-date=June 29, 2006 }}</ref> [[Hurricane Sandy]] would impact much of the northeast in 2012, severely damaging much of the coast and causing flooding inland. The hurricane would directly impact [[New Jersey]] and caused large amounts of flooding in New York City.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 1, 2012 |title=NEW YORK - Water, fire, destruction: NYC after the superstorm - Nation - TheState.com |url=http://www.thestate.com/2012/10/29/2499940/nyc-waters-rise-to-irene-levels.html |access-date=February 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101080214/http://www.thestate.com/2012/10/29/2499940/nyc-waters-rise-to-irene-levels.html |archive-date=November 1, 2012 }}</ref>
Although the first settlers of New England were motivated by religion, since the 21st century, [[New England]] had become one of the least religious parts of the United States. In a 2009 [[The Gallup Organization|Gallup]] survey, less than half of residents in [[Maine]], [[Massachusetts]], [[New Hampshire]], and [[Vermont]] reported religion as an important part of their daily life.<ref>{{cite web|last=Newport|first=Frank|title=State of the States: Importance of Religion|url=http://www.gallup.com/poll/114022/State-States-YES%20Importance-Religion.aspx|work=Gallup|access-date=August 17, 2012|archive-date=August 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120817043756/http://www.gallup.com/poll/114022/State-States-YES%20Importance-Religion.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> In a 2010 Gallup survey, less than 30% of residents in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts reported [[Church attendance|attending church]] weekly, giving them the lowest church attendance among U.S. states.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gallup.com/poll/125999/mississippians-go-church-most-vermonters-least.aspx |title=Mississippians Go to Church the Most; Vermonters, Least |date=February 17, 2010 |publisher=Gallup.com |access-date=March 17, 2012 |archive-date=September 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927040257/http://www.gallup.com/poll/125999/mississippians-go-church-most-vermonters-least.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>
Although the first settlers of New England were motivated by religion, since the 21st century, [[New England]] had become one of the least religious parts of the United States. In a 2009 [[The Gallup Organization|Gallup]] survey, less than half of residents in [[Maine]], [[Massachusetts]], [[New Hampshire]], and [[Vermont]] reported religion as an important part of their daily life.<ref>{{cite web|last=Newport|first=Frank|title=State of the States: Importance of Religion|url=http://www.gallup.com/poll/114022/State-States-YES%20Importance-Religion.aspx|work=Gallup|access-date=August 17, 2012|archive-date=August 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120817043756/http://www.gallup.com/poll/114022/State-States-YES%20Importance-Religion.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> In a 2010 Gallup survey, less than 30% of residents in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts reported [[Church attendance|attending church]] weekly, giving them the lowest church attendance among U.S. states.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gallup.com/poll/125999/mississippians-go-church-most-vermonters-least.aspx |title=Mississippians Go to Church the Most; Vermonters, Least |date=February 17, 2010 |publisher=Gallup.com |access-date=March 17, 2012 |archive-date=September 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927040257/http://www.gallup.com/poll/125999/mississippians-go-church-most-vermonters-least.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Geography==
==Geography==
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[[File:Montauk 01.jpg|thumb|[[Montauk Point Lighthouse]] on the east end of [[Long Island]]]]
[[File:Montauk 01.jpg|thumb|[[Montauk Point Lighthouse]] on the east end of [[Long Island]]]]
The vast area from central [[Virginia]] to northern [[Maine]], and from western [[Pennsylvania]], from [[Pittsburgh]] in the west to the [[Atlantic Ocean]] in the east, have all been loosely grouped into the Northeast.
The vast area from central [[Virginia]] to northern [[Maine]], and from western [[Pennsylvania]], from [[Pittsburgh]] in the west to the [[Atlantic Ocean]] in the east, have all been loosely grouped into the Northeast.
The [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]]'s definition of the Northeast includes nine states: [[Maine]], [[New York (state)|New York]], [[New Jersey]], [[Vermont]], [[Massachusetts]], [[Rhode Island]], [[Connecticut]], [[New Hampshire]], and [[Pennsylvania]].<ref name="Census" />{{efn|The U.S. Census Bureau reorganized its administrative units, and its regional offices do not cover the Census regions (the northeasternmost regional office headquartered in New York covers New England, New York, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico).<ref>{{cite web|title=2013 Regions of the US Census Bureau|url=https://www.census.gov/regions/pdf/new_ro_map_final.pdf|publisher=Census Bureau|access-date=July 22, 2013|archive-date=October 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014233145/https://www.census.gov/regions/pdf/new_ro_map_final.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
The [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]]'s definition of the Northeast includes nine states: [[Maine]], [[New York (state)|New York]], [[New Jersey]], [[Vermont]], [[Massachusetts]], [[Rhode Island]], [[Connecticut]], [[New Hampshire]], and [[Pennsylvania]].<ref name="Census" />{{efn|The U.S. Census Bureau reorganized its administrative units, and its regional offices do not cover the Census regions (the northeasternmost regional office headquartered in New York covers New England, New York, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico).<ref>{{cite web|title=2013 Regions of the US Census Bureau|url=https://www.census.gov/regions/pdf/new_ro_map_final.pdf|publisher=Census Bureau|access-date=July 22, 2013|archive-date=October 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014233145/https://www.census.gov/regions/pdf/new_ro_map_final.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
The region is often subdivided into [[New England]], the six states east of New York state and the [[Mid-Atlantic (United States)|Mid-Atlantic states]] of New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. This definition has been essentially unchanged since 1880 and is widely used as a standard for data tabulation.<ref>{{cite book|pages=6–1|title=Geographic Areas Reference Manual|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fnQQp4N93QwC&pg=SA6-PA1|access-date=July 4, 2013|year=1994|archive-date=June 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624022436/https://books.google.com/books?id=fnQQp4N93QwC&pg=SA6-PA1|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="widely">{{cite book|title=Asking Questions: Practical Guide to Questionnaire Design|author1=Seymour Sudman|author2=Norman M. Bradburn|name-list-style=amp|year=1982|publisher=[[Jossey-Bass]]|page=205|quote=The most widely used regional definitions follow those of the U.S. Bureau of the Census.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8Ay2AAAAIAAJ|isbn=978-0-87589-546-8|access-date=October 17, 2015|archive-date=May 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160515042215/https://books.google.com/books?id=8Ay2AAAAIAAJ|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Retailing|author=Dale M. Lewison|year=1997|publisher=[[Prentice Hall]]|page=384|quote=Perhaps the most widely used regional classification system is one developed by the U.S. Census Bureau.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oPUJAQAAMAAJ|isbn=978-0-13-461427-4|access-date=October 17, 2015|archive-date=December 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215130738/https://books.google.com/books?id=oPUJAQAAMAAJ|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Food and Culture|author1=Pamela Goyan Kittler|author2=Kathryn P. Sucher|year=2008|publisher=[[Cengage Learning]]|page=475|quote=(M)ost demographic and food consumption data are presented in this four-region format.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eKdbaMY5AHEC&pg=PA475|isbn=978-0-495-11541-0|access-date=November 2, 2020|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126054420/https://books.google.com/books?id=eKdbaMY5AHEC&pg=PA475|url-status=live}}</ref>
The region is often subdivided into [[New England]], the six states east of New York state and the [[Mid-Atlantic (United States)|Mid-Atlantic states]] of New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. This definition has been essentially unchanged since 1880 and is widely used as a standard for data tabulation.<ref>{{cite book|pages=6–1|title=Geographic Areas Reference Manual|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fnQQp4N93QwC&pg=SA6-PA1|access-date=July 4, 2013|year=1994|archive-date=June 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624022436/https://books.google.com/books?id=fnQQp4N93QwC&pg=SA6-PA1|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="widely">{{cite book|title=Asking Questions: Practical Guide to Questionnaire Design|author1=Seymour Sudman|author2=Norman M. Bradburn|name-list-style=amp|year=1982|publisher=[[Jossey-Bass]]|page=205|quote=The most widely used regional definitions follow those of the U.S. Bureau of the Census.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8Ay2AAAAIAAJ|isbn=978-0-87589-546-8|access-date=October 17, 2015|archive-date=May 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160515042215/https://books.google.com/books?id=8Ay2AAAAIAAJ|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Retailing|author=Dale M. Lewison|year=1997|publisher=[[Prentice Hall]]|page=384|quote=Perhaps the most widely used regional classification system is one developed by the U.S. Census Bureau.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oPUJAQAAMAAJ|isbn=978-0-13-461427-4|access-date=October 17, 2015|archive-date=December 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215130738/https://books.google.com/books?id=oPUJAQAAMAAJ|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Food and Culture|author1=Pamela Goyan Kittler|author2=Kathryn P. Sucher|year=2008|publisher=[[Cengage Learning]]|page=475|quote=(M)ost demographic and food consumption data are presented in this four-region format.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eKdbaMY5AHEC&pg=PA475|isbn=978-0-495-11541-0|access-date=November 2, 2020|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126054420/https://books.google.com/books?id=eKdbaMY5AHEC&pg=PA475|url-status=live}}</ref>
The U.S. Census Bureau has acknowledged the obvious limitations of this definition and the potential merits of a proposal created after the 1950 census,<ref>{{cite book|title=Proceedings of the National Geographic Areas Conference: putting it together for 1990|year=1984|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|page=161|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xwVFxxqidLwC|access-date=October 17, 2015|archive-date=April 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426174816/https://books.google.com/books?id=xwVFxxqidLwC|url-status=live}}</ref> that would include changing regional boundaries to include [[Delaware]], [[Maryland]], and the [[Washington, D.C.]] with the Mid-Atlantic states, but ultimately decided that "the new system did not win enough overall acceptance among data users to warrant adoption as an official new set of general-purpose state groupings. The previous development of many series of statistics, arranged and issued over long periods of time on the basis of the existing State groupings, favored the retention of the summary units of the current regions and divisions."<ref name="GARM">{{cite book|title=Geographic Areas Reference Manual|chapter=Six: Statistical Groupings of States and Counties|date=November 1994|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/reference/pdfs/GARM/Ch6GARM.pdf|access-date=July 31, 2013|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|archive-date=April 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130419002020/http://www.census.gov/geo/reference/pdfs/GARM/Ch6GARM.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The U.S. Census Bureau confirmed in 1994 that it would continue to "review the components of the regions and divisions to ensure that they continue to represent the most useful combinations of states and state equivalents."<ref name="GARM" />
The U.S. Census Bureau has acknowledged the obvious limitations of this definition and the potential merits of a proposal created after the 1950 census,<ref>{{cite book|title=Proceedings of the National Geographic Areas Conference: putting it together for 1990|year=1984|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|page=161|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xwVFxxqidLwC|access-date=October 17, 2015|archive-date=April 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426174816/https://books.google.com/books?id=xwVFxxqidLwC|url-status=live}}</ref> that would include changing regional boundaries to include [[Delaware]], [[Maryland]], and [[Washington, D.C.]] with the Mid-Atlantic states, but ultimately decided that "the new system did not win enough overall acceptance among data users to warrant adoption as an official new set of general-purpose State groupings. The previous development of many series of statistics, arranged and issued over long periods of time on the basis of the existing State groupings, favored the retention of the summary units of the current regions and divisions."<ref name="GARM">{{cite book|title=Geographic Areas Reference Manual|chapter=Six: Statistical Groupings of States and Counties|date=November 1994|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/reference/pdfs/GARM/Ch6GARM.pdf|access-date=July 31, 2013|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|archive-date=April 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130419002020/http://www.census.gov/geo/reference/pdfs/GARM/Ch6GARM.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The U.S. Census Bureau confirmed in 1994 that it would continue to "review the components of the regions and divisions to ensure that they continue to represent the most useful combinations of states and state equivalents."<ref name="GARM" />
Many organizations and reference works follow the Census Bureau's definition for the region.<ref>{{cite book|title=Encyclopedia of Associations: Regional, State, and Local Organizations: Northeastern States|volume=(Vol. 2: Northeastern States)|edition=22|year=2010|publisher=[[Gale (publisher)|Gale]]|editor=Verne Thompson}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|page=630|title=The New York Times Guide to Essential Knowledge: A Desk Reference for the Curious Mind |publisher=[[Macmillan Publishers|Macmillan]]|year=2011 |isbn=978-1-4299-5085-5}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|page=[https://archive.org/details/understandingcul0000unse/page/220 220]|title=Understanding Cultural Diversity: Culture, Curriculum, and Community in Nursing|author1=Kelley, Mary Lebreck|author2=Virginia Macken Fitzsimons|name-list-style=amp|year=2000|publisher=[[Jones & Bartlett Learning]]|isbn=978-0-7637-1106-1|url=https://archive.org/details/understandingcul0000unse/page/220}}</ref> In the history of the United States, the [[Mason–Dixon line]] between Pennsylvania ([[Northern United States|the North]]) and Maryland ([[Southern United States|the South]]) traditionally divided the regions,<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Mason-Dixon Line |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Mason-and-Dixon-Line |language=en |access-date=May 26, 2020 |archive-date=May 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512234010/https://www.britannica.com/place/Mason-and-Dixon-Line |url-status=live }}</ref> but in modern times, various entities define the Northeastern United States in somewhat different ways.
Many organizations and reference works follow the Census Bureau's definition for the region.<ref>{{cite book|title=Encyclopedia of Associations: Regional, State, and Local Organizations: Northeastern States|volume=(Vol. 2: Northeastern States)|edition=22|year=2010|publisher=[[Gale (publisher)|Gale]]|editor=Verne Thompson}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|page=630|title=The New York Times Guide to Essential Knowledge: A Desk Reference for the Curious Mind |publisher=[[Macmillan Publishers|Macmillan]]|year=2011 |isbn=978-1-4299-5085-5}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|page=[https://archive.org/details/understandingcul0000unse/page/220 220]|title=Understanding Cultural Diversity: Culture, Curriculum, and Community in Nursing|author1=Kelley, Mary Lebreck|author2=Virginia Macken Fitzsimons|name-list-style=amp|year=2000|publisher=[[Jones & Bartlett Learning]]|isbn=978-0-7637-1106-1|url=https://archive.org/details/understandingcul0000unse/page/220}}</ref> In the history of the United States, the [[Mason–Dixon line]] between Pennsylvania ([[Northern United States|the North]]) and Maryland ([[Southern United States|the South]]) traditionally divided the regions,<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Mason-Dixon Line |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Mason-and-Dixon-Line |language=en |access-date=May 26, 2020 |archive-date=May 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512234010/https://www.britannica.com/place/Mason-and-Dixon-Line |url-status=live }}</ref> but in modern times, various entities define the Northeastern United States in somewhat different ways.
The [[Association of American Geographers]] divides the Northeast into two divisions: "New England", which is the same as the Census Bureau; and it has the same "Middle States" but adds Delaware.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aag.org/cs/about_aag/regional_divisions|title=Overview – AAG|work=aag.org|access-date=May 10, 2014|archive-date=March 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190311164305/http://www.aag.org/cs/about_aag/regional_divisions}}</ref> Similarly, the [[Geological Society of America]] defines the Northeast as these same states but with the addition of Maryland and the [[District of Columbia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.geosociety.org/sections/ne/|title=Geological Society of America – Northeastern Section|work=geosociety.org|access-date=August 29, 2019|archive-date=November 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191123151604/https://www.geosociety.org//sections/ne/|url-status=live}}</ref>
The [[Association of American Geographers]] divides the Northeast into two divisions: "New England", which is the same as the Census Bureau; and it has the same "Middle States" but adds Delaware.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aag.org/cs/about_aag/regional_divisions|title=Overview – AAG|work=aag.org|access-date=May 10, 2014|archive-date=March 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190311164305/http://www.aag.org/cs/about_aag/regional_divisions}}</ref> Similarly, the [[Geological Society of America]] defines the Northeast as these same states but with the addition of Maryland and the [[District of Columbia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.geosociety.org/sections/ne/|title=Geological Society of America – Northeastern Section|work=geosociety.org|access-date=August 29, 2019|archive-date=November 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191123151604/https://www.geosociety.org//sections/ne/|url-status=live}}</ref>
The narrowest definitions include only the states of New England.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://northeastoceancouncil.org/about/nroc-overview/|title=NROC Overview|publisher=[[Northeast Regional Ocean Council]]|access-date=July 11, 2013|archive-date=September 25, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925063912/http://northeastoceancouncil.org/about/nroc-overview/|url-status=live}}</ref> Other more restrictive definitions include New England and New York as part of the Northeast United States, but exclude Pennsylvania and New Jersey.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/IndustryGuidance/ucm129334.htm|title=Safety: ORA District and Headquarters Recall Coordinators|publisher=U.S. Food and Drug Administration|access-date=July 24, 2013|archive-date=August 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130819224407/http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/IndustryGuidance/ucm129334.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://dodneregional.org/council/about_council.html |title=About The Council |publisher=Department of Defense Northeast Regional Council |access-date=September 21, 2013 |archive-date=September 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923050848/http://dodneregional.org/council/about_council.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
The narrowest definitions include only the states of New England.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://northeastoceancouncil.org/about/nroc-overview/|title=NROC Overview|publisher=[[Northeast Regional Ocean Council]]|access-date=July 11, 2013|archive-date=September 25, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925063912/http://northeastoceancouncil.org/about/nroc-overview/|url-status=live}}</ref> Other more restrictive definitions include New England and New York as part of the Northeast United States, but exclude Pennsylvania and New Jersey.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/IndustryGuidance/ucm129334.htm|title=Safety: ORA District and Headquarters Recall Coordinators|publisher=U.S. Food and Drug Administration|access-date=July 24, 2013|archive-date=August 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130819224407/http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/IndustryGuidance/ucm129334.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://dodneregional.org/council/about_council.html |title=About The Council |publisher=Department of Defense Northeast Regional Council |access-date=September 21, 2013 |archive-date=September 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923050848/http://dodneregional.org/council/about_council.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
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=== Climate ===
=== Climate ===
The climate of the Northeastern United States varies from northernmost state of [[Maine]] to its southernmost state in [[Maryland]]. The region's climate is influenced by its positional western to eastern flow of weather in the middle latitudes in the United States. Summers are normally warm in northern areas to hot in southern areas. In summer, the building [[Bermuda High]] pumps warm and sultry air toward the Northeast, and frequent (but brief) thundershowers are common on hot summer days.
The climate of the Northeastern United States varies from northernmost state of [[Maine]] to its southernmost state in [[Maryland]]. The region's climate is influenced by its positional western to eastern flow of weather in the middle latitudes in the United States. Summers are normally warm in northern areas to hot in southern areas. In summer, the building [[Bermuda High]] pumps warm and sultry air toward the Northeast, and frequent (but brief) thundershowers are common on hot summer days.
In winter, the subtropical high retreats southeastward, and the polar jet stream moves south bringing colder air masses from up in [[Canada]] and more frequent storm systems to the region. Winter often brings both rain and snow as well as surges of both warm and cold air. In the southern part of the Northeast from coastal Rhode Island southwest to eastern Maryland, the Appalachians partially protect these locations from the extreme cold coming from the west and the interior of North America.<ref name="Climate">{{cite web|title=Regional Climate Trends and Scenarios for the U.S. National Climate Assessment|url=http://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/technical_reports/NOAA_NESDIS_Tech_Report_142-1-Climate_of_the_Northeast_U.S.pdf|publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]|date=January 2013|access-date=July 19, 2013|archive-date=April 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130429233847/http://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/technical_reports/NOAA_NESDIS_Tech_Report_142-1-Climate_of_the_Northeast_U.S.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
In winter, the subtropical high retreats southeastward, and the polar jet stream moves south bringing colder air masses from up in [[Canada]] and more frequent storm systems to the region. Winter often brings both rain and snow as well as surges of both warm and cold air. In the southern part of the Northeast from coastal Rhode Island southwest to eastern Maryland, the Appalachians partially protect these locations from the extreme cold coming from the west and the interior of North America.<ref name="Climate">{{cite web|title=Regional Climate Trends and Scenarios for the U.S. National Climate Assessment|url=http://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/technical_reports/NOAA_NESDIS_Tech_Report_142-1-Climate_of_the_Northeast_U.S.pdf|publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]|date=January 2013|access-date=July 19, 2013|archive-date=April 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130429233847/http://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/technical_reports/NOAA_NESDIS_Tech_Report_142-1-Climate_of_the_Northeast_U.S.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
The basic climate of the Northeast can be divided into a colder and snowier interior, including western Maryland, most of Pennsylvania, most of [[North Jersey]], [[Upstate New York]], and most of New England, and a milder coast and coastal plain from [[Cape Cod]] and southern [[Rhode Island]] southward, including [[Long Island]], [[Southern Connecticut]], [[New York City]], central and southern [[New Jersey]], [[Delaware]], and most of [[Maryland]]. In the latter region the [[hardiness zone]]sare 7a and7b. Annual mean temperatures range from the low-to-mid 50s F from Maryland to southern Connecticut, to the 40s F in most of New York State, New England, and northern Pennsylvania.<ref name="Climate"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Climate Summaries - Northeast Overview - January 2013|url=http://www.nrcc.cornell.edu/impacts/Impacts_01-13.html|access-date=July 19, 2013|archive-date=September 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929120324/http://www.nrcc.cornell.edu/impacts/Impacts_01-13.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Climate Summaries - Northeast Overview - July 2012|url=http://www.nrcc.cornell.edu/impacts/Impacts_07-12.html|access-date=July 19, 2013|archive-date=September 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929120321/http://www.nrcc.cornell.edu/impacts/Impacts_07-12.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
The basic climate of the Northeast can be divided into a colder and snowier interior, including western Maryland, most of Pennsylvania, most of [[North Jersey]], [[Upstate New York]], and most of New England, and a milder coastal plain region from [[Cape Cod]] and southern [[Rhode Island]] southward, including [[Long Island]], [[Southern Connecticut]], [[New York City]], central and southern [[New Jersey]], part of the Pennsylvania portion of the [[Delaware Valley]] including [[Philadelphia]], [[Delaware]], and most of [[Maryland]]. In the latter region the [[hardiness zone]] ranges from 7a to 8a. Annual mean temperatures range from the low-to-mid 50s F from Maryland to southern Connecticut, to the 40s F in most of New York State, New England, and northern Pennsylvania.<ref name="Climate"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Climate Summaries - Northeast Overview - January 2013|url=http://www.nrcc.cornell.edu/impacts/Impacts_01-13.html|access-date=July 19, 2013|archive-date=September 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929120324/http://www.nrcc.cornell.edu/impacts/Impacts_01-13.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Climate Summaries - Northeast Overview - July 2012|url=http://www.nrcc.cornell.edu/impacts/Impacts_07-12.html|access-date=July 19, 2013|archive-date=September 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929120321/http://www.nrcc.cornell.edu/impacts/Impacts_07-12.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
Most of the Northeast has a [[humid continental climate]] (''Dfa/Dfb/Dc''). The northernmost portion of the [[humid subtropical climate|humid subtropical]] zone (''Cfa/Do'') begins at [[Martha's Vineyard]] and [[Westerly, Rhode Island|extreme SW Rhode Island]] and extends southwestward down the coastal plain to central and southern Maryland. The [[oceanic climate]] zone (''Cfb/Do'') only exists on [[Block Island]] and [[Nantucket]] and is the only area of the Northeast where all months average between 0 and 22 °C (32 and 71.6 °F). [[Cape Cod]] borders this zone and warm-summer humid continental (''Dfb/Dc'').
Most of the Northeast has a [[humid continental climate]] (''Dfa/Dfb/Dc''). The northernmost portion of the [[humid subtropical climate|humid subtropical]] zone (''Cfa/Do'') begins at [[Martha's Vineyard]] and [[Westerly, Rhode Island|extreme SW Rhode Island]] and extends southwestward down the coastal plain to central and southern Maryland. The [[oceanic climate]] zone (''Cfb/Do'') only exists on [[Block Island]] and [[Nantucket]] and is the only area of the Northeast where all months average between 0 and 22 °C (32 and 71.6 °F). [[Cape Cod]] borders this zone and warm-summer humid continental (''Dfb/Dc'').
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<gallery mode="nolines" widths="310" heights="310" caption="Largest cities in the Northeast">
<gallery mode="nolines" widths="310" heights="310" caption="Largest cities in the Northeast">
File:View of Empire State Building from Rockefeller Center New York City dllu.jpg|alt=Downtown NYC|'''[[New York City|New York City, New York]]''' is the most populated city in both the Northeast and the United States. Its population was 8,804,190 in 2020. Its [[New York metropolitan area|metro area]] has a population of 20,140,470.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bureau|first=US Census |title=2020 Population and Housing State Data |url=https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/interactive/2020-population-and-housing-state-data.html |access-date=2023-02-28 |website=Census.gov}}</ref>
File:View of Empire State Building from Rockefeller Center New York City dllu.jpg|alt=Downtown NYC|'''[[New York City|New York City, New York]]''' is the most populated city in both the Northeast and the United States. Its population was 8,804,190 in 2020. Its [[New York metropolitan area|metro area]] has a population of 20,140,470.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2020 Population and Housing State Data |url=https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/interactive/2020-population-and-housing-state-data.html |access-date=2023-02-28 |website=Census.gov}}</ref>
File:Philadelphia skyline August 2007.jpg|alt=Downtown Philadelphia|'''[[Philadelphia|Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]]''' is the second-most populated in the Northeast and sixth-largest in the nation. Its population was 1,603,797 in 2020. Its [[Delaware Valley|metro area]] population was 6,228,601.
File:Philadelphia skyline August 2007.jpg|alt=Downtown Philadelphia|'''[[Philadelphia|Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]]''' is the second-most populated in the Northeast and sixth-largest in the nation. Its population was 1,603,797 in 2020. Its [[Delaware Valley|metro area]] population was 6,228,601.
File:Boston skyline from Longfellow Bridge September 2017 panorama 2.jpg|alt=Back Bay, Boston|'''[[Boston|Boston, Massachusetts]]''' is the third-largest city in the Northeast and 24th-largest in the nation. Its population was 675,647 in 2020. Its [[Greater Boston|metro area]] had a population of 4,941,632.
File:Boston skyline from Longfellow Bridge September 2017 panorama 2.jpg|alt=Back Bay, Boston|'''[[Boston|Boston, Massachusetts]]''' is the third-largest city in the Northeast and 24th-largest in the nation. Its population was 675,647 in 2020. Its [[Greater Boston|metro area]] had a population of 4,941,632.
File:Newark Skyline Northwest View.jpg|'''[[Newark, New Jersey]]''' is the fourth-largest city in the Northeast and 66th-largest in the U.S. Its population was 311,549 in 2020. Its metro area is combined with the [[New York metropolitan area|New York area]].
File:Newark Skyline Northwest View.jpg|'''[[Newark, New Jersey]]''' is the fourth-largest city in the Northeast and 66th-largest in the U.S. Its population was 311,549 in 2020. Its metro area is combined with the [[New York metropolitan area|New York area]].
File:Duquesne Incline (50076338942) (cropped).jpg|alt=downtown Pittsburgh|'''[[Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]]''' is the fifth-largest city in the Northeast and 68th-largest in the nation. Pittsburgh is at the western frontier of the Northeast, a short drive from the Ohio border, and is oftenrecognized as the transition between the Northeast and Midwest. Its population was 302,971 in 2020. Its [[Greater Pittsburgh|metro area]] has a population of 2,370,930.
File:Duquesne Incline (50076338942) (cropped).jpg|alt=downtown Pittsburgh|'''[[Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]]''' is the fifth-largest city in the Northeast and 68th-largest in the nation. Pittsburgh is at the western frontier of the Northeast, a short drive from the Ohio border, and is widely regarded as the transition point between the Northeast and Midwest. Its population was 302,971 in 2020. Its [[Greater Pittsburgh|metro area]] has a population of 2,370,930.
File:Jersey City from a helicopter.jpg|alt=Newport area of Jersey City|'''[[Jersey City, New Jersey]]''' is the sixth-largest city in the Northeast and 75th-largest in the nation. It had a population of 292,449 in 2020. It sits directly across the [[Hudson River]] from New York City.
File:Jersey City from a helicopter.jpg|alt=Newport area of Jersey City|'''[[Jersey City, New Jersey]]''' is the sixth-largest city in the Northeast and 75th-largest in the nation. It had a population of 292,449 in 2020. It sits directly across the [[Hudson River]] from New York City.
File:Buffalo Skyline from Drone 1.jpg|alt=Downtown Buffalo|'''[[Buffalo, New York]]''' is the seventh-largest city in the Northeast and 78th-largest in the U.S. Its population was 278,349 in 2020. Its [[Buffalo–Niagara Falls metropolitan area|metro area]] had a population of 1,166,902.
File:Buffalo Skyline from Drone 1.jpg|alt=Downtown Buffalo|'''[[Buffalo, New York]]''' is the seventh-largest city in the Northeast and 78th-largest in the U.S. Its population was 278,349 in 2020. Its [[Buffalo–Niagara Falls metropolitan area|metro area]] had a population of 1,166,902.
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|New York/Philadelphia
|New York/Philadelphia
|Commuter Rail
|Commuter Rail
|[[Hoboken, New Jersey|Hoboken]]/[[Paterson, New Jersey|Patterson]]/[[Atlantic City, New Jersey|Atlantic City]]
|[[Hoboken, New Jersey|Hoboken]]/[[Paterson, New Jersey|Paterson]]/[[Atlantic City, New Jersey|Atlantic City]]
|11
|11
|88,319,600
|88,319,600
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===Airports===
===Airports===
[[File:JFK Aerial Nov 14 2018.jpg|thumb|[[John F. Kennedy International Airport|JFK International Airport]] in [[Queens]], [[New York City|New York]]. The busiest airport in the Northeast and the 13th busiest in the nation.]]
[[File:JFK Aerial Nov 14 2018.jpg|thumb|[[John F. Kennedy International Airport|JFK International Airport]] in [[Queens]], [[New York City|New York]]. The busiest airport in the Northeast and the 13th busiest in the nation.]]
The following table includes all airports categorized by the [[Federal Aviation Administration|FAA]] as [[FAA airport categories|large or medium hubs]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.faa.gov/airports/planning_capacity/passenger_allcargo_stats/passenger/media/cy11_primary_enplanements.pdf |title=Calendar Year 2011 Primary Airports |access-date=November 9, 2014 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924043242/http://www.faa.gov/airports/planning_capacity/passenger_allcargo_stats/passenger/media/cy11_primary_enplanements.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> located in the Northeastern states.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fly.faa.gov/flyfaa/nemap.jsp|title=ATCSCC Flight Delay Information – Northeastern States|work=faa.gov|access-date=November 17, 2014|archive-date=March 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321210846/https://www.fly.faa.gov/flyfaa/nemap.jsp|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/arp/regional_offices/|title=Airports Regional & District/Development Offices|work=faa.gov|access-date=November 17, 2014|archive-date=November 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141121020549/http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/arp/regional_offices/|url-status=live}}</ref>
The following table includes all airports categorized by the [[Federal Aviation Administration|FAA]] as [[FAA airport categories|large or medium hubs]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.faa.gov/airports/planning_capacity/passenger_allcargo_stats/passenger/media/cy11_primary_enplanements.pdf |publisher=Federal Aviation Administration|location=Washington|title=Calendar Year 2011 Primary Airports |access-date=November 9, 2014 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924043242/http://www.faa.gov/airports/planning_capacity/passenger_allcargo_stats/passenger/media/cy11_primary_enplanements.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> located in the Northeastern states.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fly.faa.gov/flyfaa/nemap.jsp|title=ATCSCC Flight Delay Information – Northeastern States|publisher=Federal Aviation Administration|location=Washington|access-date=November 17, 2014|archive-date=March 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321210846/https://www.fly.faa.gov/flyfaa/nemap.jsp|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/arp/regional_offices/|title=Airports Regional & District/Development Offices|work=faa.gov|access-date=November 17, 2014|archive-date=November 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141121020549/http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/arp/regional_offices/|url-status=live}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|-
! National
! National
Rank
Rank
! Metro area served !! Airport<br />code !! Airport name !! Largest airline<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 2022 |title=RITA Stats |url=https://www.transtats.bts.gov/airports.asp?20=E |access-date=February 12, 2023 |publisher=US Department of Transportation}}</ref>
! Metro area served !! Airport<br />code !! Airport name !! Largest airline<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 2022 |title=RITA Stats |url=https://www.transtats.bts.gov/airports.asp?20=E |access-date=February 12, 2023 |publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation|location=Washington}}</ref>
!Annual
!Annual
Passengers<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=September 16, 2022 |title=CY 2021 Commercial Service Airports, Rank Order |url=https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/2022-09/cy21-commercial-service-enplanements.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203221726/https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/2022-09/cy21-commercial-service-enplanements.pdf |archive-date=February 3, 2023 |access-date=February 3, 2023 |website=Federal Aviation Administration}}</ref>
Passengers<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=September 16, 2022 |title=CY 2021 Commercial Service Airports, Rank Order |url=https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/2022-09/cy21-commercial-service-enplanements.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203221726/https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/2022-09/cy21-commercial-service-enplanements.pdf |archive-date=February 3, 2023 |access-date=February 3, 2023 |website=Federal Aviation Administration}}</ref>
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=== Road ===
=== Road ===
Many major highways cross the Northeast, connecting it to the rest of the nation.
Many major highways cross the Northeast, connecting it to the rest of the nation.
{{routelist top|length_ref=<ref name="table1">{{cite web |title=Table 1: Main Routes of the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System Of Interstate and Defense Highways as of December 31, 2018 |url=https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_system/interstate_highway_system/routefinder/table01.cfm |website=FHWA Route Log and Finder List |publisher=[[Federal Highway Administration]] |access-date=April 21, 2021 |date=May 6, 2019}}</ref>}}
{{routelist top|length_ref=<ref name="table1">{{cite web |title=Table 1: Main Routes of the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System Of Interstate and Defense Highways as of December 31, 2018 |url=https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_system/interstate_highway_system/routefinder/table01.cfm |website=FHWA Route Log and Finder List |publisher=[[Federal Highway Administration]] |location=[[Washington, D.C.|Washington]]|access-date=April 21, 2021 |date=May 6, 2019}}</ref>}}
{{Routelist row
{{Routelist row
| country = USA
| country = USA
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=== History ===
=== History ===
[[File:Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal.jpg|thumb|The [[Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal|Jersey City Terminal]], a major rail and ferry connection between New Jersey and New York City.]]
[[File:Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal.jpg|thumb|The [[Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal|Jersey City Terminal]], a major rail and ferry connection between New Jersey and New York City.]]
[[File:CBX Parkchester 6 jeh.JPG|thumb|293x293px|The Cross-Bronx Expressway (I-95) is an urban freeway which was built using [[Slum clearance in the United States|slum clearance]] policies in the 1950s and 1960s. Today it is one of the most congested highways in the nation. It is regarded as a major cause for [[urban decay]] in the Bronx.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC Four - Citizen Jane: Battle for the City |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b090c4f8 |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=BBC|language=en-GB}}</ref>]]
[[File:CBX Parkchester 6 jeh.JPG|thumb|293x293px|The Cross-Bronx Expressway (I-95) is an urban freeway which was built using [[Slum clearance in the United States|slum clearance]] policies in the 1950s and 1960s. Today it is one of the most congested highways in the nation. It is regarded as a major cause for [[urban decay]] in the Bronx.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC Four - Citizen Jane: Battle for the City |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b090c4f8 |access-date=February 13, 2023 |publisher=BBC|location=London|language=en-GB}}</ref>]]
The Northeast has been a place for many firsts in transportation in the US, from the first commercial railroad in the US in [[Milton, Massachusetts]] ([[Granite Railway]]), first rapid transit system ([[Green Line (MBTA)|MBTA Green Line]]),<ref>{{Cite book |last=Cudahy |first=Brian J. |url=http://archive.org/details/changeatparkstre00cuda |title=Change at Park Street Under; the story of Boston's subways |date=1972 |publisher=Brattleboro, Vt., S. Greene Press |others=Internet Archive |isbn=978-0-8289-0173-4}}</ref> the first limited access road was the [[Bronx River Parkway]], opened in 1922,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bronx River Parkway |url=http://www.nycroads.com/roads/bronx-river/ |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=Nycroads.com}}</ref> New York is also where the first urban freeway was built in the late-1930s.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 31, 1936 |title=EAST DRIVE LINK OPENS; Southbound Lanes Ready Today From 92d to 122d Streets |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/10/31/archives/east-drive-link-opens-southbound-lanes-ready-today-from-92d-to-122d.html |access-date=February 13, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> ([[FDR Drive]]) The northeast would also be home to some of the first major [[Highway revolt|freeway revolts]] in [[Greenwich Village]],<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Flint |first=Anthony |url=http://archive.org/details/wrestlingwithmos0000flin |title=Wrestling with Moses: how Jane Jacobs took on New York's master builder and transformed the American city |date=2009 |publisher=New York : Random House |others=Internet Archive |isbn=978-1-4000-6674-2}}</ref> and would see the first major highway teardown ([[West Side Highway|Miller Highway]]) in the 1970s.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Levine |first=Richard |date=January 6, 1989 |title=Highway's Demise: Nightmare for Drivers |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/01/06/nyregion/highway-s-demise-nightmare-for-drivers.html |access-date=February 13, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
The Northeast has been a place for many firsts in transportation in the US, from the first commercial railroad in the US in [[Milton, Massachusetts]] ([[Granite Railway]]), first rapid transit system ([[Green Line (MBTA)|MBTA Green Line]]),<ref>{{Cite book |last=Cudahy |first=Brian J. |url=http://archive.org/details/changeatparkstre00cuda |title=Change at Park Street Under; the story of Boston's subways |date=1972 |location=Brattleboro, Vt. |publisher= S. Greene Press |isbn=978-0-8289-0173-4}}</ref> the first limited access road was the [[Bronx River Parkway]], opened in 1922,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bronx River Parkway |url=http://www.nycroads.com/roads/bronx-river/ |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=Nycroads.com}}</ref> New York is also where the first urban freeway was built in the late-1930s.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 31, 1936 |title=EAST DRIVE LINK OPENS; Southbound Lanes Ready Today From 92d to 122d Streets |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/10/31/archives/east-drive-link-opens-southbound-lanes-ready-today-from-92d-to-122d.html |access-date=February 13, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> ([[FDR Drive]]) The northeast would also be home to some of the first major [[Highway revolt|freeway revolts]] in [[Greenwich Village]],<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Flint |first=Anthony |url=http://archive.org/details/wrestlingwithmos0000flin |title=Wrestling with Moses: how Jane Jacobs took on New York's master builder and transformed the American city |date=2009 |location=New York |publisher= Random House |isbn=978-1-4000-6674-2}}</ref> and would see the first major highway teardown ([[West Side Highway|Miller Highway]]) in the 1970s.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Levine |first=Richard |date=January 6, 1989 |title=Highway's Demise: Nightmare for Drivers |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/01/06/nyregion/highway-s-demise-nightmare-for-drivers.html |access-date=February 13, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
Before European settlement, most of the Northeast was loosely connected by Native American trails, some of which would be incorporated into early-European settlement roads and turnpikes. One major early road was the [[Boston Post Road]], connecting New York City and Boston along the Connecticut and Rhode Island coasts.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Clark |first=George Larkin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CWYlAAAAMAAJ&q=boston+post+road+indian+moccasin&pg=PA249 |title=A History of Connecticut: Its People and Institutions |date=1914 |publisher=G.P. Putnam's Sons |isbn=978-0-7222-4982-6 |language=en}}</ref> Later these roads would be included in the [[King's Highway (Charleston to Boston)|King's Highway]], spanning most of the east coast. Smaller turnpikes would also connect cities across the northeast. These roads would prove essential to moving goods across the English colonies in the 18th century and would later play a large part in the [[American Revolution]].<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Prussia |first1=Mailing Address: Washington-Rochambeau National Historic Trail 1400 North Outer Line Drive King of |last2=Us |first2=PA 19406 Phone: 610-783-1006 Washington-Rochambeau National Historic Trail Contact |title=Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail (U.S. National Park Service) |url=https://www.nps.gov/waro/index.htm |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=Nps.gov |language=en}}</ref>
Before European settlement, most of the Northeast was loosely connected by Native American trails, some of which would be incorporated into early-European settlement roads and turnpikes. One major early road was the [[Boston Post Road]], connecting New York City and Boston along the Connecticut and Rhode Island coasts.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Clark |first=George Larkin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CWYlAAAAMAAJ&q=boston+post+road+indian+moccasin&pg=PA249 |title=A History of Connecticut: Its People and Institutions |date=1914 |publisher=G.P. Putnam's Sons |isbn=978-0-7222-4982-6 |language=en}}</ref> Later these roads would be included in the [[King's Highway (Charleston to Boston)|King's Highway]], spanning most of the east coast. Smaller turnpikes would also connect cities across the northeast. These roads would prove essential to moving goods across the English colonies in the 18th century and would later play a large part in the [[American Revolution]].<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Prussia |first1=Mailing Address: Washington-Rochambeau National Historic Trail 1400 North Outer Line Drive King of |last2=Us |first2=PA 19406 Phone: 610-783-1006 Washington-Rochambeau National Historic Trail Contact |title=Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail (U.S. National Park Service) |url=https://www.nps.gov/waro/index.htm |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=Nps.gov |language=en}}</ref>
The region would a boom in canals built in the early-19th century, with a major canal being the [[Erie Canal]], opened in 1825, connecting the [[Great Lakes]] to the Hudson River and Atlantic Ocean through [[Western New York]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Maag |first=Christopher |date=November 3, 2008 |title=Hints of Comeback for Nation's First Superhighway |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/03/nyregion/03erie.html |access-date=February 13, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The first railroads would be built in the late-1820s and would explode in mileage in the mid to late 19th century.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Military enterprise and technological change: perspectives on the American experience |date=1985 |publisher=MIT Press |others=Merritt Roe Smith |isbn=0-262-19239-X |location=Cambridge, Mass. |oclc=11676079}}</ref> Places like Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Newark, and Pittsburgh would become large water and rail hubs during the Industrial Revolution and would see tremendous booms in population and use.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Van Oss |first=Salomon Frederik |url=http://archive.org/details/americanrailroad00vanorich |title=American railroads and British investors |date=1893 |publisher=London, E. Wilson & Co. |others=University of California Libraries}}</ref>
The region saw a boom in canal-building in the early-19th century, with a major canal being the [[Erie Canal]], opened in 1825, connecting the [[Great Lakes]] to the Hudson River and Atlantic Ocean through [[Western New York]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Maag |first=Christopher |date=November 3, 2008 |title=Hints of Comeback for Nation's First Superhighway |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/03/nyregion/03erie.html |access-date=February 13, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The first railroads would be built in the late-1820s and would explode in mileage in the mid to late 19th century.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Military enterprise and technological change: perspectives on the American experience |date=1985 |publisher=MIT Press |others=Merritt Roe Smith |isbn=0-262-19239-X |location=Cambridge, Mass. |oclc=11676079}}</ref> Places like Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Newark, and Pittsburgh would become large water and rail hubs during the Industrial Revolution and would see tremendous booms in population and use.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Van Oss |first=Salomon Frederik |url=http://archive.org/details/americanrailroad00vanorich |title=American railroads and British investors |date=1893 |publisher=London, E. Wilson & Co. |others=University of California Libraries}}</ref>
Many large rivers in the northeast like the Hudson and Delaware would be slowly crossed with bridges starting in the 1800s, with the first fixed crossing of the Hudson River south of Albany being the [[Walkway over the Hudson|Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge]], opened in 1889.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Poughkeepsie-Highland Bridge Historical Marker |url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=35483 |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=Hmdb.org |language=en}}</ref> The [[Delair Bridge]], which would connect Philadelphia with New Jersey was opened six years later in 1896.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 18, 1896 |title=Delaware River bridge, April 18, 1896 |page=1 |work=Lewisburg Chronicle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31736876/delaware-river-bridge-april-18-1896/ |access-date=February 13, 2023}}</ref> The first crossing of the Hudson River into New York City would be the series of Hudson River PATH tunnels, being opened in 1908 and 1909.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 26, 1908 |title=TROLLEY TUNNEL OPEN TO JERSEY; President Turns On Power for First Official Train Between This City and Hoboken. REGULAR SERVICE STARTS Passenger Trains Between the Two Cities Begin Running at Midnight. EXERCISES OVER THE RIVER Govs. Hughes and Fort Make Congratulatory Addresses -- Dinner at Sherry's in the Evening. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1908/02/26/archives/trolley-tunnel-open-to-jersey-president-turns-on-power-for-first.html |access-date=February 13, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The first major vehicle tunnel would be the Holland Tunnel, opened up in 1927.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 13, 1927 |title=GREAT CROWD TREKS INTO HOLLAND TUBES AFTER GALA OPENING; Thousands Pour In as Coolidge on Yacht Turns Switch With Golden Key. AUTOS START AT MIDNIGHT Hundreds of Honking Cars Rush Through Tunnels From New York and Jersey Sides. OFFICIALS HAIL THE EVENT Governor Smith, Governor Moore, Edwards, Edge and Others Extol Engineering Triumph. Impressive Ceremonies in Two States Mark Opening of Holland Tunnel SCENES AT THE OPENING OF THE HOLLAND TUNNEL UNDER THE HUDSON. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1927/11/13/archives/great-crowd-treks-into-holland-tubes-after-gala-opening-thousands.html |access-date=February 13, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
Many large rivers in the northeast like the Hudson and Delaware would be slowly crossed with bridges starting in the 1800s, with the first fixed crossing of the Hudson River south of Albany being the [[Walkway over the Hudson|Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge]], opened in 1889.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Poughkeepsie-Highland Bridge Historical Marker |url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=35483 |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=Hmdb.org |language=en}}</ref> The [[Delair Bridge]], which would connect Philadelphia with New Jersey was opened six years later in 1896.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 18, 1896 |title=Delaware River bridge, April 18, 1896 |page=1 |work=Lewisburg Chronicle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31736876/delaware-river-bridge-april-18-1896/ |access-date=February 13, 2023}}</ref> The first crossing of the Hudson River into New York City would be the series of Hudson River PATH tunnels, being opened in 1908 and 1909.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 26, 1908 |title=TROLLEY TUNNEL OPEN TO JERSEY; President Turns On Power for First Official Train Between This City and Hoboken. REGULAR SERVICE STARTS Passenger Trains Between the Two Cities Begin Running at Midnight. EXERCISES OVER THE RIVER Govs. Hughes and Fort Make Congratulatory Addresses -- Dinner at Sherry's in the Evening. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1908/02/26/archives/trolley-tunnel-open-to-jersey-president-turns-on-power-for-first.html |access-date=February 13, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The first major vehicle tunnel would be the Holland Tunnel, opened up in 1927.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 13, 1927 |title=GREAT CROWD TREKS INTO HOLLAND TUBES AFTER GALA OPENING; Thousands Pour In as Coolidge on Yacht Turns Switch With Golden Key. AUTOS START AT MIDNIGHT Hundreds of Honking Cars Rush Through Tunnels From New York and Jersey Sides. OFFICIALS HAIL THE EVENT Governor Smith, Governor Moore, Edwards, Edge and Others Extol Engineering Triumph. Impressive Ceremonies in Two States Mark Opening of Holland Tunnel SCENES AT THE OPENING OF THE HOLLAND TUNNEL UNDER THE HUDSON. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1927/11/13/archives/great-crowd-treks-into-holland-tubes-after-gala-opening-thousands.html |access-date=February 13, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
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==Politics==
==Politics==
{{Main|Political party strength in U.S. states}}
{{Main|Political party strength in U.S. states}}
The Northeastern United States tended to vote [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] in federal elections through the first half of the 20th century, but the region has since the 1990s shifted to become the most [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] in the nation.<ref name=Shelley/> Results from a 2008 [[Gallup (company)|Gallup poll]] indicated that eight of the top ten Democratic states were located in the region, with every Northeastern state having a Democratic Party affiliation advantage of at least ten points.<ref>{{cite web|title=State of the States: Political Party Affiliation|date=January 28, 2009|url=http://www.gallup.com/poll/114016/state-states-political-party-affiliation.aspx|access-date=September 25, 2013|archive-date=September 27, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927035445/http://www.gallup.com/poll/114016/state-states-political-party-affiliation.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> The following table demonstrates Democratic support in the Northeast as compared to the remainder of the nation.<ref>{{cite book|title=Counter Realignment: Political Change in the Northeastern United States|author1=Reiter, Howard L. |author2=Jeffrey M. Stonecash |name-list-style=amp |publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2011|isbn=978-1-139-49313-0}}</ref>
The Northeastern United States tended to vote [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] in federal elections through the first half of the 20th century, but the region has since the 1990s shifted to become the most [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] region in the nation, along with the [[West Coast of the United States|West Coast]].<ref name=Shelley/> Results from a 2008 [[Gallup (company)|Gallup poll]] indicated that eight of the top ten Democratic states were located in the region, with every Northeastern state having a Democratic Party affiliation advantage of at least ten points.<ref>{{cite web|title=State of the States: Political Party Affiliation|date=January 28, 2009|url=http://www.gallup.com/poll/114016/state-states-political-party-affiliation.aspx|access-date=September 25, 2013|archive-date=September 27, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927035445/http://www.gallup.com/poll/114016/state-states-political-party-affiliation.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> The following table demonstrates Democratic support in the Northeast as compared to the remainder of the nation.<ref>{{cite book|title=Counter Realignment: Political Change in the Northeastern United States|author1=Reiter, Howard L. |author2=Jeffrey M. Stonecash |name-list-style=amp |publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2011|isbn=978-1-139-49313-0}}</ref>
The region is home to the Northeast megalopolis, which includes many of the nation's largest metropolitan areas, including Boston, New York City, and Philadelphia. The megalopolis makes up 67% of the region's total population of 57,609,148. The gross domestic product of the region was $5.1 trillion as of 2022 and contains some of the most developed states based on the Human Development Index, with every state with the exception of Maine above the national average.[15][16] It is also the most densely populated region in the United States, with 320 people per square mile (120 people/km2).[17][10] The U.S. Census Bureau defines the Northeast United States as having a total area of 181,324 sq mi (469,630 km2), making it the smallest region of the United States by total area.
Anthropologists recognize the "Northeastern Woodlands" as one of the cultural regions that existed in the Western Hemisphere at the time of European colonists in the 15th and later centuries. Most did not settle in North America until the 17th century. The cultural area, known as the "Northeastern Woodlands", in addition to covering the entire Northeast U.S., also covered much of what is now Canada and others regions of what is now the eastern United States.[18]
Among the many tribes inhabiting this area were those that made up the Iroquois nations and the numerous Algonquian peoples.[19] In the United States of the 21st century, 18 federally recognized tribes reside in the Northeast.[20] For the most part, the people of the Northeastern Woodlands, on whose lands European fishermen began camping to dry their codfish in the early 1600s, lived in villages, especially after being influenced by agricultural traditions of the Ohio and Mississippi valley societies.[21]
Embarkation of the Pilgrims, an 1857 portrait by Robert Walter WeirPenn's Treaty with the Indians, a 1772 portrait by Benjamin West
All of the U.S. states making up the Northeastern region were among the original Thirteen Colonies, though Maine and Vermont were part of other colonies before the United States became independent in the American Revolution. The two cultural and geographic regions that form parts of the Northeastern region have distinct histories. The first European explorer known to have explored the Atlantic shoreline of the Northeast since the Norse was Giovanni da Verrazzano in 1524. His ship La Dauphine explored the coast from what is now known as Florida to New Brunswick.
Henry Hudson explored the area of present-day New York in 1609 and claimed it for the Netherlands. His journey stimulated Dutch interest, and the area became known as New Netherland. In 1625, the city of New Amsterdam (the location of present-day New York City) was designated the capital of the province.[26] The Dutch New Netherland settlement along the Hudson River and, for a time, the New Sweden settlement along the Delaware River divided the English settlements in the north and the south. In 1664, Charles II of England formally annexed New Netherland and incorporated it into the English colonial empire.[27] The territory became the colonies of New York and New Jersey.[27] New Jersey was originally split into East Jersey and West Jersey until the two were united as a royal colony in 1702.[27]
In 1681, William Penn, who wanted to give Quakers a land of religious freedom, founded Pennsylvania and extended freedom of religion to all citizens.[30]
Penn strongly desired access to the sea for the Province of Pennsylvania and leased what then came to be known as the "Lower Counties on the Delaware" from the Duke.[31] Penn established representative government and briefly combined his two possessions under one General Assembly in 1682.
By 1704, the Province of Pennsylvania had grown so large that their representatives wanted to make decisions without the assent of the Lower Counties and the two groups of representatives began meeting on their own, one at Philadelphia, and the other at New Castle, Delaware. Penn and his heirs remained proprietors of both and always appointed the same person Governor for their Province of Pennsylvania and their territory of the Lower Counties. The fact that Delaware and Pennsylvania shared the same governor was not unique. From 1703 to 1738, both New York and New Jersey shared a governor.[32] Massachusetts and New Hampshire also shared a governor for some time.[33]
The beginnings of the American Revolutionary War would be in the Northeast, specifically in Massachusetts. The Battles of Lexington and Concord in northeast of Boston would be the first military engagements between the Revolutionaries and the British.[34] Many of the major battles of the revolution would be fought in the Northeast. The British would evacuate Boston in early-1776 and would move to capture New York City.[35]
The revolutionaries were pushed to the Delaware River before suddenly moving forward against the British in the Battles of Trenton and Princeton.[35] A stalemate was reached in 1778, between the British and American Revolutionaries and continued until the end of the war in 1783.[36] The war would move to southern states and eventually conclude with the Battle of Yorktown in Virginia.[35]
Following the revolution the Northeast would see small skirmishes like the Whiskey Rebellion in western parts of Pennsylvania.[40] Many northeastern states would continue trading with the British and other European powers. Tensions between the United States and Europe (specifically Britain) would sour in the lead up to the War of 1812.
This caused certain trade merchants to meet in Hartford to propose succeeding from the United States.[41] The War of 1812 would see less fighting in the Northeast and instead more fighting in western and southern areas. A failed invasion of Canada and the occupation of Maine would be some of the major conflicts during the war.[42] The war would end in 1815 and most of the Northeast has not seen any major conflict since then.
After the end of the War of 1812, industry boomed in the Northeast in the early and middle parts of the 19th century. With the construction of railroad and canals crossing the northeast and the rise of western territories and resources from the south, the Northeast experienced the development of new industries and a fast-growing population. Many of the coastal cities, including Boston, New York City, and Philadelphia, served as ocean trade ports for American goods.
By 1860, New York City, based on its present-day boundaries, was the first U.S. city to reach a population exceeding one million.[45] Due to the settlement of the Midwest and Great Plains, agriculture would collapse in the Mid-Atlantic and New England, with many farms being abandoned by the end of the century, returning to rural forest.
Conflicts with the south over the spread of slavery would become a large factor in the start of the American Civil War, between the United States (western and Northeastern states) and the Confederacy (southeastern states). The admission of Maine as a free state in exchange for Missouri becoming a slave state as part of the Missouri Compromise in 1820 would settle the final boundaries of the Northeastern states.[46]
The Mason-Dixon line would be established as the border of slavery, following the border of Pennsylvania and Delaware/Maryland.[47]Abolitionist movements would start in the Northeast and Midwest and would become prominent towards the mid-19th century, these groups advocated the shrinking or banning of slavery in the United States. Some Northeastern states still had small amounts of slaves into the 1850s, though some would ban it during the decade.
The election of 1860 led to the start of the Civil War; southern states succeeded from the United States in late-1860 and early-1861. States like Maryland and Delaware would remain in the union, even with slavery still legal. For the first two years, the eastern theater of the war would remain in Virginia and Maryland, but in 1863 the war would reach its northeastern most extent in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The Battle of Gettysburg is considered a turning point in the Civil War, seeing the end of the Confederate push northwards.[48]
While all Northeastern states would remain in the United States during the war, conflicts did arise, like the New York draft riots in 1863.[49] The war would end in 1865 with the United States taking back control of Southern states.
Little Italy in Lower Manhattan, c. 1900Northeastern United States in 1908 from The Harmsworth atlas and Gazetter
Following the Civil War, the Northeast would see a large economic boom and would become one of the most industrialized regions in the world. Many technological innovation would be made in the Northeast during this time. The Second Industrial Revolution would see the northeast grow massively, even more so than before the Civil War. Many cities in the Northeast would explode in population, with cities like Philadelphia and New York climbing over one million people, while other cities like Buffalo, Boston, and Pittsburgh would rise above half a million during this time.
New York City eventually grew to become one of the largest cities in the world by 1900. With the American involvement in both World Wars, the Northeast would become a large base of war production, with the Brooklyn Naval Yard producing many navy ships.[50] Many worker strikes would occur in the states, including the Homestead strike in 1892.[51] Many of these cities would see a peak population and industrial output in the aftermath of World War II in the 1950s.[52]
Starting in the 1950s and continuing into the 21st century, a large industrial decline in the Northeast resulted in a depopulation of many Northeastern cities, many of which had not yet recovered from it into the 21st century. This led to the rise of programs of urban renewal and demolition of large parts of Northeastern cities during the mid and late 20th century.[53] There has also been a large population shift to the Sun Belt states starting in the 1960s.[54]
New York state lost its claim to being the most populated state after it was surpassed by California in the 1970s. Some Northeastern cities, including New York City, have recovered from its decline in the mid-20th century.[45] Many new information and service industries have risen in the northeast, which has led to a boom in the 21st century in some cities in the Northeast like Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. Some other cities like Hartford, Syracuse, and Buffalo still are declining though in the 21st century.[55]Hurricane Sandy would impact much of the northeast in 2012, severely damaging much of the coast and causing flooding inland. The hurricane would directly impact New Jersey and caused large amounts of flooding in New York City.[56]
Although the first settlers of New England were motivated by religion, since the 21st century, New England had become one of the least religious parts of the United States. In a 2009 Gallup survey, less than half of residents in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont reported religion as an important part of their daily life.[57] In a 2010 Gallup survey, less than 30% of residents in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts reported attending church weekly, giving them the lowest church attendance among U.S. states.[58]
The region is often subdivided into New England, the six states east of New York state and the Mid-Atlantic states of New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. This definition has been essentially unchanged since 1880 and is widely used as a standard for data tabulation.[60][61][62][63]
The U.S. Census Bureau has acknowledged the obvious limitations of this definition and the potential merits of a proposal created after the 1950 census,[64] that would include changing regional boundaries to include Delaware, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. with the Mid-Atlantic states, but ultimately decided that "the new system did not win enough overall acceptance among data users to warrant adoption as an official new set of general-purpose State groupings. The previous development of many series of statistics, arranged and issued over long periods of time on the basis of the existing State groupings, favored the retention of the summary units of the current regions and divisions."[65] The U.S. Census Bureau confirmed in 1994 that it would continue to "review the components of the regions and divisions to ensure that they continue to represent the most useful combinations of states and state equivalents."[65]
Many organizations and reference works follow the Census Bureau's definition for the region.[66][67][68] In the history of the United States, the Mason–Dixon line between Pennsylvania (the North) and Maryland (the South) traditionally divided the regions,[69] but in modern times, various entities define the Northeastern United States in somewhat different ways.
The narrowest definitions include only the states of New England.[72] Other more restrictive definitions include New England and New York as part of the Northeast United States, but exclude Pennsylvania and New Jersey.[73][74]
States beyond the Census Bureau definition are included in Northeast Region by various other entities:
The National Park Service includes in their Northeast Region: Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia, though small parts are also in the National Capital Region.[80]
While most of the Northeastern United States lie in the physiographic region of the Appalachian Highlands, some are also part of the Atlantic coastal plain, which extends south to the southern tip of Florida. The coastal plain areas include Cape Cod in Massachusetts, Long Island in New York, and most of New Jersey, and are generally low and flat with sandy soil and marshy land.[10] The highlands, including the Piedmont and the Appalachian Mountains, are heavily forested, ranging from rolling hills to summits greater than 6,000 feet (1,800 m), and pocked with many lakes.[10] The highest peak in the Northeast is Mount Washington in New Hampshire at 6,288 feet (1,917 m).[81]
As of 2012[update], forest-use covered approximately 60% of the Northeastern states, including Delaware, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., about twice the national average. About 11% was cropland and another 4% grassland pasture or range. There is also more urbanized land in the Northeast (12%) than any other region in the U.S.[14]
The climate of the Northeastern United States varies from northernmost state of Maine to its southernmost state in Maryland. The region's climate is influenced by its positional western to eastern flow of weather in the middle latitudes in the United States. Summers are normally warm in northern areas to hot in southern areas. In summer, the building Bermuda High pumps warm and sultry air toward the Northeast, and frequent (but brief) thundershowers are common on hot summer days.
In winter, the subtropical high retreats southeastward, and the polar jet stream moves south bringing colder air masses from up in Canada and more frequent storm systems to the region. Winter often brings both rain and snow as well as surges of both warm and cold air. In the southern part of the Northeast from coastal Rhode Island southwest to eastern Maryland, the Appalachians partially protect these locations from the extreme cold coming from the west and the interior of North America.[82]
The basic climate of the Northeast can be divided into a colder and snowier interior, including western Maryland, most of Pennsylvania, most of North Jersey, Upstate New York, and most of New England, and a milder coastal plain region from Cape Cod and southern Rhode Island southward, including Long Island, Southern Connecticut, New York City, central and southern New Jersey, part of the Pennsylvania portion of the Delaware Valley including Philadelphia, Delaware, and most of Maryland. In the latter region the hardiness zone ranges from 7a to 8a. Annual mean temperatures range from the low-to-mid 50s F from Maryland to southern Connecticut, to the 40s F in most of New York State, New England, and northern Pennsylvania.[82][83][84]
Most of the Northeast has a humid continental climate (Dfa/Dfb/Dc). The northernmost portion of the humid subtropical zone (Cfa/Do) begins at Martha's Vineyard and extreme SW Rhode Island and extends southwestward down the coastal plain to central and southern Maryland. The oceanic climate zone (Cfb/Do) only exists on Block Island and Nantucket and is the only area of the Northeast where all months average between 0 and 22 °C (32 and 71.6 °F). Cape Cod borders this zone and warm-summer humid continental (Dfb/Dc).
As of the 2020 U.S. census, the population of the region was 57,609,148, representing 17.38% of the nation's total population.[5] With an average of 345.5 people per square mile, the Northeast is 2.5 times as densely populated as the second-most dense region, the South. Since the last century, the U.S. population has been shifting away from the Northeast and Midwest toward the South and West.[87]
The region's racial composition as of 2020 was 64.42% white, 11.51% African American, 0.51% Native American, 7.25% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 8.17% from other races, and 8.10% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 15.27% of the population.[88] There were 22,418,883 households and 14,189,719 families in 2021. Of the 22,418,883 households, 27.7% included children under the age of 18.[89]
In 2021, the region's the population's age distribution was 20.5% under age 18, 57.36% from 18 to 62, and 22.1% who were 62 years of age or older. The median age was 40.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.4 males. For every 100 women ages 18 and over, there were 94.3 men.[90]
The median income for a household in the region in 2021 was $77,142, and the median income for a family was $97,347. About 11.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.0% of those under age 18 and 10.4% of those age 65 or over.[91]
The two U.S. Census Bureau divisions in the Northeast, New England and the Mid-Atlantic, rank second and first respectively among the 9 divisions in population density according to the 2013 population estimate. The South Atlantic region (233.1) was very close behind New England (233.2). Due to the faster growth of the South Atlantic region, it will take over the #2 division rank in population density in the next estimate, dropping New England to 3rd position. New England is projected to retain the number 3 rank for many, many years, as the only other lower-ranked division with even half the population density of New England is the East North Central division (192.1) and this region's population is projected to grow slowly. [d][92]
New York City, New York is the most populated city in both the Northeast and the United States. Its population was 8,804,190 in 2020. Its metro area has a population of 20,140,470.[93]
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the second-most populated in the Northeast and sixth-largest in the nation. Its population was 1,603,797 in 2020. Its metro area population was 6,228,601.
Boston, Massachusetts is the third-largest city in the Northeast and 24th-largest in the nation. Its population was 675,647 in 2020. Its metro area had a population of 4,941,632.
Newark, New Jersey is the fourth-largest city in the Northeast and 66th-largest in the U.S. Its population was 311,549 in 2020. Its metro area is combined with the New York area.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is the fifth-largest city in the Northeast and 68th-largest in the nation. Pittsburgh is at the western frontier of the Northeast, a short drive from the Ohio border, and is widely regarded as the transition point between the Northeast and Midwest. Its population was 302,971 in 2020. Its metro area has a population of 2,370,930.
Jersey City, New Jersey is the sixth-largest city in the Northeast and 75th-largest in the nation. It had a population of 292,449 in 2020. It sits directly across the Hudson River from New York City.
Buffalo, New York is the seventh-largest city in the Northeast and 78th-largest in the U.S. Its population was 278,349 in 2020. Its metro area had a population of 1,166,902.
Yonkers, New York is the eighth-largest city in the Northeast and 111th-largest city in the U.S. It had a population of 211,569 in 2020. It borders the Bronx, a borough of New York City to its south.
Rochester, New York is the ninth-largest city in the Northeast and the 112th-largest city in the United States. It had a population of 211,328 in 2020. The Rochester metro has a population of 1,090,135.
Worcester, Massachusetts is the tenth-largest city in the Northeast and the 114th-largest city in the United States. It had a population of 206,518 in the 2020 census. It is an edge city of Greater Boston and its metro is combined with it.
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (February 2023)
As of 2012[update], the Northeast U.S. accounts for approximately 23% of the nation's gross domestic product.[15] Due to its vast population and diverse landscapes, the Northeast has a large and robust economy, ranging from financial services in Manhattan, to agriculture in Central Pennsylvania.
Rural regions and states, including most of Upstate New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, rely more on agriculture, logging, mining, and tourism to help boost their local and statewide economies. Many national and state parks in the region generate lots of tourism, especially during fall months. The logging industry is especially prominent in Maine, making up a large part of Northern Maine's economy.
Many Northeastern states have very large economies and are highly developed. As of 2022, the per capita gross domestic products for these states are:
30th Street Station in Philadelphia. Served by all SEPTA Regional Lines, Amtrak, NJ Transit's Atlantic City Line, it is the third-busiest Amtrak station and 11th-busiest train station in North America with over four million passengers in 2019.
Grand Central Terminal in New York City is served by Metro North and some Long Island Rail trains (beginning in January 2023). Grand Central Terminal had over 67 million annual passengers in 2017 and is the second-busiest train station in the nation and third-busiest in North America.
South Station in Boston is served by southern MBTA commuter lines and Amtrak, and was the seventh-busiest train station in North America with nearly 29 million passengers as of 2017.
North Station in Boston is served by northern MBTA commuter lines and the Downeaster on Amtrak. It had six million MBTA users in 2012 and 152,000 Amtrak passengers in 2021.
Delaware Memorial Bridge (I-295, NJ Turnpike) - Crosses the Delaware River between Delaware and New Jersey, the southern most fixed crossing on the river. Eastbound span opened in 1951, westbound span opened in 1968.
PATH Hudson Tubes - Carries the PATH metro trains underneath the Hudson River to connect Newark, Jersey City, and Hoboken to Lower and Midtown Manhattan. The tubes opened up in 1908/1909.
Holland Tunnel (I-78) - Crosses underneath the Hudson River, connects road traffic from Jersey City and Newark to Lower Manhattan. Opened in 1927.
Queens-Midtown Tunnel (I-495) - Crosses underneath the East River, connecting the Long Island Expressway to Manhattan. Opened in 1940.
Hell Gate Bridge (Amtrak) - Crosses the East River and Bronx Kill, provides a rail connection from Pennsylvania Station to the Bronx and Connecticut. Opened in 1917.
George Washington Bridge (I-95) - Crosses the Hudson River, connecting New York and New England to New Jersey and cross-country I-80. One of the busiest crossings in the United States. Double Decked. Opened in 1931.
Throgs Neck Bridge (I-295) Crosses the East River, connecting the Bronx and New England to the Queens and Long Island, northern most crossing of the East River. (no fixed crossings are in Long Island Sound) Opened in 1961.
Tappan Zee Bridge (I-87, I-287) - Crosses the Hudson River, carrying NY Thruway and suburban traffic from Rockland and Westchester counties. Alternative to GW Bridge. Current span opened in 2017, former span opened in 1955.
Newburgh-Beacon Bridge (I-84) - Crosses the Hudson River, carrying traffic from Pennsylvania and southeastern New York across the river to New England. Opened in 1963.
Q Bridge (I-95) - Crosses the Quinnipiac River, carrying New Haven traffic along with traffic heading to New England or New York. Current span opened in 2012, original span opened in 1958.
Baldwin Bridge (I-95) - Crosses the Connecticut River, carrying cross-state traffic and connecting Old Saybrook to New London. Opened in 1948.
The Rainbow Bridge, connecting New York to Canada nearby Niagara Falls.Bulkeley Bridge (I-84) - Crosses the Connecticut River, connecting Hartford area traffic across the river. The oldest interstate crossing in the US. Opened in 1908.
The Jersey City Terminal, a major rail and ferry connection between New Jersey and New York City.The Cross-Bronx Expressway (I-95) is an urban freeway which was built using slum clearance policies in the 1950s and 1960s. Today it is one of the most congested highways in the nation. It is regarded as a major cause for urban decay in the Bronx.[102]
Before European settlement, most of the Northeast was loosely connected by Native American trails, some of which would be incorporated into early-European settlement roads and turnpikes. One major early road was the Boston Post Road, connecting New York City and Boston along the Connecticut and Rhode Island coasts.[108] Later these roads would be included in the King's Highway, spanning most of the east coast. Smaller turnpikes would also connect cities across the northeast. These roads would prove essential to moving goods across the English colonies in the 18th century and would later play a large part in the American Revolution.[109]
The region saw a boom in canal-building in the early-19th century, with a major canal being the Erie Canal, opened in 1825, connecting the Great Lakes to the Hudson River and Atlantic Ocean through Western New York.[110] The first railroads would be built in the late-1820s and would explode in mileage in the mid to late 19th century.[111] Places like Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Newark, and Pittsburgh would become large water and rail hubs during the Industrial Revolution and would see tremendous booms in population and use.[112]
Many large rivers in the northeast like the Hudson and Delaware would be slowly crossed with bridges starting in the 1800s, with the first fixed crossing of the Hudson River south of Albany being the Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge, opened in 1889.[113] The Delair Bridge, which would connect Philadelphia with New Jersey was opened six years later in 1896.[114] The first crossing of the Hudson River into New York City would be the series of Hudson River PATH tunnels, being opened in 1908 and 1909.[115] The first major vehicle tunnel would be the Holland Tunnel, opened up in 1927.[116]
The start of highway construction would be the Bronx River Parkway and Long Island Motor Parkway, both of which started construction in the early-1900s.[117] The rise of Robert Moses in New York would see the construction of many major road bridges and highways crossing the city and metro area. East River Drive (eventually renamed FDR Drive), was built along the corresponding river in Manhattan.[118] The mid-20th century would see the rise of urban and suburban freeways and the decline of passenger and freight rail, with many lesser used tracks being abandoned or torn up during this time.[119] It would also see the original Pennsylvania Station demolished in Midtown Manhattan during the mid-1960s.[120] The construction of the Cross-Bronx Expressway in New York, Central Artery in Boston, and the Vine Street Expressway in Philadelphia tore up many ethnic and minority neighborhoods in the name of urban renewal.[121][122][123][124] Many other highways were proposed during this era, like the Lower Manhattan Expressway and the Inner Belt in Boston, which were not built due to fierce highway revolts and rising costs.[106][124][125] After the major highway revolts and rise of environmental concerns, new highway and interstate projects were mostly cancelled or shortened in the Northeast by the 1990s.
Despite the lack of new major road projects in the Northeast, the region has still continued to grow in population, resulting in the rise of alternative forms of transport like HOV lanes or commuter rails. This has led to the Northeast having one of the highest transit usage percentages in North America, with the Long Island Railroad being the most used commuter rail in the continent.[126] One exception was the Big Dig, a major road project that would tear down the former elevated Central Artery (I-93) and instead tunnel it (and widen). It would also construct a new Charles River bridge and the Ted Williams Tunnel (I-90). This would end up becoming one of the costliest construction projects in the world, costing $21 billion adjusted to 2020 inflation.[127] The former highway's path would become the Rose Kennedy Greenway, a large public park. The Sheridan Expressway (former I-895) was also rebuilt into a boulevard in the late-2010s.[128]Rochester, New York has torn down the Inner Loop due to low traffic and to reunify neighborhoods in downtown and to create developable space.[129]
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One geographer, Wilbur Zelinsky, asserts that the Northeast region lacks a unified cultural identity,[17] but has served as a "culture hearth" for the rest of the nation.[130] Several much smaller geographical regions within the Northeast have distinct cultural identities.[17]
According to a 2009 Gallup poll, the Northeastern states differ from most of the rest of the U.S. in religious affiliation, generally reflecting the descendants of immigration patterns of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with many Catholics arriving from Ireland, Italy, French Canada - Quebec, Portugal and east-central Europe. Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey are the only states in the nation where Catholics outnumber Protestants and other Christian denominations. More than 20% of respondents in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont declared no religious identity.[132] Compared to other U.S. regions, the Northeast, along with the Pacific Northwest, has had the lowest regular religious service attendance and the fewest people for whom religion is an important part of their daily lives as of 2015.[133]
The Northeast region is home to numerous professional sports franchises in the "Big Four" leagues (NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB),[134] with more than 100 championships collectively among them.[135]
The Northeastern United States tended to vote Republican in federal elections through the first half of the 20th century, but the region has since the 1990s shifted to become the most Democratic region in the nation, along with the West Coast.[13] Results from a 2008 Gallup poll indicated that eight of the top ten Democratic states were located in the region, with every Northeastern state having a Democratic Party affiliation advantage of at least ten points.[137] The following table demonstrates Democratic support in the Northeast as compared to the remainder of the nation.[138]
Year
% President vote
% Senate seats
% House seats
Northeast
Remainder
Northeast
Remainder
Northeast
Remainder
2000
57.6
47.5
60.0
46.3
59.6
45.7
2002
60.0
45.0
58.3
44.7
2004
57.1
47.3
60.0
40.0
59.5
43.0
2006
75.0
45.0
73.8
48.3
2008
60.7
52.0
80.0
52.5
81.0
52.9
2010
75.0
47.5
67.9
38.5
The following table of United States presidential election results since 1920 illustrates that over the past seven presidential elections, only three Northeastern states supported a Republican candidate (New Hampshire voted for George W. Bush in 2000; Pennsylvania and Maine's 2nd congressional district voted for Donald Trump in 2016).[139] 2004 is so far the only election in U.S. history in which the winner did not win any northeastern state. Bolded entries indicate that party's candidate also won the general election.
The following table shows the breakdown of party affiliation of governors, attorneys general, state legislative houses and U.S. congressional delegation for the Northeastern states, as of May 2020[update]. (Demographics reflect registration-by-party figures from that state's registered voter statistics.)
^The term "East Coast" is almost exclusively used to refer to the Northeastern megalopolis. As stated in numerous dictionaries and encyclopedias, including both the Oxford English Dictionary and the American Heritage Dictionary, the 'East Coast' primarily refers to the region between Washington D.C. in the south and Boston in the north.[7][8][9] Historically, the term has always connoted the Northeast.
^The U.S. Census Bureau reorganized its administrative units, and its regional offices do not cover the Census regions (the northeasternmost regional office headquartered in New York covers New England, New York, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico).[59]
^Based on U.S. Census Bureau population projections to 2030 (and assuming constant land area) the population density for the South Atlantic division will increase significantly to 294.6/mi2, New England's density will increase to 249.2/mi2 and the East North Central division will increase only slightly to 200.2/mi2. The division with the 5th highest density is projected to be the East South Central division at 111.6/mi2.[92]
^ abcShelley, Fred M., ed. (1996). Political Geography of the United States. Guilford Press. ISBN1-57230-048-5.
^ abcDaniel P. Bigelow & Allison Borchers (2012). "Major Uses of Land in the United States"(PDF). USDA's Economic Research Service. Archived(PDF) from the original on November 29, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
^Barreveld, Drs. Dirk J. (2001). From New Amsterdam to New York: the founding of New York by the Dutch in July 1625. New York: Writers Club Press. ISBN978-0-595-19890-0.
^Lurie, Mappen M (2004), Encyclopedia of New Jersey, Rutgers University Press, p. 327, ISBN0-8135-3325-2.
^Mayo, LS (1921), John Wentworth, Governor of New Hampshire: 1767–1775, Harvard University Press, p. 5.
^Daughan, George C. (2018). Lexington and Concord: the battle heard round the world (First ed.). New York, NY. ISBN978-0-393-24575-2. OCLC1089832154.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
^Jillson, Calvin C. (2009). American government: political development and institutional change (5th ed.). New York: Routledge. ISBN978-0-415-99570-2. OCLC263497894.
^Berkin, Carol (2017). A sovereign people: the crises of the 1790s and the birth of American nationalism. New York, NY. ISBN978-0-465-06088-7. OCLC958798629.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
^Buel, Richard (2005). America on the brink: how the political struggle over the war of 1812 almost destroyed the young republic. New York, N.Y.: Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN1-4039-6238-3. OCLC55510543.
^ abThe encyclopedia of New York City. Kenneth T. Jackson, New-York Historical Society. New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press. 1995. ISBN0-300-05536-6. OCLC32395903.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
^Sugrue, Thomas J. (2014). Origins of the urban crisis: race and inequality in postwar Detroit. New Jersey. ISBN978-1-4008-5121-8. OCLC878919151.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
^Dale M. Lewison (1997). Retailing. Prentice Hall. p. 384. ISBN978-0-13-461427-4. Archived from the original on December 15, 2019. Retrieved October 17, 2015. Perhaps the most widely used regional classification system is one developed by the U.S. Census Bureau.
^Pamela Goyan Kittler; Kathryn P. Sucher (2008). Food and Culture. Cengage Learning. p. 475. ISBN978-0-495-11541-0. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved November 2, 2020. (M)ost demographic and food consumption data are presented in this four-region format.
^ ab"Six: Statistical Groupings of States and Counties". Geographic Areas Reference Manual(PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. November 1994. Archived(PDF) from the original on April 19, 2013. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
^Verne Thompson, ed. (2010). Encyclopedia of Associations: Regional, State, and Local Organizations: Northeastern States. Vol. (Vol. 2: Northeastern States) (22 ed.). Gale.
^The New York Times Guide to Essential Knowledge: A Desk Reference for the Curious Mind. Macmillan. 2011. p. 630. ISBN978-1-4299-5085-5.
^"About The Council". Department of Defense Northeast Regional Council. Archived from the original on September 23, 2013. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
^Military enterprise and technological change: perspectives on the American experience. Merritt Roe Smith. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press. 1985. ISBN0-262-19239-X. OCLC11676079.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
^Zelinsky, Wilbur (December 1955). "Some Problems in the Distribution of Generic Terms in the Place-Names of the Northeastern United States". Annals of the Association of American Geographers. 45 (4): 319. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8306.1955.tb01491.x.
^Reiter, Howard L. & Jeffrey M. Stonecash (2011). Counter Realignment: Political Change in the Northeastern United States. Cambridge University Press. ISBN978-1-139-49313-0.
^"Historical Election Results". U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. May 20, 2019. Archived from the original on July 30, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.