Appalachian Mountain Research Paper

The Appalachian Mountains go through a total of 13 states according to the federal government. Running from Southern New York to Northern Mississippi, one of those 13 states is Kentucky which is my home. The region is a 205,000 square mile area that extends well over 1000 miles. 42 percent of the population is rural compared to 20 percent of the rural area in the rest of the national population.

The Appalachian region is one of the most valuable areas of the United States. It is rich in many natural aspects and is home to some of the hardest working citizens in this country. Unfortunately, Appalachia is also home to a variety of harsh social problems including severe drug abuse and a gripping poverty facing a large portion of Appalachian citizens. The two of these issues seem to go hand in hand in many cases, so the solution of one could also lead to the solution of the other. Appalachians have always had a history of handling their own problems, these drastic social problems are no different.

Being known as the region synonymous with destitution and home to some of the pauperized counties in the country, Appalachia has always been hidden from or sort of isolated from the rest of the world because of their geographic location. The people of Appalachia are often seen as unintelligent and less civilized than other Americans as they were less developed and not exposed to the commercial world. Because of

     Many people have different views on what Appalachia is, I grew up thinking that Appalachia meant people were dirty, poor, illiterate, inbreed and we also called them mountain people. As I grew up I realized that most of the things they went through and had a hard time with, I was dealing with the same problems. So what exactly is Appalachia? Well you will find out as you read on.

Appalachia, a vast, beautiful panoply of lush green mountains. At least, most of the thin line of peaks that make up the Appalachian Mountains used to be that way. Currently, the continued spread of a method of coal extraction known as mountaintop removal mining has plagued areas of the eastern United States, mainly including the state of West Virginia. Throughout its increasing stages of implementation, mountaintop removal mining has caused numerous hampering effects, including causing serious harm to nearby residents, and polluting a once-pure environment. Because of this, mountaintop removal mining needs to be limited in order to preserve the natural state of the Appalachian Mountains.

In James Lane Allen’s Through Cumberland Gap on Horseback, the mention is made to the beauty of the land and that the climate was just the same but that traveling to the mountain region was not only difficult as they had to take a train then a wagon ride, followed by a trek on horseback, but a lengthy process. Among the experiences recorded Allen describes the meeting of several locals and this is where his responsibility for Appalachian

Unlike his brothers, Mr. Vanderbilt held an interest in the arts and travel instead of business. He gained his inspiration for the retreat when he visited the mountains of North Carolina in 1888. He desired an estate that could showcase his cherished collections of art and books, but also could serve as a profitable business and space for entertainment. After six years of construction and planning by Richard Hunt and Frederick Olmsted, two of the most distinguished architects of the century, the estate was opened in

The Appalachian Mountains run through North Carolina and was formed about 480 million years ago during the Ordovician Period. Another North Carolina feature is the Great Smoky Mountains,The Great Smoky Mountains are a mountain range, along the Tennessee to North Carolina and borders the southeastern United States. There are many more land forms such as The Piedmont. The Piedmont, is a plateau area located in the southeastern part of the United States, and runs through North Carolina . It sits between the Atlantic Coastal Plain and the main Appalachian Mountains.North Carolina has a warm climate and it averages 5 inches of snow a year. Although, this also is different across the state. Along the coast, most areas get less than 2 inches of snow each

This area is also known as the Appalachian Mountains.

They were very perilous and dangerous to travel through; the mountains were very steep and had lots of cliffs. Even if they got to the other side of the mountains, there wouldn’t be that many other people and there could be possible hostile Indians. Most people just stayed with the colonies. In How the States got Their Shapes “episode 3” director Konschnik says “The Appalachians were a serious obstacle and the first real boarder of our States” (Konschnik). The Indians also used the mountains to flee from colonists. When colonists first settled they would steal the land from the Indians and then kill them. The Indians would also attack the colonists. It would seem the colonists just couldn’t get along with the Indians and so the Indians just fled beyond the mountains. In Clark’s research of the Planting of New Virginia he

The area surrounding the Dragon was one of the last areas of North Carolina to be settled due to its inhospitable terrain. The southern Appalachian Mountains are made up of two separate ranges; the eastern range is the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the western range is known as the Great Smoky Mountains. For thirty-six miles along the TN/NC border the GSM are more than 5k feet in altitude with 16 peaks stretching to more than 6k feet. All of this altitude translates to treacherous travel, especially for the pioneers in their day, but also for us as motor-sport enthusiasts today.

Daugneaux, Christine B. Appalachia: A Separate Place, A Unique People. Parsons: McLain Printing Company, 1981. Print.

Where there are various regions there are bound to be a variety of people with alternate cultures, beliefs, and ways of life. The cultures found with the Appalachia are unique in their own ways and represent a body of individuals who found their way to such an area. Land that is included within the Southern Appalachia can be best described by Horace Kephart as he does so in his book The Southern Highlander and His Homeland to include: “the four western counties of Maryland; the Blue Ridge Valley, and Allegheny Ridge counties of Virginia; all of West Virginia; eastern Tennessee; eastern Kentucky; western North Carolina; the four northwestern counties of South Carolina; northern Georgia; and northeastern Alabama.” (22-24) With so much

The Appalachian region is a beautiful, rugged terrain that has much to offer in the way of tourism. The area is home to many different types of wildlife attracting game hunters, fisherman, and wildlife enthusiasts. Some species include bass, trout, deer, bear, squirrel, and many other types of animals. The area is also known for its wild vegetation including May Root and Ginseng which are still used for medicinal purposes. The natural beauty and mystery of the mountainous area has been attracting hikers and campers for many years. As well there are many other activities for people to enjoy such as whitewater rafting, New River Gorge jumping, bird watching, ATV riding and stargazing. Calhoun County Park in WV has recently become known

Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, Shenandoah National Park provides some wonderful views and scenery including views of the Shenandoah River, the valley, lush greenery, and areas of wilderness. Around 40 percent of the land here has been designated as wilderness and is therefore protected. One of the things that draws many people to this park is the Skyline Drive, which runs through the whole length of the park and is now known as a National Scenic Byway. This is a wonderful scenic drive that enables you to enjoy breathtaking surroundings. Millions of people head here each year, particularly in the fall when the scenery is particularly beautiful