There are many large and important cities in the Southeast region. The oldest cities are located on the Atlantic coast. People built cities along the coast for transportation and economic reasons. Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia are among the oldest cities in the region. The Southeast was known as an agricultural center until the Civil War. Today, it is industrial center. The cities are connected by waterways, highways, and railroads.

Atlanta is the capital of Georgia. It is located on the Piedmont Plateau near the Appalachian Mountains. It is the business capital of the Southeast Region. The headquarters for Coca-Cola, UPS and Delta airlines is in Atlanta. More than 4/5 of the nation's largest businesses have offices in Atlanta. One of the largest and busiest airports in the United States is in Atlanta.

New Orleans is a city in Louisiana. It is located on the Mississippi River. New Orleans is known for its unique cultural blend and Jazz music. The French Quarter is a tourist location. Mardi Gras is an annual celebration in New Orleans. Activities include parades and parties. New Orleans is also a commercial center. It has one of the busiest ports in the United States. River barges and ocean vessels use the Mississippi River to ship goods including grains, cotton, food and petroleum products.

Miami is a city in Florida. It is located on the southeast corner of the United States. The climate in Miami is very tropical. Miami is known for its beaches, warm weather and outdoor activities. Miami is also an international business center. It is the gateway to Central America, the Caribbean and South America.

Orlando, Florida is one of the top tourist destinations in the world. It is located in Central Florida. Tourist can visit Walt Disney World, Sea World, Universal Studios, Wet 'n Wild and much more in Orlando.
 

Activity 4: Cities in the Southeast