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Old 01-17-2015, 12:42 AM
 
Location: A subtropical paradise
2,068 posts, read 2,902,738 times
Reputation: 1359

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I think that the US is lucky to have such a large, and productive subtropical region, which appears in the form of the South. Here are the reasons why I think that the South is a subtropical paradise...

1.)It exhibits a great, subtropical climate: This especially goes for the coastal portions of the region. In the warm season, the South captures all the beauty, and essence of the tropics, featuring frequent thunderstorms that are dramatic, with epic downpours, and spectacular lightning shows, but yet non-severe at the same time. And due to the relatively quick nature of such storms, there is still lots of time left for the sun to shine. Though there is humidity, and heat, the presence of thunderstorms, lots of subtropical flora for shade, and sea-breezes(for the coastal areas) helps to alleviate the uncomfort.

In the cool season, the South dehumidifies, and, especially in the coastal portion, experiences lots of mild/warm, gorgeous sunny days, that attract the snowbirds. The parts of the South that do see snow only see minimal amounts that melt fast compared to that of more northerly areas.

The weather of the South, especially coastal portions, is quite stable in a subtropical/tropical way; temp swings, as well as temp ranges, aren't much in the South, compared to much of the country. For example, cities in the Midwest, and North can get all the heat of the South during summer, but then turn around and see colder winters than the South will ever see, all in a year. The South combines the best of both the tropics during summer, and the Mediterranean during winter, and rolls it all into one awesome climate, a climactic orgasm, if you will.

2.)Lots of beautiful, scenery: What the Appalachians lack in mightiness compared to those other mountain ranges in the West, they make up for in lushness, and forestry. The Appalachian mountains provide a unique lush, jungle-like spin on the whole mountain experience, something that the Western US ranges are much too dry for. During the fall, the forests in the Appalachians demonstrate a spectacular Southern spin on the fall colors ordeal, with nothing like that being seen in the Western ranges. Also, unlike the mountains of the West, the Appalachians, being much older, provide a worn, and rugged "ancient" feel, and at their youth, they were actually on par with the Himalayas in terms of height. The same appeals of the Appalachians also apply to the other high elevation areas of the region, like the Ozarks/Oachitas, and the Texas Hill Country.

Along the coastal areas, the South features ubiquitous, subtropical rain forests, forested bayous, and swamps that are lush and green year round, not too dissimilar to what is seen in Southern Japan. In addition, the entire Southern coast, up to coastal Georgia, is fringed with the subtropical mangrove tree environment, with peak development occurring in Florida. The warm ocean waters of the South support coral reefs, and sea-grass beds, which can be seen in the Gulf of Mexico off the coasts of Texas, and Louisiana, with peak development in Florida. And South contains some of the best beaches in the US; nowhere else in the CONUS would you get such clean, white, pastel beaches, like those of the Florida Panhandle.

3.)Large varieties of plants and animals: The South has large varieties of native plants and animals, many of which are found nowhere else in the country. In addition to the common, North American animals, animals commonly associated with the tropical Americas, such as jaguars, ocelots, parakeets, javelinas, coatis, neo-tropic cormorants, anhingas, anole lizards, flamingos, green jays, coypu, and crocodilians, to name a few, have their northernmost natural extents in the native environments of the South. Factor in the diversity attained from the nearby coral reefs, and the amount of animal life seen in the South is astounding.

Plant life is quite diverse also, with many Central American trees, like montezuma cypress, mahogany, ebony, and Limestone Prickly Ash, all having decent ranges into the region. The many graceful pines, such as the loblolly, slash, and longleaf pines, large, magnificent live oaks, and the charming magnolia trees, all evergreen, are well known natives to the South. Many bromeliads, a plant group commonly associated with the tropics, grow in the South, with the most common being the ball moss, and the famous spanish moss.

4.)Large varieties of subtropical/tropical plants can be cultivated: Especially in the Coastal South; the warm climate allows for the growth of many kinds of subtropical/tropical plants. There is a reason why the colonists to the region were able to operate large-scale sugar cane, citrus, rice, indigo, and cotton plantations in the region. In fact, the climate of the Coastal South is warm enough for even tropical plants like mangoes, guavas, avocados, papayas, bananas, and star-fruit to grow. All such plants see cultivation in the metro areas of the region.

Many southern cities are also able to utilize extensive subtropical/tropical landscaping for their cities, especially those along the coasts, such as Houston, New Orleans, Brownsville, Tampa, Miami, Savannah, etc, along with some inland cities like San Antonio, and Austin. Large varieties of palm trees can grow in all the named cities, be it Washingtonias, date palms, queen palms, foxtails, and even royals. Subtropical/tropical trees like Jacarandas, flame trees, camphor laurels, live oaks, magnolias, crape myrtles, bays, and subtropical pines are all grown, along with other such flowering plants like bougainvillea, hibiscus, ixora, bird of paradise, and passion flowers. Such evergreen plants keep those cities looking beautiful, green, and lush year round.

The South also offers the only areas in the CONUS, coastal Texas and the barrier islands, the Louisiana delta, and the Florida Peninsula, where healthy coconut palms can be grown outdoors.

5.)Vibe, Culture, Entertainment, Food: Cities in the South just seem to have a cool vibe, contrary to popular belief, even the most sprawling of them; after all, it was the South that came up with all sorts of cool music genres like Jazz, Blues, and Southern Hip Hop. The coastal cities, from Houston to NOLA, to Miami, and to Charleston, all carry this unique, coastal vibe, with a culture that is flashy and flamboyant, yet laid back at the same time. Lots of festivity to be seen in the region, especially in NOLA, Mobile, and Galveston with Mardi Gras. As often as people lambast the South for its high religious practices, much of the coastal cities, along with other large-enough cities in the region, do not really feel all that religious in an "Bible-Belt" type of way.

From the Creole cuisine of NOLA, to Gullah cuisine in the Low country, and to the Tex-Mex in Texas, the South has some of the more unique local cuisine options and styles in the US. Also, large southern cities like Miami, and Houston, with their diverse food options, and international styles, are emerging foodie areas, and can grow to the point of competing with the top in that department.

Lots of partying, and fun all over the Southern cities too. Beale Street, French Quarter, South Beach, you name it. Its just a type of fun seen in those cities that those in other regions of the country just cannot capture.

6.)History: The South has a large amount of charming historical architecture, in cities such as Charleston, Savannah, New Orleans, Tampa, Galveston, and San Antonio. Even Dallas, Atlanta, Houston, and Miami have decent areas of preserved historical buildings, and districts. The southern aesthetic of the homes, especially when combined with colors, can be quite appealing; see Charleston's Rainbow Row for an example.

7.) The urban experience: Yes, you heard it; the urban experience. Although the city centers of the South, as a whole, aren't as advanced in pedestrian-style infrastructure like the cities in other regions, that is quickly changing with many new developments. Being that the South is the last region to truly embrace urbanity, the spin the region takes with the whole urban ordeal can be quite interesting as a result. Just imagine a fresh, new batch of sufficiently urban cites with completely walkable infrastructure, and advanced public transit in a part of the US long being considered the anti-thesis to such cities; just the sheer revolutionary aspect of it would be enough to draw people. The eventual occurrence of such cities, erected in a subtropical region, would allow the US to have a complete answer to cities like Hong Kong, Buenos Aires, Tokyo, and other subtropical cities of the world.

I feel that the US is blessed with such a warm, semitropical region, and should use it to its full advantage, just like other countries like Argentina and Japan have, with Buenos Aires, and Tokyo, respectively. Luckily, with the advancing infrastructure, rising economy, greater education, and other developments, the South is building up its cities, and truly will rise again.

 
Old 01-17-2015, 04:44 PM
 
Location: A subtropical paradise
2,068 posts, read 2,902,738 times
Reputation: 1359
The US is just so lucky to have a beautiful, subtropical region:

http://pics4.city-data.com/cpicc/cfiles8173.jpg
http://www.nolahomes.net/wp-content/...s-1024x533.jpg
http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...orida-7433.jpg
http://global-conferences.eu/wp-cont.../2013/09/c.jpg
http://cdn3.volusion.com/jants.petuy...jpg?1323080336
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3294/3...a82f780ab6.jpg
http://uhclthesignal.com/wordpress/w...ice_street.jpg
http://www.verdanttreefarm.com/image...cake-dates.jpg
http://savannah.locale.com/media/gal...a_dscf8487.jpg
http://img1.10bestmedia.com/Images/P...1405311514.jpg
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8265/8...f24a3ca9_z.jpg
http://www.photos-photography-pictur...t-center-3.jpg
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...rav/royals.jpg
http://activerain.trulia.com/image_s...%20skyline.JPG
http://www.siliconhillsnews.com/wp-c...51544Large.jpg
http://blog.tourtexas.com/wp-content...ver_walk_1.jpg
http://legacy.soulofamerica.com/phpw...yline_dusk.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi..._SKYLINE_1.jpg

The cities of the South should really take a cue from the other cities of the subtropical world, such as Buenos Aires, Tokyo, Shanghai, Brisbane, and Hong Kong, and rapidly urbanize their cities. The region's climate is, in my opinion, the best in the US, a great, semi-tropical climate, meaning a combination of tropical style summers, and Med-style winters, featuring both abundant rainfall AND abundant sunshine.

Last edited by Yn0hTnA; 01-17-2015 at 04:59 PM..
 
Old 01-17-2015, 05:16 PM
 
Location: Lafayette, La
2,057 posts, read 5,299,952 times
Reputation: 1515
I fully agree with all of the above.
Its warm, festive, and the food is out of this world just about everywhere you go down here.
I really really wouldnt live any place else.
 
Old 01-17-2015, 06:56 PM
 
Location: Las Vegas
5,864 posts, read 4,955,255 times
Reputation: 4207
Though I've debated southerners on here before I lived in the south (Georgia-all over the state) for almost 8 years and really enjoyed it. Well I didn't enjoy the Waycross area that much but I loved the southern coastal region and I loved the mountains of northeast Georgia. Food was good too.
 
Old 01-17-2015, 07:32 PM
 
3,804 posts, read 6,143,870 times
Reputation: 3338
What is this cool season you speak of? The weather is pretty much the only thing I dislike about much of the South. It is suoerfreaking hot most of the year.
 
Old 01-17-2015, 09:29 PM
 
Location: One of the 13 original colonies.
10,189 posts, read 7,911,839 times
Reputation: 8114
Quote:
Originally Posted by AuburnAL View Post
What is this cool season you speak of? The weather is pretty much the only thing I dislike about much of the South. It is suoerfreaking hot most of the year.

That is not what I have found. I live in the south and it is nice from the end of Sept till June before the heat starts up.
 
Old 01-17-2015, 09:30 PM
 
Location: Nashville TN
4,918 posts, read 6,424,174 times
Reputation: 4778
Its cold in Virginia, Kentucky and TN... nobody gave us this memo.
 
Old 01-17-2015, 09:35 PM
 
Location: One of the 13 original colonies.
10,189 posts, read 7,911,839 times
Reputation: 8114
Quote:
Originally Posted by UKWildcat1981 View Post
Its cold in Virginia, Kentucky and TN... nobody gave us this memo.

Amen! Cold here too. Wonder where that terrible heat is? It is usually beautiful here Oct, Nov, and Dec, A little cold Jan, Feb, and March then nice again Apr and May.
 
Old 01-18-2015, 12:58 AM
 
Location: A subtropical paradise
2,068 posts, read 2,902,738 times
Reputation: 1359
Quote:
Originally Posted by AuburnAL View Post
What is this cool season you speak of? The weather is pretty much the only thing I dislike about much of the South. It is superfreaking hot most of the year.
"Cool season" is just a term used to denote the cooler part of the year in a particular location.

The South is not as hot as people think. The summer heat is the same kind of heat felt in jungle paradises, like the Amazon, or the Congo; upper 80s-low 90s, yes with humidity, but with frequent thunderstorms, as well as sea breezes(for coastal areas) to ensure comfort. Go to the Desert Southwest if you want to see true heat. Winter in the South for the coastal areas is merely mild/warm, with lots of sunshine, sort of like the Mediterranean. Away from the coast, and especially in far inland/mountainous areas, winters can get cold enough to the point of annual snowfall.
 
Old 01-18-2015, 01:05 AM
 
Location: Houston, Texas
389 posts, read 591,459 times
Reputation: 530
I don't understand why people complain about the heat/humidity of this region. When I lived in Arizona, I would tell people I was from Houston, and they would respond with, "OMG IT'S SO HUMID THERE!" It almost seemed like a way of justifying living in a desert. The summers here in Houston are a cakewalk compared to months of weather in the 100s. The winters here are pretty mild as well.
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