Why people in Pittsburgh don't like the term Appalachia

[KoNgFooCj]

Originally Posted by pic-chic

I don't think the reason is economic. I think they want to separate themselves from the perception of Appalachia as a backwoods, inbred, hick area (which isn't fair either). I don't think most people see it as a geographical designation, but as a social one (incorrectly).

But the country as a whole doesn't even see Pittsburgh like that anyway. Everyone associates Pittsburgh with it's steel industry, sports and it's university population. Everyone knows Pittsburgh's a big city so they don't really associate it with anything rural. Pittsburgh is usually viewed quite favorably among both Republicans and Liberals. Besides, Pittsburghs not really in "Appalachia" as in the mountains. It's moreso in the extended foothills of the Appalachians.

[Herodotus]

Originally Posted by KoNgFooCj

But the country as a whole doesn't even see Pittsburgh like that anyway. Everyone associates Pittsburgh with it's steel industry, sports and it's university population. Everyone knows Pittsburgh's a big city so they don't really associate it with anything rural. Pittsburgh is usually viewed quite favorably among both Republicans and Liberals. Besides, Pittsburghs not really in "Appalachia" as in the mountains. It's moreso in the extended foothills of the Appalachians.

Pittsburgh is Appalachian Plateau country. That's certainly part of Appalachia. In fact, some of the poorest, most inaccessible parts of Appalachia are in the plateau regions, not the ridge and valley.

[KoNgFooCj]

Originally Posted by Craziaskowboi

It has to do with perception. When people think of Appalachian culture, they think of rural culture and Southern culture. Pittsburgh is neither rural nor Southern.

And everyone knows Pittsburgh's not southern. Aside from that, the term Appalachia doesn't even come up much at all in younger generations. Basically, if it's north of the Mason Dixon Line and votes democrat, they don't make fun of it.

[Independentthinking83]

Originally Posted by Herodotus

Pittsburgh is Appalachian Plateau country. That's certainly part of Appalachia. In fact, some of the poorest, most inaccessible parts of Appalachia are in the plateau regions, not the ridge and valley.

Yep you are correct.

[Mtl-Cns]

https://www.reddit.com/r/coolguides/...ns_of_america/

This is a link to an interesting graphic I saw on Reddit a few months ago. I'm not sure exactly how it was made but I thought it was interesting that they separate Northern Appalachia from Southern Appalachia. To be honest, from the different places I've lived in the Northeast the separations seems to be semi-accurate. Not sure about everywhere thought.