{"id":11693,"date":"2024-02-14T17:15:09","date_gmt":"2024-02-14T16:15:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/?p=11693"},"modified":"2024-02-14T17:15:09","modified_gmt":"2024-02-14T16:15:09","slug":"what-landform-is-east-of-the-mississippi-river","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/what-landform-is-east-of-the-mississippi-river\/","title":{"rendered":"What Landform Is East Of The Mississippi River"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Background<\/h2>\n

The east of the Mississippi River is home to a variety of landforms. From the coastal lowlands in the east to the ancient Appalachian Mountains in the west, the land stretching east of the river is one of great diversity. In the east of the Mississippi, one will find miles of flat coastal terrain, surrounded by bays, inlets and barrier islands. In the central part of the region, rolling hills and woodlands are found, while in the Appalachian region rugged mountain terrain greets the traveler. Each landform offers something special and beautiful, but they are connected by the themes of diversity and beauty. <\/p>\n

Geology<\/h2>\n

The landform east of the Mississippi River has been shaped largely by its underlying geology. In the low-lying coastal areas, several bedrock formations are found, often covered by sand, silt and other sedimentary deposits left by retreating glaciers during the last Ice Age. This flattish terrain is broken up by bays and lagoons, inlets and barrier islands, which provide a unique landscape full of marshlands and other wetland environments. Further inland, there are rolling hills and deep valleys, more of a result of plate techtonics and geological forces that formed the Central Appalachian folded mountains. <\/p>\n

Topography<\/h2>\n

The topographic features east of the Mississippi River range from flat coastal plains in the east to rolling hills and woodlands in the central region to towering mountain ranges in the far west. The flat coastal lands are found mainly in the states of Delaware, Maryland and Virginia, with a few remaining pockets in North Carolina and South Carolina. These areas are characterized by wetlands, inlets, bays, estuaries and barrier islands. Further inland, the rolling hills and woodlands dominate, particularly in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York, while the Appalachian Mountain range, made up of the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Plateau, run from Pennsylvania down to Georgia. <\/p>\n

Climate<\/h2>\n

As with all landforms, the climate east of the Mississippi River is highly dependent on the underlying geography. Generally, the coastal areas tend to experience more mild winters and more humid summers, while the interior regions experience cooler winters and more seasonal extremes of temperature and precipitation. The coastal areas are also vulnerable to hurricanes and other tropical storms, due to their low-lying nature. The topography of the Appalachian region does a lot to modulate the climate, with higher elevations providing colder microclimates and cooler temperatures year-round compared to the other regions.<\/p>\n

Vegetation<\/h2>\n