The Deep South is a subregion of the American South, although the term is sometimes used synonymously with the culture and customs of the South. There are various definitions of the term.

The Dictionary of Cultural Literacy describes the "Deep South" as the southernmost tier of southern states: South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. The National Endowment for the Humanities defines the Deep South as Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. Princeton University's WordNet describes it as South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.

The "Deep South" is usually defined in opposition to border states like Kentucky and the peripheral southern states of Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, Arkansas, and Texas.

Although Florida is geographically the southernmost state, it is usually excluded from the Deep South due to the large amount of northern immigration that occurred starting after World War II. However, parts of the state can be included in the characterization, with an unofficial "Southern" line possibly "drawn" around the area near Ocala, Florida; below this line, the culture tends to be more northern due to said immigration.

In presidential elections, the Deep South has tended to vote for the Republican candidate since 1964, the most notable exception being the third party campaign of governor of Alabama George Wallace in 1968.

See also

• Dixie
• U.S. Southern states