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[[File:Sun Belt.png|thumb|300px|A rough map of the Sun Belt, even though other states, such as North Carolina and Virginia could also be considered part of the region.]]

[[File:Sun Belt.png|thumb|300px|A rough map of the Sun Belt, even though other states, such as North Carolina and Virginia could also be considered part of the region.]]

The '''Sun Belt''' is a region in [[The South|the Southern]], Western, and Mountain states of the [[United States]] that experienced large economic and political growth and transformation starting around the 1960s. While the [[liberal|left-wing]] Northeast and [[Rust Belt]], which was plagued with poor business conditions, went into a long period of decline, the [[conservative]], [[small government]] Sun Belt prospered. The prosperity continues to this day.

The '''Sun Belt''' is a region in [[the South]]ern, Western, and Mountain states of the [[United States]] that experienced large economic and political growth and transformation starting around the 1960s. While the [[liberal|left-wing]] Northeast and [[Rust Belt]], which was plagued with poor business conditions, went into a long period of decline, the [[conservative]], [[small government]] Sun Belt prospered. The prosperity continues to this day.

The region has its name due to its warm climate and large economic and demographic growth.<ref name="Encyclopedia.com"/>

The region has its name due to its warm climate and large economic and demographic growth.<ref name="Encyclopedia.com"/>

==Prior to economic transformation==

==Prior to economic transformation==

At the end of [[World War II]], the area that would become the Sun Belt, particularly the South, was the poorest area of the nation.<ref name="DigitalHistory">[http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/disp_textbook.cfm?smtid=2&psid=3428 The Rise of the Sunbelt]. ''Digital History''. Retrieved December 25, 2016.</ref> The South and Southwest had a much smaller population, were relatively remote, and had an unideal meteorological climate for economic growth, as they were very hot locations.<ref name="Encyclopedia.com">[http://www.encyclopedia.com/places/united-states-and-canada/miscellaneous-us-geography/sun-belt Sun Belt]. ''Encyclopedia.com'' (from the ''Dictionary of American History''). Retrieved December 25, 2016.</ref> On the other hand, the Northeastern and [[Midwest|Midwestern United States]] were politically, economically, and demographically the most important areas of the nation.<ref name="DigitalHistory"/><ref name="Encyclopedia.com"/>

At the end of [[World War II]], the area that would become the Sun Belt, particularly the South, was the poorest area of the nation.<ref name="DigitalHistory">[http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/disp_textbook.cfm?smtid=2&psid=3428 The Rise of the Sunbelt]. ''Digital History''. Retrieved December 25, 2016.</ref> The South and Southwest had a much smaller population, were relatively remote, and had an unideal meteorological climate for economic growth, as they were very hot locations.<ref name="Encyclopedia.com">[http://www.encyclopedia.com/places/united-states-and-canada/miscellaneous-us-geography/sun-belt Sun Belt]. ''Encyclopedia.com'' (from the ''Dictionary of American History''). Retrieved December 25, 2016.</ref> On the other hand, the Northeastern and [[Midwest|Midwestern United States]] were politically, economically, and demographically the most important areas of the nation.<ref name="Encyclopedia.com"/><ref name="DigitalHistory"/>

==Reasons for growth==

==Reasons for growth==

===Political growth===

===Political growth===

In addition to economic growth, the [[conservative]] Sun Belt dramatically increased its influence politically.<ref name="DigitalHistory"/><ref name="Encyclopedia.com"/> As the Sun Belt states saw greatly increasing populations, their representation in [[United States Congress|Congress]] also grew as more and more [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House]] seats were allotted to them.<ref name="Encyclopedia.com"/> This growth played an important role in the 1994 [[Republican Revolution (1994)|Republican Revolution]], where the [[Republican Party|GOP]] obtained congressional majorities in the first time in 40 years.<ref name="Encyclopedia.com"/>

In addition to economic growth, the [[conservative]] Sun Belt dramatically increased its influence politically.<ref name="Encyclopedia.com"/><ref name="DigitalHistory"/> As the Sun Belt states saw greatly increasing populations, their representation in [[United States Congress|Congress]] also grew as more and more [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House]] seats were allotted to them.<ref name="Encyclopedia.com"/> This growth played an important role in the 1994 [[Republican Revolution (1994)|Republican Revolution]], where the [[Republican Party|GOP]] obtained congressional majorities in the first time in 40 years.<ref name="Encyclopedia.com"/>

Additionally, from [[United States presidential election, 1964|1964]] through [[United States presidential election, 2004|2004]] each of the seven U.S. presidential election winners came from the Sun Belt<ref name="Encyclopedia.com"/> and several of the losing opposing nominees also hailed from the region. By the 1990s, most U.S. political leadership came from the Sun Belt.

Additionally, from [[United States presidential election, 1964|1964]] through [[United States presidential election, 2004|2004]] each of the seven U.S. presidential election winners came from the Sun Belt<ref name="Encyclopedia.com"/> and several of the losing opposing nominees also hailed from the region. By the 1990s, most U.S. political leadership came from the Sun Belt.

On the other hand, the left-leaning North and Midwest, which had formerly been the most influential region in U.S. politics, lost representation in Congress and lost much of its former political influence.<ref name="DigitalHistory"/><ref name="Encyclopedia.com"/>

On the other hand, the left-leaning North and Midwest, which had formerly been the most influential region in U.S. politics, lost representation in Congress and lost much of its former political influence.<ref name="Encyclopedia.com"/><ref name="DigitalHistory"/>

===Cultural growth===

===Cultural growth===