The Appalachian Mountains are a mountain range in the Eastern United States that extend for almost 2,000 miles from the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador to central Alabama in the United States. They stood as tall as the Alps at one time until they naturally eroded into the rolling hills of today. The geologic processes that led to the formation of the Appalachian Mountains started long ago when the continents of Laurentia and Amazonia collided, creating a supercontinent called Rodinia. The Appalachian Mountains are among the oldest mountains on Earth, born of powerful upheavals within the terrestrial crust and sculpted by the ceaseless action of water upon the surface. The Appalachians are divided into three large physiographic regions: northern, central, and southern Appalachia. These include such mountains as, in the northern area, the Shickshocks (French: Chic-Chocs) and the Notre Dame ranges in Quebec; the Long Range on the island of Newfoundland; the great monadnock (isolated hill of bedrock) of Mount Katahdin in Maine; the White Mountains of New Hampshire; and Vermont’s Green Mountains, which become the Berkshire Hills in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and eastern New York. New York’s Catskill Mountains are in central Appalachia, as are the beginnings of the Blue Ridge range in southern Pennsylvania and the Allegheny Mountains, which rise in southwestern New York and cover parts of western Pennsylvania, western Maryland, and eastern Ohio before merging into the third, or southern, region. This area includes the Alleghenies of West Virginia and Virginia; the Blue Ridge range, extending across Virginia and western North Carolina, the northwestern tip of South Carolina, and the northeastern corner of Georgia; the Unaka Mountains in southwestern Virginia, eastern Tennessee, and western North Carolina (of which the Great Smoky Mountains are a part); and the Cumberland Mountains of eastern Kentucky, southwestern West Virginia, southwestern Virginia, eastern Tennessee, and northern Alabama.

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The Appalachian region was home to several Native American tribes for thousands of years before the arrival of European settlers. The Cherokee, the largest and best-known of the mountain tribes, occupied a large portion of the region. Other tribes included the Catawba, Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Seminole.

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The arrival of European settlers in the region began in the mid-1700s, and they brought with them a new way of life. The settlers were primarily of English, Scottish, and Irish descent, and they established farms and towns throughout the region. Many of the newcomers who moved deep into rural Appalachia were Scotch-Irish and German, bringing the traditions of their native countries with them. The Appalachian people have a rich history and culture that is still celebrated today. They are known for their music, crafts, and storytelling traditions. The Appalachian people have a strong sense of community and family, and they have a deep connection to the land. The region has faced many challenges over the years, including poverty, environmental degradation, and a lack of economic opportunities. However, the Appalachian people have persevered and continue to thrive today.

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According to the Appalachian Regional Commission, "Prior to COVID-19, the Appalachian Region was seeing improvements in income and poverty. Median household income increased 9.5% between 2012-2016 and 2017-2021, with increases reaching at least 15% in 93 counties scattered throughout the Region. Despite these improvements, Appalachia’s figure is 82% of the national median household income.  The overall share of Appalachians in poverty declined 2.2 percentage points between 2012-2016 and 2017-2021. However, rates have stayed the same or increased in 77 counties. It remains to be seen whether these improvements helped buffer Appalachia from the economic impacts of COVID-19."  Recent studies show Appalachian households with income below the poverty level received SNAP benefits at a rate 12% higher than the national average, suggesting more work is needed to narrow the gap of poverty in this region compared to the rest of the country.