Flyover country explained

Flyover country and flyover states are American phrases describing the parts of the contiguous United States between the East and the West Coasts.

The origins of the phrases and the attitudes of their supposed users are a source of debate in American culture; the terms are often regarded as pejoratives, but are sometimes "reclaimed" and used defensively.^[1]

Definition

The terms refer to the interior regions of the country passed over during transcontinental flights, particularly flights between the nation's two most populous urban agglomerations: the Northeastern Megalopolis and Southern California. "Flyover country" thus refers to the part of the country that some Americans—especially those of urban, wealthier, white-collar status—only view by air when traveling and never actually see in person at ground level.^{[2] [3]}

See also

• Middle America
• Jesusland
• Heartland
• Red states and blue states
• Central United States
• Geography of the United States

Further reading

• The American Midwest: an interpretive encyclopedia. Richard. Sisson. Christian K.. Zacher. Andrew Robert Lee. Cayton. Indiana University Press. 2007. 978-0-253-34886-9. Flyover country. Cary W.. de Wit. 66 - 68.
• Encyclopedia of the Great Plains. David J. Wishart. David J.. Wishart. University of Nebraska Press. 2004. 978-0-8032-4787-1. FLYOVER COUNTRY. David. Robertson. 386.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Bullard . Gabe . March 14, 2016 . The Surprising Origin of the Phrase 'Flyover Country' . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20210219050424/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/160314-flyover-country-origin-language-midwest . February 19, 2021 . May 30, 2023 . National Geographic.
2. Web site: Landing in the 'Fly-over' country. Cowan. Jane. March 10, 2012. ABC Radio. en-AU. September 1, 2019.
3. Web site: Techies reject coasts for 'Silicon Prairie'. CNN. en. September 1, 2019.