Country profile

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The territory combines a continental mainland, Alaska and Hawaii, geographically in Oceania. Indigenous peoples, African American cultures and migration contribute to regional heritage; food traditions in the South, coastal communities and inland areas differ widely in ingredients and techniques. The Statue of Liberty evokes a history of migration, while the Grand Canyon and redwoods represent very different natural environments. New Orleans provides an architectural and musical landmark connected particularly with African American and Creole heritage. Indigenous nations have their own arts and food knowledge. Barbecue takes regional styles with different techniques and sauces; apple pie provides another familiar symbol. Maize connects many recipes with longstanding agricultural histories. Coastal, southern, Great Plains, Alaskan and Hawaiian kitchens nevertheless have distinct resources and influences. Family meals, celebrations and cuisines shaped by migration continue these exchanges. Such practices give local meaning to food often introduced through only a few popular images. Regional communities offer different perspectives on American culture, each grounded in particular places and shared experiences.