The region however still has many landscapes to delight the human sense of poetry and wonder. The region is blessed with plentiful rainfall and a mild climate. Crops grow easily in its soil and can be grown without frost for at least six months of the year. Owing to its mild weather, the South has become a mecca for retirees from other regions. Montgomery, the Alabama capital, served as the first Confederate Capital during the Civil War.
Tourists can visit Alabama's historic homes and gardens, reminiscent of the Old South.
Also popular are the resorts and beaches on Dauphin Island, the Gulf Shore and Mobile Bay. Tourists enjoy the state's natural beauty, its many recreational facilities and its historic sites. Arkansas' mineral and hot spring waters are well-known. Florida is one of the leading tourist states in the United States. Great stretches of sandy beaches and a warm, sunny climate make Florida a year-round vacationland.