Welcome to Alabama, the Deep South of the USA. Alabama is one of the southern states of the United States and the 24th largest state in terms of area. The total area is about 135,765 square kilometers, of which about 3.4 percent is water. The landscape is diverse, with mountains, forests, rivers and lakes. The population of Alabama is about 5 million people, making it one of the less populous states in the US. The largest city in Alabama is Birmingham, which is also the economic center of the state. Other major cities include Mobile, Huntsville, Montgomery, and Tuscaloosa. Alabama has a long history dating back to the founding of the United States. In the 19th century, Alabama was a major theater of the American Civil War, which took place in the 1860s. Throughout the 20th century, Alabama was also an important arena of civil rights, focusing on equal rights for African Americans and whites. Alabama is known for its musical traditions such as blues, country, and rock 'n' roll, as well as its world-class culinary offerings such as BBQ and seafood. The state also has a rich arts and culture scene and is an important place for the manufacture of automobiles and other industries. Alabama's nature is also impressive, with an abundance of national parks, forests, and lakes that offer outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, canoeing, and rock climbing. The beaches on the state's coast also offer a variety of water sports such as swimming, kayaking, and surfing.

"To understand the history and spirit of America, one must know its wars, its laws, and its presidents. To really understand it, however, one must also know its cheeseburgers, its love songs, and its lawn ornaments. The long-awaited Guide to the United States Popular Culture provides a single-volume guide to the landscape of everyday life in the United States. Scholars, students, and researchers will find in it a valuable tool with which to fill in the gaps left by traditional history. All American readers will find in it, one entry at a time, the story of their lives."--Robert Thompson, President, Popular Culture Association. "At long last popular culture may indeed be given its due within the humanities with the publication of The Guide to United States Popular Culture. With its nearly 1600 entries, it promises to be the most comprehensive single-volume source of information about popular culture. The range of subjects and diversity of opinions represented will make this an almost indispensable resource for humanities and popular culture scholars and enthusiasts alike."--Timothy E. Scheurer, President, American Culture Association "The popular culture of the United States is as free-wheeling and complex as the society it animates. To understand it, one needs assistance. Now that explanatory road map is provided in this Guide which charts the movements and people involved and provides a light at the end of the rainbow of dreams and expectations."--Marshall W. Fishwick, Past President, Popular Culture Association Features of The Guide to United States Popular Culture: 1,010 pages 1,600 entries 500 contributors Alphabetic entries Entries range from general topics (golf, film) to specific individuals, items, and events Articles are supplemented by bibliographies and cross references Comprehensive index

A guide to programs currently available on video in the areas of movies/entertainment, general interest/education, sports/recreation, fine arts, health/science, business/industry, children/juvenile, how-to/instruction.