This Is The America You Never See (Rural Virginia)

Summary by Krater

The creator drives through Southwest Virginia in Appalachia to meet locals and explore the culture and history of the region. He concludes that Appalachian residents are remarkably friendly and warm, challenging common negative stereotypes.

From the video

Answers: What is life really like in Appalachia?

• Appalachian culture
• Coal mining history
• Small-town life in Virginia
• Appalachian stereotypes vs reality

What it concludes

• The average household income in parts of Appalachia is less than $30,000 a year.
• Coal mining in Virginia peaked around 1990 at over 46 million tons per year before declining to less than 9 million tons.
• Walmart pulled guns from over half of their stores, but 2,300 locations still sell them, mostly in rural areas.
• Appalachia is much more friendly and welcoming than its negative stereotypes suggest.