The Mid-Atlantic is a term loosely used to describe the area of the United States ranging from Manhattan to Washington, D.C.; although this definition varies widely, it will almost always include metropolitan areas such as Philadelphia and Baltimore. In my opinion, it is one of the nicest parts of the nation.

I'm so taken with this region, in fact, that I've narrowed my college search to schools within it, despite my hometown, Boston's, reputation as a college city. The Mid-Atlantic is home to some of the nation's finest educational institutions, such as Georgetown, the University of Pennsylvania, and Princeton.

Speaking as a long-time resident of Maryland, I have always understood the Mid-Atlantic to refer specifically to Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. New York would be considered part of the Tri-State Region.