Which regions primary economic activity in 1861 was the cultivation of cotton?

In 1861, the primary economic activity centered around the cultivation of cotton was predominantly in the Southern United States. The region, often referred to as the "Cotton Belt," included states like Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, where the climate and soil conditions were ideal for cotton farming. This agricultural economy relied heavily on enslaved labor, making cotton the backbone of the South's economy and a major export commodity. The demand for cotton was fueled by the Industrial Revolution, particularly in textile manufacturing in the Northern states and Europe.