A coastal plain is an area of flat, low-lying land next to a coastline, that is separated from the interior land by other features.
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A coastal plain estuary is a type of estuary formed along low-lying Coastlines where the river discharges directly into the sea. These estuaries typically have shallow, gently sloping bottoms with brackish water due to the mixing of fresh river water and saltwater from the ocean. Coastal plain estuaries are common in areas with flat topography, such as the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States.
The Atlantic Coastal Plain extends from Florida to New York along the eastern seaboard, while the Gulf Coastal Plain stretches from Florida to eastern Texas along the Gulf of Mexico. The Atlantic Coastal Plain is characterized by sandy beaches, barrier islands, and estuaries, while the Gulf Coastal Plain features marshes, swamps, and bayous. Additionally, the Atlantic Coastal Plain has a higher population density and more urban development compared to the Gulf Coastal Plain.
Flood plain, alluvial plain, tidal plain, firth, inlet, bayou, estuary, slough, and river mouth are all terms that are synonymous with 'delta'.
The Inner Coastal Plain is located closer to the coastline and consists of younger sediments, while the Outer Coastal Plain is further inland and consists of older, more weathered sediments. The Inner Coastal Plain tends to have more fertile soil and is generally more suitable for agriculture compared to the Outer Coastal Plain.
Another name for the outer coastal plain is the coastal lowlands.
There are 34 counties in the Coastal Plain region of North Carolina.