The Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor is a federal National Heritage Area. It was established by the U.S. Congress to recognize the unique culture of the Gullah Geechee people who have traditionally resided in the coastal areas and the sea islands of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida — from Pender County, North Carolina, to St. Johns County, Florida.  The Gullah Geechee people are descendants of Africans who were enslaved on the rice, indigo and Sea Island cotton plantations of the lower Atlantic coast.  Many came from the rice-growing region of West Africa.  The nature of their enslavement on isolated island and coastal plantations created a unique culture with deep African retentions.  Evidence of their traditional culture is clearly visible in their distinctive arts, crafts, foodways,  music, and  language.