"Downstate" refers to the southern portion of a state in the United States, typically referring to Illinois, New York, and sometimes Virginia. Synonyms for "downstate" include "southern," "lower," or "southeastern" parts of a state. In Illinois, "downstate" can be replaced with "central" or "southern" Illinois. Other alternatives may depend on the state; for example, in Pennsylvania, "downstate" could be replaced with "South Central" or "Southeastern" Pennsylvania. Certain states may have distinct terms; for example, "Tidewater Virginia" refers to the eastern coastal region of Virginia. Ultimately, "downstate" can be replaced with various terms depending on the state and region in question.