The Mississippi Delta has been called "the most southern place on Earth." This fertile expanse of flat land sprawls southward along the Mississippi River from Memphis, Tenn. to the Gulf of Mexico.

Photographer Magdalena Solé tells the stories of hundreds of residents of this culturally rich land in her newest book, New Delta Rising . Within its pages are colorful and compelling images that capture the dignity, resilience, and resourcefulness of the Delta people, along with the closeness of family and community Solé found among them.

The work will be on display at The Leica Gallery in New York City from Jan. 11 to Feb. 23, 2013. Representation: Sous Les Étoiles Gallery in New York City.