Final answer:
The area known for high cotton production is called the Cotton Belt, which became prominent due to Eli Whitney's cotton gin and led to the South's dominance in the global cotton market.
Step-by-step explanation:
The area of high cotton production during the antebellum years, greatly influenced by the invention of Eli Whitney's cotton gin and the growing demand for cotton as a global commodity, became known as the Cotton Belt. This region, which largely spans across the Southern United States, became the world's leader in cotton production especially after the introduction of Petit Gulf cotton. The Cotton Belt also unfortunately became synonymous with the widespread practice of slavery, as the expansion and profitability of cotton cultivation were made possible by the labor of enslaved African Americans. Over time, the term Black Belt was also used to describe the area, reflecting both the rich, dark soil that was ideal for cotton farming and the skin color of the enslaved workforce.