U.S. Economy and 21 st Century

So What Does The U.S. Have To Offer? United States- rich in resources and hardworking, innovative people World’s largest economy in terms of making money from the sale of goods and services As big as China and Japans economy combined Technology is highly advanced – Some of the best technological advances takes place in the United States Export/Import Industries – The U.S. is one of the largest consumers in the world

Agriculture Farms- produce about half of the worlds corn production, and 1/10 th of its wheat – Kansas- ranked #1 in wheat production – U.S. raises about 20% of the worlds beef, pork, and lamb Exports- U.S. exports more food than any other nation, yet only makes up 2% of good produced

Factories and Manufacturing Factories- produce cars, airplanes, computers, appliances, processed food, medicine Manufacturing- accounts for 1/5 th of the American economy Assembly Line

Resources Of All Types U.S. produces about 1/5 th of the worlds coal/copper and 1/10 th of the worlds petroleum Largest amounts of iron ore, zinc, lead, silver, and gold deposits Mining- makes up less than 1% of the nations economy

U.S. and the 21 st Century Burning fossil fuels- coal, oil, and natural gas to power factories Acid rain- pollution mixes in air causing acidic rain- damages trees, harms rivers Large amounts of trash- landfills and recycling help cut down on pollution New Technology- ability to develop technology has been a major source of strength for the American economy – Constantly finding new products, make people’s lives easier and healthier World Trade- U.S. leads the world in the value of its imports and exports – Free trade- taking down trade barriers such as tariffs and quotas so that goods flow freely among the countries

Free Enterprise (Market) System Free enterprise system- built on the idea that individual people have the right to run businesses to make a profit Limited interference from the government Free trade- taking down trade barriers such as tariffs and quotas so that goods flow freely among the countries

The Five Economic Regions Northeast South Midwest Interior West Pacific

Northeast Region Rocky soil and steep hills make it a challenge for farmers Area has plenty of deep water ports, swift moving rivers Manufacturing, trade, and fishing are the heartbeat of the region – Home to the first mills powered by water and coal Boston, NY City, Philadelphia, and Baltimore- important ports – Goods shipped to and from all over the world – Centers of banking and finance as well – NY City- one of the financial capitals of the world, also world center in fashion, entertainment, communication industries – Washington D.C.- thousands of government employees, tourism

Videos New York City – Washington, D.C. – washington-dc Boston Bizarre Foods – america-boston

South Region Rich soil. Agriculture flourishes here in the central plains region, warm, wet climate Louisiana and Arkansas- farmers grow rice and sugarcane Tobacco flourishes in Virginia and the Carolinas, cotton Florida and Georgia- citrus fruits, pecans, and peanuts Tourism- Orlando, Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral Alabama- corn and soybeans, cotton, oil Texas- has more farms than any other state- cotton, sorghum, wheat, livestock Large oil and petroleum industry

Lift Off Kennedy Space Center Visitor Guide – DXOkGAYce8&lr=1&uid=rpoih4riDUfPvGLnyh388w NASA Shuttle Launch – e-shuttle-atlantis-launch-video_n_ html

Fishin’ In The South Big Shrimpin Business – shrimpin/videos/playlists/exclusives#dominick-talks- shrimp Start at 1:00 – Bizarre Foods- stuffed-alligator

Midwest Region America’s breadbasket- flat and fertile land, miles of grain and soybean fields Farm belt- corn, soybeans, oats, wheat, dairy farmers, Navigable riverways- wide, deep allowing passage of ships – Many major ports despite being far from an ocean – St. Louis, Chicago- centers of trade along Mississippi River Manufacturing centers- abundant coal and iron resources – Complex network of railroads help the regions industries

Videos America’s Farmers – v=ZPXM1tmpjWs

Interior West Region Magnificent landscapes, but lacking in water resources due to very dry climate Main industries- livestock, mining, tourism Large areas used for raising cattle and sheep- ranches could be as large as 4,000 acres – Cowhands- use to patrol on horses, now use trucks Mining- rich deposits of minerals and energy resources – gold and silver rush 150 yrs ago Tourism- Salt Lake City, Denver, Albuquerque, Phoenix- Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde

Videos- Interior West Rocky Mountains – Coal Mining Industry – they-do-it-coal-mining.html Yellowstone – 14&trkid= &t=Secret+Yellowstone

Pacific Region- West Coast, Alaska and Hawaii Fertile Valleys produce many of the fruits and vegetables Vast landscape draws millions of visitors each year Major industries- fishing, mining, lumber, agriculture, tourism Hawaii- produces pineapple, sugarcane, coffee, and rice- tropical climate, rich volcanic soil Tourism- Redwood forests, tropical beaches, stunning glaciers, mountains

Videos Ax Men: 1:08 – men-bios-mike-pihl#ax-men-bios-mike-pihl L.A. on Camera – _bruce_davidson_loves_los_angeless_trees.php L.A. Flyover – eature=related

Variety Of Climates Climates vary depending on location – Closer to the equator- the more hot and humid the climate – Farther away from the equator- the more cold and dry the climate Climates vary from country to country The climate is interrelated with the natural landscape and economy

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