Chapter Six The Cultural Geography of the United States and Canada

Section One Population Patterns

The People  Both the U.S. & Canada have been shaped by immigration  5% of the world population lives within the U.S. & Canada  U.S. = 307 million  Canada = 33 million  Both the U.S. & Canada have been shaped by immigration  5% of the world population lives within the U.S. & Canada  U.S. = 307 million  Canada = 33 million

The People Waves of Immigrants  Native Americans--first people in the U.S. and Canada who were descendants the Asians that traveled across the Bering Straight thousands of years ago  2.5 million in the U.S. & 700,000 in Canada  Late other people from Europe, Asia, Africa, & Latin America came to the region making it a population of immigrants  Great diversity Waves of Immigrants  Native Americans--first people in the U.S. and Canada who were descendants the Asians that traveled across the Bering Straight thousands of years ago  2.5 million in the U.S. & 700,000 in Canada  Late other people from Europe, Asia, Africa, & Latin America came to the region making it a population of immigrants  Great diversity

The People  What are some reasons people came into the United States and Canada? 1._________________________________ 2._________________________________ 3._________________________________ 4._________________________________  The Irish potato famine caused millions of Irish immigrants to rush to the U.S. in the 1840s  What are some reasons people came into the United States and Canada? 1._________________________________ 2._________________________________ 3._________________________________ 4._________________________________  The Irish potato famine caused millions of Irish immigrants to rush to the U.S. in the 1840s

The People  Other things that attract immigrants:  Rich natural resources  Industrial and economic development  People believe that America was filled with gold but when immigrants arrived they found it was hard to strike it rich  They did often find work in very high intensity labor jobs & have greatly contributed to the U.S. & Canadian cultures  Other things that attract immigrants:  Rich natural resources  Industrial and economic development  People believe that America was filled with gold but when immigrants arrived they found it was hard to strike it rich  They did often find work in very high intensity labor jobs & have greatly contributed to the U.S. & Canadian cultures

The People  English immigrants brought the English language to the U.S. & Canada  French is the official language in the province of Quebec  Many Quebecois want protection of their language and culture  Even support the idea of separatism-- breaking away of one part of a country to create a separate, independent country  English immigrants brought the English language to the U.S. & Canada  French is the official language in the province of Quebec  Many Quebecois want protection of their language and culture  Even support the idea of separatism-- breaking away of one part of a country to create a separate, independent country

The People  Much of the Southwestern U.S. has had a large Spanish speaking population since the colonial era  Many people in states like New Mexico are bilingual--having two languages  Spanish & English  California has a significant Asian population  Signs are written in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and other Asian languages  Much of the Southwestern U.S. has had a large Spanish speaking population since the colonial era  Many people in states like New Mexico are bilingual--having two languages  Spanish & English  California has a significant Asian population  Signs are written in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and other Asian languages

The Arts  Arts in the U.S. & Canada have seen transitions as different groups lead the region Music  Native Americans used flutes, drums, whistles, and vocal chanting  Europeans introduced folk & religious music to the region  Arts in the U.S. & Canada have seen transitions as different groups lead the region Music  Native Americans used flutes, drums, whistles, and vocal chanting  Europeans introduced folk & religious music to the region

The Arts  During the early 1900s African American communities developed jazz- -blend of African American rhythms with American harmonies  By the end of the 1900s country & rock ‘n’ roll were popular music genres  Classical music also saw a change as it became more modernized  During the early 1900s African American communities developed jazz- -blend of African American rhythms with American harmonies  By the end of the 1900s country & rock ‘n’ roll were popular music genres  Classical music also saw a change as it became more modernized

The Arts The Visual Arts  U.S. & Canadian artists have moved away from the traditional European art forms  During the 1900s, a group of American artists known as the Ashcan School painted the grim realities of urban life The Visual Arts  U.S. & Canadian artists have moved away from the traditional European art forms  During the 1900s, a group of American artists known as the Ashcan School painted the grim realities of urban life

The Arts  In Canada painters known as the Group of Seven showed the rugged landscape of Canada’s far north  Used bright, dynamic colors  Georgia O’Keeffe showed the beauty of the American West  In Canada painters known as the Group of Seven showed the rugged landscape of Canada’s far north  Used bright, dynamic colors  Georgia O’Keeffe showed the beauty of the American West

The Arts  Abstract art became popular in the mid 1900s  In architecture sky scrapers were first built in the U.S.  Architects like Frank Lloyd Write in the U.S. & Arthur Erickson in Canada designed buildings that harmonized with the region’s natural environment  Abstract art became popular in the mid 1900s  In architecture sky scrapers were first built in the U.S.  Architects like Frank Lloyd Write in the U.S. & Arthur Erickson in Canada designed buildings that harmonized with the region’s natural environment

Group of Seven  Group of Seven was made up of Canadian painters who portrayed life in the plains of Canada

Ashcan School

Georgia O’Keeffe

Frank Lloyd Wright

The Arts Literature  As time past American authors began writing stories about American life  Nathaniel Hawthorne, James Fennimore Cooper, & Edgar Allen Poe  Authors also focused their work on regional issues  Mark Twain = the south/Mississippi River area  Willa Cather = the Great Plains  Margaret Laurence = central Canada Literature  As time past American authors began writing stories about American life  Nathaniel Hawthorne, James Fennimore Cooper, & Edgar Allen Poe  Authors also focused their work on regional issues  Mark Twain = the south/Mississippi River area  Willa Cather = the Great Plains  Margaret Laurence = central Canada

The Arts  Contemporary writers also focus on cultural issues  Toni Morrison & Richard Wright = African American culture  Maxine Hong Kingston & Amy Tan = Asian immigrants  Isaac Bahevis Singer = Jewish Americans  Rudolfo Anaya & Sandra Cisneros = Hispanic life in America  Contemporary writers also focus on cultural issues  Toni Morrison & Richard Wright = African American culture  Maxine Hong Kingston & Amy Tan = Asian immigrants  Isaac Bahevis Singer = Jewish Americans  Rudolfo Anaya & Sandra Cisneros = Hispanic life in America

The Arts Popular Entertainment  The U.S. dominated popular fashion & entertainment  The motion picture industry began in New York & moved to southern California  Hollywood = movie business  Canada’s film industry is supported by the government  Known for it’s performing arts & Shakespeare Festival  Musicals have also become a popular form of theater in the U.S. Popular Entertainment  The U.S. dominated popular fashion & entertainment  The motion picture industry began in New York & moved to southern California  Hollywood = movie business  Canada’s film industry is supported by the government  Known for it’s performing arts & Shakespeare Festival  Musicals have also become a popular form of theater in the U.S.

Lifestyles  Comparatively people in the U.S. & Canada have high standards of living  Socioeconomic status--level of income & education  Allows people to have different choices and opportunities  A large surplus of food makes it a relatively inexpensive commodity  Comparatively people in the U.S. & Canada have high standards of living  Socioeconomic status--level of income & education  Allows people to have different choices and opportunities  A large surplus of food makes it a relatively inexpensive commodity

Lifestyles Health Care  People in this region of the world generally live longer, healthier lives  High economic development allows for the U.S. & Canada to give significant amounts of money to health care  Canada & the U.S. run their health care systems very differently Health Care  People in this region of the world generally live longer, healthier lives  High economic development allows for the U.S. & Canada to give significant amounts of money to health care  Canada & the U.S. run their health care systems very differently

Lifestyles  Canada health care  The government pays for it  U.S. health care  Most people pay for their own through employers and other organizations  Some assistance is available for those who cannot afford health care  Canada health care  The government pays for it  U.S. health care  Most people pay for their own through employers and other organizations  Some assistance is available for those who cannot afford health care

Lifestyles Education  Both Canada & the U.S. have networks of public & private schools  Both have 12 grades  Both have colleges  Both Canada & the U.S. have a 97% literacy rate  Literacy rate--the percentage of people who can read and write Education  Both Canada & the U.S. have networks of public & private schools  Both have 12 grades  Both have colleges  Both Canada & the U.S. have a 97% literacy rate  Literacy rate--the percentage of people who can read and write

Lifestyles Celebrations  Both countries celebrate the same religious holidays and civic observances are similar but often on different dates  Independence Day (U.S) = July 4th  Canada Day = July 1st  Days to display patriotism--loyalty to one’s country Celebrations  Both countries celebrate the same religious holidays and civic observances are similar but often on different dates  Independence Day (U.S) = July 4th  Canada Day = July 1st  Days to display patriotism--loyalty to one’s country