United States Urbanization and Immigration

Historical Geography of the USA Thirteen Colonies – 1700’s Louisiana Purchase – 1803 Mexican Cession and Texas – 1840’s Gold Rush – 1840’s Westward Expansion – 1850’s to 1890’s Hawaii Postwar Sun Belt Explosion – 1945 to Present

U.S. Cultural Geography American Exceptionalism - The belief that American values and beliefs about democracy and liberty are superior to other values, are unique to the USA, and are “exportable” to other parts of the world. The U.S. is called a “melting pot”. What does this mean? Primary Languages English 82.1% Spanish 10.7% other Indo-European 3.8% Asian and Pacific island 2.7% Other 0.7% (2000 census) note: Hawaiian is an official language in the state of Hawaii Primary Ethnic Groups White 79.96% Hispanic 15.1% Black 12.85% Asian 4.43% Amerindian and Alaska native 0.97% native Hawaiian and other Pacific islander 0.18% two or more races 1.61% Primary Religions Protestant 51.3% Roman Catholic 23.9% Jewish 1.7% Buddhist 0.7% Muslim 0.6% other or unspecified 2.5%, unaffiliated 12.1%, none 4% (2007 est.)

Cities and Transportation in North America

Why do people settle where they do? Higher population where factors are better, lower where life is harder. Climate – temperate, desert, tropical Transportation Networks – rail, road, river, harbors – where two intersect, often a city will form. Resources – mining, agriculture, water supplies Economics – ease of trade, nearby markets and customers

What is a city? politically organized region infrastructure center of business and culture innovation and technological advances economic activity

PARTS OF THE CITY? Central Business District (CBD) = downtown areas Suburbs – Developed areas around the CBD Metropolitan Area- The city, its suburbs, and surrounding areas Megalopolis- Formed when several metropolitan areas grow together Example? – Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington D.C. form the “BosWash Megalopolis”

What are the reasons for city locations in North America? Some cities may be more than one kind of city, depending on the history of the city. Port – located along coast River – located along major internal waterways Railway – located along rail lines Highway – located and formed alongside major interstates and highway Each were determined by the type of transportation available!!!

Port Cities – Our First Cities Earliest European cities in the New World, found on coasts Centers for shipping and international trade Examples: St. Augustine (1565), St. Johns – Canada (1583), New York (1625), Boston (1630), San Francisco (1776)

River Cities – Expansion Inland Waves of expansion used rivers as paths for travel, shipping, and exploration. Major rivers with heavy urbanization include the Ohio, Mississippi, Hudson, Missouri, and St. Lawrence Rivers. This also includes the Great Lakes region. Examples: Chicago (1803), St. Louis (1763), New Orleans ( also a Port city), Montreal (1642), Cincinnati (1788), Austin (1835), Kansas City (1838)

Rail Cities In the mid 1800’s, trains became a major form of transportation. This caused several river cities to expand in size and importance, such as Cleveland, Chicago, and Kansas City. Rail cities are mostly found in two belts 1. “Rust Belt” cities around the Great Lakes – Chicago, Gary, Cleveland 2. “Cattle Country” cities in the Midwest/Great Plains regions – Kansas City, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Denver.

Highway Cities Built after WWII, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower during Cold War (1950’s). Also used for defense – so the military could move quickly around the US during a war, especially a nuclear war. Led to massive growth of cities in the western portions of the USA. Examples: Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, El Paso

Map of the Interstate System

Population Distribution of the United States

What Major Ethnic Groups? White 66% Hispanic 15% Black 13% Asian 4.43% Amerindian and Alaska native 0.97% Native Hawaiian and other Pacific islander 0.18% Mixed Race 1.61%

AFRICAN-AMERICAN POPULATION

HISPANIC POPULATION

ASIAN POPULATION

CAUCASIAN POPULATION

Basic Facts of Immigration The number of foreign-born residents of the United States (39 million of 307 Million) is at its highest level in US history. Roughly 12% of Americans were born in a different country. Of these immigrants to the US… – one-third are naturalized citizens – one-third are legal permanent residents – one-third are illegal aliens.

USA: where do immigrants come from?

Pull Factors Stable political systems. Representative democracy with laws insuring individual rights. Economy that have historically grown with low tax rates. Economic opportunity to immigrants.

Push Factors Many countries do not have employment opportunities. Widespread corruption exists in many countries. Many countries have no healthcare system. War, famine and natural disasters.

Current Issues with Policies Illegal Immigrants – Do not pay income taxes. (However, many pay Social Security and Medicare taxes as it is taken out of their paychecks by law) – Money sent back to home country which is not invested in U.S. economy. – Use services which raise price Healthcare Car Insurance