United States and Canada Economic Characteristics WG.4

Acid Rain in the Pollution northeastern US (especially around BOSWASH) Boston Acid Rain in the northeastern US (especially around BOSWASH) Pollution Washington, DC

Exxon Valdez oil spill – 1989,off the coast of Alaska Pollution

North American Free Trade Agreement NAFTA Economic Alliance created in 1994. Reduces trade barriers between Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Diversified economy Abundant resources Specialized industries Economy

Modern transportation networks The US is a very developed country with strong infrastructure, including modern transportation networks such as UPS, FedEx, and US Post Office. Modern transportation networks Infrastructure – the basic support system needed to keep an economy going.

The US is a member of the United Nations an International Organization Headquarters is located on an International piece of land in New York City UNITED NATIONS

RED CROSS The Red Cross is an international organization that cares for the sick and wounded, and for disaster victims. The US branch is very active.

Sites (Actual locations of Cities) New York, City, NY – a harbor site Richmond, Virginia – a fall line city; the fall line is the division between the Piedmont and the Atlantic coastal plains areas of Virginia that is known for its waterfalls. New York, City Richmond, Va.

SITES, CONT… Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – a confluence site; place where several rivers meet together to form one river. Remember THREE RIVERS! SITES, CONT… Pittsburgh, PA GO STEELERS! Quebec City, Quebec – where the the St. Lawrence River narrows. QUEBEC VIDEO Quebec City

Omaha, Nebraska and Sacramento, California – Cities that grew up along the TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD. TRANSCONTINENTAL VIDEO! SITUATION – (Relative location of cities)

Richmond, Virginia – the seat of the Virginia State government Virginia Government

United States Government Washington. DC – the seat of the US national government

The growth of urban areas is called sprawl The growth of urban areas is called sprawl. Sprawl results in the conversion of farmland(agricultural land) to urban areas ‘Sprawl”

Highly developed countries Both the US and Canada are highly developed (industrialized) countries with an advanced (high) standard of living Highly developed infrastructure Sustained economic growth Highly urbanized cities and culture Highly diversified economies High literacy rate High Life Expectancy Highly developed countries

There is a rich supply of mineral, energy, and forest resources in both countries Natural Resources

This region is the center of world financial markets (Ex This region is the center of world financial markets (Ex. New York City Stock Exchange) Finance

Multinational Corporations Many companies located in this regions are multinational. US culture is diffused throughout the world McDonald’s Coca – Cola Blue jeans Music Multinational Corporations