A Profile of the United States Chapter 6 World Geography Copyright © 2003 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved.

An Abundance of Natural Resources 1 An Abundance of Natural Resources Land is one of the United States’ most abundant natural resources. Nearly half of the land in the country, other than Alaska, is used for raising crops or animals. Oil, natural gas, and coal are vital to the energy supply and economy, but they are in limited supply.

Transportation History 1 Transportation History The development of steamboats, canals, and railroads made moving goods cheaper and quicker during the 1800s.

Transportation (cont.) The development of the automobile and diesel engine heralded the next revolution in transportation. 3. In the 1950s, an interstate highway system began to be built to link major cities across the country.

Respecting Individual Freedoms 1 Respecting Individual Freedoms The political system of the United States has been vital to the economic success of the country. These ideals supported an economic system based on capitalism, or free enterprise. hardworking individuals can find opportunity and success in the United States.

Guided Reading Answers Section 1 1. abundant land with rich soil 2. forests 3. mineral resources, especially fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas 4. steamboats and canals in early 1800s 5. steam-powered railroads in mid-1800s; automobiles in 1890s; interstate highway system in mid-1900s 6. telegraph in mid-1800s; telephone in 1870s; telecommunication today 7. belief in individual equality, opportunity, and freedom; belief that individuals acting in their own interest may also serve interests of others 8. economic system based on capitalism, or free enterprise

9. the total value of a nation’s output of goods and services, including the output of domestic firms in foreign countries and excluding the domestic output of foreign firms 10. artificial waterway 11. communication by electronic means 12. an economic system that allows individuals to own, operate, and profit from their own businesses in an open, competitive market

2 A Nation of Cities How have metropolitan areas in the United States been affected by changes in transportation technology? Why have many Americans migrated to the South and West? How do cities interconnect with smaller towns based on function and size?

Metropolitan Areas and Transportation 2 Metropolitan Areas and Transportation A metropolitan area is a major city and its surrounding suburbs/cities. The increased availability of cars and public transportation such as trolleys, subways, and railroads allowed people to travel longer distances to work.

The value of a city’s location is affected by changes in transportation. Canals and railroads provided new links between cities, and cities along railroads grew as a result.

2 Cities and Towns

Cities and Towns (cont.) 2 Cities and Towns (cont.) Urban places are often discussed in terms of rank according to their size and function. Largest cities in an area = “metropolis” and has large hinterlands, or areas of influence. Provides many cultural and economic services to its hinterlands. Smaller cities have a more limited range of activities and smaller hinterlands.

Guided Reading Answers Section 2 1. The building of the Erie Canal led to the growth of such cities as Buffalo, Cleveland, Detroit, and Chicago 2. The building of railroads made Chicago the largest city in the Midwest because it had the best location on the railroad network. 3. The invention of the automobile, which made it possible for people to travel longer distances to work, led to the growth of suburbs. 4. Cities in the South and the West are flourishing because many people prefer to live where the winters are less severe. 5. New industries along the Gulf coast, as well as cultural attractions, have helped New Orleans regain importance. 6. New York, Chicago, and other large cities have maintained their importance because they offer many jobs and varied activities.

7. The nation’s largest cities-such as New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles-serve hinterlands that consist of the entire nation and even much of the world. 8. Regional metropolises such as Atlanta, Denver, Minneapolis- St. Paul, and San Antonio have much smaller hinterlands. 9. Cities such as Des Moines, Nashville, and Lubbock have a more limited range of activities and even smaller hinterlands. 10. a major city and its surrounding suburbs 11. rank 12. the area influenced by a city or a town

Reviewing Main Ideas 1. The US grew quickly as a result of its abundant natural resources, including land, forests, coal, oil, and natural gas. 2. The canals and railroads that were built in the US in the 1800s increased trade and thus stimulated the country’s economic growth. 3. Improved communication systems, from the telegraph in the 1800s to modern telecommunications, have played a major role in the economic growth of the US. 4. The political system of the US, which stresses the value of the individual over the value of the state, greatly influenced the economic development of the country.

5. By 1890, cities in the US had become the centers of transportation and production. 6. The large cities of the US grew for various reasons, including location and changes in transportation, economic activities, and popular preference. 7. Modern transportation systems in the US allow people great freedom in selecting where to live and establish businesses. 8. Cities serve hinterlands that vary in size.