United States Human geography

ESPN: A Framework for Studying Countries Economic Social Political eNvironment I thought this might be a nice time to review since we’re FINALLY beginning to study different regions. You know… What is a good definition for Economics? What do different economic systems mean for the country and its people? What are the elements of culture? (Et cetera, et cetera…) Economics - The way people produce and exchange goods and services. Types of economies – traditional, command, market, mixed Culture - The total knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors shared by and passed on by the members of a specific group. Elements of Culture – Food and shelter, religion, education, political organization, language. Political: Types of government – democracy, monarchy, dictatorship… State - Independent unit that occupies a specific territory and has full control of its’ own affairs. (Country) Nation – Group of people with a common culture. Nation/State – When a nation and a state occupy the same territory. (Most countries in the world) Stateless Nation – When a nation does not have it’s own territory. (Palestinians, Kurds) Environment – Why cities are located where they are; why they are laid out as they are

Why the U.S.? 17th and 18th century migration 19th century migration Religious persecution Economic gain/resources 19th century migration Religious persecution (again!) Russian Jews under Czar Nicholas II Famine in Europe Irish Potato Famine Jobs in factories Migrating from Europe Railroad construction Chinese & Japanese in the West. Available land - Europeans in general (tenant farmers where landlords dominated – relics of feudalism) 20th and 21st century migration Economic growth and opportunity – Mexican immigrants War - (with religious persecution!) – WWII, Jews fleeing Nazi Controlled areas, Vietnamese Immigrants, refugees on the War on Terror, regional conflicts in Africa, Asia, & elsewhere. Revolution: Cuban immigrants. 1A I was thinking we let the students WRITE this one first, then talk among themselves for a minute to see if they can identify some of the different groups of immigrants to which each of these applies: 17/18 Religious persecution (1) – Pilgrims, Puritans, Quakers, etc. Economic gain/resources – Jamestown settlement, Spanish exploration in Florida and the Southwest 19 Religious persecution (2) – Russian Jews under Nicholas II Famine – Irish Jobs in factories – Western Europeans early, Eastern Europeans later (Ellis Island immigrants) Railroad construction – Chinese and Japanese in the West Available land – Europeans in general (tenant farmers where landlords dominated – relics of feudalism) 20/21 Economic opportunity – Mexican immigrants, as well as groups from nearly everywhere! War – World War II (Jews fleeing Nazi-controlled areas), Vietnamese immigrants, refugees of the War on Terror, regional conflicts in Africa, Asia, and elsewhere Revolution – Cuban immigrants to Cuba

Regions within the U.S. Perceptual regions – How would you describe… On your paper, jot down a few things you think of when you think of each of these perceptual regions. Then take a minute to share with your shoulder partner. The Northeast? The Midwest? The South? The West? 5A, 9A, 13A This might be another time to allow the kids to do some brainstorming. Have them generate some ideas to describe each of these areas, then clarify using the next few slides

Regions within the U.S.: The NORTHEAST 1/5 of the country’s population Financial and industrial center Urbanization centered around rivers and ports “Rust Belt” Culturally diverse 5A, 9A, 13A How we know this is perceptual… When I went to look for a map of the Northeast, I couldn’t find one that included the states listed in our book! Some maps included OH and KY, some left off WV, DE, MD, and DC. The book’s list of states is Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, DC. Smallest and most densely populated – 1/5 of our population concentrated in megalopolis areas (Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington) Rivers were necessary for early factories, ports were centers for trade – As manufacturing has shifted away from the Northeast, it has become known as the “Rust Belt” Many different ethnic groups entered the U.S. through ports in the Northeast (most notably Ellis Island) – settled in ethnic enclaves in large cities (i.e., Little Italy) NATURAL BORDERS – Appalachian Mountains, Atlantic Ocean MANMADE BORDERS – Division with Canada along approximately the 49th parallel

Regions within the U.S.: The Midwest Major farming region “Corn Belt” “Dairy Belt” Leading producer of industrial goods Large cities along the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River African American population concentrated in urban centers 5A, 9A, 13A OH, IN, IL, MI, WI, MN, IA, MO Largest agricultural region Industrial area near the Great Lakes – like Detroit African Americans moved from the South as part of the Great Migration to seek jobs – beginning with World War I and continuing through World War II NATURAL BORDERS – Mississippi River, Appalachian Mountains, Great Lakes MANMADE BORDERS – Border with Canada

Regions within the U.S.: The South 30% of the country’s population Historically agricultural, but new industries developed in late 20th century Economy centered around natural resources. Large Hispanic population. Why? 5A, 9A, 13A VA, NC, SC, GA, FL, AL, MS, TN, KY, AR, LA, TX Largest region by population Cultural legacies of the Civil War – for a long while, it was significantly poorer than other areas – but new industries developed in the 2nd half of the 20th century, centered around raw materials – Oil and gas, agricultural products, forestry… and industries involved in processing Large Hispanic population as a result of migration from Mexico, Cuba, etc., in search of a better life and economic opportunities NATURAL BORDERS – Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Rio Grande, Mississippi River and its tributaries form boundaries between states MANMADE BORDERS – Border with Mexico (partially manmade)

Regions within the U.S.: The West Largest and most sparsely populated Interior West very different from Pacific states… why? Livestock, mining, and tourism 5A, 9A, 13A ND, SD, NE, KS, OK, NM, CO, WY, MT, ID, UT, NV, AZ, CA, OR, WA, AK, HI Largest cities tend to be located in the Pacific States – L.A., San Francisco, Seattle… but also Denver… High mountains, plateaus, and deserts prevent settlement in some areas What areas are involved in tourism? NATURAL BORDERS: Pacific Ocean MANMADE BORDERS: Mexico/Canada… specific example of state boundaries – the Four Corners (UT, AZ, NM, CO)

Population Patterns What are the major cities in the U.S.? New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Cleveland, Boston, Philadelphia Where has population shifted over time? East to West Human-Environment Interaction Railroads and interstate highways opened/connected new areas Rivers, dams, bridges, canals, and irrigation made water resources more useful People live near key resources 6A, 13A, 6B, 8A, 11C Again with brainstorming – letting them teach us? Major cities – New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Cleveland, Boston, NY, Philadelphia – Maybe write these on the board as they generate ideas… then place them into perceptual region categories Population shifts – Influx of immigration (NY and CA), many people stay near their port of entry unless/until something pulls them elsewhere (i.e., land opening in the West) – Rust Belt to Sun Belt (new industries, opportunities, and climate paired with decline in manufacturing) – Great Migration of African Americans and others out of the South to look for jobs in the North due to limited economic opportunity – Hispanic immigrants coming to the Southern U.S. to seek jobs causing a rising population in this area HEI Railroad construction made it possible for people to move West despite barriers (mountains, etc.) – For this reason, early cities in the West were located along the railroad track Later – Cars make it possible for people to live near big cities (for job opportunities) while avoiding overcrowding of inner city – Suburbs were born (as were malls) What makes Phoenix and Las Vegas possible? Irrigation (Ogallala Aquifer), Hoover Dam, and air conditioning! Discovery of oil and natural gas brought a “boom population” in Oklahoma and Texas

Politics What is the political system in the U.S.? What do voting patterns in the U.S. have to do with population? Gerrymandering – Manipulating voting districts to gain a desired outcome Does the U.S. political system allow for popular participation? 13B, 14B, 15A Democratic republic – why both? People are the ultimate power (democracy), but the government operates according to law/Constitution Shared power/checks and balances # of representatives in the House are based on population, as are electoral votes – Shifts in population can also mean a shift in political power – gerrymandering is a result – Less rampant now, but used to be a regular occurrence Lots of voices heard – For instance, environmentalists, business owners, land owners, etc., would all weight in on land use

Economics Mixed economy Which elements are free enterprise? Which elements are socialist? 10B Brainstorming!

Economics - Demographics How would you describe the level of development of the U.S.? More developed Where does the U.S. rank in the Human Development Index? NUMBER FOUR! US High Per Capita GDP 45,800 High Life Expectancy 78 years Low Population Growth Rate .88% Low Infant Mortality 6.3/1000 5B Despite the fact that the U.S. economy has experienced sustained growth since WWII, there is a widening gap between the rich and poor – Benefits of wealthy society are uneven

Economics – Resources and infrastructure Rich in resources Minerals, energy, forests Arable land Highly developed infrastructure Roads Communications Ports and railroads Education 11C, 12A Minerals, fuels, forest resources – coal, copper, lead, iron, natural gas, timber, bauxite, and uranium 18% of land useful for agriculture Modern highway system, bridges, tunnels Internet, phones Education system allows for continued growth

Economics – Globalization Vast export sector Large role in world financial markets Multinational corporations and outsourcing NAFTA 10D Exports – technology, consumer goods, information systems, foodstuffs Farm products – wheat, corn, other grains, fruits, vegetables, cotton, beef, pork, poultry, dairy products, fish Leads world in wheat and beef production (22.9%) Chemicals, telecommunications equipment, motor vehicle parts, aircraft Medicines, automobile, computers NYSE is center of world financial markets – What happens in U.S. stock exchange affects the entire world Many multinationals are headquartered in the U.S. = Nike, Adidas, Starbucks, Wal-Mart, McDonald’s, Burger King, KFC, Hilton – and MANY others Some large countries with their headquarters in the U.S. have moved parts of their operations to other parts of the world where the cost of operating (wages) are much lower – OUTSOURCING NAFTA – 1992 – lowered trade barriers between U.S., Canada, Mexico

The U.S. and the World The influence of American population culture America as a world power National security and the military The United Nations 1B, 14C American culture is possibly our greatest export – McDonald’s in Moscow – American music, TV, movies, celebrities are all adopted worldwide (with exception of places where strict government bans them) – U.S. and our culture often seen to symbolize freedom… but also excess, consumer-driven Because the U.S. has only two borders to protect (relatively weaker nations) and oceans on either side, we have never been successfully invaded (since the British) – Dec. 7, 1941 and September 11, 2001 are isolated incidents of attacks on U.S. soil – Despite this fact, the U.S. maintains a very large standing army – A large portion of our budget is dedicated to defense U.S. is a permanent member of the UN Security Council, which means it has veto power over UN resolutions – Within the UN and outside it as well, the U.S. often serves as part of multinational military forces