Human Geography The United States Of America

ESPN: A Framework For Studying Countries Economic Social Political ENvironmental EconomicSocial PoliticalENvironmental

U.S. Social Systems – Characteristics Population Composition High per capita GDP High life expectancy Low growth rate Low infant mortality rate “Melting Pot” High immigration rate Multi-ethnic and religiously diverse immigration Top ten from 2000 Census: Canada, China, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, India, Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines, Vietnam Economic and political opportunities and freedoms are main pull factors

Globalization of U.S. Culture Cultural Diffusion Appearance of U.S. companies overseas such as McDonald’s, Starbucks, Nike, Ford What is the impact of native cultures when everyone starts becoming like the U.S.? What will the future hold? Foreign Policy and Economics U.S. has vested interest in countries that align with our political and economic goals U.S. aids countries that are more “like us” than “unlike us.” U.S. cooperates with other countries through organizations like the United Nations.

Interstate Cultural Diffusion Four areas of the U.S. also have unique cultural identities Northeast – The Bostonian, New Yorker, Philadelphian Midwest – Farmers and Ranchers South – “Genteel” Southerner, Southern Belles West – Hippy, Surfer, Dotcommer Diffusion Henry Ford Interstate Highway System Airports and cheap flights

Political Systems Democratic Republic We elect representatives to enact legislation on our behalf Governmental systems are based on our Constitutions Federal, State, and Local governments

Foldable Activity Under Social Answer these questions: What are the characteristics of the U.S.’s population? What are the three top places that people immigrate to the U.S. from? Why do people come here? Why does the U.S. support countries that are most like us? What factors have enabled U.S. citizens to branch out among the states? Under Political Answer these questions: What type of political system does the U.S. have? What are the three levels of government that we usually see in the U.S.?