Chapter 6 Section 1

 EQ: What are three factors that have influenced the cultural geography of the United States?  OBJ: I will be able to use geographic terms and tools to explain cultural diffusion throughout places, regions, and the world.

Factor 1 _________________________________________________ Factor 2 _________________________________________________ Factor 3 _________________________________________________

 Immigration greatly affects the diversity of the United States  The first people of the region moved here from Asia about 20,000 years go  There are about 2.5 million Native Americans, the direct descendants of the first people to arrive in this region  Many immigrants come to the U.S. to seek a safer environment and better opportunities as well as more resources  They often face discrimination  As of 2008, 12.5 percent of the U.S. population was foreign born (more than half of that percentage comes from Latin America)

 The population density of the U.S. is about 87 people per sq. mi  The NE and the Great Lakes regions are densely populated due to an abundance of resources  The Pacific Coast is also densely populated  Alaska, the Great Basin, and dry parts of the Great Plains are less densely populated  Since the 1970s, the SE and SW is known as the sunbelt for its mild climate

 Over the years the U.S. experienced urbanization or the movement of people from rural areas to the city  Most people live in metropolitan areas, or cities with at least 50,000 people and outlying communities called suburbs  As metropolitan areas become crowded, they lead to further spread of people and suburban development known as urban sprawl  The Boswash megalopolis refers to a chain of closely linked metropolitan areas along the Atlantic coast  Boston, New York City, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C.

 The first people came to present-day U.S. from what continent? How many years ago? Who are their immediate descendants?  Why are the NE and the Great Lakes regions so densely populated? Why is Alaska, the Great Basin, and parts of the Great Plains so sparsely populated?  What is urbanization?  What is a metropolitan area?  What are the suburbs?  The Boswash megalopolis includes which major cities?

 Archaeologists believe that nomads crossed a land bridge from Asia to present-day Alaska thousands of years ago  Climate and location shaped the lives of Native Americans  Those in desert areas relied on irrigation to water crops  European exploration of the region changed the course of human history in the region  Conflict soon arose between Natives and Europeans  Conflict also arose between British government and colonists who fought for independence from Britain in the American Revolution ( )  The U.S. is a federal republic, which means that the national government shares power with the states

 Industrialization transformed the United States in the 1800s and as the population grew, there was a push westward which displaced many Native people and their families  Factories arose along the NE part of the U.S. powered by waterfalls  Coal in the Midwest powered steam engines which fueled industry in that region  The growing textile industry (cotton) fueled the enslavement of African Americans in the South and Southeast  Many slaves escaped via the Underground Railroad, an informal network of safe houses

 In the 1800s U.S. government encouraged settlement in the Great Plains to ease overcrowding in the cities and to produce food for the rise populations  Dry farming is a method of cultivating land to catch and hold rainwater that was used to grow crops in the Great Plains  Chinese, Irish, Mexican and other immigrants helped build railroads in the U.S.  Two world wars spurred economic growth and assembly line production in factories increased efficiency and standard of living, by 1990s high-tech industries overshadowed manufacturing industries  Immigration increased greatly from Asia and Latin America  Terrorism became a major concern after September 11, 2001 and as a result, the U.S. invaded parts of the Middle East 

 How did the nomads from Asia make their way to North America?  What type of national government does the U.S. have?  Why did the U.S. government push for westward expansion? What were the consequences of this?  What was the underground railroad?  What is dry farming?  What major transportation system was built mainly by Chinese, Irish, and Mexican immigrants?

 English is the main language in the U.S., but many people are bilingual or even multilingual  Spanish is the second most spoken language in the U.S.  Many religions are practiced in the U.S., which Christianity being the most common  Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism are also practiced

 Education is built on a network of public and private schools  School is compulsory until the age of 16  The literacy rate in the U.S. is 99 percent  The literacy rate is the percentage of people who can read and write  A highly developed economy enables the U.S. to devote substantial resources to healthcare  Many people do not have access to healthcare  The role the government plays in administering healthcare is still debatable

 Art was integrated into many forms including music and storytelling during the time of the first Americans  By the 1800s, people in the U.S. created art that reflected their own lives and cultures  African Americans developed Jazz which incorporated African rhythms with European harmonies  U.S. cultural influence is strongest in the area of entertainment  Hollywood movies and celebrities dominate U.S. popular culture  Broadway in New York City is also a major pop cultural center

 Many people in the U.S. enjoy a high standard of living  Food surplus equals more affordable food in general  Housing choices depend on the needs and wants of individuals or families  Married couple families make up 50 percent of all U.S. households  22 percent of these families have children under 18 years old  Today households are smaller than they were in the past  In 2008, 61 percent of households had one or two people compared with 46 percent in 1970  The average of age of our population is increasing as well  37 years old in 2007 compared to 28 years old in 1970

 What is the second most spoken language in the U.S. besides English?  How many languages does a bilingual person speak?  U.S. cultural influence is strongest in what area?  Married couple families make up what percentage of all U.S. households?