United States and Canada Economic Characteristics WG.4

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

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

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

Economy Diversified economy Abundant resources Specialized industries

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. Infrastructure – the basic support system needed to keep an economy going.

UNITED NATIONS 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

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

Sites (Actual locations of Cities) New York, City Richmond, Va. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rich/Poor Gap Widening gap between the rich and the poor. “The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer”

Pass Number your 1 - 4

1.The above picture is the symbol for which international organization? 2.Name the three countries that participate in the economic alliance know as NAFTA? 3.What Canadian city is located on the point at which the St. Lawrence River narrows? 4.The confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers forms the Ohio river at which US city?