1. North America
UNIT 2

3. The Cultural Geography of North America
The People
Sec. 1

5. 1st Americans Native Americans: Recent Immigrants:
Came from Asia across the land-bridge thousands of years ago
Way of life depended on physical surroundings
Recent Immigrants:
From all parts of the world
Have moved because for religious, political, economical and educational reasons
“Push-Pull Theory”

8. Population Density and Distribution
Canada is larger than the US, but has fewer people
90% of Canadians live near the US-Canadian Border
In the US the northeast, Great Lakes and Pacific Coast regions are the most densely populated
Recent migrations to the sunbelt have increased
US: 78 people/sq. mi
Canada: 8 people/sq. mi

12. The Cities Coastal Cities: Inland Cities: Future Trends:
Most people live in metro areas
Healthy economies
“Boswash”= home to 42 million people
Inland Cities:
Large cities located on rivers or lakes, transportation hubs
Quebec, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Detroit, Chicago, St. Louis, Pittsburgh
Future Trends:
Most population growth is from immigration due to low birth rates
What situations arise from large urban populations?

13. History Sec. 2

14. Native Americans European Colonies
Lifestyles were shaped by location and climate
Examples
Plains Indians
SW Native Americans
Atlantic Coast Natives
Pacific Native Americans
Late 1500’s European migration to the Americas
In search of minerals, farmland and freedom
Spanish=southwestern and southern US
English=Atlantic Coast
French=Canada & northern US

16. Manifest Destiny
By the mid 1800’s the US had expanded westward across North America to the Pacific
Canada carried out its own expansion

17. Growth Division & Unity industrialization transformed the US and Canada during the 1800’s
Waterfalls of NE US were sources of power
Coal from Midwest powered steam engines
Rivers & lakes in central US provided easy transport
Cotton/textile industry became more profitable
By the 1800’s demand increased as did the demand for enslaved workers
Disputes over slavery led to the Civil War

20. Government The US is a democratic republic Federal system of gov’t
State and national government
The government is set up by the constitution (1787)
The Constitution can be amended from time to time to meet the country’s needs
The national government is made up of executive, legislative and judicial branches
Canada has a parliamentary democracy with a federal system
British monarch is ceremonial head, while the governor-general is a representative of the monarch
The Prime Minister heads the majority party in Parliament is the head of the government
Canada became independent from the UK in 1931

23. Cultural Characteristics
Religious Freedom
Freedom of religion has always been valued in the Americas
Most Americans are members of organized religion
Most are Christian
Language
English and French are official languages of Canada
French speaking Canadians in Quebec want protection of language and culture
English is official language of US

24. Music Visual Arts Jazz:
A mix of African and European musical ideas
Born in New Orleans in the early 1900’s
Rock n’ Roll and Country became more popular during the later 1900’s
Visual Arts
Similar to European art forms with American influences
Early 1900’s saw American artists diverge from European art
Painters depict their unique landscapes both urban and rural

25. THE ARTS

27. Popular Entertainment
Literature
American and Canadian literature took their own identities during the 1800’s & 1900’s
Authors wrote about home regions and told stories about ordinary working men and women
Writers from other cultures added their views of American lifestyles
Popular Entertainment
Movie industry has an enormous impact on the rest of the world
Both countries are noted for their contributions to the performing arts
The US is the birthplace of the musical

28. Lifestyles

29. Health Care Education In Canada the gov’t pays for health care
In the US most people pay for their own
The role of health care is under hot debate in the US
Many receive care through their jobs
Quality health care is out of reach for many
Education
US and Canada require all children to attend school
Both countries have private and public schools
Over 95% of both populations are literate

30. Sport & Recreation Celebrations
Sports are popular in both countries
Many Americans and Canadians take advantage of national parks and recreation areas
Celebrations
People in both countries celebrate similar religious holidays
Many civic holidays are similar although held on different dates
Independence day
US: 4th of July
Canada: July 1

31. SEE YA!