1. North America

3. United States: density and distribution
Population Density = 87 people/sq. Mile
Northeast & Great Lakes regions = MORE densely populated
Historic centers of commerce and industry
Pacific Coast
Mild climate and economic opportunity
Subarctic region of Alaska, Great Basin, & parts of arid/semi-arid Great Plains = least densely populated
American South & Southwest = fastest growing areas (Sunbelt)

4. The Sunbelt of the u.s.
Area nicknamed the Sunbelt because of mild climate
Draws people to growing manufacturing, service & tourism industries
Proximity to Mexico & Caribbean draws immigrants to region

5. Urban areas of the u.s.
Urbanization – movement of people from rural to urban areas
Mechanized agriculture = fewer workers needed = move to cities to find job
Metropolitan Area – includes a city with a population of at least 50,000 people & outlying communities called suburbs
Most people in the U.S. live in metropolitan areas

6. Urban areas of the u.s.
Urban Sprawl – As metropolitan areas become crowded, leads to the further spread of people & suburban development
Megalopolis – a “great city” that is made up of several large & small cities
U.S. population clusters in coastal areas where strong economies are linked to world trade & can support large populations
Example – area between Boston & Washington, D.C. along Atlantic coast called Boswash megalopolis

7. Urban Sprawl Increasing area of concern
Caused by unrestricted growth with no plans to contain it
Cheap gas = travel farther for jobs
Prefer cars to mass transit
Causing crumbling infrastructure
Sustainable Communities: turn suburbs into community where residents can live and work in harmony with the environment
Cuts down on commuting

8. Where Americans Live
80% of Americans live in cities or surrounding suburbs
Rural to cities to suburbs
Because of automobiles
Northeast = gateway to America b/c of its position on Atlantic Coast
South = switching from agricultural to industrial region = growing cities
West = ½ of land area, 1/5 of population
Most rapidly growing region in U.S.

10. Canada: density & distribution
Most of Canada inhospitable due to rugged terrain and bitterly cold climate
90% of population lives along US-Canada border
Average population density = 9 people/sq. Mile
Most densely populated areas near waterways & places that support agriculture
Past 100 years internal migrations to Prairie Provinces – Manitoba, Saskatchewan & Alberta
Due in part to discovery of oil & natural gas in 1960’s

11. Where Canadians Live
Harsh environment & accessibility to transportation routes influences population settlement
Port cities & farmland = most densely settled
80% of Canadians live on 10% of land
Most on 100 mile-wide strip of land along border
Increasingly urban population
75% French-Canadians = Quebec
Natives live on reserves
Canadians with Asian ancestry = West Coast

13. Canada: Urban areas Most population lives in urban areas
Toronto – largest city, industrial & financial center
Montreal – industrial & shipping center, ships reach inland through St. Lawrence & Ottawa Rivers & Great Lakes
Vancouver – handles nearly all trade between Canada & Asia
Edmonton – grew with development of petroleum industry