3. The People  Immigration- the movement of people into one country from another  There are nearly 300 million people in the U.S. today, many of whom are immigrants or descendants of immigrants 11.7 % of the population is immigrants and half of those are from Latin America  Immigrants come to the U.S. for many different reasons

4. Density and Distribution  Population density is around 80 people /Sq. Mile  Northeast, Great Lakes, Pacific Coast are most densely populated regions.  Alaska, the Great Basin, and the Great plains are the least densely populated regions.

5. Urban Areas  Urbanization- movement of people from rural areas to cities  Today most of the U.S. lives in metropolitan areas Cities with populations of at least 50,000 people and outlying communities called suburbs  Urban sprawl- the spread of people into suburban developments  Megalopolis- Chain of closely linked metropolitan areas

6. Early Nation Building  Nomads made their way into the U.S. thousands of years ago  1500- European explorers enters  1700 Great Britain controls the land along the east coast.  Became free in 1783

7. Government  United States is a Federal Republic Laws under the Constitution ○ 1 st 10 amendments(changes to the constitution) = Bill of Rights, guarantee the basic rights of citizens Three Branches ○ Executive -President ○ Legislative - Congress ○ Judicial – Supreme Court

8. Growth, Division, and Unity  The United States gained land through war, purchases, and successions  The Industrial revolution in the 1800 brought commerce and industry to the northeast and eventually the Midwest.  Cotton made the south rich, but slave labor needed to grow the cotton tore the country apart. (Civil War!) Underground Railroad- an informal network of safe houses

9. Technological Change  Dry Farming- a method of cultivating land to catch and hold rainwater  Railroads  Industry and production lines during WWI and WWII

10. Modern Challenges  Terrorism- 9/11

11. Language and Religion LanguageReligion  English is the official language in the U.S.  Spanish is the second the most common language  Many people are bilingual, or speak two languages.  There are wide variety of phrases and words from other languages used because of immigration  Because of religious freedom many religions have flourished in the U.S.  Christianity is the most widely practiced  Followed by Judaism Islam Hinduism Buddhism

12. Education and HealthcareEducation Healthcare  Public and Private schools  School is required until the age of 16  97% Literacy rate, people who cal read and write.  A lot of money is spent on healthcare  However there are those who can not afford healthcare or insurance  All Americans are now required to have insurance and the government provides low cost insurance

13. The Arts  Jazz Music was developed in African American communities in the United states  Hollywood  Broadway

14. Family Life  The United States enjoys a high standard of living with many personal choices and opportunities  Cheap food and housing  50% of households are made up of married couples and 44% with children  Most have 1-2 children

16. The People  People came to Canada in search of political and religious freedom, economic and educational opportunities, and refuge from war. Loyalists- colonist who wished to remain loyal to the British Government Maritime Provinces- Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island ○ Province- political unit similar to state  More than 1/3 rd of people are mixed ethnic origin and 1 million Inuit, or native Americans.

17. Density and Distribution  90% of people live on the U.S./Canada boarder because much of the country is bitterly cold and inhospitable.  8 people/Sq. mile  Most of Canada’s population lives in urban areas  Many people have been moving to the Prairie Provinces due to oil and natural gas discoveries. Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta

18. Early Inhabitants and Settlers  When Europeans arrived in Canada there were about 200,000 natives living there.  The British and French fought over much of the territory and eventually the British pushed the French out of the Hudson Bay area.  Quebec Act- gave French settlers the right to keep their language, religion, and systems of laws.

19. Government BeginningsToday  Canada was created as a dominion, a partially self governing country with close ties to Great Britain.  Gained full independence in 1931  1982- Constitution Act ended power of Great Britain  Constitutional Monarchy  Executive Branch Governor- general ○ Appointed by the monarch Prime Minister ○ Actual head of government  Legislature- Parliament  Judicial- Supreme Court

20. Expansion and Diversity  In 1800’s Canada acquired lands stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans and from the arctic to the U.S. boarder. G.B. encouraged settlers making French people the minority Quebecois- Quebec's French speaking inhabitants  Wide spread immigration took place during the Klondike Gold Rush  In 1999 Nunavut was created for the native Americans Means “our land”

21. Modern Challenges  Open trade with the United States has caused Canada to fear loosing it independent identity.  Quebec seeks greater protection for the culture and language of its French population  Quebec favors separatism- or the breaking away of one part of a country to create a separate, independent country

22. Language  2 official languages English French (Quebec)  Other languages include German Italian Chinese  Native Languages Cree Inuktitut

23. Religion  Christians make up the largest religious group  Others Include Islam Buddhism Hinduism Judasim Sikhism

24. Education and Health Care Education Health Care  97% literacy rate  Public and private schools  Students must attend school from ages 6-16  The government pays for health care for its citizens.  Its is becoming very costly because people are living longer Limit care Raise taxes

25. The Arts  Influences by British, French, American, and native cultures  Toronto is the center for theatre and music Toronto Symphony Orchestra National Ballet of Canada

26. Family Life  Canada is one the wealthiest countries in the world and they enjoy high standards of living.  Family and age structure are similar to the U.S. 70% married couples 60% have children  Aging population with average lifespan at 80 years old.