Transcript Chapter 15 (second part)

CALIFORNIA
(CHAPTER 15: PART 2)
INTRODUCTION
California is by some measures the
country's most urbanized state.
At the same time, it is the most
agricultural state in terms of total farm
income.
Today's California's agricultural base,
identifies two key problem areas, and
highlights the tremendous competition for
land use in certain areas.
AGRICULTURE
(General)
California's agriculture is broadly based
Variety of climatic regions
Large internal market
Specialty crops are dominant throughout the
state.
Total market value of agricultural crops (1998)
16.6 billion dollars
The country's most agricultural state in terms
of total farm income.
AGRICULTURE
(Products)
 Accounts for virtually all of the U.S. production of…
 almonds, artichokes, dates, figs, kiwifruit, olives, pistachios,
and prunes
 Produces more than half of the country's …
 alfalfa seed, avocados, lettuce, broccoli, Brussels sprouts,
naval oranges, lemons, grapes, peaches, plums, apricots,
cantaloupes, nectarines, strawberries, celery, and tomatoes
 The leading producer of …
 asparagus, tangerines, spinach, pears, lima beans, onions,
potted plants, and honey
 Ranks third in the sale of …
 cotton, sheep, dairy products; fourth in rice; fifth in beef
cattle
AGRICULTURE
(Specialty Crops)
Are grown on a large scale in only a few
parts of the country
Require long growing seasons
Experience no local competition in the
demand areas (especially during winter)
AGRICULTURE
(Specialization)
The national trend is towards increased
specialization.
Too difficult/expensive to handle more than a few
basic products and remain competitive.
Enhanced within California because of the
diversity in climate and physiography
Temperature
Precipitation
Soil type/composition
AGRICULTURE
(Problem Areas)
Land-use competition
Agricultural activities
Urban development
Recreational activities
Multiple-use concepts are applied in
some cases
More often, one activity may render the
area incapable of supporting another.
AGRICULTURE
(Problem Areas)
Water Supply
 Agriculture is a much greater consumer of water than
manufacturing or municipal use.
 70% of the precipitation falls in the North, BUT 80% of the
state's water is used in the South.
 California has more irrigated land than any other state (8.5
million acres); Texas ranks second with only half that
amount.
 California accounts for more than 25% of all irrigated water
usage in the U.S.
 Map (pg 349) - state's major water movement systems.
AGRICULTURE
(Problem Areas)
Water Supply (CONTINUED)
Much of the Imperial Valley and Coachella Valley
face the problem of gradual salt build-up in the soil.
Increasing amounts of water are needed to flush
out the salt, resulting in a serious water quality
problem down river in Mexico.
Northern Californians are not happy about the
southward transfer of their water supply.
The economic and environmental costs of water
transfer projects are quite high!
URBAN CALIFORNIA
POPULATION DENSITY
URBAN CALIFORNIA
Southern Metropolis
 L.A. is a polynucleated urban area
No CBD, major public rail transport lines, inner city
warehouses, nor large-scale inner-city apartment complexes
 Population density of Los Angeles is 6,100/mi2, compared
to Philadelphia, which has 14,200/mi2.
 Distance is often measured by minutes instead of miles.
 Santa Barbara-San Diego (about 185 miles) urban
landscape is occupied by more than 15 million people.
 Smog is a major environmental problem
Large population concentration>>heavy reliance on
automobiles
Effects are intensified during temperature inversions.
SAN DIEGO
URBAN CALIFORNIA
Bay Area Metropolis-SAN FRANCISCO
 Largest city on the West Coast 1850-1920
 Grew based on...
Great harbor
Gold rush of 1848
Location at the terminus of first transcontinental railroad
 The Bay Area has about 6.6 million people, with about 1/9
living in San Francisco.
 Configuration of the population around the harbor has posed
significant circulation problems.
 BART - an innovative attempt, based on computerized
systems, to ease the area's circulation problems.
SAN FRANCISCO
URBAN CALIFORNIA
Cities of the Valley
Sacramento
(1.5 million)
The state capital
Largest of the Central Valley cities
A major agricultural processing city.
Fresno (861,800)
Bakersfield (622,700)
Stockton (533,400)
CALIFORNIA
(CHAPTER 15: PART 2)