Transcript File - Marzen PreAP World Geo

Regions of the
The Northeast
 The most densely populated part of the U.S.
 Home to the BOSNYWASH megalopolis
 Diverse region of major cities: New York,
Boston, Philadelphia.
 Large ethnic groups of Irish, Italians,
Jews, Hispanics, Slavs.
The Northeast
 Rocky coastline, good harbors, thin
soil, low mountains, & deciduous
forests.
 Humid continental climate/beautiful fall
colors but cold winters.
 Great vacation spots - historical sites
of Boston & Philadelphia, hustle &
bustle of Manhattan, & summer resorts
of Cape Cod & Martha’s Vineyard
Times Square
Catskills in the Fall
Industry and the Future
 Traditionally an industrial region: textiles
because of abundant rivers & hydroelectric
power.
 Today the country’s economic center.
 Home of major universities such as Harvard,
Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth, NYU &
Columbia.
 Challenges:
– Diversifying the economy, recovering the
manufacturing base, costs of living
issues, problems of urbanization.
The Midwest
 The agricultural heartland of America.
 Rolling farmland, Great Plains,
deciduous forests, abundant lakes &
rivers.
 Humid continental climate/with bitterly
cold winters in the upper Midwest.
Kansas wheat field
Human Geography of the
Midwest
 An ethnicity dominated by Germans,
Scotch-Irish, English, Dutch, Scandinavians,
Irish, Poles, Serbs, & African-Americans.
 Famous and large cities such as Chicago
(3rd largest), Detroit, Cleveland, St. Louis,
Indianapolis, & Minneapolis/St. Paul.
Economy of the Midwest
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Corn belt: Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio
Wheat belt: Kansas, Nebraska, the Dakotas
Dairy region: Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio
Beef cattle: Iowa specifically
Automobile Industry – Detroit, Indianapolis
Iron ore: Minnesota’s Mesabi Range
World’s largest 1 day sporting event.
Over 500,000 people watch it live!
Challenges to the Midwest
 Re-vitalize the steel & automobile industries.
 Develop new tertiary sector jobs.
– Banking, Corporate headquarters, Hightech
 Contend with climatic conditions such as
tornadoes, drought, floods, & blizzards.
The South
 The new South is now the most
heavily populated region in the U.S.
 Fast growing region with modern
urban centers such as: Houston,
DFW, Atlanta, Miami, Orlando,
Charlotte, Memphis, & technically
Washington D.C.
The South
 2nd & 4th most populated states in
Texas and Florida.
 Ethnically diverse region of British,
African-American, Mexican, Cuban,
French immigrants.
 Some of these communities are still
regionally centered.
The South
 A landscape of coastal plains, sandy & clay
filled soil, pine, magnolia, oak, & cypress
trees, & tropical zones.
 A humid subtropical climate of long hot
humid summers and mild winters.
 Vacation spots such as Disney World, world
famous beaches, French Quarter, historical
battle sites from the Civil War, and the
nation’s capital.
The South’s Economy
 A traditional agricultural base of
cotton, tobacco, rice, sugar, peanuts,
peanuts, & raising of chickens.
 Now a diversified economy of
manufacturing & growing service
industries.
 Home of major corporations as diverse
as Wal-Mart, Coca-Cola and Exxon
Mobil.
Why the Growth?
 The South overall as a region has 4
distinct advantages:
–Cheaper land
–Cheaper & abundant labor force
–Less Unionized labor
–Mild climate
Economic Boom!
 Tourism
 Oil industry
 Space industry
 Newly re-located manufacturing
The South’s challenges
 Immigration issues
– Particularly Texas & Florida
 Rural poverty
– Poorest states i.e. Mississippi
 Tropical storms
– Hurricanes & tornadoes
 Education levels
The West
 The most arid & sparsely populated region
of the country.
 Despite large expanses of arid conditions, it
also has very wet & tropical zones.
 Mountainous terrain & large protected areas
such as reserves & national parks.
 Most diverse climatic region: Arid, Tropical,
Mediterranean, Maritime, Subarctic.
Demographics of the West
 A diverse region of people, many as original
adventurous settlers from the East.
 Native Americans (still numerous), Hispanic,
Asian, British stock.
 Largest U.S. state in population: California
at 36 million!
 Fastest growing states: Arizona & Nevada
Major Urban Centers
 Los Angeles (2nd
largest), San Diego,
San Francisco,
Seattle, Denver,
Phoenix, Las Vegas,
Portland
A Diversified Economy
 A region that saw traditional growth due to mining,
ranching, & timber.
 Farming of fruits, vegetables, & vineyards has led
to a profitable agricultural industry.
 Home to the U.S. computer hearth. (From Silicon
Valley to Seattle.)
 Home of Hollywood & the entertainment industry.
 Tourism is big business!
Amazing Alaska!
 Sea otters
 Surfacing orca
Aliens?
Challenges and Concerns
 Human issues include:
– Immigration, population growth in specific
areas, urbanization
 Natural issues include:
– water scarcity, earthquakes, volcanoes, el Niño,
grass & forest fires, mudslides