https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiYlioobAhM&list=PL0iSJJrcfWQrjVNrh-xfBKqYTFHME5nYo&index=3
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, and deciduous forests.
 Humid continental climate/beautiful fall
colors but cold winters.
 Great vacation spots from the historical
sites of Boston and Philadelphia, to the
hustle and bustle of Manhattan, or the
summer resorts of Cape Cod and
Martha’s Vineyard, or the coasts and
harbors of Maine.
Times Square
Amish in the Fall
Industry and the Future
 Traditionally an industrial region: textiles
because of abundant rivers and 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
and rivers.
 Humid continental climate/with
bitterly cold winters in the upper
Midwest.
Kansas town and wheat fields
Human Geography of the
Midwest
 An ethnicity dominated by Germans,
Scotch-Irish, English, Dutch,
Scandinavians, Irish, Poles, Serbs, and
African-Americans.
 Famous and large cities such as Chicago
(3rd largest), Detroit, Cleveland, St.
Louis, Indianapolis, and Minneapolis/St.
Paul.
Economy of the Midwest
 Corn belt: Iowa, Illinois, Indiana
 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 and automobile
industries.
 Develop new tertiary sector jobs.
– Banking, Corporate headquarters,
High-tech
 Contend with climatic conditions such as
tornadoes, drought, floods, and
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, and technically
Washington D.C.
The South
 2nd and 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 and
clay filled soil, pine, magnolia, oak, and
cypress trees, and 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, and raising of
chickens.
 Now a diversified economy of
manufacturing and 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 and abundant labor force
–Less Union labor
–Mild climate
Economic Boom!
 Tourism
 Oil industry
 Space industry
 Newly re-located manufacturing
The South’s challenges
 Immigration issues
– Particularly Texas and Florida
 Rural poverty
– Poorest states i.e. Mississippi
 Tropical storms
– Hurricanes and tornadoes
 Education levels
The West
 It is the most arid and sparsely populated
region of the country.
 Despite large expanses of arid conditions, it
also has very wet and tropical zones.
 Mountainous terrain and large protected
areas as reserves and 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, and timber.
– Coal (Wyoming) biggest U.S. producer today
– Copper (Arizona)
– Silver (Nevada)
 Farming of fruits, vegetables, and vineyards has led to a
profitable agricultural industry.
– California and Washington particularly
 Home to the U.S. computer hearth. (From Silicon Valley to
Seattle.)
 Home of Hollywood and the entertainment industry.
 Tourism is big business!
Beautiful Hawaii!
Amazing Alaska!
 Sea otters
 Surfacing (breeching)
orca
Challenges and Concerns
 Human issues include:
– Immigration, population growth in specific
areas, urbanization
 Natural issues include:
– water scarcity, earthquakes, volcanoes, el
nino, grass and forest fires, mudslides, tropical
storms