Social Studies U.S. Regional Characteristics
Northeast:
almost entirely humid continental climate (snowy, cold winters and warm, humid summers)
economy is heavily dependent on banks, investment firms, and insurance companies
education contributes to the economy – home to respected universities like Harvard, Yale, and Princeton.
home to Pittsburgh – important for the steel industry
cool shallow waters off the North Atlantic contribute to the fish and lobster industry
most densely (tightly packed) populated region
Includes much of the BosWash megalopolis
home to the earliest British colonies
residents are sometimes called Yanks
includes sheltered ports and harbors for shipping
has poor farmland (rocky soil)
short growing season makes farming difficult
home to one sixth of the country’s population
home to the “Big Apple” and “City of Brotherly Love.”
mostly mixed forest
South:
includes the state with 6 of the 30 most populous cities in the U.S.
large areas of wide coastal plains
has good conditions for growing cotton, tobacco and citrus fruits
includes the city of Atlanta, which has grown to be a transportation hub in the region
population growth due to climate, business opportunities, recreation, and retirement
has a trade and travel connection to Mexico, Central, and South America
oil refineries and petrochemical plants contribute to the economy
includes much of the Appalachian Mountains
includes the nation’s capital
includes much of the “sunbelt”
includes the areas experiencing more hurricanes than any other
has larger areas of wetlands than any other region
the country’s fastest growing (population) region
seceded from the nation, causing the civil war
longest growing season
highest annual precipitation
includes the Mississippi River Delta
borders the Gulf of Mexico
has a large population of African Americans
mostly mild humid subtropical climate
Midwest:
home to one of the most productive farming regions in the world
farm products include corn, wheat, soybeans, and dairy
waterways leading from the Atlantic (i.e. Saint Lawrence Seaway) contributed to the region’s development
includes the “motor city” – Detroit
Missouri River
Great Plains
has a continental climate in the east and is dry in the west
home to the largest group of freshwater lakes in the world
home to the Central Lowlands
includes the “windy city” – Chicago, one of the busiest shipping ports and 3rd largest in the U.S.
home to the city considered as the “gateway to the West” – St. Louis
home to much of “Tornado Alley”
has large deposits of coal
called the heartland or breadbasket of the U.S.
West:
largest region
has the most diverse land of any region (many different types of land)
is home to 8 different climates zones
has land that is used for ranching and herding more than any other region
immigration has created significant Asian and Hispanic populations
is sparsely populated in the eastern part of the region
includes the Great Basin
most mineral (gold, silver, copper, etc.) resources
last part of the U.S. to be populated by people of European decent
has the most significant population of Native Americans
home to the most populous state in the U.S.
major industries include computer software and entertainment
lack of water resources have required irrigation project like dams and canals
Sierra Nevada and Cascades Mtns.
includes the “mile high” city - Denver
only region to share borders with two other countries
fishing and forestry are important economic activities in the Northern Pacific part of this region
Rocky Mountains
borders Pacific Ocean
Mount McKinley – highest Mtn. in N. America (20, 320 ft.)
Social Studies Canada Regional Characteristics
East
All on or near the sea (maritime)
Immigration from the British Isles
Forestry and fishing are important industries
Limited farming (short growing season)
Most people live in coastal cities
Heartland
Most populous region (1/2 of the country total)
Most urbanized region (cities)
Industrial and business center
French believe their province should be given special status
Regionalism can be a problem
West
Grasslands (prairie) include a rich wheat growing area
Rockies attract visitors to parks
Rich in minerals, oil and natural gas
Significant trade with Asian countries
North
Near the Arctic Circle (frigid)
Includes land created for native Inuit people
Forest and tundra
Limited winter sunlight
Many isolated towns and villages