HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

UNITED STATES

ESPN: A Framework For Studying Countries

EconomicSocialPoliticalENvironmental

Economic Social

Political ENvironmental

ECONOMICS

Mixed economy Which elements are free

enterprise? Which elements are

socialist?

ECONOMICS - DEMOGRAPHICS

• How would you describe the level of development of the U.S.?• More developed

• Where does the U.S. rank in the Human Development Index?• NUMBER FOUR!

ECONOMICS – RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE

Rich in resources Minerals, energy,

forests Arable land

Highly developed infrastructure Roads Communications Ports and railroads Education

ECONOMICS – GLOBALIZATION

Vast export sectorLarge role in world financial marketsMultinational corporations and outsourcingNAFTA

THE U.S. AND THE WORLD

The influence of American population cultureAmerica as a world power National security and the

military The United Nations

IMMIGRATION – WHY THE U.S.?

17th and 18th century migration Religious persecution Economic gain/resources

19th century migration Religious persecution (again!) Famine in Europe Jobs in factories Railroad construction Available land

20th and 21st century migration Economic growth and opportunity War and revolution (with religious persecution!)

POPULATION PATTERNS

What are the major cities in the U.S.?Where has population shifted over time?Human-Environment Interaction Railroads and interstate highways opened/connected new

areas Rivers, dams, bridges, canals, and irrigation made water

resources more useful People live near key resources

REGIONS WITHIN THE U.S.

Perceptual regions – How would you describe…

The Northeast?

The Midwest?

The South?

The West?

REGIONS WITHIN THE U.S.: THE NORTHEAST

1/5 of the country’s population

Financial and industrial center

Urbanization centered around rivers and ports

“Rust Belt”Culturally diverse

REGIONS WITHIN THE U.S.: THE MIDWEST

Major farming region “Corn Belt” “Dairy Belt”

Leading producer of industrial goods

Large cities along the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River

African American population concentrated in urban centers

REGIONS WITHIN THE U.S.:THE SOUTH

30% of the country’s population

Historically agricultural, but new industries developed in late 20th century

Economy centered around natural resources

Large Hispanic population

REGIONS WITHIN THE U.S.:THE WEST

Largest and most sparsely populated

Interior West very different from Pacific states… why?

Livestock, mining, and tourism

POLITICS

What is the political system in the U.S.?What do voting patterns in the U.S. have to do with population?What about popular participation?

HUMAN-ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION

Railroads and interstate highways opened/connected new areas despite physical barriers

Rivers, dams, bridges, canals, and irrigation made water resources more useful – early “highways” for trade

Later technological advances made it possible to live comfortably in formerly marginal areas

People live near key resources

HUMAN-ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION

Rivers and canals for trade and energy Mountains mined Aquifers tapped for irrigation Wind generates green energy