The United States

The United States has one of the world’s most diverse population.

Population Patterns

• The People– There are nearly 300 million people in the United States today.– The first people moved to the region approximately 20,000 years

ago from Asia.• The are today referred to as Native Americans. • There are approximately 2.5 million in the United States today.

– Immigrants came to the United States for political, religious and economical issues. • Many immigrants faced discrimination when they first

arrived, but their work ethic, talent and enthusiasm help them adapt.

– In 2004, 11.7 percent of the U.S. population was foreign born. • Immigrants are still arriving in the U.S. today seeking the

same opportunities the immigrants sought centuries ago.

Population Patterns

• Density and Distribution– United States has a population density of 80 people per square mile.– Outside the urban areas the population is widely distributed.

– The Northeast and the Great Lake regions are the most densely populated, while Alaska, the Great Basin and parts of the Great Plains are the least densely populated areas.

– Since 1970, the Sunbelt has become the country’s fastest growing area.• People are drawn to the mild climate and growing industries of this region.

• Urban Areas– The United States has experienced a movement of people from rural areas to

cities.• Agriculture requires fewer workers due to the advancements in technology

– Today, the majority of the population lives in metropolitan areas• These large clusters lie in costal areas with strong economies that is

supported by world trade. • As these areas continue to grow, they spread and develop further out. This

is known as urban sprawl.

History and Government

• Early Nation Building– First nomads crossed into North America using a land bridge that connected

Asia and Alaska.• Near the same time nomads from Central and South America were

moving north.• Their descendents came to be known as Native Americans.

– Native Americans lives were shaped by their location and climate. • They occupied the region unbothered until the arrival of the Europeans

in the mid- 1500’s.• The Spanish explored the south, while the French explored the

northeast. – By the 1700’s the British controlled the land along the Atlantic Coast.

• In the New England Colonies, shipbuilding and fishing industries were very important.

• The Middle and Southern Colonies were used for cash crops and plantation agriculture.

• In 1763 France was forced to give much of its North American possessions to Great Britain.

History and Government• Early Nation Building

– Conflicts were quickly rising between the settlers and the Native Americans as the Europeans forced the natives off their land

– Tension also began to rise between the colonists and the British government. • Parliament tried to imposed new taxes and limit the colonists freedom.• The colonies won their independence from Great Britain after winning

the American Revolution (1775- 1783).– The United States government is a federal republic.

• There is a strong national government, but it shares its powers with the state governments.

• The rights of the citizens are protected by the Constitution.– The Bill of Rights guarantees the basic rights.

• The national government has three separate but equal branches.– Executive, legislative and judicial.

• Growth, Division and Unity– In the 1800s the United States doubled in size.

• Growth, Division and Unity – Industrialization also began to boom in the 1800s

• The first factories arose in the Northeast where waterfalls could power machines.

• Coal from the Midwest was used to fuel steam engines, making steam power cheap.

– Cotton became a major cash crop in the South due to the growing textile industry. • African Americans became very important to clear and work the land.

– Tension between the North and South mounted steadily until it erupted into the Civil War in 1861. After four years the North prevailed, and slavery was abolished.

• Technology and Change– In the late 1800s, Eastern cities were becoming crowded, so the government

encouraged settlement of the Great Plains. – There was also a need for more farmers to provide food for cities.

• Dry farming• Planting and harvesting large areas was made easier by the invention of

steel plows and steam tractors.

• Technology and Change– Railroad lines were built to transport manufactured goods from east to west, and

food products from west to east. – Economic growth was spurred in the 1900s by two world wars.

• The cost and time to make products was drastically reduced by the development of the assembly line.

• The population became more mobile and urbanized. • Modern Challenges

– After September 11, 2001, terrorism became a major concern for most Americans.

– After the devastating attacks the United States launched a war on terrorism.• In a joint effort, the U.S. invaded Afghanistan in October 2001. • After forcing the Taliban leaders from power, the U.S. turned its sights on

Iraq.– On March 20, 2003, the United States invaded Iraq, and by April 3 the

Iraqi regime had fallen. – In May 2006, a new government had been formed.

Culture• Language and Religion

– English is the primary language of the United States.• Spanish has become the second most spoken language

– Christianity is the most popular religion in the U.S. • Education and Health

– A network of public and private schools make up the education system in the United States.

– The U.S. is able to devote a substantial amount of resources to health care. • However, many people are still unable to afford health insurance, or even

health care with insurance. • The Arts

– European traditions dominated the arts after their arrival.– By the mid- 1800s people had began to create their own cultures.– U.S. culture has the biggest influence world wide in the area of popular

entertainment.

Culture

• Family Life–The citizens of the United States enjoy a

high standard of living. –This gives them the advantage of many

personal choices and opportunities–50 percent of all household in the U.S. are

occupied by married couples–The U.S. population is aging compared to

what it was in 1970.

Canada

Population Patterns

• The People– Immigrants came to Canada for political, religious and economical

issues. • Educational opportunities and refuge from war are a few other reasons.• Many loyalists fled to Canada to remain loyal to the British government

following the American Revolution.

– Some immigrants were able to keep their culture and way of life.• The mix of ethnic origins varies from province to province.• More than 1/3 of Canadians identify themselves as being of mixed

ethnic origins.• Density and Distribution

– Much of Canada is inhospitable to human settlement due to the rugged terrain and bitter cold.

– 90 percent of the population lives along the U.S.- Canada border. – The average population density is approximately 8 people per square mile. – Recently, most migration has been west to the Prairie Provinces.

Population Patterns• Urban Areas

– Most of Canada’s population lives in urban areas. – Most of Canada’s industry and trade is handled in its four major cities.

• Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Edmonton

History and Government• Early Inhabitants and Settlers

– Approximately 200,000 natives living in the area when the Europeans arrived.

– John Cabot and Jacques Cartier helped establish European claims to Canada. • Natives picked sides during conflicts between the British and French,

and came under their rule.– Rivalry over land began in 1670 between Great Britain and France.

• The two nation’s interests clash over issues along the Atlantic Coast.• The British were able to gain control of the Hudson Bay area, Quebec

and New France.• However, the French were still able to settle the area, and keep their

language, religion and laws.

History and Government• A United Government

– Fears of being taken over by the United States forced Great Britain and France to work together.• In 1867 four colonies united as provinces of the Dominion of Canada.• Over the next 100 years, five more colonies became provinces.

– Canada began as a dominion, but eventually gained its full independence in 1931.• Great Britain still held the right to make change to the Canadian

Constitution. – In 1982 the link to England was finally severed, and a constitutional

monarchy is now in place. – The British monarch serves as the head of state, but appoints a governor-

general to act in its place. • Prime minister is the true head of the government.

– The national legislature includes the Senate and the House of Commons. – The Supreme court is Canada’s highest court, and it consists of nine judges.

• Expansion and Diversity– With the encouragement from the British government, one million British

citizens immigrated to Canada between 1815 and 1855.• Fueled a sense of French nationalism that grew and continued to surface

throughout Canadian history.– Immigration from other parts of the world began in the late 1800’s.

• Sheltered enslaved people who escaped from the U.S., and refused to recognize laws that punished runaways.

– Expansion came at a cost as Native Americans were forced from their lands. • In 1998, the Canadian government apologized and made reparations.

• Modern Challenges– The FTA and the NAFTA have eliminated tariffs and any other trade barriers

between Canada and the United States. – The relationship between the two countries has led to economic prosperity,

but has also led to some disadvantages for the Canadian culture. • Canadians struggle to maintain a separate identity from the United

States.• Some French- speaking Canadians want to protect their culture.

– Many desire Quebec’s independence.

Culture

• Language and Religion– English and French are Canada’s two official languages.

• English is the most common language, but in the province of Quebec, French is the dominant Language.

– Christianity makes up the largest religious group in Canada.• Education and Health Care

– Has a network of public and private schools.• Children are required to attend school from age 6 to 16.• Each province is responsible for its own public education

– Canada’s government helps pay for its citizens health care.• Believe that everyone should have access to high quality medical

treatment. • Federal government sets standards, but each province is responsible

for finance and management.

• The Arts– Has been influenced mainly by British, French, American and native cultures.– Since the 1950s, the Canadian government has put an emphasis on locally

produced culture products.• Group of Seven was a group of painters that showed the rugged landscape

of northern Canada.– French explorers, missionaries and settlers wrote the earliest Canadian

literature. – Toronto is highly regarded in the areas of theater and music.

• Ranks behind only London and New York City as a production center. • Family Life

– Canada is one the wealthiest countries in world, and its citizens enjoy a high standard of living.

– Married- couple families account for 70 percent of all households in Canada.• 60 percent of these households have children.

– Family size has diminished to a new low mark. – Canada also has an aging population.– Canada has among the worlds highest average life expectancy at 80 years.

The Economy

Economic Activities

• Postindustrial Economies– The service industry has been the area with the largest economic growth for the

United States and Canada• 75 percent of the region’s workers are employed in service jobs.

– Rising postindustrial economies are reflected in the region’s high- tech industry because they are not dependent on location. • Instead, they are influenced by personal choices.

• Manufacturing– Accounts for about 20 percent of both the U.S. and Canadian economies.– Advance technology has transformed manufacturing in the region.

– Factories are able to produce greater quantities with fewer workers.– In the late 1900s, companies began moving away from the Manufacturing Belt

and heading south.• These older industrial areas were left with abandoned factories and rusting

steel mills.

Economic Activities– Transportation equipment and machinery make up a significant amount

of the regions manufacturing. – Food processing and manufacturing wood- based products are important

manufacturing activities. • Agriculture

– Farming in both regions is overwhelmingly commercial, with goods produced for sale.• Large commercial corporations account for only 5 percent of farm

ownership.– 1 billion acres of land are used for agriculture in the U.S. – Canada has 167 million acres devoted to agriculture.– The average size of farms in both countries has increased, but the

number of farmers has decreased.

Economic Activities

– Key Agricultural Products• Cattle ranching- western, southern and Midwestern U.S. and Canada’s

Prairie Provinces.• Wheat- Canada’s Prairie Provinces and the U.S.’s Great Plains.• Corn- the Corn Belt in the U.S. and the provinces of Quebec, Ontario

and Manitoba.– Agricultural Technology

• The development in breeds of cattle, improved food sources and automation has opened up ranching to all areas of the U.S.

Transportation and Communication

• The Automobile– The automobile has been the most popular means of transportation since

WWII.• Creates the need for heavy investment in highways, roads and bridges.• The network of U.S. roads is densest along the east and west coasts, and

the Mississippi and Ohio River valleys. • Canada relies on a smaller network of roads that are located mainly in

the southern portion of the country.

Transportation and Communication

– The burning of gasoline by automobiles has created a problem of air pollution.

• Other Means of Transportation– Airports are peoples choice for a means of long-distance travel. – Passengers trains and buses account for a small portion of travel. – The transportation systems of the region also move goods.

• 35 percent of the regions freight is transported by railroads, while 15 percent is transported by inland waterways.

• 20 percent of the regions fright is transported by long- haul trucks

• Airplanes carry only a small portion.

Transportation and Communication

• Communication– The development of communication networks is a major reason for

the regions success.– Cellular and digital services made communication more mobile.– Using the internet and e-mail make businesses and personal

transactions instantaneous. – Thousands of television and radio stations, newspapers and

magazines provide news.Trade and Interdependence

• Exports and Imports– The United States suffers from a trade deficit that is hundreds of

billions of dollars.• U.S. spends more on imports than it earns from exports.

– Canada enjoys a trade surplus , earning more than it spends. • Canada’s energy needs are much less because of its smaller

population.

Trade and Interdependence• NAFTA– In 1989, Canada and the United States signed the U.S.-

Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA). • Removed trade restrictions between the two countries.

– The two countries along with Mexico signed another agreement in 1994, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). • Did the same things as FTA, but also increased

economic activity and strengthened their political and economical position in the global economy.

– The United States has recently sought lower production and labor costs by outsourcing. • NAFTA allows U.S. companies to set up assembly

plants in Mexico were costs are lower.

Trade and Interdependence

• United Against Terrorism– After September 11, the United Sates and Canada created

the Smart Border action plan to enhance border safety. • It monitors the flow of people and goods, securing

infrastructure and sharing information.– The Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program establishes

complete and reliable records for all cargo.– Intelligence sharing and coordination has increased greatly

since the Smart Border program was implemented.

People and Their Environment

Managing Resources• The natural resources of Canada and the U.S. have not always been

responsibly managed. – Much of the region’s old- growth forests have been destroyed by

clear- cutting.• It has endangered wildlife and left land subject to erosion.

– Many wetlands are disappearing due to conversion to agricultural or urban uses.

– Mismanagement of the delicate balance between species in various ecosystems has also been a problem. • Overfishing has depleted many of the region’s fisheries.

– The introduction of nonnative plants and animals has caused environmental problems.

Human Impact• Acid Rain

– Precipitation carrying high amounts of acid material.• Affects large areas of the eastern U.S. and Canada• It forms when chemical emissions react with water vapors in the air.

– Corrodes stone and metal buildings, damage crops and pollutes the soil. – Especially damaging to the regions water.

• Plants and fish cannot survive in highly acid water. • Over time, lakes can become unable to support most organisms.

– Most of the acid rain in Canada comes from the U.S.• The U.S. and Canada are working together to reduce emissions.

• Smog– Forms as the sun’s rays interact with automobile exhaust gases and

industrial emissions.• It is a visible haze that can damage or kill plants and can harm people.

– Officials measure air quality on a daily basis.• If levels reach a dangerous point, officials issue an alert warning urging

children, elderly and people with respiratory problems to stay inside.

Human Impact

– Air pollution in some major cities has been substantially decreased due to clean- air practices.

• Water Pollution – Water systems have become polluted because of sewage and industrial and

agricultural wastes. • Illegal dumping, leaks into ground water and chemical runoff

– Water pollution has a harmful effect on marine life, birds and other animals. – Polluted water supplies also endanger human life. – Water pollution can speed the process of eutrophication.

• Reversing the Effects of Pollution. – The U.S. and Canada signed the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, and

the U.S. passed the Clean Water Act in an effort to restore quality water. – A new area of concern is the U.S.- Mexico border due to rapid industrial

growth. – Agencies are monitoring the environmental effects of NAFTA and

suggesting ways to reduce pollution.

Future Challenges

• Global warming is an area of concern for the people of Canada and the U.S. – Experts agree that human activity has accelerated the

warming trends.– Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is higher than it has

been for thousands of years.– Global warming effects can be seen in the Arctic

regions of Alaska and Canada.• The U.S. and Canadian governments are working to lessen

the dependency on fossil fuels.– Subsidies are offered and companies are pressured to

limit emissions.