Regions of the United StatesRegions of the United States

Based on similarities

in:

- Environment

- History

- Culture

- Economics

The Northeast RegionThe Northeast Region Environment

Excellent natural harbors and long coastline encourages trade

Deep rivers (Hudson) allow for easy trade far inland

Narrow coastal areas means very little large-scale farming

Northern edge of Appalachian Mountains separate Coastal and Interior Plains

Humid Continental climate means cold, snowy winters and hot, humid summers

The Northeast RegionThe Northeast Region History

1620 - Pilgrims landed in Plymouth, Mass. Colonies established by Dutch, then English

settlers focused on trade, not farming 1776-1787 - “Birthplace of America” – location of

American Revolution (started in Boston), NYC was first capital, then Philadelphia (Independence Hall)

Called “America’s Gateway” due to large number of immigrant groups throughout history:

Boston – Irish and English New York (Ellis Island/Statue of Liberty) – from Europe

(1800’s), then globally (1900’s to today) Modern day “Megalopolis” – huge urban area from Boston-

NYC-Phil.-Baltimore-Washington D.C., over 50 million people

New York City is the east coast’s busiest port and the nation’s financial and cultural center

The Northeast RegionThe Northeast Region Culture

Many different ethnic groups have settled in localized areas as they migrated to the area:

Amish – “Pennsylvania Dutch” (1700’s) Many urban pockets of immigrants:

NYC - Italian, Jewish, more recently to include Asian (Indian, Chinese, Korean) and Hispanic (Puerto Rican, Cuban) groups

Centers of higher education – Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT

The Northeast RegionThe Northeast Region Economics

Region started with a focus on colonial trade, then technology encouraged industrialization in the 1800’s

Erie Canal (finished in 1825) connected New York City to Lake Erie and the entire Great Lakes system, opening trade

Large rivers (Hudson, Allegheny, Ohio) allow for cheap transportation of heavy cargo, encouraging more industrial growth, especially in western Pennsylvania where coal, and iron are mined and used together to make steel products.

As heavy industry faded in the 1980’s due to oversees factories, the region moved to a service-centered economy, focusing more on financial services like banking, investing and credit cards.

New York City, Boston, and Philadelphia are still major shipping ports

The South RegionThe South Region EnvironmentEnvironment

Large Coastal Plains along Large Coastal Plains along the Gulf of Mexico makes the Gulf of Mexico makes this region warm and humid this region warm and humid almost year-round almost year-round

Climate dries out west of Climate dries out west of 100 degrees west longitude 100 degrees west longitude (from Texas “Panhandle” (from Texas “Panhandle” west) due to distance from west) due to distance from the Gulf and a rise in elevation the Gulf and a rise in elevation

Fertile soil throughout the region, excellent for farmingFertile soil throughout the region, excellent for farming Some land (out west) does not get enough rain, but irrigation Some land (out west) does not get enough rain, but irrigation

(using drilling and sprinklers) allows for productive farming(using drilling and sprinklers) allows for productive farming Mostly Humid Sub-Tropical climate, some Semiarid and Desert Mostly Humid Sub-Tropical climate, some Semiarid and Desert

in West Texas, small spot of tropical Wet and Dry in south in West Texas, small spot of tropical Wet and Dry in south Florida Florida

The South RegionThe South Region HistoryHistory

1607 – First permanent settlement in N. Amer. established 1607 – First permanent settlement in N. Amer. established by the British at Jamestown, Virginiaby the British at Jamestown, Virginia

1685 – French explorer LaSalle lands in Texas, later discovers mouth of 1685 – French explorer LaSalle lands in Texas, later discovers mouth of the Mississippi River, establishes “Louisiana” to honor King Louis XIVthe Mississippi River, establishes “Louisiana” to honor King Louis XIV

1700’s – large numbers of African slaves are brought to work on 1700’s – large numbers of African slaves are brought to work on plantations farming cotton and tobaccoplantations farming cotton and tobacco

1700’s – immigrants from England and Ireland come for farm land1700’s – immigrants from England and Ireland come for farm land 1861-65 – Civil War fought over “state’s rights” and slavery1861-65 – Civil War fought over “state’s rights” and slavery 1901 – “Spindletop” (near Beaumont)-first discovery of oil in the South1901 – “Spindletop” (near Beaumont)-first discovery of oil in the South 1935-39 – long-term drought caused Dust Bowl, many “Oakies” leave 1935-39 – long-term drought caused Dust Bowl, many “Oakies” leave

bankrupt farms in Oklahoma, move to California (bankrupt farms in Oklahoma, move to California (Grapes of WrathGrapes of Wrath)) 1950’s – invention of refrigerated A/C eases Southern living (pop. inc.)1950’s – invention of refrigerated A/C eases Southern living (pop. inc.) 1960’s – NASA Command Centers built in Cape Canaveral, Florida and 1960’s – NASA Command Centers built in Cape Canaveral, Florida and

Houston, TX to focus on space explorationHouston, TX to focus on space exploration 1960’s – Civil Rights Movement centered in Alabama and Mississippi1960’s – Civil Rights Movement centered in Alabama and Mississippi

The South RegionThe South Region CultureCulture

Because of it’s location, the South has had a Because of it’s location, the South has had a wide variety of cultural influences through time:wide variety of cultural influences through time:

English explorers settling along the Atlantic CoastEnglish explorers settling along the Atlantic Coast French traders exploring rivers for possible trade routesFrench traders exploring rivers for possible trade routes Spanish explorers seeking fortune in Florida and TexasSpanish explorers seeking fortune in Florida and Texas African slaves forced to labor in the fields of the “Deep South”African slaves forced to labor in the fields of the “Deep South” Immigrants from Cuba, Central and South America seeking Immigrants from Cuba, Central and South America seeking

new opportunitynew opportunity Refugees from Asia escaping political persecutionRefugees from Asia escaping political persecution

This variety of different cultures has led to long-running conflict This variety of different cultures has led to long-running conflict between some groups, and stirred up new conflict between othersbetween some groups, and stirred up new conflict between others

It has also led to cultural blending in the realm of music, like It has also led to cultural blending in the realm of music, like Bluegrass, Country, Rock and Roll, Gospel, Jazz, and Rhythm & Bluegrass, Country, Rock and Roll, Gospel, Jazz, and Rhythm & Blues (R & B)Blues (R & B)

The high percentage of Christian believers (due to large numbers The high percentage of Christian believers (due to large numbers of English descendants) in the South has earned this region the of English descendants) in the South has earned this region the nickname of being the “Bible Belt”nickname of being the “Bible Belt”

The South RegionThe South Region EconomicsEconomics

The economy of the South started with The economy of the South started with farming due to the rich soil and plentiful sunshinefarming due to the rich soil and plentiful sunshine

““King Cotton” of the 1800’s and early 1900’s has started to King Cotton” of the 1800’s and early 1900’s has started to give way to other crops like rice, wheat, and corngive way to other crops like rice, wheat, and corn

Cattle (both beef and dairy) is still vital to the economyCattle (both beef and dairy) is still vital to the economy Petroleum (oil) industries continue to be a major factor in Petroleum (oil) industries continue to be a major factor in

most coastal state’s economy (especially Texas and most coastal state’s economy (especially Texas and Louisiana)Louisiana)

Electronics companies like Texas Instruments and Dell have Electronics companies like Texas Instruments and Dell have helped move the South into the 21helped move the South into the 21stst century century

Wide access to major airline (ATL, DFW, IAH, MEM, MIA) and Wide access to major airline (ATL, DFW, IAH, MEM, MIA) and highway transportation (Interstates 10, 20, 30, 35, 40, 55, highway transportation (Interstates 10, 20, 30, 35, 40, 55, 95) hubs has encouraged further industrial, manufacturing, 95) hubs has encouraged further industrial, manufacturing, and business/service jobsand business/service jobs

West Virginia coal mines continue to ‘fuel’ America’s needsWest Virginia coal mines continue to ‘fuel’ America’s needs Tourism and Retirement Living are growing industries Tourism and Retirement Living are growing industries

The Midwest RegionThe Midwest Region Environment

Area is full of large, wide rivers (Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio) and their tributaries

Glaciers of the last Ice Age (about 10,000 years ago) created the large, fertile plains and carved out the Great Lakes, as well as over 10,000 “kettle lakes” in Minnesota

Large, flat natural grassland areas, and large rivers for irrigation make this area “America’s Heartland” for farming

Direct hits from arctic cold fronts and “lake effect snows” means very cold winters. Being in the middle of the continent, far away from the cooling, humid effect of the ocean means very warm (if not HOT) summers. Humid Continental and Semiarid climates.

The Midwest RegionThe Midwest Region History

Some evidence suggests first exploration by Scandinavian Vikings as early as 1000 AD in far northern areas

Settlement started by the French in the 1700’s to establish fur trading outposts with Native American tribes

American settlement started after the Revolutionary War as soldiers were granted land as payment for their service. Later (1860’s) Land Grants gave 160 acres (free!!) to “any citizen or intended citizen” who worked the land for five years

Lewis and Clark expedition to explore the Louisiana Purchase (1803) started near St. Louis, and followed the Missouri River

Oregon Trail (1840’s) left from the same place and followed a similar path out to Willamette Valley near modern-day Portland

1840’s-50’s - Cattle drives from Texas ended in Omaha, then cattle were shipped by railroad to slaughter houses in Chicago

Northern end of the “Underground Railroad” (1860’s) was in Ohio

Many cities started and then thrived along trade routes

The Midwest RegionThe Midwest Region Culture

Due to the settler/explorer groups that came into the region, this area has a strong concept of self-reliance and patriotism

Many immigrants came in search of free land (German, Scandinavian, Irish, Italian, African-American)

Large numbers of African-Americans fled the South in the 1950’s and -60’s to live in Detroit, Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis, bringing their different musical styles such as Jazz and Blues

This would later develop into the “MoTown” sound of the 1960’s (The Supremes, “Smokey” Robinson)

“Rock and Roll” as a music style was first named that in Ohio, coming from a mix of African-American “soul” and farming family “guitar-picking” type music

The Midwest RegionThe Midwest Region Economics

Regional economics started with farming, and that continues strongly today. This area is called the “Breadbasket” due to many grain crops grown (corn, wheat, sorghum)

Wisconsin -known as “America’s Dairyland” due to the many dairy cows

Region also focuses on raising beef cattle, which leads to large slaughter houses in coastal cities like Chicago and Green Bay

Large river transportation systems and large amounts of natural resources made industrialization and steel-based manufacturing (like cars) grow easily, especially in Great Lakes coastal cities

In 1900, Chicago citizens built a 26-mile canal that connected Lake Michigan to the Chicago River (a tributary of the Mississippi River), making a complete connection from north to south by water. This helped turn Chicago into the financial, transportation, and cultural center of the region.

The West RegionThe West Region EnvironmentEnvironment

Widest variety of climates, ranging from:Widest variety of climates, ranging from: Tropical Wet and Marine West Tropical Wet and Marine West

Coast to Subarctic and Desert Coast to Subarctic and Desert Landforms include:Landforms include:

Rocky Mountains, Cascade RangeRocky Mountains, Cascade Range Colorado R. and Grand CanyonColorado R. and Grand Canyon Continental DivideContinental Divide Active and dormant volcanoesActive and dormant volcanoes Earthquake faults (San Andreas)Earthquake faults (San Andreas)

Broad areas of nothing compare to areas of rapid Broad areas of nothing compare to areas of rapid elevation and climate changeelevation and climate change

Rivers are large, but very spread apart, resulting in Rivers are large, but very spread apart, resulting in limited access for many cities in the desert south (AZ, CA, limited access for many cities in the desert south (AZ, CA, NM)NM)

The West RegionThe West Region HistoryHistory

1804 - Lewis and Clark Expedition reach the 1804 - Lewis and Clark Expedition reach the Pacific OceanPacific Ocean

1849 – Gold Rush starts near Sacramento, CA1849 – Gold Rush starts near Sacramento, CA 1850’s – Oregon Territory opened for settlement1850’s – Oregon Territory opened for settlement 1853 – Commodore Perry opens US trade with Japan1853 – Commodore Perry opens US trade with Japan 1867 – Alaska purchased from Russia for less than $.02 per acre1867 – Alaska purchased from Russia for less than $.02 per acre 1869 – Transcontinental Railroad completed at Promontory Point, 1869 – Transcontinental Railroad completed at Promontory Point,

UTUT 1879 – Colorado Silver Rush begins near Denver1879 – Colorado Silver Rush begins near Denver 1896 – Oil discovered in Alaska near Point Barrow (Arctic Ocean 1896 – Oil discovered in Alaska near Point Barrow (Arctic Ocean

coast)coast) 1897 – Klondike Gold Rush (Canada) brings many to Alaska1897 – Klondike Gold Rush (Canada) brings many to Alaska 1898 – United States annexes Hawaii1898 – United States annexes Hawaii 1941 – Japanese navy attacks Pearl Harbor, HI. US enters World 1941 – Japanese navy attacks Pearl Harbor, HI. US enters World

War IIWar II 1960’s – Immigrant wave from Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Laos,)1960’s – Immigrant wave from Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Laos,)

The West RegionThe West Region CultureCulture

The culture of the West is a mix from around The culture of the West is a mix from around the world the world

Hawaiian influence from East Asia and the Hawaiian influence from East Asia and the Pacific Islander (Polynesian) culturesPacific Islander (Polynesian) cultures

Alaskan Inuit (Eskimo) trace their heritage back to early Alaskan Inuit (Eskimo) trace their heritage back to early AsiaAsia

West Coast people include those from Mexico, Vietnam, West Coast people include those from Mexico, Vietnam, Canada, and all over the United States itselfCanada, and all over the United States itself

Hollywood – movie production draws people from all over Hollywood – movie production draws people from all over to “make it big”to “make it big”

Earthquake zones running through California, Oregon, Earthquake zones running through California, Oregon, and Washington influence “quake-proof” architectureand Washington influence “quake-proof” architecture

The West RegionThe West Region EconomicsEconomics

The economy of the West has always focused on The economy of the West has always focused on an opportunity to get rich quick: an opportunity to get rich quick:

Gold/Silver/Land RushGold/Silver/Land Rush Opening trade with other countriesOpening trade with other countries Getting “discovered” in HollywoodGetting “discovered” in Hollywood

As the population has grown, so has the strain on natures As the population has grown, so has the strain on natures resourcesresources

Limited space for housing has resulted in higher cost of livingLimited space for housing has resulted in higher cost of living The overall economy has a very broad range of opportunities:The overall economy has a very broad range of opportunities:

Farming, fishing, ranching, mining natural resources, Farming, fishing, ranching, mining natural resources, tourism, film making and computer technologytourism, film making and computer technology

Los Angeles is THE busiest port in the United States, receiving Los Angeles is THE busiest port in the United States, receiving cargo shipped from Asian ports like China and Hong Kongcargo shipped from Asian ports like China and Hong Kong