Human Geography

Natural ResourcesUnited States

coal, copper, lead, molybdenum, phosphates, uranium, bauxite, gold, iron, mercury, nickel, potash, silver, tungsten, zinc, petroleum, natural gas, timber

18% of the land in the U.S. is arable land. In geography, arable land is an agricultural term,

meaning land that can be used for growing crops.Canada

iron ore, nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, molybdenum, potash, silver, fish, timber, wildlife, coal, petroleum, natural gas, hydropower

Land UseUnited States (world’s 4th largest country)

arable land: 19% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 25% forests and woodland: 30% other: 26% (1993 est.)

Canada (2nd largest country in the world)arable land: 5%

permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 3% forests and woodland: 54% other: 38% (1993 est.)

Infrastructure The United States and Canada have highly

developed infrastructures that include:A. Modern road systems (interstates,

freeways, bridges, tunnels)B. Telecommunications systems (internet

connections, phone systems)C. Ports, railroads, educational systems

InfrastructureUnited States:

Railways: total: 240,000 km mainline routes Highways: total: 6.42 million km Waterways: 41,009 km of navigable inland

channels Airports: 14,459

CanadaRailways: total: 36,114 km Highways: total: 901,902 km Waterways: 3,000 km Airports: 1,417

Infrastructure impacthttp://www.fhwa.dot.gov/interstate/densityma

p.htm

Industries United States: Petroleum, steel, motor

vehicles, aerospace, telecommunications, chemicals, electronics, food processing, consumer goods, lumber, mining, computer technology

Canada: processed and unprocessed minerals, food products, wood and paper products, transportation equipment, chemicals, fish products, petroleum and natural gas

Labor ForceLabor force—by occupation (USA):

managerial and professional 29.6% technical, sales and administrative support 29.3% services 13.6% manufacturing, mining, transportation, and crafts

24.8% farming, forestry, and fishing 2.7%

Labor force - by occupation: services 74%manufacturing 15% construction 5% agriculture 3%other 3%

U.S. Exports & ImportsExports—commodities: capital goods,

automobiles, industrial supplies and raw materials, consumer goods, agricultural products Canada 22%, Western Europe 21%, Japan 10%,

Mexico 10% Imports—commodities: crude oil and refined

petroleum products, machinery, automobiles, consumer goods, industrial raw materials, food and beverages Canada, 13%, Western Europe 12%, Japan 14%,

Mexico 10%, China 37%

Canada Exports & ImportsExports - commodities: motor vehicles and

parts, newsprint, wood pulp, timber, crude petroleum, machinery, natural gas, aluminum, telecommunications equipment, electricity US 86%, Japan 3%, UK, Germany, South Korea,

Netherlands, China Imports - commodities: machinery and

equipment, crude oil, chemicals, motor vehicles and parts, durable consumer goods, electricity US 76%, Japan 3%, UK, Germany, France,

Mexico, Taiwan, South Korea

Agricultural ProductsUSA Agriculture—products: wheat, other

grains, corn, fruits, vegetables, cotton; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; forest products; fish

Canada Agriculture - products: wheat, barley, oilseed, tobacco, fruits, vegetables; dairy products; forest products; fish

CurrencyUSA – Dollar

Canada – Canadian Dollar

Developed or Developing?The United States and Canada have the following demographics:

World Financial MarketsThe New York Stock Exchange is the center

of the world financial markets. Other countries have stock exchanges such as Japan, Germany, and England but due to the size and power of the U.S. economy the NYSE affects all of them.

Economic GrowthThe U.S. economy has experienced sustained

economic growth since WWII, but there is a widening gap between the rich and the poor. Basically, the richest people are getting richer and the poorest people are getting poorer.

Multinational Corporations The U.S. is home to many multinational

corporations:A. Nike, AdidasB. StarbucksC. Wal-MartD. McDonald’s, Burger King, KFCE. Hilton

Watch crazy Wal-mart growth video here. This video will freak you out!

Years and countries where McDonald’s opened.

Export of U.S. CultureU.S. culture has spread around the world via

the global marketplace. McDonald’s is one of the most recognized franchises in the world. Other examples are Coca Cola, blue jeans, and music.

Cultural Geography The area of the U.S. and Canada was

colonized by Europeans.A. English - Virginia, MassachusettsB. Dutch - New YorkC. Swedish - DelawareD. French - CanadaE. Spanish - Florida, California, Texas

ColonizationThe English became the dominant power in

North America. They took over Canada at the end of the French Indian War in 1763. The colonies adopted democratic forms of government similar to what they had at home.

In 1763, most people in Canada were French and Catholic. When England took over it encouraged English people to migrate to Canada. The area around Quebec and Montreal still have a majority French population but the rest of Canada speaks English.

Religion & Language (USA)Language

English 82.1%, Spanish 10.7%, other Indo-European 3.8%, Asian and Pacific island 2.7%, other 0.7%

ReligionProtestant 51.3%, Roman Catholic 23.9%,

Mormon 1.7%, other Christian 1.6%, Jewish 1.7%, Buddhist 0.7%, Muslim 0.6%, other or unspecified 2.5%, unaffiliated 12.1%, none 4%

Religion & Language (Canada)Language

English (official) 58.8%, French (official) 21.6%, other 19.6%

ReligionRoman Catholic 42.6%, Protestant 23.3%

(including United Church 9.5%, Anglican 6.8%, Baptist 2.4%, Lutheran 2%), other Christian 4.4%, Muslim 1.9%, other and unspecified 11.8%, none 16%

GovernmentCanada and the United States have

democratic forms of government. The Canadian system is similar to the

English system. After the American Revolution the United

States wrote a constitution and a bill of rights. It divided government into three branches with an executive led by an elected president.

Government and the Economy

A. The U.S. government regulates industries and passes laws to protect consumers. Over the years the U.S. government has played a larger role in the economy, but the economy is still a free market economy that operates on supply and demand.

B. The Canadian government plays a larger role in the economy. Universal healthcare is provided by the government in Canada.

Government Info.USA

Capital – Washington D.C.Political System & Head of Govt. = President –

legislative democracyDate of Origin – 1776President – Barack Obama

CanadaCapital – OttawaPolitical System & Head of Govt. = Prime

Minister – Parliamentary governmentDate of Origin – 1876Prime Minister – Stephen Harper

Terms of OfficeA. U.S. President - Can serve two four year

termsB. Mexican President - One six year termC. Canadian Prime Minister - Leader of party

with most seats in House of CommonsD. British Prime Minister - Same as aboveE. Russian President - Can serve two four year

termsF. French President - One five year term

Multicultural SocietiesAlthough Canada and the U.S. were colonized

by Europeans they have become multicultural societies through immigration. They both continue to exhibit growth in all

minority populations within their respective countries.

Many new immigrants move for better opportunities, political asylum, or religious freedom.

Melting Pot

Immigration to the U.S.

Year Top 3 countries of origin

1880 Germany, Ireland, United Kingdom

1930 Italy, Germany, United Kingdom

1960 Italy, Germany, Canada

1980 Mexico, Germany, Canada

1990 Mexico, Philippines, Canada

2000 Mexico, China, Philippines

PopulationThe population of Canada is clustered

near the St. Lawrence River Valley in the East and on the Great Lakes. Most of Canada is sparsely populated due to the climate.

The U.S. is densely populated on the East Coast. The northeast, from New York to Boston, is growing into a megalopolis, or series of connected cities.

Population The population of the United States is

extremely mobile. Nearly 3/4 of the U.S. population moves an average of once every 5 years.

A. Shifts in the economy (Rust Belt, Silicon Valley)

B. Doubling of the divorce rate in last 30 years

C. Corporate transfersD. Change in status (marriage,

graduation, retirement- Sun Belt)

PopulationCurrent populations:

USA - 307,788,153One birth every 7 seconds One death every 13 seconds One international migrant (net) every 36 seconds Net gain of one person every 11 seconds

Canada – 33,823,519One birth every 1 minute and 27 seconds One death every 2 minutes and 13 seconds A net migration gain of one person every 2

minutes and 1 second

USA Population

Other StatisticsMost Internet Users (per 1,000 people) world

ranksCanada - # 3 (839)USA - # 13 (696)

Life ExpectancyCanada - # 7 (81 yrs)USA - # 47 (78 yrs)

Land per person (square miles per 100,000)Canada - # 8 (11,600)USA - # 63 (1,200)

Top ice cream consumers (annual pints per capita)Canada - # 5 (23)USA - # 2 (26)