Northeast Region of Northeast Region of the United Statesthe United States

Anticipation ?’sAnticipation ?’s

►1. Why would a tourist want to visit this 1. Why would a tourist want to visit this region?region?

►2. What kind of resources are there in 2. What kind of resources are there in the northeast region?the northeast region?

►3. What is the region’s most important 3. What is the region’s most important resource?resource?

►4. What is a megalopolis?4. What is a megalopolis?►5. What states are included in this 5. What states are included in this

region?region?

Midwest Northeast

South

West

For purpose of collecting statistics, the government divides the US into 4 major regions – Northeast, South, Midwest & West.

Regions are based on physical, economic, cultural, & historical factors.

At A GlanceAt A Glance

►Unique combination of precipitation, Unique combination of precipitation, type of soil, and variety of trees give type of soil, and variety of trees give New England its beautyNew England its beauty

►Tourists often visit coast of Maine, New Tourists often visit coast of Maine, New York’s Niagara Falls, and farmlands of York’s Niagara Falls, and farmlands of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania

►New York, Boston and Philadelphia add New York, Boston and Philadelphia add culture and historyculture and history

Natural ResourcesNatural Resources

►Has few natural resourcesHas few natural resources►Thin, rocky soils and steep hills create Thin, rocky soils and steep hills create

challenges for farmerschallenges for farmers►Northern reaches of Appalachian Mountains Northern reaches of Appalachian Mountains

make parts of the Northeast ruggedmake parts of the Northeast rugged►Coal-rich area of PennsylvaniaCoal-rich area of Pennsylvania►One resource has turned region into center One resource has turned region into center

of trade, commerce and industry - waterof trade, commerce and industry - water

WaterWater

►Water is the region’s most important Water is the region’s most important resourceresource

►Northern Atlantic Ocean has yielded Northern Atlantic Ocean has yielded large and abundant harvests of fishlarge and abundant harvests of fish

►Area has excellent harborsArea has excellent harbors►1700s-1800s – helped region grow into 1700s-1800s – helped region grow into

major commercial centermajor commercial center

Leader in IndustryLeader in Industry

► Abundant precipitation (40-60 in.) annually Abundant precipitation (40-60 in.) annually combined with hilly terrain gives rivers swift flowcombined with hilly terrain gives rivers swift flow

► Industrialists harnessed this power with water Industrialists harnessed this power with water wheels to convert water power to machine wheels to convert water power to machine powerpower

► 1800s – may factories built along rivers 1800s – may factories built along rivers producing shoes, cotton cloth, and several other producing shoes, cotton cloth, and several other goodsgoods

► River valleys served as trade routes, railroad River valleys served as trade routes, railroad routes, and later, highway routesroutes, and later, highway routes

The MegalopolisThe Megalopolis► Cities along coast grew in importance as Cities along coast grew in importance as

harbors of trade and centers of shipbuildingharbors of trade and centers of shipbuilding► By mid-1800s, European immigrants were By mid-1800s, European immigrants were

flowing into the areaflowing into the area►Over time coastal cities began to spread and Over time coastal cities began to spread and

run togetherrun together► By 1960s, area from Boston to Washington, By 1960s, area from Boston to Washington,

D.C. earned a new name – megalopolisD.C. earned a new name – megalopolis►Over 42 million people live in this Over 42 million people live in this

megalopolismegalopolis

Problems of MegalopolisProblems of Megalopolis

►Concerns of water supply and facilities Concerns of water supply and facilities of waste disposalof waste disposal

►Also suffering decline in population Also suffering decline in population from 1970-1990 – Philadelphia shrunk from 1970-1990 – Philadelphia shrunk by 364,000by 364,000

►Less population means less money for Less population means less money for things such as street repairs, police things such as street repairs, police protection, and garbage collectionprotection, and garbage collection

OverviewOverview

►The Northeast’s water bodies have The Northeast’s water bodies have been valuable resources throughout been valuable resources throughout historyhistory

►Northeast was one of the early sites of Northeast was one of the early sites of industryindustry

►Northeast has become one of the most Northeast has become one of the most highly urbanized and densely highly urbanized and densely populated regions of the worldpopulated regions of the world