REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES
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Transcript of REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES
REGIONS OF THE UNITED
STATES
REGIONS
U.S. Government (census bureau) divides the country into four regions.
Remember:
REGION-divides world into units based on similar characteristics.
Formal-designated by official boundaries.
ex. states, Gobi DesertFunctional-designed for a job. ex. AirportPerceptional-based on idea or thoughts.
ex. Dirty south
NORTHEAST(ME, NH, VT, MA, RI, CT, NY, NJ, PA)
GEOGRAPHY• fewer natural resources (COAL)
• rocky soil (FARMING DIFFICULT)
• steep hills
• maple syrup
CLIMATE• warm, humid summers
• snowy, bitterly cold winters
PEOPLE• Many cities that have high population
density.• Europeans settled area in search of
religious liberty. • Legacy of education (Yale, Brown,
MIT)• Melting pot of new immigrants from
Europe.• Largest ethnic groups today=Italian,
Irish, Puerto Rican, African American
ECONOMY• financial industry (stock market)*• manufacturing• trade (due to harbors)• fishing (crabs, clams, oysters, fish,
lobster)
*The richest region in the nation.
MID-WEST(IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH,
SD, WI)
GEOGRAPHY• Relatively flat with plains and small hills
• Abundant natural resources (COAL, STEEL, OIL)
CLIMATEVARIES*
Illionis/Indiana- wetter and warmer Great Plain states- dryNorthern states- cooler
Supercells which cause tornados are coming in the spring and summer.
*The differences in climate and soil effect farmers growing season.
ECONOMY• Exporting of farm products (wheat, corn,
soybeans)
• Other agriculture-dairy cattle, hogs
• Manufacturing-steel mills, auto industry, railroad.
• Financial-Chicago Board of Trade*Known as the breadbasket because the regions farmers are among the worlds most productive.
PEOPLE• Mostly Christian
• Large African American population in major cities (jazz and blues influence)
WEST(AL, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, NV, NM, MT,OR,
UT, WY, WA)
GEOGRAPHY• Mississippi River forms the easternmost
boundary for the west.
• Colorado River is major source of water.
• Several mountain ranges that capture moisture and create precipitation (Rocky, Cascades, Mt. St. Helens,)
• Several dry areas beyond mountains (Mojave, Death Valley)
• Natural resources include: gold, sliver, uranium.
• Many areas lack adequate water.
• Pacific states are the most volcanically active areas. (Ring of Fire)
CLIMATE• Most of region is arid or semi-arid.
• Hawaii has a wet tropical climate and tropical rain forest.
• Alaska is mostly tundra, a cold, dry treeless plain.
ECONOMY• Fishing
• Forestry
• Mining
Many towns grew when he 1st transcontinental railroad was completed making Los Angeles the 2nd largest city in the country.
Alaska is the largest state but smallest in population. Many places can only be reached by boat or plane.
PEOPLE• Settled by migrants from eastern states.• Cowboy culture created during the early 20th
century.• Hawaii has largest Asian population.• Area has much of the Native American
population.• Utah history of religious polygamy• Issues: illegal immigration, race riots• Large Mexican American populations
SOUTH(TX, OK, AK, LA, KY, TN, MS, AL, FL, GA,
SC, NC, WV, VA, DC, MD, DE)
GEOGRAPHY
• Rich soil
• Access to Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico
• Wetlands and swamps provide for unique vegetation and wildlife.
CLIMATE• Warmer than other regions*• Zones: temperate, sub-tropical, tropical and arid.
Hurricanes in late summer early autumn are common.
• *Known as the sunbelt.
ECONOMY• Space industry• Oil industry• Farming (tobacco, rice, cotton, wheat, hay, corn)
*The south is one of the fastest growing regions of the US due to its warm climate and jobs.
PEOPLE• History of slavery and segregation
• Native American culture flourished until approx 1500AD
• French and Spanish influence from historical purchases.
• Christian influences brought by white settlers.
THINK• How do regions help us understand the
country?
• Do you think regions contribute to stereotypes?