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This comprehensive overview examines the United States through various lenses including economics, demographics, social structure, and human-environment interaction. It highlights the U.S. as a mixed economy, discussing its free enterprise and socialist elements. The nation's development level is assessed, showcasing its rich resources and advanced infrastructure. Key social aspects, such as immigration patterns and regional characteristics, reveal the dynamic shifts within the population. Additionally, the political system and voting patterns are explored, emphasizing the impact of human geography on national identity and global influence.
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United States Human geography
ESPN: A Framework For Studying Countries • Economic • Social • Political • ENvironmental
Economics • Mixed economy • Which elements are free enterprise? • Which elements are socialist?
Economics - Demographics • How would you describe the level of development of the U.S.? • More developed • Where does the U.S. rank in the Human Development Index? • NUMBER FOUR!
Economics – Resources and infrastructure • Rich in resources • Minerals, energy, forests • Arable land • Highly developed infrastructure • Roads • Communications • Ports and railroads • Education
Economics – Globalization • Vast export sector • Large role in world financial markets • Multinational corporations and outsourcing • NAFTA
SOCIAL - U.S. and the World • American popular culture spread worldwide • America as a world power • National security and the military • UN Security Council member
SOCIAL – Immigration • 17th and 18th century migration • Religious persecution • Economic gain/resources • 19th century migration • Religious persecution (again!) • Famine in Europe • Jobs in factories • Railroad construction • Available land • 20th and 21st century migration • Economic growth and opportunity • War and revolution (with religious persecution!)
SOCIAL - Population Patterns • What are the major cities in the U.S.? • Where has population shifted over time?
Regions within the U.S. • Perceptual regions – How would you describe… • The Northeast? • The Midwest? • The South? • The West?
Regions within the U.S.: The NORTHEAST • 1/5 of the country’s population • Financial and industrial center • Urbanization centered around rivers and ports • “Rust Belt” • Culturally diverse
Regions within the U.S.: The Midwest • Major farming region • “Corn Belt” • “Dairy Belt” • Leading producer of industrial goods • Large cities along the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River • African American population concentrated in urban centers
Regions within the U.S.:The South • 30% of the country’s population • Historically agricultural, but new industries developed in late 20th century • Economy centered around natural resources • Large Hispanic population
Regions within the U.S.:The West • Largest and most sparsely populated • Interior West very different from Pacific states… why? • Livestock, mining, and tourism
Politics • What is the political system in the U.S.? • What do voting patterns in the U.S. have to do with population? • What about popular participation?
Human-Environment Interaction • Railroads and interstate highways opened/connected new areas despite physical barriers • Rivers, dams, bridges, canals, and irrigation (aquifers) made water resources more useful – early “highways” for trade • Later technological advances made it possible to live comfortably in formerly marginal areas
Human-Environment Interaction • People live near key resources • Mountains mined • Wind generates green energy
