regions of the united states

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Regions of the United Regions of the United StatesStates

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Class OutlineClass Outline

NortheastNortheast SouthSouth Midwest Midwest West West

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The NortheastThe Northeast NortheastNortheast

Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and the District of Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and the District of ColumbiaColumbia

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Physical Geography of NortheastPhysical Geography of Northeast Northern Appalachian mountains run Northern Appalachian mountains run

through most of the northeastern states, through most of the northeastern states, causing causing little farmlandlittle farmland, except in valley , except in valley areas. areas.

Deep bays exist, allowing for Deep bays exist, allowing for port townsport towns.. Jagged, rocky coastlineJagged, rocky coastline in northern areas. in northern areas.

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Climate and Vegetation of Climate and Vegetation of Northeast: Northeast: Humid ContinentalHumid Continental

No Dry Season-No Dry Season- this area receives this area receives precipitation throughout the year.precipitation throughout the year.

Cold, snowy wintersCold, snowy winters and and hothot summers. summers. Moderate growing season that decreases as Moderate growing season that decreases as

you go north.you go north. Vegetation is mixed forests with deciduous Vegetation is mixed forests with deciduous

and coniferous trees. and coniferous trees.

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Historical Geography of the Historical Geography of the NortheastNortheast

The Northeast has the The Northeast has the longest history of longest history of European settlementEuropean settlement . .

Historically, the Northeast has been the Historically, the Northeast has been the gateway to immigrantsgateway to immigrants..

Established itself as the financial and Established itself as the financial and manufacturing hub early in the industrial manufacturing hub early in the industrial revolution.revolution.

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Population Geography of the Population Geography of the NortheastNortheast

Population is concentrated in the Population is concentrated in the MegalopolisMegalopolis that runs from Boston to Washington (AKA that runs from Boston to Washington (AKA Bosnywash).Bosnywash).

This is the most densely populated region in This is the most densely populated region in the United States.the United States.

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Land Use in the NortheastLand Use in the Northeast

Dairy Farming Dairy Farming FarmingFarming TimberTimber Maritime ActivityMaritime Activity Some MiningSome Mining

Note: As you go north, the growing Note: As you go north, the growing season shortens, which limits farming. season shortens, which limits farming. In part of the Northeast, timber is a In part of the Northeast, timber is a primary economic activity.primary economic activity.

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Economic GeographyEconomic Geography Northeast is the heart of the Manufacturing Northeast is the heart of the Manufacturing

core, but lately has been termed the RUST core, but lately has been termed the RUST BELT. This extends into the Midwest.BELT. This extends into the Midwest.

Why do you think it’s called the Rust belt? Why do you think it’s called the Rust belt? Where have industries relocated? Why?Where have industries relocated? Why?

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New England LegacyNew England Legacy New England is famous for its New England is famous for its

“prep schools” and is home to “prep schools” and is home to some of the most elite some of the most elite Universities in the world: Universities in the world: Harvard, Yale, MIT, Boston Harvard, Yale, MIT, Boston College, Brown, and Dartmouth College, Brown, and Dartmouth (just to name a few).(just to name a few).

One of the best resources New One of the best resources New England has is its educated England has is its educated population.population.

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New England PoliticsNew England Politics

New England is generally progressive in New England is generally progressive in politics and states usually are affiliated with politics and states usually are affiliated with the Democratic party, although some rural the Democratic party, although some rural areas tend to vote Republican. areas tend to vote Republican.

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The SouthThe South States included: North Carolina, South Carolina, States included: North Carolina, South Carolina,

Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Louisiana.Tennessee, Arkansas, and Louisiana.

Transition States: Virginia, W. Virginia, Kentucky, Transition States: Virginia, W. Virginia, Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, and TexasMissouri, Oklahoma, and Texas

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Climate and Vegetation of the Climate and Vegetation of the SouthSouth

Humid subtropicalHumid subtropical, with hot, humid , with hot, humid summers and long growing season. Winters summers and long growing season. Winters are mild, seldom with snow. There is no dry are mild, seldom with snow. There is no dry season.season.

VegetationVegetation: Mixed forests. The South is : Mixed forests. The South is known for plants such as live oaks, known for plants such as live oaks, magnolia trees, flowering dogwoods.magnolia trees, flowering dogwoods.

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Economic Geography of the Economic Geography of the SouthSouth

Historically based on Historically based on agricultureagriculture, with , with tobacco and cotton being the first cash tobacco and cotton being the first cash crops.crops.

FishingFishing is a common activity in Gulf Coast is a common activity in Gulf Coast States.States.

TourismTourism along the Gulf Coast, especially along the Gulf Coast, especially Florida.Florida.

Oil IndustryOil Industry is located in the Gulf and in is located in the Gulf and in cities like Houston and Beaumont, close to cities like Houston and Beaumont, close to continental shelf drilling.continental shelf drilling.

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Political ActivityPolitical Activity

The South is known for its The South is known for its conservatism.conservatism. The Republican Party dominates the South The Republican Party dominates the South

as a result.as a result. Resistance to same-sex marriage, abortion, Resistance to same-sex marriage, abortion,

feminism, desegregation, and the abolition feminism, desegregation, and the abolition of slavery are part of the political history of of slavery are part of the political history of the South.the South.

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MidwestMidwest Included States: Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Included States: Michigan, Ohio, Indiana,

Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and IowaIllinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa Transition States: Pennsylvania, MissouriTransition States: Pennsylvania, Missouri

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Physical Geography of MidwestPhysical Geography of Midwest

Flat landscape, with river basins.

Distinctive Great Lakes, which provide for shipping.

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Climate of the Midwest: Climate of the Midwest: Humid ContinentalHumid Continental

No Dry Season-No Dry Season- this area receives this area receives precipitation throughout the year.precipitation throughout the year.

Cold, snowy winters and hot summers. Cold, snowy winters and hot summers. Moderate growing seasonModerate growing season that decreases as that decreases as

you go north.you go north. Vegetation is mixed forests with deciduous Vegetation is mixed forests with deciduous

and coniferous trees.and coniferous trees.

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Historical Geography of the Historical Geography of the MidwestMidwest

The Mid-west was considered the “Western The Mid-west was considered the “Western Frontier”, hence the name.Frontier”, hence the name.

Historically known as the breadbasket of the Historically known as the breadbasket of the U.S., as this is also an agricultural region.U.S., as this is also an agricultural region.

Also known as a manufacturing, blue-collar Also known as a manufacturing, blue-collar hub of the U.S.hub of the U.S.

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PopulationPopulation Large cities include Large cities include

Chicago and DetroitChicago and Detroit The region is evenly The region is evenly

distributed.distributed. Population is dense along Population is dense along

the Great Lakes. the Great Lakes.

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Economic GeographyEconomic Geography

Dairy FarmingDairy Farming in Wisconsin and Minnesota in Wisconsin and Minnesota Fruit OrchardsFruit Orchards in Michigan in Michigan CornCorn in Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa in Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa ManufacturingManufacturing in urban cities along Great in urban cities along Great

Lakes, like Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Detroit Lakes, like Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Detroit and Chicago (Steel Towns).and Chicago (Steel Towns).

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Breadbasket of the USABreadbasket of the USA

Corn is most notably grown, but Corn is most notably grown, but soybeans, wheat, and fruits orchards are soybeans, wheat, and fruits orchards are also commonly found throughout the also commonly found throughout the Midwest.Midwest.

Dairy products are famous in which state Dairy products are famous in which state in the Midwest?in the Midwest?

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Great Plains RegionGreat Plains Region

Strip of States through the center of the Country.Strip of States through the center of the Country. Includes: Kansas, Nebraska, Includes: Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota.South Dakota, and North Dakota. Transition States: Oklahoma,Transition States: Oklahoma, Panhandle of Texas, Panhandle of Texas, Eastern Colorado, Wyoming Eastern Colorado, Wyoming and Montana.and Montana.

,,

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Physical Geography of Physical Geography of the Great Plainsthe Great Plains

• The Great Plains are also called the High Plains, as the elevation increases gradually as you go west.

•Generally flat with some rolling hills.

•Major River Basins: Red R., Arkansas River, Platte River, and the Missouri River.

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Climate of the Great PlainsClimate of the Great Plains

This area receives little rainfall (less than This area receives little rainfall (less than 18 in. a year on average).18 in. a year on average).

Cold Winters, especially in the northern Cold Winters, especially in the northern areas.areas.

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Historical Geography of the Great Historical Geography of the Great PlainsPlains

Before Americans settled the frontier, the Before Americans settled the frontier, the Great Plains was home to several Great Plains was home to several Indigenous culture, most notably the Sioux Indigenous culture, most notably the Sioux and the Cheyenne. and the Cheyenne.

During the 19During the 19thth century, the Great Plains century, the Great Plains became the staging point of war between became the staging point of war between the native people and the American settlers.the native people and the American settlers.

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Homestead Act of 1862Homestead Act of 1862

This act provided each settler with 160 This act provided each settler with 160 acres of land, as long as he cultivated the acres of land, as long as he cultivated the land.land.

This caused a rush of settlers to the Great This caused a rush of settlers to the Great Plains region in the 1800s.Plains region in the 1800s.

Ironically, the Great Plains has lost a third of Ironically, the Great Plains has lost a third of its population since 1920. Kansas has 6,000 its population since 1920. Kansas has 6,000 ghost towns. ghost towns.

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Population of the Great PlainsPopulation of the Great Plains

Two words: Rural and declining.Two words: Rural and declining.

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Mountain and Basin StatesMountain and Basin States

States included: New Mexico, Colorado, States included: New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, ArizonaArizona

Transitions: Colorado, Wyoming and Transitions: Colorado, Wyoming and Montana are also Great Plains StatesMontana are also Great Plains States

Southwest: Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Southwest: Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Southern Utah/Nevada.Southern Utah/Nevada.

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Physical Geography Physical Geography

Characterized by the steep and jagged Characterized by the steep and jagged Rocky Mountain Range.Rocky Mountain Range.

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ClimatesClimates

Highland climate is found throughout the Highland climate is found throughout the RockiesRockies

DesertsDeserts In general, the area is In general, the area is

arid. arid. Farming is done Farming is done

with irrigation.with irrigation.

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Historical Geography Historical Geography

Mining townsMining towns Outlaws (Wild West)Outlaws (Wild West) Cattle/Sheep GrazingCattle/Sheep Grazing Reservation LandsReservation Lands Las Vegas and Reno- Las Vegas and Reno-

Gambling townsGambling towns National Park ServiceNational Park Service

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Population GeographyPopulation Geography

Not densely populated. Not densely populated. Major urban centers Major urban centers

include: Denver, Salt include: Denver, Salt Lake City, Phoenix.Lake City, Phoenix.

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Pacific Coast StatesPacific Coast States

California, Oregon and WashingtonCalifornia, Oregon and Washington

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Physical Geography of West CoastPhysical Geography of West Coast

Mountain Ranges (Sierra Nevada and the Mountain Ranges (Sierra Nevada and the Cascades) and Rocky coastlines due to Cascades) and Rocky coastlines due to subduction forces.subduction forces.

Physical hazard exist across Physical hazard exist across

the region due to tectonic forces.the region due to tectonic forces.

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Southern CaliforniaSouthern California

The continual presence of natural hazards, The continual presence of natural hazards, including fire, flood, earthquakes, and including fire, flood, earthquakes, and intense drought, has done little intense drought, has done little

to reduce the growth of this to reduce the growth of this

areaarea San Andreas FaultSan Andreas Fault Los Angeles is the 2Los Angeles is the 2ndnd largest largest

city in the U.S.city in the U.S.

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Population GeographyPopulation Geography

More dense along the coastal More dense along the coastal areas, especially between San areas, especially between San Diego, LA, and San Francisco.Diego, LA, and San Francisco.

Other urban centers exist around Other urban centers exist around Seattle and Portland.Seattle and Portland.

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Economic ActivityEconomic Activity

Movie IndustryMovie Industry Wine (Napa and Wine (Napa and

Sonoma)Sonoma) TourismTourism Fishing on the coastFishing on the coast

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Western PoliticsWestern Politics

The West coast states are known for their The West coast states are known for their liberalism in politics. liberalism in politics.

Examples: Oregon has legalized Examples: Oregon has legalized euthanasia, all have legalized medicinal euthanasia, all have legalized medicinal marijuana, California recognizes same-sex marijuana, California recognizes same-sex marriage marriage

regions of the united states

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