Human Geography of the United States:

Shaping an Abundant Land

The United States has grown both physically and economically. In the 20th century, the U.S. set aside isolationism and became the world’s sole superpower.

Old ranch houses near Telluride, Colorado.

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SECTION 1 History and Government of the United States

SECTION 2 Economy and Culture of the United States

Physical Geography

Looking at the Earth

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SECTION 3 Subregions of the United States

Unit Atlas: PoliticalUnit Atlas: Physical

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Section 1

History and Government of the United States • The United States is a “nation of

immigrants,” settled by people from all over the world.

• The United States is the most diverse and highly industrialized and urbanized nation in the world.

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Establishing and Maintaining the Union • French and English fight over trade and territory in

North America- English gain control of everything east of

Mississippi in 1763 • American Revolution (1775–1783): British colonies

form United States • 1803 Louisiana Purchase from France doubles

size of U.S.- includes plains between Mississippi and Rockies

continued Creating a Nation

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Establishing and Maintaining the Union • In early 1800s Western European immigrants arrive

in large numbers - settle in Northeast industrial cities, Midwest

farmlands • Sectionalism —loyalty to region over nation—grows,

creates tension- industrial North versus agricultural South and its

slave labor- Civil War fought between North and South from

1861 to 1865

continued Creating a Nation

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Industrialization and Urbanization • 14 million European immigrants enter U.S. between

1860 and 1900- go west or to urban centers like New York,

Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago• Rather than farm, many work in textile, steel, oil,

food processing (Industrial Jobs)

continued An Industrial and Urban Society

Governing the People

The United States’ Political System • Representative democracy —people rule through

elected representatives • Federal republic —powers divided between

national, state, and local governments • Three separate, equal branches:

- executive branch headed by president, carries out laws

- legislative branch makes laws- judicial branch interprets laws, reviews lower court

decisions

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Section 2

Economy and Culture of the United States • The United States has the world’s largest

and most diversified economy.

• American products and popular culture are recognized around the world.

The World’s Greatest Economic Power

The U.S. Leads • World’s largest economy: agricultural,

manufacturing, trade leader- U.S. accounts for more than 10% of world’s

exports- exports—goods sold to another country

• Success is due to resources, skilled labor, stable political system

• Free enterprise economy:- people own resources, technology,

businesses- businesses operate for profit with little

governmental control

Economy and Culture of the United States

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An Agricultural and Industrial Giant • Due to fertile soil, early farm mechanization, U.S.

accounts for:- 40% of world’s corn; 20% of cotton; 10% of

wheat, cattle, hogs • Crop farming in Midwest, South; livestock ranching

in West• Largest industrial output in world includes:

- petroleum, steel, electronics, telecommunications, lumber, mining

• U.S. advances in electronics, computers revolutionize industry

continued The World’s Greatest Economic Power

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A Postindustrial Economy • A service industry produces a service rather than a

product- Examples: information processing, transportation,

medicine, education • Postindustrial economy —manufacturing no

longer dominant • U.S. is leading importer and exporter

- exports raw materials, agricultural products,manufacturing goods

- imports automobiles, electronics, machinery,apparel

- Canada and Mexico are major trade partners • Multinationals —corporations that do business

worldwide

continued The World’s Greatest Economic Power

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Languages and Religion • English is dominant language, Spanish is second

most common • Religious breakdown:

- 85% Christian (56% Protestant, 28% Catholic)- Jews, Muslims 2% each

continued A Diverse Society

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American Life Today

Where Americans Live • U.S. population: 280 million; 80% live in cities or

suburbs • Result of widespread ownership of cars and effective

transportation (roads, railroads, airlines) aids mobility

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Section 3

Subregions of the United States • The United States is divided into four major

economic and cultural subregions.

• There are both similarities and differences among the subregions of the United States.

The Northeast

The Region • New England—six northern states of Northeast:

- Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Mass., RhodeIsland, Connecticut

• Middle Atlantic states: Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey

• Northeast has only 5% of land, but 20% of population

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Growth of the Megalopolis • Megalopolis —several large cities grow together,

along with the surrounding areas- “BoWash:” Boston, New York City, Philadelphia,

Washington, D.C.- 500 miles; 1/6 of U.S. population; connected by

road, rail, air links

continued The Northeast

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The Midwest

The Region • The Midwest—north-central U.S., known as the

American Heartland- 1/5 of U.S. land, 1/4 of population- early settlers came from Britain, Germany,

Scandinavia

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Agricultural and Industrial Heartland • Central location, soil, climate make it nation’s

“breadbasket” because of its major agricultural production- corn, wheat, soy beans, meat, dairy; meat-packing,

food-processing • Trade, distribution on Great Lakes, Mississippi, with

Chicago as hub- cities near Great Lakes: Chicago, Cleveland,

Detroit, Milwaukee- on rivers: Cincinnati, St. Louis, Minneapolis/St.

Paul, Omaha

continued The Midwest

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The Region • The South—1/4 of U.S. land, more than 1/3 of

population- site of much early colonial settlement

- 11 states were once part of the Civil War Confederacy

- Texas was in Confederacy, sometimes considered part of Southwest

The South

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The Old South • Virginia was England’s first American colony • South’s ethnic mix includes

• African descendants as a result of slavery• Hispanics as a result of proximity to

South/Central America• Once agricultural, rural; now rapidly changing, cities

growing

continued The South

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 The New South • Agriculture: cotton, tobacco, fruits, peanuts, rice,

livestock • Energy resources and air conditioning boost industry

in 1950s - “Sunbelt” attracts manufacturing, tourists, retirees- industries: petroleum, steel, chemicals, textiles,

electronics • metropolitan areas—large cities and nearby

suburbs, towns- Atlanta (hub); Miami, New Orleans, Houston,

Dallas, San Antonio

continued The South

The West

The Region • The West—from Great Plains to Pacific Ocean, plus

Alaska and Hawaii- 1/2 of U.S. land, 1/5 of population- people settle where climate and landforms are

most favorable

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