THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA

THE UNITED STATES

The People Immigration- the movement of

people into one country from another

There are nearly 300 million people in the U.S. today, many of whom are immigrants or descendants of immigrants11.7 % of the population is

immigrants and half of those are from Latin America

Immigrants come to the U.S. for many different reasons

Density and Distribution Population density is

around 80 people /Sq. Mile Northeast, Great Lakes,

Pacific Coast are most densely populated regions.

Alaska, the Great Basin, and the Great plains are the least densely populated regions.

Urban Areas Urbanization- movement of

people from rural areas to cities Today most of the U.S. lives in

metropolitan areasCities with populations of at least

50,000 people and outlying communities called suburbs

Urban sprawl- the spread of people into suburban developments

Megalopolis- Chain of closely linked metropolitan areas

Early Nation Building Nomads made their way into the U.S.

thousands of years ago 1500- European explorers enters 1700 Great Britain controls the land along the

east coast. Became free in 1783

Government

United States is a Federal RepublicLaws under the Constitution

○ 1st 10 amendments(changes to the constitution) = Bill of Rights, guarantee the basic rights of citizens

Three Branches○ Executive -President○ Legislative - Congress○ Judicial – Supreme Court

Growth, Division, and Unity The United States gained land through war, purchases, and successions

The Industrial revolution in the 1800 brought commerce and industry to the northeast and eventually the Midwest.

Cotton made the south rich, but slave labor needed to grow the cotton tore the country apart. (Civil War!)Underground Railroad- an

informal network of safe houses

Technological Change

Dry Farming- a method of cultivating land to catch and hold rainwater

Railroads Industry and production lines during

WWI and WWII

Modern Challenges

Terrorism- 9/11

Language and Religion

Language Religion

English is the official language in the U.S.

Spanish is the second the most common language

Many people are bilingual, or speak two languages.

There are wide variety of phrases and words from other languages used because of immigration

Because of religious freedom many religions have flourished in the U.S.

Christianity is the most widely practiced

Followed by Judaism Islam Hinduism Buddhism

Education and Healthcare

Education

Healthcare

Public and Private schools School is required until the

age of 16 97% Literacy rate, people

who cal read and write.

A lot of money is spent on healthcare

However there are those who can not afford healthcare or insurance

All Americans are now required to have insurance and the government provides low cost insurance

The Arts Jazz Music was developed in African

American communities in the United states

Hollywood Broadway

Family Life The United States enjoys a high standard of

living with many personal choices and opportunities

Cheap food and housing 50% of households are made up of married

couples and 44% with children Most have 1-2 children

CANADA

The People People came to Canada in search

of political and religious freedom, economic and educational opportunities, and refuge from war. Loyalists- colonist who wished to

remain loyal to the British Government

Maritime Provinces- Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island○ Province- political unit similar to state

More than 1/3rd of people are mixed ethnic origin and 1 million Inuit, or native Americans.

Density and Distribution

90% of people live on the U.S./Canada boarder because much of the country is bitterly cold and inhospitable.

8 people/Sq. mile Most of Canada’s population

lives in urban areas Many people have been moving

to the Prairie Provinces due to oil and natural gas discoveries. Manitoba, Saskatchewan and

Alberta

Early Inhabitants and Settlers When Europeans arrived in Canada there

were about 200,000 natives living there. The British and French fought over much

of the territory and eventually the British pushed the French out of the Hudson Bay area.

Quebec Act- gave French settlers the right to keep their language, religion, and systems of laws.

GovernmentBeginnings Today

Canada was created as a dominion, a partially self governing country with close ties to Great Britain.

Gained full independence in 1931

1982- Constitution Act ended power of Great Britain

Constitutional Monarchy

Executive BranchGovernor- general

○ Appointed by the monarch

Prime Minister○ Actual head of government

Legislature- Parliament Judicial- Supreme

Court

Expansion and Diversity

In 1800’s Canada acquired lands stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans and from the arctic to the U.S. boarder.G.B. encouraged settlers making French people the

minorityQuebecois- Quebec's French speaking inhabitants

Wide spread immigration took place during the Klondike Gold Rush

In 1999 Nunavut was created for the native AmericansMeans “our land”

Modern Challenges Open trade with the United States

has caused Canada to fear loosing it independent identity.

Quebec seeks greater protection for the culture and language of its French population

Quebec favors separatism- or the breaking away of one part of a country to create a separate, independent country

Language 2 official languages

English French (Quebec)

Other languages includeGerman ItalianChinese

Native LanguagesCreeInuktitut

Religion

Christians make up the largest religious group

Others IncludeIslamBuddhismHinduismJudasimSikhism

Education and Health Care

EducationHealth Care

97% literacy rate Public and private

schools Students must attend

school from ages 6-16

The government pays for health care for its citizens.

Its is becoming very costly because people are living longer Limit care Raise taxes

The Arts Influences by British,

French, American, and native cultures

Toronto is the center for theatre and musicToronto Symphony

OrchestraNational Ballet of Canada

Family Life

Canada is one the wealthiest countries in the world and they enjoy high standards of living.

Family and age structure are similar to the U.S.70% married couples60% have children

Aging population with average lifespan at 80 years old.