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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
Continued . . .
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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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Chart
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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
Continued . . .
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
Subregions of the United States SECTION
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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
Chart
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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Continued . . .