Sub-regions of the

United States Notes!

the West

the Midwest

the South

the Northeast

The Northeast

The Northeast

Nickname: America’s Gateway

– Many immigrants came into

the U.S. through this region.

States in Sub-region:

– New England- Maine,

Vermont, New Hampshire,

Massachusetts , Rhode

Island, Connecticut

– Mid-Atlantic States- New

York, New Jersey,

Pennsylvania

Major Cities • Cities grew along major waterways and

the Atlantic coast

– Boston

– New York City

– Philadelphia

– Washington D.C.

• A megalopolis is a region where several

large cities have grow together.

– Example- BosWash

• Area is 500 miles long, from Boston to

Washington DC

• 1/6 of the US population lives in the

BosWash corridor

2008, TESCCC World Geography, Unit 3, Lesson 1

Economy

Economic Activities

• The Northeast is heavily

industrialized and urban.

• Traditional industries: iron,

steel, petroleum, lumber.

• Shifting from traditional

industry to manufacturing &

service industries.

– electronics, chemicals,

communications, medicine,

finance, tourism

Economic Problems

• Traditional industries are being

replaced by service-oriented

jobs.

– Electronics, medical research

– Service-oriented jobs require

more training

• Traditional Industries such as

steel and petroleum production

have moved to warmer

climates.

The Midwest

The Midwest

Nickname: America’s

Heartland

– Central portion of the US

– AKA, the Breadbasket due

to large scale food

production

States in Sub-region:

• 12 states

• From Nebraska to Ohio

• This sub-region is know for its

flat plains, and numerous

waterways

– Mississippi River

– The Great Lakes

• The major cities of the Midwest developed

along waterways.

• Chicago on Lake Michigan- cultural,

financial and transportation hub

• Detroit- Motor City, home of major

automobile manufacturers

Chicago, Illinois Detroit, Michigan

Economy

• Good climate and fertile soil

allow farmers to grow more

food in the Midwest than

anywhere else in the world.

• Main agricultural products:

corn, wheat, meat, dairy goods

• Agriculture is the

foundation for many other

industries

– Meatpacking, food

processing, farm

equipment, grain milling

• Other traditional

industries

– Steel

– automaking

Economic Problems

• Number of farms is

declining

– Why?

• Urban areas are declining

due to people moving to

the suburbs.

• People and industries

moving to the South and

West.

Massive, but abandoned

factories rusted away

and scarred the

landscape of once

vibrant cities.

The South

• Nickname: the Sun Belt

– Due to its climate (hot

summers, mild winters)

• States in Sub-region:

– Made up of 16 states

– Texas to Virginia

• This sub-region covers

24% of the US, and

makes up about 33% of

the population.

The South

The Old South

• The area was mainly rural

• Economy was based on

agriculture

– Tobacco, cotton

– Fruits, peanuts, rice

– Livestock production

• In the 1950’s the economy was

boosted by energy resources.

– Coal, oil, natural gas, water

The New South

• Since the 1950’s, the

area has attracted

manufacturing & services

industries.

• Industries include

– Petroleum, steel

– Food processing

– Textiles

The South

The Role of Climate

• The South’s humid

subtropical climate

hindered

industrialization.

Why?

What technological

advancement made it

possible for people & jobs

to move South?

The Effects

• Many industries and people have

moved to the Southern region since

the cost of living is cheaper.

• Metropolitan Areas

» Atlanta

» Miami

» Houston

» San Antonio

• However, an influx of people have

created more competition for jobs

and resources.

Houston, TX

The West

The West

Nickname: none

– Except New Mexico,

Arizona, southern Nevada

& California are called the

Sun Belt do to climate.

States in Sub-region: Colorado to California, Alaska,

and Hawaii

• Covers 50% of the U.S.

land area, only has 20%

of the population.

Developing the West

• Development of the region has

been helped along by the use

of air conditioning and

irrigation.

• Cities like Phoenix, Tucson,

and Las Vegas have diverted

rivers and lakes to supply their

water.

Why?

Irrigation Canal in Arizona

Economic Activity

• Coastal cities such as

Seattle and Los Angeles

serve as entry ports for

foreign goods.

Where is this trade coming

from?

• Metropolitan areas • Los Angeles, CA

• Phoenix & Tucson, AZ

• Las Vegas, NV

• Seattle, WA

Economic Activity

• Economic activities vary

with the climate and

landscape.

– Farming

– Food processing

– Mining

– Film making

– Export/Import of Goods

– Tourism

Economic Problems

• The West is the fastest

growing region of the

U.S.

• Similar to the South, an

increase in population

has created more

competition for jobs and

resources.