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United States. The West: Pacific States. Most of the population in the West live in the Pacific states, with 34 million in Cali. Before WWII, economy was based on farming, forestry, & film, but due to military growth in the warm climates of California the economy took off
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The West: Pacific States • Most of the population in the West live in the Pacific states, with 34 million in Cali. • Before WWII, economy was based on farming, forestry, & film, but due to military growth in the warm climates of California the economy took off • The warm Mediterranean climate allows year-around growing seasons. • Silicon Valley, south of San Francisco became country’s leading center of computer technology • California, Oregon, & Washington economies depend heavily on technology, aircraft manufacturing (especially Washington), & agriculture • Oregon has 3.3 billion dollar logging industry • Alaska & Hawaii depend heavily on their states’ locations, natural resources, and scenery • Alaska—equal to one-fifth of the continental U.S.—
The West • Largest & most sparsely populated region of the United States • Includes the Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, and inter-mountain region. • Western Region was mostly unsettled until early 1900s with aqueducts & irrigations systems being implemented in the region. • The Interior west has been a major agriculture contributor. • Wheat Belt stretches across the Dakotas, Montana, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Texas. • This region’s irrigation is fed by the Ogallala Aquifer • Tourism and mining are important economic contributors in the West.
The Midwest • The region includes Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, & Missouri • The Great Lakes and Mississippi River link the Midwest’s major cities to each other • Midwest is one of the most productive farm regions in the world • The Corn and Dairy Belt are located through this region • Chicago is the largest city in the Midwest, and 3rd largest city in U.S. and most important railroad hub.
Influence of Immigration • More than 99% of Americans are either immigrants or descendants of immigrants • Largest immigrant groups are of European descent- Britain, France, Germany, etc. • 12% of Americans trace origins back to Africa • 25% of Americans identify themselves as Hispanics • Hispanics and Asians are the most rapidly growing parts of the population
The South • The South contains about 30% of the population, more than any other region • Historically, their economy was rural and agriculture, but was destroyed after Civil War • Many migrated north for jobs • Industry has developed in the South over the last 50 years and allowed many people to return back to the South • The Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area is the largest in the region. • Houston & surround cities make up the 2nd largest in the region, with Atlanta, Miami, and New Orleans playing important transportation and commercial centers.
The Northeast • Smallest and most densely populated region of the United States • 1/5 of country’s population can be found here • Most of population is contained in an urban corridor known as Megalopolis • Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C. & their suburbs form the Megalopolis