Human Geography

1
The United States Of America

• Human Geography

2
ESPN A Framework For Studying Countries

• Economic
• Social
• Political
• ENvironmental

Economic Social
Political ENvironmental
3
U.S. Economies

• What specifically influences the economic makeup
  of the United States?
• Natural Resources
• Means of Production
• Mass of Markets
• Advent of Quaternary Sectors
• What elements of our economy are representative
  of a free market?
• What elements of our economy are representative
  of a socialist system?

4
Economic Regions of the U.S.

• Northeast
• Source of much of the U.S.s raw materials
• River systems were important for production and
  refinement of raw materials, as well as their
  transportation
• Midwest
• Source of much of the U.S.s agricultural
  production
• Large arable tracts of land are used for farming
  (corn, wheat) and husbandry (dairy, porcine,
  wool)
• South
• Historically agricultural (non-subsistence crops
  like cotton, tobacco)
• New industries revolving around mineral wealth
  and services
• West
• Source of many raw materials and fuels
• Also used for some husbandry and agriculture

5
Economic Infrastructure

• Large emphasis put on commercial transportation
• Interstate Highways
• Rivers and canal systems
• Railroads
• Port cities
• Necessity for communication
• Most global business relies on to-the-minute
  information
• Cellular and satellite coverage
• Internet connections and Wi-Fi

6
Global Economies

• Exports/Imports
• Majority of U.S. business has to deal with the
  exportation and importation of goods to markets
  around the globe and here at home
• Who saw the news report that we are close to
  becoming a net exporter of refined petroleum?
• Who do we import many of our goods from? Who do
  we export to?
• What do we export to other countries? What do we
  import?

7
Environment

• Movement
• Westward Expansion was hindered or aided by
  several geographic features
• Mountain Ranges
• Appalachian Mountains were the boundary of the 13
  Colonies
• Rocky Mountains prevented efficient contact with
  Pacific Coast
• Rivers
• Mississippi River was Americas first
  superhighway
• Lewis and Clark used the Missouri and Columbia
  Rivers to navigate the West
• Deserts
• Mojave Desert and Death Valley proved difficult
  to cross for many settlers

8
Environmental Interaction

• Economic Uses
• Rivers and Canals are used extensively for
  commercial trade and energy
• Mountains are mined extensively for their mineral
  wealth
• Aquifers are tapped to provide agricultural
  support
• Even the wind is utilized to generate green
  energy
• Cultural Uses
• Air Conditioning allows comfortable living in
  arid environments
• Insulation and central heating allow settlements
  at higher latitudes and elevations

9
Foldable Activity

• Under Economic
• Answer these questions
• What types of economic activity does the U.S.
  participate in?
• Is our economy more Socialist or Free Enterprise?
• What does each region of the U.S. produce
  economically?
• How do we transport our goods?
• Who are our main import/export partners?
• Under ENvironment
• Answer these questions
• What three physical features have impacted our
  settlements?
• Which features were impediments? Which were aids?
• How do we use the environment for economic gains?
• How do we adapt to the environments in the U.S.?