Chapter 15 Citizenship in the Community

1. Section 1:Kinds of Communities Section 2:Purposes of Communities Section 3:Citizens Serve Communities Chapter 15Citizenship in the Community

2. Section 1: Kinds of Communities The Main Idea There are many kinds of communities. Some are located in transportation centers or farming regions. Others grow where there are jobs in factories or offices. Communities may be small or large, but all of them take advantage of their surroundings. Reading Focus • What factors affect the location of communities? • What types of communities exist in rural areas? • What types of communities exist in urban areas?

3. Section 1: Kinds of Communities Transportation, resources, and climate affect a community’s location: • Early settlers chose locations with natural advantages for their livelihood: fertile river valleys, harbors, hydroelectric power, and good climates. • Businesses and trade developed at crossroads and led to new communities. • Waterways offer ports, water, and transportation.

4. Section 1: Kinds of Communities Transportation, resources, and climate affect a community’s location: (continued) • 1840s—Railroads connected regions, and new inland communities developed. • Auto travel has led to communities along highways. • Communities grow where natural resources can be developed. • Good climates promote recreation and enable farming in certain regions.

5. Section 1: Kinds of Communities Rural Communities • Rural farm communities—America’s smallest communities; approximately 2 million farms in the United States stretch across the country • Small country towns—population of less than 2,500; where farmers buy supplies and market crops; have movies, shops, and post offices • Recently, some businesses have established themselves in rural areas.

6. Section 1: Kinds of Communities Urban Areas • Have 2,500 or more people • 1990s—three quarters of Americans lived in urban areas • Today suburbs are growing faster, and some cities have grown smaller

7. Section 1: Kinds of Communities Metropolitan area • A large city and its surrounding towns and suburbs • 261 metropolitan areas in the United States • Some metropolitan areas have turned into a megalopolis—an area so large it forms a continuous urban chain. Example: New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C.

8. SECTION 1 Question: What are examples and characteristics of urban and metropolitan areas? Urban Area Metropolitan Area • large city • unclear where city ends and the surrounding towns and suburbs begin • village • town • borough • city • population of 2,500 or more

9. Section 2: Purposes of Communities The Main Idea People live together in communities for many reasons. Communities provide people with ways to communicate with one another and relax in their free time. Communities also provide services and local governments that help residents make the most of their resources and labor. Reading Focus • What kinds of values do communities teach? • What types of services do communities provide?

10. Section 2: Purposes of Communities Methods of communication in communities: • Conversation with other members • Telephones, e-mail, Internet, radios, and television • Writing letters and notes • Newspapers • Books and magazines

11. Section 2: Purposes of Communities Communities help people enjoy their lives: • Provide recreational facilities to encourage health, diversion, cultural learning, and relaxation. • Promote natural assets like climate and location. • Pooling resources and labor improves the quality of life. • Public safety and education are provided by communities.

12. Section 2: Purposes of Communities Local communities need laws and regulations to • help citizens avoid conflict. • maintain peace and order. • provide forums for addressing problems and concerns.

13. SECTION 2 Why Communities Need Laws and Regulations Question: Why do local communities need laws and regulations? to maintain peace to maintain order

14. Section 3: Citizens Serve Communities The Main Idea Communities provide many benefits and services to their residents. But citizens also need to contribute their energy and efforts if they want their communities to remain welcoming and healthy. Communities depend on cooperation among people. Reading Focus • How can citizens help their communities face challenges? • Why is volunteering important to help improve the communities in which we live?

15. Section 3: Citizens Serve Communities Challenges facing America’s communities: • Limited opportunities for young people • Drug use, crime, and family management problems • Pollution, traffic jams, and downtown decay • Faltering schools • Museum and park maintenance

16. Section 3: Citizens Serve Communities Volunteer groups improve our communities: • Aid sick people, those in poverty, the elderly, and the disabled • Raise money for charity • Clean up neighborhoods and address community needs • Permanent groups include firefighters and hospital volunteers. • Large national groups: League of Women Voters, American Cancer Society, and Volunteers of America

17. Section 3: Citizens Serve Communities Good citizenship is related to developing good communities: • Enjoy a community’s benefits and contribute to the community in return. • Take pride in your community and make it the best it can be.

18. When citizens fulfill their duties and responsibilities the quality of life in communities improves. SECTION 3 Question: How does good citizenship relate to developing good communities? How Good Citizenship Relates to Developing Good Communities

19. Chapter 15 Wrap-Up • 1. How do natural factors and transportation influence the development of communities? • 2. What are the “two rural Americas,” and how do they differ? • 3. How do people communicate in communities? • 4. What roles do laws and regulations play in communities? • 5. In what ways are volunteer organizations essential to a community’s success? • 6. What problems do communities in the United States face?