The United States and Canada

1. The United States and Canada Culture

2. The United States

3. A Diverse Society • The United States is a nation of immigrants; therefore, there are multiple ethnic traditions and different races. • Breakdown of the population: • European Ancestry – 70% • Hispanic Americans – 13% • African Americans – 12% • Asian Americans – 4% • Native Americans – 1% • The largest ethnic groups English, German, Irish, African, French, Italian, Scottish, Polish and Mexican

4. Language and Religions • English is the dominant language of the United States • Spanish comes in as the second most common language in the US. • Majority of immigrants will continue to speak their native language until they have learned English. • Religious Freedom – cornerstone of American society • There are over 1,000 different religious groups that practice their faith in the United States. • The major religious groups in the United States include – Christians (Protestants and Roman Catholics), Jews, and Muslims.

5. The Arts and Popular Culture • There is a rich artistic heritage due to the diverse population. • The first artists – the Native Americans • The Europeans brought their artistic traditions with them. • The 19th century  major period of artistic development • Seen in music, literature, painting and architecture • Modern-Day motion pictures and popular music are the two most influential art forms • This form of entertainment is influential across the globe (cultural diffusion)

6. American Life Today • The American Dream • Immigrants come to the United States looking or a better life for themselves and their children. • Where Americans Live • About 80 percent of Americans live in cities or surrounding suburbs • First moved from rural areas to cities, then cities to suburbs • Movement to the suburbs was made possible by automobiles

7. Sub-Regions – The Northeast • Quick Facts • There are nine states that are found in this region. • The region covers about 5 percent of the nation’s land area, but is home to 20 percent of the country’s population. • America’s Gateway • The area received many of the first European settlers – considered the “gateway” to American lands. • The region is highly industrialized and urbanized. • A lot of the seaboard cities serve as international trade centers. • The amount of natural resources available in the region allow for industrial growth and development. • There has been a transition into manufacturing and service industries.

8. The Northeast • “Rust Belt” – the declining and abandoned traditional industries • Many of these industries have moved overseas or to warmer climates in the United States. • Growth of the Megalopolis • Megalopolis = a region in which several large cities and surrounding areas grow together • The nation’s first megalopolis developed in the Northeast – “BosWash” • It stretches through 500 miles of highly urbanized areas (from Boston to Washington, DC • It contains one-sixth of the US population • Rapid road, rail and air links are vital to its economic development and expansion

9. Sub-Regions – The Midwest • Quick Facts: • There are twelve states that make up the region. • The land is also referred to as the “American Heartland” • The region occupies about 20 percent of the land and 25 percent of the US population. • Agricultural and Industrial Heartland • The Midwest is often referred to as the “breadbasket”. • The central location of the region makes it a trade, transportation, and distribution area. • The waterways also make cities more accessible. • Changing the Face of the Midwest • The number of farms is declining; therefore, more jobs are in the service industries • People and industries are moving away from the region to the South and West.

10. Sub-Regions – The South • Quick Facts • There are sixteen states in this region • Eleven of the states were members of the Confederacy during the Civil War. • Texas is sometimes considered a part of the Southwest (added with some states from the West). • The Old South • The region has some of the oldest American settlements. • There is a mix of cultures that reflect the diversity of its settlers. • British, African, Hispanic, Cajun and Creoles are some of the major groups. • Sometimes referred to as part of the “sunbelt” because of the climate.

11. The South • The New South • The region’s humid subtropical climate hindered industrialization. • Agriculture was the primary focus of South. • Livestock activity was also prevalent in the region. • Introduction of air conditioning (in 1950s) and the region’s energy resources gave a boost to industry - - - changed the cultural atmosphere in the region. • Major industries are moving from the Midwest and the Northeast. • New populations mean changes in culture.

12. Sub-Regions – The West • Quick Facts • The region is composed of thirteen states; it is composed of lands stretching from the Great Plains to the Pacific Ocean (and includes Alaska). • The region covers 50 percent of the land area of the United States, but only 20 percent of the population. • Settling in the West • Same sort of settlement practices today as in the frontier days: wherever landforms and climates are most favorable. • Limited the interaction between groups of people • The region is the most rapidly growing area in the United States. • The increasing population means an increase in the diversity present. • Developing the West • Growth of the region in the 20th century was aided with air conditioning and irrigation. • Water supply allowed inland with the use of irrigation. • Production of multiple goods and trade has also aided in the development of the region. • The cultural diversity is allowed to prosper

13. Canada

14. The Atlantic Provinces • These are the four eastern provinces – Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. • Harsh Lands and Small Populations • This region is home to about 8 percent of Canada’s population. • The majority of people live in coastal cities because of the rugged terrain and severe weather. • People make a living using what is available to them  many depend on forestry and fishing industries

15. The Core Provinces • This region is composed of the two provinces of Ontario and Quebec. • The Heartland of Canada • This region is often referred to as the heartland of Canada because of its importance socially, economically and politically. • Three out of five Canadians live in this region. • Most settlements are found along the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Great Lakes. • Two major culture are found in specific provinces of this region: • Ontario – English-speaking majority • Quebec – French-speaking Canadians

16. The Prairie Provinces • There are three provinces that make up this region – Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. • Canada’s Breadbasket • This region is connected to the Great Plains in the United States – meaning the land is fertile and plentiful. • A Cultural Mix • Diverse populations found in each province including : • Manitoba – Scots-Irish, Germans, Scandinavians, Ukranians and Poles • Saskatchewan – South and East Asians; metis • Alberta – European immigrants and Indian, Japanese, Lebanese and Vietnamese • The combination of cultures creates a varied culture, not specific to one group

17. Pacific Province and Territories • This region is composed of British Columbia and three territories – Yukon Territory, Northwest Territory and Nunavut. • This area makes up the western and northern parts of Canada. • British Columbia • More than half of the land is densely forested, making it difficult for human habitation. • Most of the population is located in the southwest part of the province. • The area relies on ports and trading, thereby introducing more cultures through the major port cities. • The Territories • The land of the territories accounts for 41 percent of the country’s land mass. • However, they are sparsely populated (too sparse to be provinces). • Major area – Nunavut • It was carved out of the eastern territories in 1999 and is the home of the Canadian Inuit. • The land is rugged but some of it is useful for economic purposes