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United States Geography Overview

Explore regions of the United States - Northeast, Midwest, South, West. Learn about history, economy, culture, and more. Discover how the U.S. became the world's greatest economic power.

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United States Geography Overview

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  1. The Northeast • New England— northern states of Northeast: - MA, VE, NH, ME., RI, CN, PN, NY, NJ • Northeast has only 5% of land, but 20% of population • Today most people are employed in manufacturing, service industries • Some rich farmland in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey NEXT

  2. The Midwest • TheMidwest—north-central U.S., known as the “American Heartland” - 1/5 of U.S. land, 1/4 of population 3 Agricultural and Industrial Heartland • Central location, soil, climate make it nation’s “breadbasket” - corn, wheat, soy beans, meat, dairy; meat-packing, food-processing Changing Face of the Midwest • Farm numbers declining, more people working in service industries • People and industries moving to South and West NEXT

  3. The South • The South—1/4 of U.S. land, more than 1/3 of population - 11 states were once part of the Civil War Confederacy The Old South • Virginia was England’s first American colony • South’s ethnic mix includes Africans, Hispanics, Cajuns, Creoles • Once agricultural, rural; now rapidly changing, cities growing The New South • Agriculture: cotton, tobacco, fruits, peanuts, livestock • “Sunbelt” attracts manufacturing, tourists, retirees • Fastest metropolitan growth in the US Continued . . . NEXT

  4. The West • The West —from Great Plains to Pacific, plus Alaska and Hawaii - 1/2 of U.S. land, 1/5 of population Developing the West • California is most populous state • Rapid 20th-century growth due to air conditioning, irrigation • Economy: - farms, ranches, logging, fish, mines, oil, tourism, film, computers Continued . . . NEXT

  5. History and Government of the United States NEXT

  6. Creating a Nation • Settling the Land • • Spaniards are first and settled St. Augustine (Florida) in 1565 • • In the early 1600s French settlers arrive • - settle in Canada and along St. Lawrence River • - set up fisheries and fur trade • People settle Atlantic Coast from Maine to Georgia • - 1st permanent English settlement Jamestown, VA (1607) • • Displace Natives, bring African slaves to work plantations • • Columbian Exchange between Old, New Worlds: plants, animals, disease Continued . . . NEXT

  7. Establishing and Maintaining the Union • • French & English fight over trade & territory in North America • - English win and gain control of everything east of Mississippi in 1763 • • American Revolution (1775–1783): United States gains independence from Britain • 1803 Louisiana Purchase from France doubles size of U.S. • Jefferson hires Lewis and Clark to explore the new area Continued . . . NEXT

  8. Establishing and Maintaining the Union • In early 1800s Western European immigrants arrive in large numbers • Sectionalism-loyalty to region over nation-grows, tension - industrial North versus agricultural South and its slave labor - Civil War fought between North & South from 1861 to 1865 (North won) NEXT

  9. Westward Movement • Pioneers venture west during mid- to late 1800s - Oregon Trail—2,000 miles, 6 months to travel • Government moved Native Americans off land by treaty, or force • Transcontinental railroad completed 1869 1 Continued . . . NEXT

  10. Industrialization and Urbanization • • 14 million European immigrants enter U.S. between 1860 and 1900 • Most immigrants go trough Ellis or Angel Island • - Most go to cities and work in textile, steel, oil, food processing NEXT

  11. Looking Beyond Its Borders • U.S. avoided involvement in foreign affairs during its growth period - had own resources, food, factories; separated from conflicts by oceans • Changed by depression and world wars; only strong economy after WWII Continued . . . NEXT

  12. Social Change and Technological Growth • Rapid social change in second half of 20th century - migration to suburbs—the communities outside cities • Unrest in ’60s and ’70s: civil rights, feminist movement, Vietnam Living in a Global Society • Cold War (1945–1991): U.S. leads nations against communism, USSR • U.S. is sole superpower after collapse of USSR in 1991 NEXT

  13. Governing the People •Representative democracy—people rule through elected representatives • Federal republic—powers divided between national, state governments • Three separate, equal branches: - executive branch - carries out laws (president) - legislative branch – makes laws (Congress) - judicial branch – interprets laws, reviews lower court decisions (Court System) NEXT

  14. Section 2 Economy and Culture of the United States • The United States has the world’s largest and most diversified economy. • American products and popular culture are recognized around the world. NEXT

  15. The World’s Greatest Economic Power The U.S. Leads • World’s largest economy: agricultural, manufacturing • Success is due to resources, skilled labor, stable political system • Free enterprise economy:- businesses operate for profit with little governmental control An Agricultural and Industrial Giant - petroleum, steel, electronics, telecommunications, lumber, • computers revolutionize industry Continued . . . NEXT

  16. •Nation of immigrants - multicultural -English/Irish/Scot, German, African, French, Italian, Polish, Mexican Languages and Religion • English is dominant language, Spanish 2nd • Religious breakdown: - 85% Christian (56% Protestant, 28% Catholic) - Jews, Muslims 2% each Popular Culture • Hollywood is filmmaking center of U.S. • American music: jazz, blues, and rock ‘n’ roll How Americans Live, Work, and Play • Almost 50% of working-age Americans are employed - almost half are women; 70% have service industry jobs • More than 10% of Americans live in poverty • Kids age 6 to16 are required to attend school - 90% attend public schools, which are free through secondary school • U.S. has over 2,300 4-year public and private colleges, universities • Leisure activities: hobbies, museums, libraries, TV, films, computers - sports: baseball, basketball, football, golf, soccer, tennis, skiing Continued . . . NEXT

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