subregions of the u.s

Subregions of the U.S.

The United States

Northeast•New England & Mid-Atlantic states•5% of land area but 20% of US population•“Rustbelt”=declining & abandoned traditional industries•Primary economic activity: services•Cultural and financial center of the country•“BosWash” megalopolis=500 mi. of heavily urbanized areas of Boston, NYC, Philadelphia, & Washington D.C.

Midwest•20% of land & 25% of population•Fertile soil, adequate rainfall, & favorable climate“breadbasket” of nation•Central location & excellent waterwaystrade, transportation, & distribution center•Industries leaving for warmer climates (similar to “rustbelt”)

South

•25% of land/35% of population• quite diverse culturally•“Sunbelt”•Warm climate hindered dev’t but a/c in the 1950s & abundant energy reourcesboosted industrialization mid/late 20th century

West•50% of land area but only 20% of pop.•Most rapidly growing•Because of region’s desert, semarid, & highland climates, it is region aided most by irrigation and a/c.•Tourism, film making, computer production

Subregions of Canada

Atlantic Provinces

PEI, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia,

Newfoundland•Rugged terrain, severe weatheronly 8% of pop.•Pop. concentrated in coastal cities•Primary economic activities- fishing & logging•World’s richest fishing area

Core Provinces Quebec & Ontario

•60% of pop.=“Canada’s heartland”•Ottawa, Ontario=federal capital•Center of economic activity•Toronto, on Lake Ontario, is banking and financial hub & most populous city•Quebec=center of French-Canadian Culture

Prairie ProvincesManitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta

•location on Great Plains Canada’s “breadbasket”•Primary economic activity is agriculture—grain & cattle•Biggest Asian Influence

The Pacific Province- British Columbia & the TerritoriesBritish Columbia:•located in Rocky Mtns•pop. centered in SW•Vancouver is Canada’s largest trading port

The Territories•41% of land but harsh climateleast populated•Nunavut, made a separate territory in 1999 to settle land claims of Inuit, is home to most of Canada’s Inuit pop.