Cultural Geography of The United States and Canada

Cultural Geography of The United States and Canada Chapter 6, Section 1: The United States of America

Map of the United States

Stars and Stripes The Grand Union or Washington’s Flag (1775 -1777) Current Flag

Important Vocabulary • Immigration: movement of people from one country to another. • Sunbelt: nickname for the American South and Southwest. • Urbanization: movement of people from rural areas to cities. • Metropolitan Area: a city with a population over 50, 000. • Suburbs: outlying communities from a city. • Urban Sprawl: a suburban development. • Megalopolis: a chain of closely linked metropolitan areas.

Vocabulary (Cont’d) • Underground Railroad: a network of safe houses for escaped slaves. • Dry Farming: a method of preparing land to catch and hold rainwater. • Bilingual: ability to speak two languages. • Literacy Rate: percentage of people who can read and write. • Jazz: blends African rhythms with European harmonies.

The American Population • Diverse population – 12. 5% foreign born (2008). • Over 300 million people in the United States. • First peoples came 20, 000 years ago from Asia. • The population density is 87 people per square mile. • Many people live in warmer climates and the coastal areas.

Colonial America • In the 1700 s, Great Britain controlled the Atlantic coast. • New England, Middle, and Southern Colonies. • The Seven Years War (1756 -1763): Britain obtained French territory.

The American Republic • British taxation and limits on freedom led to the American Revolution (1775 -1783). • U. S. becomes a federal republic. • The Constitution and the Bill of Rights. • Three co-equal branches.

American Growth • Westward expansion and industrialization in the North. • Agriculture (cotton) dominated in the South. • Tensions grew over slavery.

The Union & The Confederacy

The U. S. Civil War • The Union is saved after four years of fighting (1861 -1865). • Slavery is abolished. • The U. S. rebuilds.

Changes & Challenges • Immigrants helped build transcontinental railroads. • The world wars led to American economic growth. • Al-Qaeda terrorists attacked the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. • Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

American Culture • English is the main language. • No state religion. • 99% literacy rate. • Popular entertainment has influenced the world. • The world’s superpower; high living standards. • Married-couple families: 50% of U. S. households.

Cultural Geography of The United States and Canada Chapter 6, Section 2: Canada

Map of Canada

The Maple Leaf National Flag until 1965 Current National Flag

Important Vocabulary • Loyalist: colonists who were loyal to Great Britain. • Province: a political unit similar to a state. • Inuit: arctic native peoples of North America. • Dominion: a partially self-governing country. • Parliament: a national legislature. • Quebecois: Quebec’s French-speaking population. • NAFTA: free North American trade. • Separatism: breaking away to create a separate country.

The Canadian Population • Immigrants came for freedom and opportunity. • Over 90% of Canadians live along the U. S. Canadian border. • The majority live in urban areas. • Population density is 9 people per square mile. • Major cities are: Ottawa(capital), Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Edmonton.

Colonial Canada • England France colonized the land in the late-1600 s. • The Seven Years War (17561763): Britain gains New France. • The 1774 Quebec Act. • Loyalists fled to Canada after the American Revolution. • English and French-speaking communities worked together.

Dominion of Canada • Canada became a dominion in 1867. • “Full” independence in 1931. • Canada is a constitutional monarchy. • 1982 Constitution Act. • Governor-General, Prime Minister, Parliament and a Supreme Court.

Canadian Leaders Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Governor-General David Johnston

Diversity and Growth • Territory expanded and over 1 million immigrants (18151855). • French nationalism in Quebec. • In the 20 th century, industrialization and urban growth. • NAFTA – thriving trade between the U. S. and Canada.

Canadian Culture • English and French Canadian spoken. • Predominately Christian nation. • 99% literacy rate. • Gov’t pays for healthcare.

Culture (Cont’d) • Canadian arts are influenced. Toronto is a major center. • Major sport is hockey. • High living standards. • Married-couple families: 69% of households. • An aging population.