The Northeast Region Part 1 States of the

The Northeast Region Part 1: States of the Northeast, Geographic Characteristics, and Why People Settled There

States of the Northeast Each state is it’s own political region. • • • Maine - ME Vermont - VT New Hampshire - NH Connecticut - CT Massachusetts - MA Rhode Island - RI New York - NY New Jersey - NJ Pennsylvania – PA

The Northeast Region of the U. S. • Geographic regions have distinctive characteristics. • distinctive – a quality or characteristic that sets something apart from other things. • The Northeast and New England have features making them excellent places for ports and harbors, as well as rivers for inland entry, and flatland for farming.

NE Region Physical Characteristics • Coastal Plains – Located along the Atlantic Coast. – Broad lowland provides many excellent harbors.

NE Region • The Northeast has resources and features which can support large communities. • The Northeast is located on the Atlantic Ocean. This facilitates transportation by sea.

Why did people move there? • Farming and fishing are an important industry in New York and New England.

Why did people move there? • Rivers such as the Hudson River facilitate transport inland.

Why did people move there? New York is the center of immigration.

Why did people move there? • Industry and jobs were established in the Northeast.

The Northeast – Part 2 Natural Resources, Its Development as a Trade Center, and Reasons for Development of Cities

Natural Resources • The presence of rich natural resources and the uses to which they have been put have made the Northeast not only a strong collection of communities, but a vibrant region for trade and development.

Transportation of Resources • Moving iron ore deposits to sites of steel mills – Pittsburgh.

Transportation of Resources • Shipping on the Erie Canal, Great Lakes, and Hudson River make New York the trading capital of the United States.

Natural Resources Examples of manufacturing centers: • Textile – New England • Iron/steel – Pittsburgh • Lumber – New England • Fishing and shipping – New England New York.

Development of Cities • Cities serve as centers of trade and have political, economic, and cultural significance. • New York, Boston, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia.

Transportation of Resources Role of Railroads • Moving natural resources (copper, lead, and coal) to eastern factories. • Moving iron ore deposits to sites of steel mills (Pittsburgh). • Transporting finished products to national and international markets. • Advances in transportation linked resources, products, and markets.

Examples of Manufacturing Areas • Manufacturing areas were clustered near centers of population, and major transportation hubs. • New England – Textile industry • Pittsburgh – Steel industry • New York - Multiple Industries

Levels of Economic Activity • Primary – dealing directly with resources (fishing, farming, forestry, and mining) • Secondary – manufacturing and processing (steel mills, automobile assembly, sawmills) • Tertiary – services (transportation, retail trade, informational technology) • Resources are not distributed equally.

Effects of Unequal Distribution of Resources • The location of resources influences economic activity and patterns of land use. • Interdependence of nation/trade in goods, services, and resources. • Uneven economic development. • Energy producers and consumers. • Imperialism. • Conflict over control of resources. • A GOOD ECONOMY HAS EQUAL DISTRIBUTION OF RESOURCES!

Patterns of Land Use • Proximity of economic activity and natural resources. • Examples: – Coal & steel – Grain & cattle – Fishing & the ocean

Reasons for Development of Northeast Cities • Better Opportunities • Religious Freedom • Escape from Oppressive Governments • Adventure

Why did cities develop? • Specialized industry – steel industry in Pittsburgh • Immigration from other countries • Movement to urban settings for better jobs • Transportation hubs

The Northeast – Part 3 Ports, Physical Features, Importance of Rivers, and Uniqueness of the Region

Major Bodies of Water • • Atlantic Ocean Great Lakes Hudson River Connecticut River Ohio River Erie Canal Susquehanna River

Important Understanding About Waterways • The United States has access to numerous and varied bodies of water. • These bodies of water support interaction among regions and among countries. • They also form borders between states and even other countries. (Canada)

Why are these bodies of water important? • Trade, transportation, and settlement. • Connection between port of New York and inland states.

Why are these bodies of water important? • Atlantic Ocean – Provides access to other areas of the world for trade. – Highway for explorers, early settlers, and immigrants.

Physical Characteristics • Coastal Plains located along Atlantic Coast. • Broad lowland provides many excellent harbors. – Bays and harbors in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia. – Farming in New York state and New England is productive.

Importance of Rivers • Hudson and Connecticut Rivers – Link to the Great Lakes and ports. – Trade and settlement. – Access to the Atlantic and the world.

Regions • Regions areas of Earth’s surface which share unifying characteristics. • Regions may be defined by physical or cultural characteristics. • Regions are used to simplify the world for study and understanding.

Regions • Geography of the Northeast, and its economy, influenced the development of the population and industry of the region. • Regional landscapes reflect cultural characteristics of their inhabitants.

Why is the Northeast unique? • Physical Regions – ex. New England • Cultural Regions • Cultural Characteristics

Cultural Regions • Language • Ethnic • Religion • Economic • Political

Cultural Characteristics • Architecture – religious buildings and dwellings influenced by Europeans. • Statues and Monuments of local, national, or global importance – Statue of Liberty, Liberty Bell, etc. • European influence in art, music, education.