Ch. 17 Hawaii

     Hawaii is a destination many people visit for its perfect scenery, but it’s also associated with Pearl Harbor. Islands and submerged volcanoes make a chain which makes Hawaii. There are about 128 islands that make the archipelago chain, yet only 8 are inhabited as of today. The islands are Kahoolawe, Maui, Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, Kauai, Niihau, and “Big Island” of Hawaii. The soils are very rich due to the volcanoes, which is great for cultivation. The weather can vary throughout the islands due to its topography. The fact that the islands are separated has given Hawaii islands a unique biogeography. Some plants and animals are not found nowhere else but there, and its critical to avoid getting extinct. 

     The Hawaiian Islands are very diverse in comparison to North America, due to its location. Pacific Islanders were first to settle and soon Europeans came along. In 1778 Captain James Cook and his people settled in. It was until the 19^th century that Americans began to settle in the Hawaiian Islands. Sugar plantations were established but there were no labors, so people from China, Japan & Russia where brought to work. As of today, people of Japanese ancestry outnumber other ethnicity in the region. Hawaii’s economy thrives on tourism and some agriculture. Tropical crops like sugar cane and pineapple were grown in the region, but the production has decreased. Trade is also important in Hawaii, due to its location in the Pacific Ocean.

     The island with the largest population is Oahu. Honolulu is very crowded, polluted, commercialized and the traffic is unbearable just like parts of North America. Oahu Island has one of the world’s most famous resorts, Waikiki Beach. Most of the residents live inland, since the homes in the coast are too expensive. The “Big Island” is the largest island of Hawaii and youngest, which makes it the most prone to volcanoes. Maui County faces rapid population growth, high cost of living, and pollution. The Kauai Island is the oldest and has beautiful sceneries. Hawaii faces environmental problems due to its small isolated islands and unique ecosystem. Its economy depends tremendously on outside forces and tourism, and if it declines it would have a negative impact of Hawaii.

Book used:
Hardwick,Shelley, Susan Wiley. The Geography of North America 2nd Edition. Pearson College Div. 2012.

Hawaii National Volcano Park

Hawaiian Dancers

Maui Island

Early Sugar Cane Plantations

Waikiki Beach

Ch. 16 The Pacific North West

     The Pacific Northwest is the most isolated region in North America. It's has many mountains, forests and coastlines. It has a beautiful scenery like other parts of North America, yet the residents take great environmental responsibility. Its location has made the region's  economy grow just like Chicago.The region is composed of western Oregon and Washington, British Columbia and southeastern part of Alaska. Most of the region is separated by mountains and have active volcanoes. Rainfall is heavy in the region due to the high mountains, which become a barrier for the air that comes from the Pacific Ocean. Precipitation and temperature varies on the location due to mountains. Winters are cool and rainy and summers are cooler along the coastlines.

     This region was the last Canadian and American coastline to be explored due to its location. Many of the early settlers were Native Americans just like many parts of North America. The natives depended mostly on fishing and other marine mammals. The first Europeans to settle in the region were Russians, in search for fur. Settlement in the Pacific Northwest was encouraged after the transcontinental railroad. Washington became a place for people to settle and it's population is high. Russians Chinese and Latinos continue to settle in the region. Vancouver is the third largest city of Canada, but the cost of living is very high due to population growth. 

     Natural resources was abundant in the region, which was the strength of the region's economy. As of today the economy is now supported by High-technology industry, tourism and services. Logging is still important in the region, for house and building construction as well as paper production. Asia has become an important factor in the region's economy. Seattle is associated with Starbucks coffee, Microsoft and Amazon, which gives the region more reasons to be visited. Tourism has become important in the region due to many outdoor activities. Overall the region is growing rapidly in terms of population, which can be positive and negative. The population growth helps the economy, yet many are concern because the natural beauty of the region is getting destroyed and pollution is increasing. The Pacific Northwest's economy and population will continue to grow and remain important to North America. 

Book used:
Hardwick,Shelley, Susan Wiley. The Geography of North America 2nd Edition. Pearson College Div. 2012.

Logging is important to the region's economy

Original Starbucks in Seattle, WA

Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail

Tourists in Alaska

Vancouver, Canada

Ch. 15 California

     People have mixed thoughts on California. It’s the state where the weather is pleasant year round. It’s where movie stars love, but it’s also a place of high crime due to the large population. The mountains in the region determine the climate. Due to California being located in the North American & Pacific plates boundaries it has created many mountains, earthquakes and volcanoes. California has main lateral faults, the San Andreas Fault being the more famous one. The region has cool and some rainy winters, with summers being long and warm. Overall California rarely experiences tornadoes or hurricanes, but do experience landslides.

     The name of the state was first used in 1542 by early explores. Many of early settlers lived in small villages, fished, were hunter and gatherers and practiced agriculture. After European arrival many natives died in war, starved or were physically abused. Missions were introduced, to keep Natives in them place and were forced to free labor. Until 1821, Mexico got their independence from Spain, and later on California became part of the U.S. in 1848. Soon enough gold was discovered in California and the population increased drastically. Los Angeles is the second largest city in North America, due to the early settlement and the natural resources in the region. Undocumented people have been essential in the population growth of California. Refugees from Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America settled in when immigration laws changed.

     California is the leading agricultural state in the U.S. California produces olives, almonds, walnuts, avocados, grapes, lettuce, plums, tomatoes, and strawberries. The Central Valley is the leading agricultural area of California. Mineral resources are another way California stays as a wealthy state. California is the center of entertainment, television programs and radio stations. High-technology is an important industry to the economy of California. About 36.9 million people resided in California as of 2010, and it’s the most urban state. California is very ethnically diverse. San Francisco, San Diego, Santa Monica, San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Valley are among  the important places in California. California will continue to thrive even though its population continues to grow along with environmental problems. 

Book used:
Hardwick,Shelley, Susan Wiley. The Geography of North America 2nd Edition. Pearson College Div. 2012.

Enjoy the video!!

Famous Hollywood Sign

California Missions built during early settlement

Mount Whitney

California's beautiful weather & scenery as the sun sets

San Francisco 

Strawberries being grow 

Ch. 14 Mex America

     MexAmerica region is composed of parts of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and Southern California. The land forms of the region are rugged mountains, and some land surfaces are flat. The climate varies across the region, with common hot, dry weathers. The west part of the region is moist due to the Pacific Ocean. On the other hand the east side is very dry. The region has many deserts, some are; Mojave Desert, Sonoran Desert, and Chichuahuan Desert. The temperatures during summer are very hot. A big concern for the region is flash flooding just like the region of The Rocky Mountains. The region has a very diverse bio-geography. Many species are associated with the region and are not found anywhere but MexAmerica region.

     Early settlement, like many other regions, was by Native Americans who occupied the land years before Europeans and Spanish arrival. In 1845, the annexation of Texas was signed and after that war began between the U.S. and Mexico.Three years later the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed, which ceded parts of Mexican land to the U.S. Today a great part of the populations have Mexican/Spanish ancestry. 
     The location of the region near the U.S. and Mexico border has really influenced politics and the economy. Agriculture is greatly seen in the eastern and western parts of the region. Secondary sector has become important to the region. One policy that helped grow the secondary sector was the Zona Libre, which gave companies rights to settle a factory within the 12 miles zone. The factories are known as maquiladoras, which rely on Mexican workers who earn minimum wage.    

     The culture in the region is greatly influenced by Spanish and Indian descendants. If you visit the place you will most likely hear Tex-Mex and of course taste Mexican cuisine and see Roman Catholic Churches along the roads. The most Mexican urban landscape found in the region is the city of San Antonio. Its very common  for tourist to stop at the central plaza, which  is inspired by Latinos. The largest city is Phoenix, Arizona. They city is the center of high-technology manufacturing research and development. The growth of the population has created a great demand for water from the Rio Grande, the Colorado and other rivers. The region is a place where drugs and people are smuggled through. Mex America region is very important to the U.S. history.

Book used:
Hardwick,Shelley, Susan Wiley. The Geography of North America 2nd Edition. Pearson College Div. 2012.

Land that was acquired in the Treaty of Guadalupe 

Great Canyon

Maquiladoras in the Region

Mojave Dessert

Selena Quintanilla "Queen of Tex-Mex"

Ch 13. The Intermontare West

     Parts of Washington, Idaho, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and Utah are part of the Intermontane West region. The region forms the major parts of the basin-and range. The land is very arid and is influenced by the Pacific air. The region is very dry but there are parts that are sub-humid, semiarid, moderately air, and extremely arid zones. The vegetation is determined by patterns of weather and the climate. 

     Most of the region is populated by indigenous people and descendants from Mexican, Spanish settlers, Mormons and retirees. Most of the Indigenous settlers settled along rivers for easy accessibility to water. Those who settled in the region soon realized the land was not suited for agriculture. Many early European American settlers were Mormons and were persecuted, because of their believes.

     At first irrigated farming was successful by early settlers. A primary economic activity in the region was mining. Gold, silver along with other minerals were discovered in the region, which caused people to settle in. Tertiary and service sectors is important today in the region’s economy. Military bases are also important. Another major contribution to the region’s economy is tourism. The lands amazing scenery attracts many visitors yearly. Las Vegas, Nevada brings many tourists on a daily basis, which helps the economy. Just like Chicago, Las Vegas has a large number of tourists. Many visit Las, Vegas for gambling, marriage or simple vacation. Not only is the region known for their scenery, but also known for promoting gender equality in government and politics. The 1^st female U.S. state governor took office in 1924. Many people live in the cities rather than being isolated. The region continues to change culturally, politically and economically. 

Book used:
Hardwick,Shelley, Susan Wiley. The Geography of North America 2nd Edition. Pearson College Div. 2012.

1st U.S. female governor in Wyoming

Las Vegas, Nevada largest city of the region

Map of the region

Mormons traveling to settle in the region

Utah Lake Powell

Ch 12. The Rocky Mountains

     The region includes parts of New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, Washington, Oregon and parts of Canada. The Rocky Mountains have some of the highest peaks in North America. There are many ecosystems and abundance of life thanks to the changes in elevation. Erosion reduced mountains, and it continues to change them today. Water, Glaciers, and volcanoes have all affected the land in one way or the other. The weather is very cold and winters are snowy. Even though the place is very cold it is very pleasant to visit. The region’s weather gets influenced by warm air from the Pacific Ocean. The snow during spring and summer provides water to rivers and streams. The region is very prone to avalanches. This environmental hazards cause material damages and death. The region wasn't greatly populated due to its harsh physical environment, yet in recent decades the population has grown.

     Vegetation and wildlife in determined by the elevation. The Rocky Mountains has many different ecosystems. At low elevations you can find grasses, desert shrubs and the vegetation attracts animals like bison, pronghorn. If you go a bit higher you will find the most trees like alpines, and spruces. Animals found here are elk, deer and goats. At the upper elevations the plants and animals are well adapted to the dry and cold weather.

     Most often you can find young as well as old people who enjoy the outdoors living in the region. The land is inexpensive, climate is pleasant, many beautiful sceneries, plenty of recreational activities and low populations. In terms of the economy, primary sector was dominated but the tertiary and quaternary sector has grown. The land is not suitable for agriculture because it’s arid and steep. Lumbering and mining was important to the region’s economy more than agriculture. Today mining has been replaced by recreation, tourism and government. Many people visit the place to snowboard or ski. Population growth has created negative and positive impacts. It has created revenue for the region, but environmental destruction and urban sprawl, is a great concern. The region has seen an increase of Latino recently. 

Book used:
Hardwick,Shelley, Susan Wiley. The Geography of North America 2nd Edition. Pearson College Div. 2012.

Bison

Avalanches

Gold in the Rocky Mountains

Rocky Mountain scenery 

Ch. 11 The Great Plains

     This region includes parts or all of the following states; Montana, North Dakota, Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Texas, Minnesota and Iowa. Along with three provinces of Canada; Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Most of the land in the Great Plains is flat. The land has been greatly influenced by eroded sediments that where in the Rocky Mountains. Even though the land has been drastically changed the sand and gravel is great for agriculture. There are many rivers that cross the Great Plains, which is helpful in terms of water supply.

     If you visit the region, you wouldn't predict the weather. The weather is variable and extreme at times. In the northern plains, winters are cold and mild in the South. Tornadoes are very prone, which causes great amounts of damage. The Great Plains has been an important place for settlement. Prior to European settlement, Natives depended on hunting bison and other wild animals. Much of the land was acquired through the Homestead Act of 1867. In the 19^th century many Native Americans were removed and/or killed. Europeans quickly began to settle in the land. African Americans began to settle after the Civil War. In recent years Latinos have moved to the region.

     During early settlement farming was the major economic contribution, but now Tertiary and Quaternary sectors are taking over. A very well-known drought was the Dust Bowl of 1930’s. Many dust storms happened that caused the land to dry out. Important crops to the region are wheat, barley, sunflowers, canola and flax. Coal, Oil and natural gases are also a major contributor to the economy. Meatpacking is very important in the Great Plains, and it’s the leading meatpacking center in North America. The Great Plains and provinces of Canada have attempted to attract business of high-technology. The region has a low cost of living, as well as low rates of crime. These factors have attracted many businesses to the area. Those who reside in the Great Plains are mostly older people. Most of the young residents moved from the region. The Great Plains have the highest percentage of elderly in all North American. 

The Great Plains

Meatpacking in Nebraska

Dust Bowl of 1930's

Tornado in the region

The Great Plains beautiful scenery