Human Geography
Natural ResourcesUnited States
coal, copper, lead, molybdenum, phosphates, uranium, bauxite, gold, iron, mercury, nickel, potash, silver, tungsten, zinc, petroleum, natural gas, timber
18% of the land in the U.S. is arable land. In geography, arable land is an agricultural term,
meaning land that can be used for growing crops.Canada
iron ore, nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, molybdenum, potash, silver, fish, timber, wildlife, coal, petroleum, natural gas, hydropower
Land UseUnited States (world’s 4th largest country)
arable land: 19% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 25% forests and woodland: 30% other: 26% (1993 est.)
Canada (2nd largest country in the world)arable land: 5%
permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 3% forests and woodland: 54% other: 38% (1993 est.)
Infrastructure The United States and Canada have highly
developed infrastructures that include:A. Modern road systems (interstates,
freeways, bridges, tunnels)B. Telecommunications systems (internet
connections, phone systems)C. Ports, railroads, educational systems
InfrastructureUnited States:
Railways: total: 240,000 km mainline routes Highways: total: 6.42 million km Waterways: 41,009 km of navigable inland
channels Airports: 14,459
CanadaRailways: total: 36,114 km Highways: total: 901,902 km Waterways: 3,000 km Airports: 1,417
Infrastructure impacthttp://www.fhwa.dot.gov/interstate/densityma
p.htm
Industries United States: Petroleum, steel, motor
vehicles, aerospace, telecommunications, chemicals, electronics, food processing, consumer goods, lumber, mining, computer technology
Canada: processed and unprocessed minerals, food products, wood and paper products, transportation equipment, chemicals, fish products, petroleum and natural gas
Labor ForceLabor force—by occupation (USA):
managerial and professional 29.6% technical, sales and administrative support 29.3% services 13.6% manufacturing, mining, transportation, and crafts
24.8% farming, forestry, and fishing 2.7%
Labor force - by occupation: services 74%manufacturing 15% construction 5% agriculture 3%other 3%
U.S. Exports & ImportsExports—commodities: capital goods,
automobiles, industrial supplies and raw materials, consumer goods, agricultural products Canada 22%, Western Europe 21%, Japan 10%,
Mexico 10% Imports—commodities: crude oil and refined
petroleum products, machinery, automobiles, consumer goods, industrial raw materials, food and beverages Canada, 13%, Western Europe 12%, Japan 14%,
Mexico 10%, China 37%
Canada Exports & ImportsExports - commodities: motor vehicles and
parts, newsprint, wood pulp, timber, crude petroleum, machinery, natural gas, aluminum, telecommunications equipment, electricity US 86%, Japan 3%, UK, Germany, South Korea,
Netherlands, China Imports - commodities: machinery and
equipment, crude oil, chemicals, motor vehicles and parts, durable consumer goods, electricity US 76%, Japan 3%, UK, Germany, France,
Mexico, Taiwan, South Korea
Agricultural ProductsUSA Agriculture—products: wheat, other
grains, corn, fruits, vegetables, cotton; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; forest products; fish
Canada Agriculture - products: wheat, barley, oilseed, tobacco, fruits, vegetables; dairy products; forest products; fish
CurrencyUSA – Dollar
Canada – Canadian Dollar
Developed or Developing?The United States and Canada have the following demographics:
World Financial MarketsThe New York Stock Exchange is the center
of the world financial markets. Other countries have stock exchanges such as Japan, Germany, and England but due to the size and power of the U.S. economy the NYSE affects all of them.
Economic GrowthThe U.S. economy has experienced sustained
economic growth since WWII, but there is a widening gap between the rich and the poor. Basically, the richest people are getting richer and the poorest people are getting poorer.
Multinational Corporations The U.S. is home to many multinational
corporations:A. Nike, AdidasB. StarbucksC. Wal-MartD. McDonald’s, Burger King, KFCE. Hilton
Watch crazy Wal-mart growth video here. This video will freak you out!
Years and countries where McDonald’s opened.
Export of U.S. CultureU.S. culture has spread around the world via
the global marketplace. McDonald’s is one of the most recognized franchises in the world. Other examples are Coca Cola, blue jeans, and music.
Cultural Geography The area of the U.S. and Canada was
colonized by Europeans.A. English - Virginia, MassachusettsB. Dutch - New YorkC. Swedish - DelawareD. French - CanadaE. Spanish - Florida, California, Texas
ColonizationThe English became the dominant power in
North America. They took over Canada at the end of the French Indian War in 1763. The colonies adopted democratic forms of government similar to what they had at home.
In 1763, most people in Canada were French and Catholic. When England took over it encouraged English people to migrate to Canada. The area around Quebec and Montreal still have a majority French population but the rest of Canada speaks English.
Religion & Language (USA)Language
English 82.1%, Spanish 10.7%, other Indo-European 3.8%, Asian and Pacific island 2.7%, other 0.7%
ReligionProtestant 51.3%, Roman Catholic 23.9%,
Mormon 1.7%, other Christian 1.6%, Jewish 1.7%, Buddhist 0.7%, Muslim 0.6%, other or unspecified 2.5%, unaffiliated 12.1%, none 4%
Religion & Language (Canada)Language
English (official) 58.8%, French (official) 21.6%, other 19.6%
ReligionRoman Catholic 42.6%, Protestant 23.3%
(including United Church 9.5%, Anglican 6.8%, Baptist 2.4%, Lutheran 2%), other Christian 4.4%, Muslim 1.9%, other and unspecified 11.8%, none 16%
GovernmentCanada and the United States have
democratic forms of government. The Canadian system is similar to the
English system. After the American Revolution the United
States wrote a constitution and a bill of rights. It divided government into three branches with an executive led by an elected president.
Government and the Economy
A. The U.S. government regulates industries and passes laws to protect consumers. Over the years the U.S. government has played a larger role in the economy, but the economy is still a free market economy that operates on supply and demand.
B. The Canadian government plays a larger role in the economy. Universal healthcare is provided by the government in Canada.
Government Info.USA
Capital – Washington D.C.Political System & Head of Govt. = President –
legislative democracyDate of Origin – 1776President – Barack Obama
CanadaCapital – OttawaPolitical System & Head of Govt. = Prime
Minister – Parliamentary governmentDate of Origin – 1876Prime Minister – Stephen Harper
Terms of OfficeA. U.S. President - Can serve two four year
termsB. Mexican President - One six year termC. Canadian Prime Minister - Leader of party
with most seats in House of CommonsD. British Prime Minister - Same as aboveE. Russian President - Can serve two four year
termsF. French President - One five year term
Multicultural SocietiesAlthough Canada and the U.S. were colonized
by Europeans they have become multicultural societies through immigration. They both continue to exhibit growth in all
minority populations within their respective countries.
Many new immigrants move for better opportunities, political asylum, or religious freedom.
Melting Pot
Immigration to the U.S.
Year Top 3 countries of origin
1880 Germany, Ireland, United Kingdom
1930 Italy, Germany, United Kingdom
1960 Italy, Germany, Canada
1980 Mexico, Germany, Canada
1990 Mexico, Philippines, Canada
2000 Mexico, China, Philippines
PopulationThe population of Canada is clustered
near the St. Lawrence River Valley in the East and on the Great Lakes. Most of Canada is sparsely populated due to the climate.
The U.S. is densely populated on the East Coast. The northeast, from New York to Boston, is growing into a megalopolis, or series of connected cities.
Population The population of the United States is
extremely mobile. Nearly 3/4 of the U.S. population moves an average of once every 5 years.
A. Shifts in the economy (Rust Belt, Silicon Valley)
B. Doubling of the divorce rate in last 30 years
C. Corporate transfersD. Change in status (marriage,
graduation, retirement- Sun Belt)
PopulationCurrent populations:
USA - 307,788,153One birth every 7 seconds One death every 13 seconds One international migrant (net) every 36 seconds Net gain of one person every 11 seconds
Canada – 33,823,519One birth every 1 minute and 27 seconds One death every 2 minutes and 13 seconds A net migration gain of one person every 2
minutes and 1 second
USA Population
Other StatisticsMost Internet Users (per 1,000 people) world
ranksCanada - # 3 (839)USA - # 13 (696)
Life ExpectancyCanada - # 7 (81 yrs)USA - # 47 (78 yrs)
Land per person (square miles per 100,000)Canada - # 8 (11,600)USA - # 63 (1,200)
Top ice cream consumers (annual pints per capita)Canada - # 5 (23)USA - # 2 (26)
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