1. Northeast Region of the United States

2. Anticipation ?’s 1. Why would a tourist want to visit this region?
2. What kind of resources are there in the northeast region?
3. What is the region’s most important resource?
4. What is a megalopolis?
5. What states are included in this region?

3. Northeast Midwest West South
For purpose of collecting statistics, the government divides the US into 4 major regions – Northeast, South, Midwest & West.
Regions are based on physical, economic, cultural, & historical factors.

5. At A Glance
Unique combination of precipitation, type of soil, and variety of trees give New England its beauty
Tourists often visit coast of Maine, New York’s Niagara Falls, and farmlands of Pennsylvania
New York, Boston and Philadelphia add culture and history

6. Natural Resources Has few natural resources
Thin, rocky soils and steep hills create challenges for farmers
Northern reaches of Appalachian Mountains make parts of the Northeast rugged
Coal-rich area of Pennsylvania
One resource has turned region into center of trade, commerce and industry - water

7. Water Water is the region’s most important resource
Northern Atlantic Ocean has yielded large and abundant harvests of fish
Area has excellent harbors
1700s-1800s – helped region grow into major commercial center

9. Leader in Industry
Abundant precipitation (40-60 in.) annually combined with hilly terrain gives rivers swift flow
Industrialists harnessed this power with water wheels to convert water power to machine power
1800s – may factories built along rivers producing shoes, cotton cloth, and several other goods
River valleys served as trade routes, railroad routes, and later, highway routes

10. The Megalopolis
Cities along coast grew in importance as harbors of trade and centers of shipbuilding
By mid-1800s, European immigrants were flowing into the area
Over time coastal cities began to spread and run together
By 1960s, area from Boston to Washington, D.C. earned a new name – megalopolis
Over 42 million people live in this megalopolis

11. Problems of Megalopolis
Concerns of water supply and facilities of waste disposal
Also suffering decline in population from – Philadelphia shrunk by 364,000
Less population means less money for things such as street repairs, police protection, and garbage collection

12. Overview
The Northeast’s water bodies have been valuable resources throughout history
Northeast was one of the early sites of industry
Northeast has become one of the most highly urbanized and densely populated regions of the world