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

Map of the United States

The Grand Union or Washington’s Flag (1775-1777) 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 1700s, 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 and France colonized the land in the late-1600s. The Seven Years War (1756- 1763): 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.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Governor-General David Johnston Canadian Leaders Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Governor-General David Johnston

Diversity and Growth Territory expanded and over 1 million immigrants (1815- 1855). French nationalism in Quebec. In the 20th 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.