North America

United States: density and distribution Population Density = 87 people/sq. Mile Northeast & Great Lakes regions = MORE densely populated Historic centers of commerce and industry Pacific Coast Mild climate and economic opportunity Subarctic region of Alaska, Great Basin, & parts of arid/semi-arid Great Plains = least densely populated American South & Southwest = fastest growing areas (Sunbelt)

The Sunbelt of the u.s. Area nicknamed the Sunbelt because of mild climate Draws people to growing manufacturing, service & tourism industries Proximity to Mexico & Caribbean draws immigrants to region

Urban areas of the u.s. Urbanization – movement of people from rural to urban areas Mechanized agriculture = fewer workers needed = move to cities to find job Metropolitan Area – includes a city with a population of at least 50,000 people & outlying communities called suburbs Most people in the U.S. live in metropolitan areas

Urban areas of the u.s. Urban Sprawl – As metropolitan areas become crowded, leads to the further spread of people & suburban development Megalopolis – a “great city” that is made up of several large & small cities U.S. population clusters in coastal areas where strong economies are linked to world trade & can support large populations Example – area between Boston & Washington, D.C. along Atlantic coast called Boswash megalopolis

Urban Sprawl Increasing area of concern Caused by unrestricted growth with no plans to contain it Cheap gas = travel farther for jobs Prefer cars to mass transit Causing crumbling infrastructure Sustainable Communities: turn suburbs into community where residents can live and work in harmony with the environment Cuts down on commuting

Where Americans Live 80% of Americans live in cities or surrounding suburbs Rural to cities to suburbs Because of automobiles Northeast = gateway to America b/c of its position on Atlantic Coast South = switching from agricultural to industrial region = growing cities West = ½ of land area, 1/5 of population Most rapidly growing region in U.S.

Canada: density & distribution Most of Canada inhospitable due to rugged terrain and bitterly cold climate 90% of population lives along US-Canada border Average population density = 9 people/sq. Mile Most densely populated areas near waterways & places that support agriculture Past 100 years internal migrations to Prairie Provinces – Manitoba, Saskatchewan & Alberta Due in part to discovery of oil & natural gas in 1960’s

Where Canadians Live Harsh environment & accessibility to transportation routes influences population settlement Port cities & farmland = most densely settled 80% of Canadians live on 10% of land Most on 100 mile-wide strip of land along border Increasingly urban population 75% French-Canadians = Quebec Natives live on reserves Canadians with Asian ancestry = West Coast

Canada: Urban areas Most population lives in urban areas Toronto – largest city, industrial & financial center Montreal – industrial & shipping center, ships reach inland through St. Lawrence & Ottawa Rivers & Great Lakes Vancouver – handles nearly all trade between Canada & Asia Edmonton – grew with development of petroleum industry