The Northeast Region Part 1: States of the Northeast, Geographic Characteristics, and Why People Settled There

States of the Northeast Each state is it’s own political region. Maine - ME Vermont - VT New Hampshire - NH Connecticut - CT Massachusetts - MA Rhode Island - RI New York - NY New Jersey - NJ Pennsylvania – PA

The Northeast Region of the U.S. Geographic regions have distinctive characteristics. distinctive – a quality or characteristic that sets something apart from other things. The Northeast and New England have features making them excellent places for ports and harbors, as well as rivers for inland entry, and flatland for farming.

NE Region Physical Characteristics Coastal Plains Located along the Atlantic Coast. Broad lowland provides many excellent harbors.

NE Region The Northeast has resources and features which can support large communities. The Northeast is located on the Atlantic Ocean. This facilitates transportation by sea.

Why did people move there? Farming and fishing are an important industry in New York and New England.

Why did people move there? Rivers such as the Hudson River facilitate transport inland.

Why did people move there? New York is the center of immigration.

Why did people move there? Industry and jobs were established in the Northeast.

The Northeast – Part 2 Natural Resources, Its Development as a Trade Center, and Reasons for Development of Cities

Natural Resources The presence of rich natural resources and the uses to which they have been put have made the Northeast not only a strong collection of communities, but a vibrant region for trade and development.

Transportation of Resources Moving iron ore deposits to sites of steel mills – Pittsburgh.

Transportation of Resources Shipping on the Erie Canal, Great Lakes, and Hudson River make New York the trading capital of the United States.

Natural Resources Examples of manufacturing centers: Textile – New England Iron/steel – Pittsburgh Lumber – New England Fishing and shipping – New England and New York.

Development of Cities Cities serve as centers of trade and have political, economic, and cultural significance. New York, Boston, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia.

Transportation of Resources Role of Railroads Moving natural resources (copper, lead, and coal) to eastern factories. Moving iron ore deposits to sites of steel mills (Pittsburgh). Transporting finished products to national and international markets. Advances in transportation linked resources, products, and markets.

Examples of Manufacturing Areas Manufacturing areas were clustered near centers of population, and major transportation hubs. New England – Textile industry Pittsburgh – Steel industry New York - Multiple Industries

Levels of Economic Activity Primary – dealing directly with resources (fishing, farming, forestry, and mining) Secondary – manufacturing and processing (steel mills, automobile assembly, sawmills) Tertiary – services (transportation, retail trade, informational technology) Resources are not distributed equally.

Effects of Unequal Distribution of Resources The location of resources influences economic activity and patterns of land use. Interdependence of nation/trade in goods, services, and resources. Uneven economic development. Energy producers and consumers. Imperialism. Conflict over control of resources. A GOOD ECONOMY HAS EQUAL DISTRIBUTION OF RESOURCES!

Patterns of Land Use Proximity of economic activity and natural resources. Examples: Coal & steel Grain & cattle Fishing & the ocean

Reasons for Development of Northeast Cities Better Opportunities Religious Freedom Escape from Oppressive Governments Adventure

Why did cities develop? Specialized industry – steel industry in Pittsburgh Immigration from other countries Movement to urban settings for better jobs Transportation hubs

The Northeast – Part 3 Ports, Physical Features, Importance of Rivers, and Uniqueness of the Region

Major Bodies of Water Atlantic Ocean Great Lakes Hudson River Connecticut River Ohio River Erie Canal Susquehanna River

Important Understanding About Waterways The United States has access to numerous and varied bodies of water. These bodies of water support interaction among regions and among countries. They also form borders between states and even other countries. (Canada)

Why are these bodies of water important? Trade, transportation, and settlement. Connection between port of New York and inland states.

Why are these bodies of water important? Atlantic Ocean Provides access to other areas of the world for trade. Highway for explorers, early settlers, and immigrants.

Physical Characteristics Coastal Plains located along Atlantic Coast. Broad lowland provides many excellent harbors. Bays and harbors in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia. Farming in New York state and New England is productive.

Importance of Rivers Hudson and Connecticut Rivers Link to the Great Lakes and ports. Trade and settlement. Access to the Atlantic and the world.

Regions Regions are areas of Earth’s surface which share unifying characteristics. Regions may be defined by physical or cultural characteristics. Regions are used to simplify the world for study and understanding.

Regions Geography of the Northeast, and its economy, influenced the development of the population and industry of the region. Regional landscapes reflect cultural characteristics of their inhabitants.

Why is the Northeast unique? Physical Regions – ex. New England Cultural Regions Cultural Characteristics

Cultural Regions Language Ethnic Religion Economic Political

Cultural Characteristics Architecture – religious buildings and dwellings influenced by Europeans. Statues and Monuments of local, national, or global importance – Statue of Liberty, Liberty Bell, etc. European influence in art, music, education.