THE BYPASSED EAST (CHAPTER 7)

INTRODUCTION "Bypassed East" Atlantic Provinces of Canada, northern New England and the Adirondack region of New York (see map on page 127). A transportation shadow; i.e., an area of limited transportation development located near an area of much greater facility availability. Characterized by slow economic growth. Although settled early, the region became increasingly isolated as settlement pushed westward. Relatively few large urban areas.

THE BYPASSED EAST

EMPTY AREAS

PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY Topography Northern extension of the Appalachian Mountains. Green Mountains (Vermont) Range to 4,600 ft Ice covered during the Pleistocene White Mountains (New Hampshire) Extend to 6,500 ft and have Upper slopes are rugged and steep Mountains of the Atlantic Provinces <2,200 ft and well rounded

PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY Climate Maritime impact is minimized by continental and polar air masses Labrador Current flows southward along the coast and serves to chill the coastal waters Generally, the climate is seldom hot, often cool, and usually damp.

EARLY SETTLERS Early 1600's - initial settlers relied upon three means to support their livelihood Fishing for cod and haddock from the rich banks off the Atlantic Provinces Timbering, especially focusing on New England's white pine Agriculture, mainly of the subsistence type

AGRICULTURE Present Trends <10% of New England is farmland, compared to about 50% around 100 years ago. Agricultural activity in the Atlantic Provinces peaked during the late 1800s and the number of farms has since decreased by 66%. The farming that remains today is specialized in single crop production.

KEY TERMS Milk shed Inshore Fishing A term that can be applied to the Lake Champlain lowland A nodal region that supplies a major metropolitan area with its milk and dairy needs Inshore Fishing A small-scale commercial activity (dominant in Eastern Canada) Relies on the use of small boats and requires a small capital investment Lobsters and cod are the most valuable catch.

AGRICULTURE (CONTINUED) Major Areas and Products (see map-132) Aroostock Valley (NE Maine) Has silty loam soils that are good for potatoes The newest commercial agricultural area and relies on large-scale mechanization Suffers from competition with Idaho and Oregon, and the changing American diet Lake Champlain Lowland Serves as a milk shed for the Megalopolis cities of Boston and New York

MAJOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCING AREAS Prince Edward Island Produces seed potatoes as its major commercial crop, but is a fairly diverse area Annapolis Valley An 80 mile by 90 mile area of southwest Nova Scotia Traditionally one of Canada's leading apple-producing regions

ECONOMIC MAINSTAYS Forestry Plays a limited role in most of New England as a result of inadequate reforestation Northern Maine remains a key producer of pulpwood. In the Atlantic Provinces, forestry products are the key exports. Northern New Brunswick and Newfoundland are major producers of pulp and paper.

ECONOMIC MAINSTAYS (CONTINUED) Fishing The inshore type, is the more regionally important. Nova Scotia leads all provinces in total catch each year. Newfoundland, New Brunswick, and PEI are 3rd, 4th and 5th. The lobster industry of Maine remains vitally important to New England, accounting for 70% of the region’s total catch.

ECONOMIC MAINSTAYS (CONTINUED) Mining Natural gas and oil (mainly offshore) and limited coal in Nova Scotia Building stone is abundant throughout New England. Tourism - a mixed blessing? Summer and Spring - hiking, fishing, camping, canoeing, and sightseeing Fall - foliage Winter - skiing and winter sports Future Economic Prospects ???

THE BYPASSED EAST (CHAPTER 7)