American Cultural Regions Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the Midwest commonly referred to due to its agricultural output?

  • The nation's breadbasket (correct)
  • The nation's kitchen
  • The nation's pasture
  • The nation's grange

Which cultural contribution is strongly associated with New Orleans?

  • Country western music
  • Rock and roll
  • Jazz (correct)
  • Bluegrass

Which region is characterized by large cotton plantations and a history of slavery?

  • The West
  • The Northeast
  • The Midwest
  • The South (correct)

Which of the following best describes the general personality traits attributed to people in the Midwest?

<p>Open, friendly, and down-to-earth (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of the South emphasizes a commitment to personal honor and valor?

<p>Military tradition (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic best describes the Northeast region of the United States?

<p>Historically a center for shipbuilding and trade. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a notable aspect of New England's geographical features?

<p>A hilly terrain with limited farmland. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor distinguishes the Middle Atlantic from New England?

<p>Greater cultural diversity among the early settlers. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What misconception might one have about the boundaries between states and regions in the US?

<p>The division into regions is often more natural and unofficial. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following states is NOT part of the New England sub-region?

<p>New Jersey (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which state is NOT part of the Navajo sub-region?

<p>Nevada (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true about the Pacific Southwest?

<p>It produces the majority of the U.S. wine. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which city serves as the headquarters for Mormonism in the Mormon sub-region?

<p>Salt Lake City (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant event is associated with the year 1849 in the Pacific Southwest?

<p>The Gold Rush (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which mountain in the Pacific Northwest is a known volcano?

<p>Mount Rainier (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the nickname of Idaho, reflecting its mineral wealth?

<p>The Gem State (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which state is included in the Rocky Mountains sub-region?

<p>Wyoming (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which cultural influence is significant in the interior Southwest?

<p>Spanish (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

New England

A region in the US containing the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Known for its historical significance, hilly terrain, and focus on shipbuilding, fishing, and trade.

The Middle Atlantic

A region in the US encompassing New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and West Virginia. It features a diverse population due to early settlers like Dutch, Swedes, English Catholics, Quakers, Mennonites, and Amish.

The real Yankees

A phrase used to describe people from New England, known for their shrewdness, thriftiness, hard work, inventiveness, and independent spirit.

Regional division

The process of dividing a large area into smaller, more manageable units based on shared characteristics like geography, culture, or history.

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State boundaries vs. regions

The idea that the borders of US states are often arbitrary and don't necessarily reflect natural geographic or historical divisions.

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The Midwest

A region in the US stretching from Ohio to the Rocky Mountains, known for its fertile land, large-scale agriculture, and traditional values.

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What is the Midwest known for?

A geographic area in the US characterized by its agricultural focus, particularly on crops like wheat and corn, leading to its nickname "the nation's breadbasket."

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What is the landscape like in the Midwest?

A geographic area in the US that is predominantly agricultural, characterized by large, rectangular fields devoted to the cultivation of wheat and corn.

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The South

A region in the US with a strong historical consciousness, influenced by its role in the Civil War. It is known for its diverse geography, from lowlands to highlands, and its cultural contributions in music and literature.

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What are the people of the South known for?

A region in the US associated with a relaxed and hospitable lifestyle, strong family values, and a rich cultural heritage rooted in music, literature, and a distinct dialect.

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The Navajo Sub-region

It is home to the Navajo Nation, spanning parts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. It is known for its harsh climate and rich Native American culture.

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The Mormon Sub-region

It refers to the region encompassing Utah and Southeastern Idaho. It's characterized by a distinctive Mormon population and Salt Lake City being the headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The region has high moral, educational, and health standards.

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The Pacific Southwest

The largest city in the region is Los Angeles. California is referred to as the Golden State due to its rich history of gold mining. Silicon Valley, located in this sub-region, is a global leader in technological innovations. It is also known for its wine production, contributing around 90% of US wine.

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The Pacific Northwest

It is a subregion encompassing Northern Cascades, Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens (volcanoes), Washington (nicknamed the Evergreen State), and Oregon. It has major urban centers like Seattle, Washington, and Portland, Oregon.

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The Rocky Mountains Subregion

It features Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Colorado. It's known for its stunning Rocky Mountain scenery, hosting Yellowstone National Park and boasting renowned ski resorts, particularly in Colorado.

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Battle of Little Bighorn

Montana, a part of the Rocky Mountains Subregion, holds historical significance due to the Battle of Little Bighorn. This battle saw Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes fight against the U.S. Cavalry led by G.Custer. The battle symbolized the struggle between Native Americans and the U.S. government over their traditional way of life.

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Idaho: The Gem State & The Potato State

Idaho, a state located in the Rocky Mountain region, is nicknamed the Gem State due to its extensive deposits of minerals, particularly silver. It's also informally known as the Potato State due to its significant potato farming industry.

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The Southwest

It is a region known for its drier and more empty climate compared to the Midwest. It's deeply influenced by Native American cultures and was initially colonized by Spanish settlers. The region is divided into two sub-regions: the Interior Southwest and the Pacific Southwest.

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Study Notes

American Cultural Regions

  • Regions are more natural, but not officially defined, than state boundaries
  • Four main regions: Northeast, South, Midwest, West
  • Northeast includes New York City, New England, Mid-Atlantic states
  • South stretches from Virginia to Texas (excluding Missouri)
  • Midwest encompasses the area from Ohio to the Rocky Mountains, and from the Great Lakes to the Ohio River
  • West encompasses the western portion of the United States excluding the Great Plains, plus Hawaii, and Alaska

The Northeast (Sub-region: New England)

  • Smallest region, but historically important in American history including the beginnings of the American Revolution and abolitionism
  • Primarily hilly terrain, not ideal for agriculture
  • Strong history of shipbuilding, fishing, and trade
  • Early settlers engaged in these professions and trades, which led to a thriving merchant marine during the mid-1800s
  • Characterized by simple, wood-frame houses, white church steeples, and smaller towns
  • Inhabitants were often described as shrewd, thrifty, hardworking, inventive, and independent; nicknamed "Yankees"

The Northeast (Sub-region: The Middle Atlantic)

  • Includes New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland (and West Virginia)
  • Urban center of New York City
  • Early settlers were primarily farmers and fur traders
  • Diverse, with populations from Dutch, Swedish, English Catholic, Quaker, and Mennonite groups
  • 19th century saw major industrial growth in iron, glass, and steel
  • The area was significant for various early industry

The Midwest

  • Extends from Ohio to the Rocky Mountains, and from the Great Lakes to the Ohio and Missouri rivers
  • Called the "breadbasket" of America because of its large agricultural output, primarily wheat and corn
  • Towns and farms utilize barbed-wire fencing to enclose livestock
  • Known for a straightforward, down-to-earth, conservative, and helpful nature
  • The Republican party formed in the 1850s to oppose the extension of slavery in this region

The South

  • Strong historical consciousness owing to the Civil War defeat
  • Two sub-regions: Lowland and Upland South
  • Lowland South: large cotton plantations, with a large enslaved population
  • Upland South: inland, poorer soil, with fewer slaves; difficult, harsh life
  • Strong sense of hospitality, family values, and relaxed, unhurried lifestyle
  • Distinct dialects, cultural inventions (such as blues, jazz, country music, country western), and a rich literary tradition
  • Rich literary tradition, with many key figures such as William Faulkner and Flannery O'Connor

The West

  • A very large, diverse region divided into sub-regions
  • Sub-region: The Southwest
  • Drier and emptier than the Midwest
  • Strong Native American cultural impact; oldest cultures in the U.S.
  • Harsh climates in various regions
  • Historically colonized by Spain
  • Sub-region: Pacific Southwest
  • Population center in California, with large cities like Los Angeles
  • Historically significant contributions from Spanish missionaries to agriculture
  • Sub-region: Pacific Northwest
  • Includes Washington, Oregon, and Northern portions of the Cascade and Rocky Mountains
  • Urban centers are Seattle and Portland

Alaska

  • Largest state, with a history of interaction between Native peoples and Russians trading for furs
  • Historical importance connected with the gold rush of the late 1800s to early 1900s
  • Tourist destination with natural beauty

Hawaii

  • Volcanic islands, with a history of Polynesian migration
  • Became an important center of trade/commerce/economics/ tourism from the mid-19th century to the present
  • Diverse population, historically and presently

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