1. The Country
ZUSATZ: Current Affairs
Changing Public Attitudes (USA, 2025–2026 Updates)
• Dec 2025 – Yale/George Mason Poll (US voters & climate costs)
o Around 65% of registered voters link climate change to rising living costs
(food, electricity, insurance).
o Public perception shifts climate change from an environmental issue to an
economic affordability issue.
o Growing concern that extreme weather increases household expenses.
• 2025–2026 – Trump administration energy policy shift (reported NYT / Guardian)
o Expansion of fossil fuel production (oil, gas, coal) and rollback of climate
regulations.
o Simultaneous cutting of renewable energy subsidies (wind, solar, EVs).
o Federal lands opened for large-scale drilling and energy extraction.
o Policy justified as “energy security and affordability”, but criticized for
increasing emissions and instability.
• April 2026 – Renewable energy growth despite political resistance (Guardian)
o Renewables (wind + solar) reached a historic milestone, overtaking gas in
US electricity generation for the first time.
o 93% of new electricity capacity in 2026 projected to come from
renewables.
o Courts blocked some attempts to restrict wind energy projects → shows legal
and economic resistance to fossil fuel policy shifts.
• April 2026 – Conflict over offshore wind projects (Guardian)
o Federal government blocked offshore wind farms and redirected focus to
oil and gas investment.
o Critics argue this increases energy prices and environmental risk.
o Ongoing legal and political conflict between states, courts, and federal
government.
• 2026 – Public opinion on energy policy polarization (Guardian / polls)
o Majority of Americans oppose blocking renewable projects or suppressing
climate information.
o Strong partisan divide:
▪ Democrats → strong support for climate action
▪ Republicans → more skepticism toward climate regulation
o Climate attitudes increasingly tied to everyday issues (energy bills,
inflation, jobs).
• 2025–2026 – Economic contradiction in energy transition (Axios / NYT
reporting)
o Clean energy investment remains strong, but political decisions create
instability.
o Over $30+ billion in clean energy projects delayed or cancelled in 2025
due to policy uncertainty.
o Tech industry and AI data centers increase demand for electricity →
strengthens fossil fuel demand again.
Key Overall Trends
• US public opinion is increasingly aware of climate costs, not just environmental
damage.
• Energy policy is highly politicized and unstable, shifting between fossil fuel
expansion and renewable growth.
1
, • There is a clear gap between political decisions and market trends (renewables
continue to grow despite policy resistance).
• Energy debate in the US has become a core part of political identity, economic
concerns, and lifestyle choices.
a) Physical Geography
Size of the US
• The United States covers 3.6 million square miles (9.36 million km²) → 4th largest
country in the world (after Russia, Canada, China).
• 48 states lie between the Atlantic and Pacific; Alaska (northwest) and Hawaii
(Pacific) are separate.
• Additional island territories in the Caribbean and Pacific expand total area.
• The country’s vast size contributes to major regional diversity in landscape,
climate, and resources.
Geographical Regions
• Extreme physical diversity: from Arctic (Alaska) to tropical (Hawaii/Florida),
including deserts, plains, mountains, and rainforests.
1. Atlantic Plain
• Coastal lowland from New England to Texas; first settlement area of Europeans.
• Today: densely populated corridor (“Bos-Wash”) with large metropolitan regions.
• Economically important: cotton belt + citrus farming, but generally poor soil.
• Key resource: oil and natural gas (Gulf of Mexico).
2. Piedmont & Appalachians
• Piedmont: fertile plateau with early industrial cities (waterpower at “fall line”).
• Appalachians: old, eroded mountains that slowed westward expansion.
• Rich in coal (Pennsylvania, West Virginia) → crucial for early industry.
• Today: economically depressed region despite resources.
3. Central Lowland (Midwest)
• Vast basin → includes Great Lakes region.
• Key for US industrialization (iron + coal transport system).
• Known as “breadbasket” → fertile soils + agriculture.
• Transition from forests → prairies → Great Plains (due to decreasing rainfall).
4. Great Plains
• Semi-arid region, ~800 km wide.
• Suitable for ranching; irrigation enables farming.
• Increasing importance due to shale oil extraction.
5. Cordillera (West)
• Includes Rocky Mountains + Pacific ranges + plateaus/deserts.
• Features: Grand Canyon, deserts, basins, volcanoes.
• Fertile valleys (e.g. California) → major agricultural centers.
• Environmental issue: water scarcity more important than earthquakes.
6. Alaska & Hawaii
• Alaska: tundra, mountains, oil resources, fragile ecosystems.
• Hawaii: tropical climate, agriculture, forests (not mineral-based economy).
Natural and Energy Resources
• US economy strongly based on abundant natural resources.
• Key resources:
o Fossil fuels: oil, gas (Gulf, Texas, Alaska, shale deposits).
o Coal: especially Appalachia (historically crucial).
o Metals: iron (Great Lakes), gold, silver, copper.
• Fracking since early 2000s → major increase in oil/gas production.
• Goal of energy independence achieved through domestic extraction.
• Shift from coal → gas, oil, nuclear, renewables (wind, solar).
Agricultural and Economic Development
2
, • Central Lowland = core agricultural region (“breadbasket”).
• Development based on combination of:
o fertile soil
o transport systems (rivers, Great Lakes)
o natural resources (iron + coal).
• Rise of large-scale agribusiness → high productivity.
• West Coast valleys → key suppliers of fruit and vegetables (irrigation +
refrigeration).
• Industrial core (Midwest) declined since 1970s due to globalization, but partly
revived (e.g. auto industry rescue, fracking).
Environmental Concerns (EPA)
• Resource exploitation led to:
o pollution (air, water)
o resource depletion
o dependence on imports (historically).
• Major environmental risks:
o oil spills (e.g. Gulf disaster 2010)
o water pollution (fertilizers, industry)
o air pollution + acid rain
o earthquakes linked to fracking
o climate change impacts (flooding, extreme weather).
Environmental movement
• Since mid-19th century → strong conservation tradition.
• Key developments:
o 1872: Yellowstone (first national park).
o 1916: National Park Service (NPS) established.
o 1970: Earth Day (20 million participants).
• Creation of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) → regulates pollution.
Important laws
• Clean Air Act
• Clean Water Act
• Safe Drinking Water Act
• Endangered Species Act
• Toxic Substances Control Act (reformed 2016)
• Superfund program (to clean toxic waste sites)
Ongoing issue
• Constant conflict (“political ecology”) between:
o economic growth
o environmental protection
o cultural interests (e.g. Native Americans).
Climate
• Wide climatic variation due to size and geography.
General patterns
• Inland areas → extreme temperatures (continental climate).
• Mountains (Cordillera) block Pacific influence → most of US has “inland” climate.
• Atlantic has only limited moderating effect.
Rainfall
• West: dry (rain shadow effect).
• Central/East: more rainfall from Gulf of Mexico moisture.
• Frequent extreme weather: tornadoes, blizzards, storms.
Seasonal patterns
• Winter: cold Canadian air spreads south.
• Summer: warm Gulf air moves north → heat + humidity.
• West Coast:
3
, omild, wet winters (Northwest)
odry, hot summers (especially California).
Extreme events
• Hurricanes (Atlantic/Gulf coasts)
• Tornadoes (Mississippi Valley)
• Flooding (rising sea levels, especially East Coast)
Key Concept: Political Ecology
• Focus on interaction between environment, economy, and society.
• Central issue: how to balance resource use and environmental protection.
• Involves multiple actors:
o government (EPA, laws)
o businesses (energy, agriculture)
o environmental groups
o local populations.
b) Native American Cultural Regions
General Overview
• Around 10 million Native Americans lived in North America before European arrival
(mid-1500s).
• They formed hundreds of distinct cultures with many different languages and
social systems.
• Cultural regions are broad classifications, focusing on similarities rather than exact
boundaries.
Eastern Woodland Cultures (Maize Regions)
• Located in the northeastern and southeastern US.
• Called “maize cultures” because corn was the staple crop.
• Economy based on farming, hunting, fishing, and gathering.
• Southeast: longer growing season → more advanced agriculture.
• Housing: wood, bark, and thatch structures.
• Division of labor:
o women & children → farming + gathering
o men → hunting + fishing
• Important tribes:
o North: Iroquois, Huron, Mohican, Delaware, Shawnee
o South: Powhatan, Creek, Cherokee, Seminole, Natchez
Great Plains / Bison Region
• Covered prairies and Great Plains → initially sparsely populated.
• Early lifestyle: riverbank farming + hunting small game.
• Major transformation (1700–1750):
o adoption of the horse (from Spanish)
o shift to nomadic buffalo (bison) hunting.
• Effects of horse culture:
o increased food supply → population growth
o migration of tribes (e.g. Dakota) westward
o emergence of warrior-based societies.
• Lifestyle changes:
o permanent homes → portable tipis
o farming → nomadic hunting culture.
• Well-known tribes: Blackfoot, Crow, Cheyenne, Dakota.
• Notable for strong resistance to European/US expansion.
Southwest Cultures
• Region of diverse cultures: farmers + nomadic groups.
• Key feature: advanced irrigated agriculture.
4
,Pueblo cultures (e.g. Hopi, Zuni, Acoma)
• Lived in multi-story adobe/stone houses (pueblos).
• Matrilineal society (descent through female line).
• Women owned land; men farmed.
Navajo & Apache
• Migrated from the north (1000–1500 AD).
• Originally hunters and gatherers, later adopted farming.
• Influenced by Spanish culture:
o Navajo → sheep raising, peach growing, silverwork
o Apache → adopted plains-style nomadism + cattle raising.
California–Intermountain Region
• Included California and barren interior plateau areas.
• Peoples lived as nomadic hunters and gatherers.
• Considered materially poor due to harsh environment.
• Social structure:
o small, loosely organized family groups
o known for democratic traditions and peaceful lifestyles.
Northwest Coast Cultures
• Region: northern California → southern Alaska.
• Environment rich in natural resources (fish, plants, game).
• Among the most advanced non-agricultural societies.
Key characteristics
• Economy: mainly salmon fishing, plus whaling and sea hunting.
• Lived in permanent coastal villages (like city-states).
• Built:
o large wooden houses
o seagoing canoes
o totem poles with symbolic carvings.
Social system
• Practiced potlatch ceremonies:
o gift-giving feasts to demonstrate wealth and status.
• One of the few Native societies to practice slavery.
Important groups
• Chinook, Tsimshian, Kwakiutl, Haida, Tlingit
Arctic / Subarctic (Inuit & Aleuts)
• Located in Alaska and Aleutian Islands.
• Lifestyle adapted to extreme cold environment.
Key features
• Coastal groups → sea hunting.
• Inland groups → big-game hunting.
• Settled villages (not fully nomadic).
• Housing: sod-walled, partly underground houses.
• Technology:
o kayaks and dog sledges for transport and hunting.
Hawaiian Culture
• Based on tropical agriculture and fishing.
• Techniques:
o terraced farming
o irrigation systems
o coastal fish ponds.
Social structure
• Strong hierarchy:
5
, o priesthood, aristocracy, royal family owned land.
• Land divided into strips from mountains to sea → ensured resource access.
• Common people had limited usage rights (fishing, farming, gathering).
Key Takeaways
• Native American cultures were highly diverse and adapted to their environments.
• Economic systems ranged from:
o agriculture (East, Southwest)
o nomadic hunting (Plains)
o fishing-based economies (Northwest).
• Social structures varied widely (e.g. matrilineal Southwest vs. hierarchical Hawaii).
• Environmental conditions strongly shaped lifestyle, economy, and settlement
patterns.
c) Contemporary Cultural Regions – The USA
General Overview (Political Geography)
• US cultural regions are shaped by historical influences + global migration +
Native American elements.
• Compared to older countries, regions are less clearly defined.
• Reasons for homogenization:
o high mobility of population
o mass media & social media
o urbanization
o centralized economy & government
o modern transportation.
• Regions remain useful for understanding cultural, economic, and political
differences.
The Northeast
• Region: Maine → Maryland, west to Ohio border.
• Characteristics:
o densely populated, highly urbanized
o post-industrial economy (shift from heavy industry → services & high-tech).
• Still considered economic and cultural core of the US.
• Divided into New England + Mid-Atlantic.
New England
• Southern New England (MA, CT, RI):
o strong historical influence (early British settlers).
o origin of key US values:
▪ American exceptionalism
▪ Puritan work ethic
▪ belief in individualism, hard work, progress.
o early center of industry (waterpower at fall line).
o today: education, research, high-tech, tourism.
• Northern New England (ME, VT, NH):
o less populated, more rural.
o economy: logging, fishing, tourism (second homes).
o political culture: independent, reform-oriented.
Mid-Atlantic
• Historically: commercial and industrial hub.
• Advantages:
o good harbors
o transport routes through Appalachians
o Erie Canal → boosted New York City.
• Developed into urban-industrial core (“Rust Belt” after 1970s decline).
• Highly ethnically diverse cities.
• Today: economic restructuring + competition with South/West.
6
ZUSATZ: Current Affairs
Changing Public Attitudes (USA, 2025–2026 Updates)
• Dec 2025 – Yale/George Mason Poll (US voters & climate costs)
o Around 65% of registered voters link climate change to rising living costs
(food, electricity, insurance).
o Public perception shifts climate change from an environmental issue to an
economic affordability issue.
o Growing concern that extreme weather increases household expenses.
• 2025–2026 – Trump administration energy policy shift (reported NYT / Guardian)
o Expansion of fossil fuel production (oil, gas, coal) and rollback of climate
regulations.
o Simultaneous cutting of renewable energy subsidies (wind, solar, EVs).
o Federal lands opened for large-scale drilling and energy extraction.
o Policy justified as “energy security and affordability”, but criticized for
increasing emissions and instability.
• April 2026 – Renewable energy growth despite political resistance (Guardian)
o Renewables (wind + solar) reached a historic milestone, overtaking gas in
US electricity generation for the first time.
o 93% of new electricity capacity in 2026 projected to come from
renewables.
o Courts blocked some attempts to restrict wind energy projects → shows legal
and economic resistance to fossil fuel policy shifts.
• April 2026 – Conflict over offshore wind projects (Guardian)
o Federal government blocked offshore wind farms and redirected focus to
oil and gas investment.
o Critics argue this increases energy prices and environmental risk.
o Ongoing legal and political conflict between states, courts, and federal
government.
• 2026 – Public opinion on energy policy polarization (Guardian / polls)
o Majority of Americans oppose blocking renewable projects or suppressing
climate information.
o Strong partisan divide:
▪ Democrats → strong support for climate action
▪ Republicans → more skepticism toward climate regulation
o Climate attitudes increasingly tied to everyday issues (energy bills,
inflation, jobs).
• 2025–2026 – Economic contradiction in energy transition (Axios / NYT
reporting)
o Clean energy investment remains strong, but political decisions create
instability.
o Over $30+ billion in clean energy projects delayed or cancelled in 2025
due to policy uncertainty.
o Tech industry and AI data centers increase demand for electricity →
strengthens fossil fuel demand again.
Key Overall Trends
• US public opinion is increasingly aware of climate costs, not just environmental
damage.
• Energy policy is highly politicized and unstable, shifting between fossil fuel
expansion and renewable growth.
1
, • There is a clear gap between political decisions and market trends (renewables
continue to grow despite policy resistance).
• Energy debate in the US has become a core part of political identity, economic
concerns, and lifestyle choices.
a) Physical Geography
Size of the US
• The United States covers 3.6 million square miles (9.36 million km²) → 4th largest
country in the world (after Russia, Canada, China).
• 48 states lie between the Atlantic and Pacific; Alaska (northwest) and Hawaii
(Pacific) are separate.
• Additional island territories in the Caribbean and Pacific expand total area.
• The country’s vast size contributes to major regional diversity in landscape,
climate, and resources.
Geographical Regions
• Extreme physical diversity: from Arctic (Alaska) to tropical (Hawaii/Florida),
including deserts, plains, mountains, and rainforests.
1. Atlantic Plain
• Coastal lowland from New England to Texas; first settlement area of Europeans.
• Today: densely populated corridor (“Bos-Wash”) with large metropolitan regions.
• Economically important: cotton belt + citrus farming, but generally poor soil.
• Key resource: oil and natural gas (Gulf of Mexico).
2. Piedmont & Appalachians
• Piedmont: fertile plateau with early industrial cities (waterpower at “fall line”).
• Appalachians: old, eroded mountains that slowed westward expansion.
• Rich in coal (Pennsylvania, West Virginia) → crucial for early industry.
• Today: economically depressed region despite resources.
3. Central Lowland (Midwest)
• Vast basin → includes Great Lakes region.
• Key for US industrialization (iron + coal transport system).
• Known as “breadbasket” → fertile soils + agriculture.
• Transition from forests → prairies → Great Plains (due to decreasing rainfall).
4. Great Plains
• Semi-arid region, ~800 km wide.
• Suitable for ranching; irrigation enables farming.
• Increasing importance due to shale oil extraction.
5. Cordillera (West)
• Includes Rocky Mountains + Pacific ranges + plateaus/deserts.
• Features: Grand Canyon, deserts, basins, volcanoes.
• Fertile valleys (e.g. California) → major agricultural centers.
• Environmental issue: water scarcity more important than earthquakes.
6. Alaska & Hawaii
• Alaska: tundra, mountains, oil resources, fragile ecosystems.
• Hawaii: tropical climate, agriculture, forests (not mineral-based economy).
Natural and Energy Resources
• US economy strongly based on abundant natural resources.
• Key resources:
o Fossil fuels: oil, gas (Gulf, Texas, Alaska, shale deposits).
o Coal: especially Appalachia (historically crucial).
o Metals: iron (Great Lakes), gold, silver, copper.
• Fracking since early 2000s → major increase in oil/gas production.
• Goal of energy independence achieved through domestic extraction.
• Shift from coal → gas, oil, nuclear, renewables (wind, solar).
Agricultural and Economic Development
2
, • Central Lowland = core agricultural region (“breadbasket”).
• Development based on combination of:
o fertile soil
o transport systems (rivers, Great Lakes)
o natural resources (iron + coal).
• Rise of large-scale agribusiness → high productivity.
• West Coast valleys → key suppliers of fruit and vegetables (irrigation +
refrigeration).
• Industrial core (Midwest) declined since 1970s due to globalization, but partly
revived (e.g. auto industry rescue, fracking).
Environmental Concerns (EPA)
• Resource exploitation led to:
o pollution (air, water)
o resource depletion
o dependence on imports (historically).
• Major environmental risks:
o oil spills (e.g. Gulf disaster 2010)
o water pollution (fertilizers, industry)
o air pollution + acid rain
o earthquakes linked to fracking
o climate change impacts (flooding, extreme weather).
Environmental movement
• Since mid-19th century → strong conservation tradition.
• Key developments:
o 1872: Yellowstone (first national park).
o 1916: National Park Service (NPS) established.
o 1970: Earth Day (20 million participants).
• Creation of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) → regulates pollution.
Important laws
• Clean Air Act
• Clean Water Act
• Safe Drinking Water Act
• Endangered Species Act
• Toxic Substances Control Act (reformed 2016)
• Superfund program (to clean toxic waste sites)
Ongoing issue
• Constant conflict (“political ecology”) between:
o economic growth
o environmental protection
o cultural interests (e.g. Native Americans).
Climate
• Wide climatic variation due to size and geography.
General patterns
• Inland areas → extreme temperatures (continental climate).
• Mountains (Cordillera) block Pacific influence → most of US has “inland” climate.
• Atlantic has only limited moderating effect.
Rainfall
• West: dry (rain shadow effect).
• Central/East: more rainfall from Gulf of Mexico moisture.
• Frequent extreme weather: tornadoes, blizzards, storms.
Seasonal patterns
• Winter: cold Canadian air spreads south.
• Summer: warm Gulf air moves north → heat + humidity.
• West Coast:
3
, omild, wet winters (Northwest)
odry, hot summers (especially California).
Extreme events
• Hurricanes (Atlantic/Gulf coasts)
• Tornadoes (Mississippi Valley)
• Flooding (rising sea levels, especially East Coast)
Key Concept: Political Ecology
• Focus on interaction between environment, economy, and society.
• Central issue: how to balance resource use and environmental protection.
• Involves multiple actors:
o government (EPA, laws)
o businesses (energy, agriculture)
o environmental groups
o local populations.
b) Native American Cultural Regions
General Overview
• Around 10 million Native Americans lived in North America before European arrival
(mid-1500s).
• They formed hundreds of distinct cultures with many different languages and
social systems.
• Cultural regions are broad classifications, focusing on similarities rather than exact
boundaries.
Eastern Woodland Cultures (Maize Regions)
• Located in the northeastern and southeastern US.
• Called “maize cultures” because corn was the staple crop.
• Economy based on farming, hunting, fishing, and gathering.
• Southeast: longer growing season → more advanced agriculture.
• Housing: wood, bark, and thatch structures.
• Division of labor:
o women & children → farming + gathering
o men → hunting + fishing
• Important tribes:
o North: Iroquois, Huron, Mohican, Delaware, Shawnee
o South: Powhatan, Creek, Cherokee, Seminole, Natchez
Great Plains / Bison Region
• Covered prairies and Great Plains → initially sparsely populated.
• Early lifestyle: riverbank farming + hunting small game.
• Major transformation (1700–1750):
o adoption of the horse (from Spanish)
o shift to nomadic buffalo (bison) hunting.
• Effects of horse culture:
o increased food supply → population growth
o migration of tribes (e.g. Dakota) westward
o emergence of warrior-based societies.
• Lifestyle changes:
o permanent homes → portable tipis
o farming → nomadic hunting culture.
• Well-known tribes: Blackfoot, Crow, Cheyenne, Dakota.
• Notable for strong resistance to European/US expansion.
Southwest Cultures
• Region of diverse cultures: farmers + nomadic groups.
• Key feature: advanced irrigated agriculture.
4
,Pueblo cultures (e.g. Hopi, Zuni, Acoma)
• Lived in multi-story adobe/stone houses (pueblos).
• Matrilineal society (descent through female line).
• Women owned land; men farmed.
Navajo & Apache
• Migrated from the north (1000–1500 AD).
• Originally hunters and gatherers, later adopted farming.
• Influenced by Spanish culture:
o Navajo → sheep raising, peach growing, silverwork
o Apache → adopted plains-style nomadism + cattle raising.
California–Intermountain Region
• Included California and barren interior plateau areas.
• Peoples lived as nomadic hunters and gatherers.
• Considered materially poor due to harsh environment.
• Social structure:
o small, loosely organized family groups
o known for democratic traditions and peaceful lifestyles.
Northwest Coast Cultures
• Region: northern California → southern Alaska.
• Environment rich in natural resources (fish, plants, game).
• Among the most advanced non-agricultural societies.
Key characteristics
• Economy: mainly salmon fishing, plus whaling and sea hunting.
• Lived in permanent coastal villages (like city-states).
• Built:
o large wooden houses
o seagoing canoes
o totem poles with symbolic carvings.
Social system
• Practiced potlatch ceremonies:
o gift-giving feasts to demonstrate wealth and status.
• One of the few Native societies to practice slavery.
Important groups
• Chinook, Tsimshian, Kwakiutl, Haida, Tlingit
Arctic / Subarctic (Inuit & Aleuts)
• Located in Alaska and Aleutian Islands.
• Lifestyle adapted to extreme cold environment.
Key features
• Coastal groups → sea hunting.
• Inland groups → big-game hunting.
• Settled villages (not fully nomadic).
• Housing: sod-walled, partly underground houses.
• Technology:
o kayaks and dog sledges for transport and hunting.
Hawaiian Culture
• Based on tropical agriculture and fishing.
• Techniques:
o terraced farming
o irrigation systems
o coastal fish ponds.
Social structure
• Strong hierarchy:
5
, o priesthood, aristocracy, royal family owned land.
• Land divided into strips from mountains to sea → ensured resource access.
• Common people had limited usage rights (fishing, farming, gathering).
Key Takeaways
• Native American cultures were highly diverse and adapted to their environments.
• Economic systems ranged from:
o agriculture (East, Southwest)
o nomadic hunting (Plains)
o fishing-based economies (Northwest).
• Social structures varied widely (e.g. matrilineal Southwest vs. hierarchical Hawaii).
• Environmental conditions strongly shaped lifestyle, economy, and settlement
patterns.
c) Contemporary Cultural Regions – The USA
General Overview (Political Geography)
• US cultural regions are shaped by historical influences + global migration +
Native American elements.
• Compared to older countries, regions are less clearly defined.
• Reasons for homogenization:
o high mobility of population
o mass media & social media
o urbanization
o centralized economy & government
o modern transportation.
• Regions remain useful for understanding cultural, economic, and political
differences.
The Northeast
• Region: Maine → Maryland, west to Ohio border.
• Characteristics:
o densely populated, highly urbanized
o post-industrial economy (shift from heavy industry → services & high-tech).
• Still considered economic and cultural core of the US.
• Divided into New England + Mid-Atlantic.
New England
• Southern New England (MA, CT, RI):
o strong historical influence (early British settlers).
o origin of key US values:
▪ American exceptionalism
▪ Puritan work ethic
▪ belief in individualism, hard work, progress.
o early center of industry (waterpower at fall line).
o today: education, research, high-tech, tourism.
• Northern New England (ME, VT, NH):
o less populated, more rural.
o economy: logging, fishing, tourism (second homes).
o political culture: independent, reform-oriented.
Mid-Atlantic
• Historically: commercial and industrial hub.
• Advantages:
o good harbors
o transport routes through Appalachians
o Erie Canal → boosted New York City.
• Developed into urban-industrial core (“Rust Belt” after 1970s decline).
• Highly ethnically diverse cities.
• Today: economic restructuring + competition with South/West.
6
