Chapter Outline

Use this outline to increase your understanding of the important characteristics of Anglo America.

1. New World Core -- This region continues its leadership position within the world economy.
2. New Cultures -- After 1492, the cultures of the New World were overwhelmed by European cultures.
1. Native Americans -- The natural environment affected the numbers of Native Americans and how they lived.
2. European Settlers -- Spanish, French, and Dutch colonial areas are eventually replaced by expanding British colonialism.
3. Wealth of Natural Resources -- Abundant arable land and numerous minerals led to industrialization and economic development. Colder climate causes Canada to initially lag behind the U.S.
4. Human Resources -- Immigrants to Anglo America brought initiative and ambition that under the democratic freedoms led to technological innovation and the creation of wealth.
5. World Roles -- After becoming world political and economic leader, the U.S. has recently entered into trade agreements with Canada and Mexico.
6. Problems of Affluence -- Differences between the rich, the moderately rich, and the poor are substantial and growing. These differences affect patterns within cities and between rural and urban areas. Affluence also contributes to environmental damage.
3. World Issue: Gentrification -- The migration of higher income households into poor inner city areas does help to rebuild neighborhoods, but the overall impact so far has been modest, and dispossessed groups have had to move.
4. Natural Environment -- This region has a wide variety of environments with Canada's more northern location providing a major challenge.
1. Tropical to Polar Climates -- Several different climatic types are currently important. In the past, glaciation was significant.
2. Mountains and Plains -- Many upland areas are found east and west of the central lowlands. The Canadian Shield underlies half of Canada and has little soil and many minerals.
3. Major Rivers and the Great Lakes -- This region contains many sources of water and routes for transportation.
4. Varied Natural Vegetation and Soils -- The best soils are found in the interior plains
5. Natural Hazards -- Many natural hazards like floods, earthquakes, and hurricanes are found in this region.
6. Environmental Problems -- Mining, farming, and manufacturing create many environmental problems like soil erosion and acid rain.
5. United States of America -- This country is the leading free market economy and has a federal system of government.
1. Variety of Regions -- New England with early manufacturing and major universities; Megalopolis with many large cities and the national capital; Manufacturing Belt producing many different industrial products; Appalachia with coal and economic problems; Midwest and Great Plains with great production of crops and livestock; the South with cultural distinctiveness and economic improvement; the Western Mountains with rugged topography, dryness, and few people; Pacific Coast as a relatively new national core with increasing Asian links; and outlying, strategic Alaska and Hawaii are the regions of this diverse country.
2. People -- The U.S. has many large metropolitan areas. The origins of immigrants changed over time and immigration remains a continuing issue and source of population growth. Hispanics will become more numerous than African Americans and Native American groups are slowly making economic progress.
3. Economic Development -- Having the largest GDP of any country by far, the U.S. has the greatest variety of economic activity. Manufacturing based on minerals and transportation became very successful, but services and information-related activities are now more important. Commercial agriculture is also well developed. Government assistance occasionally aided economic development with programs like the Tennessee Valley Authority.
6. Living in the United States of America -- Many Americans enjoy a high standard of living, leisure activities, mobility, large homes, many educational opportunities, and sophisticated health facilities.
7. Canada -- Canada, for better and for worse, is greatly affected by its neighbor to the south.
1. Regions of Canada -- Differences threaten unity in Canada. The Atlantic Provinces struggle economically, whereas Quebec considers independence. Ontario is the economic heart of Canada and the best climate, and the Prairie Provinces produce wheat and livestock. British Columbia is isolated from the rest of Canada.
2. People -- Canada's population growth is similar to that of the U.S. and the western areas grow the most. Independence movements in Quebec and treatment of native Eskimos or Inuits are additional issues.
3. Economic Development -- An affluent country, Canada's economy includes many primary products, import substitution industries, and many ties with the U.S.
8. Landscapes of Anglo America -- Urban areas in the U.S. developed distinctive land use patterns including ghettos and multiple nuclei. Suburbanization and gentrification continue to occur. Canadian cities are similar to American cities, but more urban planning took place in Canada as in Toronto. Rural landscapes of both countries contain many parks and other preserves.
9. Future Prospects -- The United States has been successful in maintaining its position in technology, trade, and politics. How dominant the U.S. will be in the future is unclear. Both countries have continuing ties with Europe and increasing connections with East Asia.