Chapter 9:The Changing South

As stated in this chapter, Southerners are truly proud to call themselves southerners. They passionately believe in their freedoms and traditions. Their culture is so rich with their country music, delicious food and just their laid back mentality. The slaves' presence in the south meant that their influence on their culture was heavy. For example, their speech patterns, diet, and music was highly influenced by the African slaves.

The religion data for the Maricopa County in Arizona shows that 43% of people are Catholic. This seems to be normal in most U.S. States this is the case. However, in the South, they are adherent to the evangelical Protestant religions. The Baptists are dominating in the South. 

More than one-fifth of Arizonans live in poverty, a figure higher than anywhere else in the nation except Mississippi. Figures from the U.S. Census Bureau show nearly 1.4 million Arizonans in households earning less than the federal poverty level - about 21.2 percent. This is definitely shocking news to me. Coming from a small middle class town, I did not know that Arizona is the number 2 state in poverty.

Racial segregation, unfortunately, seems to live on. Recently in Tempe, Arizona at Arizona State University, they had English 101 and 102 classes opened to "Native Americans only".This is not the kind of racial segregation people are used to seeing, however, it is the kind of segregation happening in this modern day world.

                                          
Unlike the South, Arizona does not want more government involvement in their daily lives. It did help the South in economic and social matters.

http://azstarnet.com/news/local/article_551a7372-415a-5dc5-a27d-ab19a1171e81.html

Chapter 8: Appalachia and The Ozarks

The Appalachian Mountain's rugged landscape played a major role in the settlement history of the United States. Without the mountains acting as a barrier, the European settlement may have spread inland more thinly and more quickly. The Appalachians definitely define the North America's resource geography and chart on economic history and population distribution. 

The Appalachia and the Ozark are found in the following states: Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and it touches neighboring states as well. 
Although the Appalachia and Ozark's don't reach to Arizona, I can use this topic to talk a little about the Grand Canyon.






The Grand Canyon can be found in Arizona. This phenomenal 277 mile long and 18 mile wide chasm was formed by the Colorado River.  This beauty took 3 to 6 million years to form,and erosion continues to change its contour. Although I have been to Arizona hundreds of times,sadly, I still have not made it to visit the Grand Canyon!

http://www.explorethecanyon.com/explore-learn/grand-canyon-facts.cfm

Chapter 7: The Bypassed East

The area that compromises the Atlantic Providences of Canada as well as northern New England and the Adirondacks of New York is called the Bypassed East. It lies in a transportation shadow thrown by nearby regions. Most of the Bypassed East is part of the Appalachian Highlands' northeastern extension.The climate in the Bypassed East is where polar, continental and maritime weather systems mix. It is sometimes hot, sometimes cold, and normally humid.It differs from the climate of Arizona where it us usually hot and dry. Higher inland elevations further increase the substantial climactic difference between the region's coastal and interior lands.

The agriculture's regional importance has continued to decline across most of the Bypassed East. Arizona's agricultural output is evenly distributed between crops and livestock. About 47% of Arizona's agricultural production is in livestock. The other 53% is in crops. Arizona's top five agricultural products are cattle and calves, lettuce, dairy products, cotton, and hay. Its biggest crop is lettuce, comprising about 20% of the state's total crop production.

 

They also are a leading cotton-producing state ranking 10th in the nation. Hay and greenhouse and nursery production each generate about 1/2 of the revenues provided by cotton. Beef cattle, including calves are the leading source of Arizona farm income, followed by dairy products. Some hogs and sheep and lambs are also produced in the state.

As far as mining goes Copper is the most important mined product of Arizona.

http://www.netstate.com/economy/az_economy.htm

Chapter 5: The North American Manufacturing Core

Most everything we come in contact with in this world is manufactured. Although many items are manufactured out of the United States, industry located in the U.S. and Canada still produce most of what people in both countries consume. Manufacturing's role in defining a continental core suggests how important this form of economic activity is in defining the character of the United States and Canada. The manufacturing core is very close to the important ports, main communication centers, and the financial centers in both countries.

The United States has become a service economy and many states, Arizona included, generate most of their revenue through service industries.The spending of tourists and retired people contribute a lot to the revenue.

Arizona's manufacturing revenues are generated from high tech products like computers, electronic equipment, and aerospace vehicles.

Manufacturers add value to raw products by creating manufactured items. For example, cotton cloth becomes more valuable than a boll of cotton through manufacturing. In terms of value added, Computer and electronic equipment (computer microchips) and electronic components, including communication systems, are Arizona's most important manufactured goods. Arizona’s manufacturing exports fell 16 percent during this time while overall U.S. manufacturing exports rose 70 percent. Manufactured exports support 23 percent of Arizona's manufacturing jobs.

http://www.netstate.com/economy/az_economy.htm
http://www.nam.org/~/media/F8DA7ACD941C46BDAA9D2B430D7102EF.ashx