Chapter 9: The Changing South

The South has a cultural distinctiveness that sets it apart from other regions in the nation. It is comprised of several subcultural regions -- The Gulf Coast, the Southern highlands, the Georgia-Carolinas' Piedmont, and northern and southern areas of the region as well that are all unique and different from one another. In the South, however, people consider themselves proud of their regional identification and have a strong sense of connection to that region.

The Pacific Northwest is similar to the South in this regard. People living in the Pacific Northwest have a strong link to their region. They are aware that it is unique from other parts of the United States. Seattle is a major city known for its music and cultural events. Unlike the South, however, the political orientations of the people are very different. Most people in the South tend to be conservative, while people in the Pacific Northwest tend to be a lot more liberal.

Also, the ethnic composition of Seattle is mostly white, and the South has a large African-American population. According to different websites, Seattle's African-american population is less than 10%.

Chapter 8: Appalachia and the Ozarks

This is a very conservative Caucasian population with very few resources to divide among many people.

Increasing coal demands have led to issues with air pollution. Many people that live in this region have second homes, whereas many people are moving to areas like Seattle because of economic opportunity.

This region is known to be economically disadvantaged because of its topography. Its population is half rural and half urban. Seattle, however, is a growing urban center.

Chapter 7: The Bypassed East

Seattle, like the Bypassed East, receives plenty of precipitation. It is also known for fishing, but unlike the Bypassed East, Seattle is a livable area with many opportunities.

There is a growth in population in Seattle as well as in occupations. Certain webpages have listed Seattle as "one of the most liveable cities in the United States," which is very different from the Bypassed East that has 'rocky soils' and 'hilly terrain.'

The region in the Bypassed East is 'sparsely populated,' but Seattle is a thriving metropolitan area with a growing population. It is estimated that it will continue to grow because of the many occupations in the service sector and a highly educated populace.

Chapter 5:The North Manufacturing Core

According to http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0108286.html, "Manufacturing industries in Washington include aircraft and missiles, shipbuilding and other transportation equipment, lumber, food processing, metals and metal products, chemicals, and machinery."

According to the website above, Washington is also a leader in lumber, although different sources say this fluctuates. Redmond, Washington, near Seattle houses Microsoft Headquarters. It also houses Boeing Company, although its main headquarters has recently moved to Chicago, Illinois. The largest branch is still in Seattle.

Chapter 4: Megalopolis

Megalopolis is unique to the east coast and is characteristic of large, spanning cities and metropoli. Seattle, Washington is not considered to be part of a megalopolis. It is a growing metropolis, however.

The textbook explains, "Megalopolis formed along the northeastern coast of the United States by the gradual coalescence of large, independent metropolitan areas such as Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. As these cities grew, the effects of their growth spilled over to surrounding, smaller places...The primary theme of Megalopolis is its urbanness. In varying degrees, urban activities like municipal utilities and fire and police protection provide for the millions who live there. And urban forms -- manifested by dense patterns of streets and buildings, industrial centers, retail and wholesale clusters, and governmental complexes -- are far away" (64). This description explains what megalopolis looks like. It also includes green areas like parks. The huge stretch of metropolitan areas is an important feature. These cities have coalesced with one another and are located near important water routes.

In addition to all these characteristics, people who live in this region are also highly educated, work primarily in white-collar occupations, and live near transportation and communication sites (66). In this way, Seattle is very similar to this region because many people in Seattle are educated and are employed in the services sector. However, Seattle does not have the population or too many large metropolitan cities nearby that would coalesce into a megalopolis, at least not anytime in the near future. This is a possibility in the future that would accommodate large cities like Portland and stretch all the way down to northern California and cities like San Francisco. There are still many cities in between, however, that need to grown its services, and its urbanness, in order for this to happen. The water routes are available, but transportation lines/sites, as well as communication and other services and white-collar occupations would have to expand as well.

I would argue that Seattle, Washington has the potential to become a megalopolis in the next few decades with the growing companies that can stretch down Oregon and California. Seattle houses the biggest personal computer software company, Microsoft, as well as Starbucks, Nordstrom, and other big companies.

Chapter 3: Foundations of Human Activity

The United States is believed to have been first inhabited by Native Americans who traveled through the Bering Strait. Some scholars dispute the actual time in which they arrived, but nevertheless, they are the first people in North America, including Canada.

Seattle was first inhabited by Native Americans. Noah Sealth, chief of the local Suquamish Native American tribe, was one of the founders of the city. Seattle is named after him. http://www.seattle.gov/html/visitor/history.htm.


Seattle's residents are primarily Caucasian, followed by Asian, then Black, and then other ethnic groups, including Native Americans.

Chapter 2: Geographic Patterns of the Physical Environment

Seattle, Washington is part of the Northwest Pacific. According to the textbook, "The interior lowlands in this physiographic region -- the Central Valley of California, the Williamette Valley in Oregon, and the Puget Sound lowland in Washington and British Columbia -- are the extensive lowlands near the Pacific Coast. Possessing relatively good soils, these lowlands support much Pacific coast agriculture... Though not as extensive as the Central Valley, the Williamette Valley and Puget Lowland contain productive farmland and are also home for most of the North Pacific Coast's population" (24).

Additionally, according to the text, "Perhaps the simplest way of creating vegetation is to use three broad categories: forest, grasslands, and scrublands (31). Seattle, Washington is known as the "Emerald City" for its luscious greenery.

Seattle is surrounded by water, has precipitation, and coastal forest. Mt. Rainier stands ta 14,410 feet.