CARLSON Abigail 1°S1CARLSON Abigail 1°S1

To what extent is the distribution of the USA determined by Physical Geographical factors?

First of all, let’s take a look at First of all, let’s take a look at the population density of the the population density of the

USA:USA:

o A vast majority of the population can be

found on the East and West Coasts.o A North/South barrier could almost be

drawn in the middle of the country, dividing it into two areas: less population in the West / much more population in the East.

o We can clearly establish a link between the population density and the largest cities.

To explain the distribution of the population of the United States, it is first of all imperative to look at what attracts people. We call these PULL FACTORS (needs, wants…) Examples would be:

Good weather

Good living conditions

Quality of lifestyle (quality of water, air..)

Presence of animals/vegetation

Some, such as « good living conditions » apply to everybody whereas others are more specific, such as the presence of certain elements for those who exploit land/animal products.

The Weather

Various people have different needs in

terms of Physical/Geographical features.

Acres of Harvested Cropland as Percent of Land in Farms Acreage 2002

Farmers as well as anyone who earns a living based on animal/vegetation exploit all have one basic need: water.

Value of Livestock, Poultry and Other Products as a Percent of Total Market Value of Agricultural Products Sold 2002.

Percent of Farms with Sales of $10,000 to $249,000-2002

Red-> White = Most to Least

The areas where the value of products is highest and where farms spend the most are those which are well iriguated.

Health - Fertility

Where are the best medical institutions?

Coal Fields 2000

Transportation

#1 need: WATER

Dams

Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Let’s now take a look at the evolution of

the population in the United States.

Change in population between 1990 and 2000.

Black population 2000 American Indian and Alaskan Native 2000

Asian population 2000 White population 2000

It seems to be that the location in which you can find a majority of an ethnic group can be explained historically. The Asians crossed the Pacific (hence California), due to the Slave trade a majority of Black pop. is in the S/E, and so on…

As we have now seen several pull factors, lets look at some push factors that might explain why some areas contain less population.

Volcanoes

Seismic activity

Bad health conditions/lifestlye

Lack of resources

Seismic Hazard and Volcanic activity.

In the West, there are both lots of population and an important seismic/volcanic activity. The pull factors in these regions are hence stronger than the push factors (climate, proximity to the Ocean for trade with Asian countries…)

Tropical Cyclones 2000: Pacific and Atlantic

We can clearly see that Pacific Tropical Cyclones posed no threat to the USA in the 2000s as they didn’t reach the borders. On the other hand, Atlantic Cyclones arrived as far as[…]. This is the same area as that where the majority of the population live.

Hence, here as well the pull factors and stronger than the push factors.

CONCLUSION

People look for places to live depending on their needs/wants or even fears. For famers, it is important to have sun and water. For someone starting a company, it may be best to be in proximity of an area where trading is possible and communication is simple. People of different ages also live in diferent areas, for example retirees might look for the sun and good weather whereas young people usually enjoy entertainment, hence may choose to live in the city.

Therefore we can say that the distribution of the population in the United States is due to a multitude of very unique factors, which we can divide into pull factors and push factors.