US: The Middle West

Where is it situated?


States what compound the mid-west

The region consists of twelve states in the north-central United States: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Traditional definitions of the Midwest include the Northwest Ordinance "Old Northwest" states and many states that were part of the Louisiana Purchase. The states of the Old Northwest are also known as "Great Lakes states". Many of the Louisiana Purchase states are also known as "Great Plains states".

Culture

- City lifestyle

The towns and cities of the midwest each present the natural surroundings specific to their area to the visitor in grand form.
The larger cities such as Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay house an eclectic selection of arts and cultures.

- Rural lifestyle

The people of Wisconsin, Upper Michigan, and Illinois share the rich soil and abundant flora and wildlife of the Midwest. Much of the rural area consists of both working and hobby farms and ranches.

History
- Exploration and early settlement
European settlement of the area began in the 17th century following French exploration of the region. The region's fertile soil made it possible for farmers to produce abundant harvests of cereal crops such as corn, oats, and, most importantly, wheat. The region was known as "breadbasket".
- Development of transportation
Two waterways were important to its development -the first and foremost was the Ohio River and the network of routes within the Great Lakes-.
- Transportation
During the mid-19th century the region got its first railroads, and the railroad junction in Chicago grew to be the world's largest. Even today, a century after Henry Ford, six Class I railroads meet in Chicago.
Competition with a growing population of automobiles and buses traveling on paved highways led to a decline in the interurban and other railroad passenger business.
- 19th century sectional conflict
The Northwest Ordinance region, comprising the heart of the Midwest, was the first large region of the United States that prohibited slavery.

Midwest United States

United States Regions: Midwest

Midwestern (Midwest) :The region consists of twelve states in the north-central United States:

• Division 1 (East North Central) Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio
• Division 2 (West North Central) Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_regions_of_the_United_States

Population and Culture

A 2006 Census Bureau estimate put the population at 66,217,736.

This region was settled by people of various nationalities, including Germans, Swedes and Norwegians, and is referred to as America's Heartland.

The Republican Party started here to stop the spread of slavery in the new states. This was the first region in the country that was antislavery.

Places Of Interest Famous SitesThings to Do 

Chicago, Illinois, the nation's third largest city, is the region's major city. There you can see Sear's Tower, one of the country's tallest buildings. Other major cities are Cleveland, Indianapolis, Detroit, and St. Louis.

North Dakota has more wildlife refuges than any other state, with bountiful bison, antelope and bighorn sheep, as well as hundreds of different bird species.

People from all over the world travel to the Black Hills of South Dakota to see Mount Rushmore, or to the Mammoth Site in Hot Springs to see what these ancient giants were like.

http://www.dembsky.net/regions/

By Aura Chanzá Chaqués  -  Group AA

Southeastern United States

Geography

• The southeast region includes: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

• Most populous states: Florida – 18 million, Georgia - 10 million & North Carolina - 9 million people.

Culture

• Settlements by Brittish colonists (17^th century) represent the predominant culture of the South.

• English, Scots and Ulster-Scots (later called Scotch-Irish) settled in Appalachia and the Piedmont (18^th century).

• African slaves. American descendents of slaves constitute a 12,1 percent (2000 census) of the total American population and are United States' second-largest racial minority. A cultural blend of Christianity, foods, art and music characterize Southern Culture today.

• Native Americans. Approximately 30 Indian tribes have been registered in the southeast area of the US. The most known are called The Five Civilized Tribes and include: the Cherokee, the Choctaw, the Chickasaw, the Creek, and the Seminole

US Flag and Anthem

http://encarta.msn.com/media_461519364_761573010_-1_1/United_States_Flag_and_Anthem.html