Global Forces, Local Diversity - Essay Example

According to“Peakbagger.com” The Appalachian Mountains act as recreational site with numerous parks and the Appalachian Trail used by stout hikers globally (Web). The mountain ranges remain one of the most significant geographical and historical features in the world especially due to its uniqueness and bigger size. Possibly, if the Appalachians could have been located in a different place it could still maintain its geographical influence but different cultural and economic influence. The mountains could not affect the natives or the first settlers equally because there must have been different cultural background of the settlers.

Suppose the Appalachians could have been located in Africa or Asia, initially the name and the culture of people around it would have been traced back to the original African or Asian culture. Some of the features of the mountains especially the ice cover and vegetation cover may have also been altered depending on the climate and activities taking place in that particular region. “The Moonlit Road” asserts that the culture of the people living around the Appalachian Mountains was a mixture of different cultures from England, Scotland, and Germany settlers who were seeking land, freedom, and new opportunities thus making the region multi-cultural region especially at the modern age when most people around the world have gone to seek for employment.

Some Americans also think that the Appalachians are not well educated and all these could be attributed to the fact that the regions’ topography could not favor infrastructural development. The Appalachians are not as civilized as other parts of America and are sometimes referred to as hicks, rednecks, and hillbillies (“Peakbagger.com” Web). “The Moonlit Road” posits that European settlers greatly influenced the social disruption, which resulted into environmental disruption especially due to introduction of plants and animals from Europe.

The indigenous however initially depended on the valuable resources provided by the Appalachia region such as wildlife to be hunted, fish from the sparkling rivers as well as logs that helped them in building houses. There were also some unique cultures such as casual mountain dances practiced by the Appalachians (“Peakbagger.com” Web). It is also worth noting that most of the Appalachians could not fully dwell on farming because the mountains were rocky and hilly thus hindering their ability to make a living out of farming.

This led to some disheartening conditions such as widespread of poverty that eventually led to widespread disease infections and malnutrition amongst the population specifically the children. According to “Peakbagger.com” economic activities within the Appalachian regions vary from fishing, farming, manufacturing, and commerce. There are also notable coals as well as natural gas in the Appalachian plateau as well as valuable iron ore deposits. Nonetheless, there are elements of chronic poverty experienced in Appalachian region particularly in the southern regions.

This is really appalling because the region is endowed with extensive natural resources. It is indeed devastating to experience extreme poverty and severe economic hardship and even the effect of globalization which seems to do more harm than good. Chief export for