Regional Critique for North America - Report Example

Regional Critique of North America The North American continent is located within the Northern, and Western Hemisphere bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the East, South America to the Southeast, Arctic Ocean to the North, and Pacific Ocean to the west. North America precedes Africa and Asia. North America comprises of 41 countries with United States of America having the highest population and Montserrat (UK) having the lowest population. The major cities of United States of America are notably, New York, Washington, New Orleans, and Detroit. These States have different features that shape environmental and economic growth. North America therefore, has various critiques for both human and physical geography. This paper provides a critical critique of North America in terms of both physical and human geography. The paper will provide a critique of how the book used defines the region, including appropriate and inappropriate factors used in the book. In the book North America: The Historical Geography of a Changing Continent by Thomas F. McIlwraith, and Edward K. Muller, the writer describes North America as a continent that developed gradually over many years. However, the statement “past and present are simplifies notions of our conceptions of time” as used in the book is inappropriate because developments and growth of the present precedes what happened in the past. Furthermore, North America is a haven of archeology, culture, parks, science museums, world’s fairs, and golf courses. These properties have been elevated for many years by tranquil environment, clean water systems together with plants, and animals found in the continent. Concisely, nature has shaped the development of human growth, infrastructure, and environmental cleanliness; above all it has encouraged research in American institutions. Network linkages have been transformed to create a connection among all states. These include both land and air connections that ensure efficiency and effectiveness in sharing of goods and services among all citizens. Critiquing nature is hard since human endeavors cannot change what the society and environment holds. Divisions within countries New York City is situated between Atlantic Ocean and Hudson River, which provide harbors for importation and exportation of goods and services. The harbors are also used for recreational activities that attract tourists to New York City. In this regard, New York City is characterized by a dense population rendering land a scarce commodity; this sparks a quest for urban planning and protection of public land from grapping. Despite the dense population, New York City bestows the cleanest and most tranquil environment in Northern America (Jackson, 2010). The tranquil environment is accountable for energy efficiency reducing dependence on other cities. The economy of New York is highly dependent on the New York harbor, which has deep waters through which goods and services from other cities enter the city. To add on that, the city has boroughs that enable easy accessibility to neighboring provinces specifically, Brooklyn, Long island, and queen’s provinces. Reclamation of land was done in lower Manhattan where modern structures sit on, for example, Battery Park. Good subtropical climatic conditions have however been a contributing factor to the attraction of tourists in New York thus contributing to the growth of New York City’s economy and cultures. Furthermore, Ottawa city is the capital city of Canada, and before 2001, there was a misunderstanding about its borders with Ottawa-Carleton, Pontiac in the North, and Rockland in the west. Ottawa city has adequate water supply from Ottawa River that has many tributaries that supply every village in the east and west, Rideau River supplies water from the north to the south (McIlwraith & Muller 2001). However, lakes provide water for industrial use and power generation, for instance, Brewer Park, lake Madawaska and Lac Deschenes. Rideau River and hog’s back falls. Bays are attractions for tourist who bring revenues to the city. Conversely, Ottawa has physical features that enhance the attractiveness of the city, for example, Colonel Valley, Carp ridge, Pine grove forest, Cannan hill, and stony swamp. Washington is the capital city of America and is located between Virginia and Maryland States. The topography consists of water bodies: Potomac River, rock creek, and Anacostia River. Man-made features are found in Dalecarlia, Georgetown, and McMillan reservoirs that provide water for domestic and industrial use. Washington also commands various features for instance, Hains point, three sisters, Theodore Roosevelt, and Columbia Island. Native trees for example, oak, birch, willow, and cedar make up the environment of Washington. The subtropical climate with four seasons makes Washington a cool tourist destination (Brescia, & Super 2009, p. 11). New Orleans is the largest and highly populated state in North America. It was adversely affected by the Hurricane Katrina and floods in 2005. Water bodies located in Orleans include Mississippi and Lake Pontchartrains. Similarly, New Orleans is credited with French architecture that depicts different cultural practices of the French people. Education is given a forefront in Orleans and this is exemplified by universities like Loyola, and Tulane (Brescia & Super 2009). Detroit is located in the shores of Detroit River and is well known for water bodies like Lake Erie and Lake and rivers St Claire. Detroit is a flat land making it conducive for construction of modern buildings and infrastructures. Nonetheless, Detroit is an industrial zone and this has negatively affected the environment. Industries in Detroit contribute greatly to economy of America through production of finished goods that are traded hence earning the country foreign exchange. However, the industries also provide employment to people raising their living standards, and per capita income in the state. Similarities and differences between countries Despite the rugged terrain of Northern America, its desirable geography allows for the construction of infrastructure, attraction of tourists, and exchange of cultural values. I think that the States contribute to economic development of America making it one of the leading economic powers of the world. All in all, features like rivers, lakes, ridges, falls, bays, and plain lands enable a quick access of goods and services within the states and cities. Conducive climatic conditions for instance, tropical climate make it easier for economic activities to be tackled in both summer and winters. Nonetheless, magnificent infrastructure attracts tourists who come to see ancient artifacts depicting different cultures of the world for example, French culture, slave trade, and different languages (Berry & Henderson 2002). The individual countries included in the region The 41 countries in North America individually strive to achieve economic stability but jointly contribute to the growth of infrastructure, economy, political and social facets of the society. United States of America is the economic powerhouse of the region and helps in restoring tranquility and sobriety within the region. Jamaica and Bahamas are countries, which most of the population are talented in sports and cultural practices thus making the continent have rich heritage (Berry & Henderson, 2002). Haiti has many tourist destinations that accrue revenue for the region, which is used to improve infrastructure and living standards of the population. Each country therefore, has unique features and trait that distinguish them from one another. Critique of North American culture Culture is made up of activities indulged by individuals to distinguish one region from another. Culture is paramount in creating nexus between the present and past events of the society and is a great tourist attraction. There is numerous cultures in North America for example, martial arts, cuisine, museums, animations, music, libraries, and arts but have been infiltrated by modernity and technological revolution. The main languages spoken in North America are English and Spanish and this makes it easier for most countries in the world to access resources. The most prevalently used North American culture is the English language because it has been used in books, films, movies, computer languages, and main means of communication despite the difference between United Kingdom and United States English. Reading culture has led to expansion of education through availability of reading materials, availability of funds for research, and construction of many universities and colleges. Development of North America was contributed by economic and socio-political factors, which provided a tranquil environment for prosperity and investments. Mixed races were brought by slave trade long time ago but governments played a key role in uniting the communities together to reduce tribalism and favors in resource allocation. Peaceful political systems for instance, voting process and rule of law has made it easy for leaders to anchor landmark regimes that serve all persons irrespective of color, sex, age, and political orientation. Conclusion All in all, North America is a vast and developed continent but citizens of some countries live in poverty and suffrage for instance, Jamaica. Economic growth favors the employed individuals but infringes rights of peasants who spend a lot. Political system of North America is democratic but voters in some states face coercion because of their color and social class. It is therefore, prudent to say that all countries contribute equally to economic while some countries American depend on others for survival. Researchers and academicians contribute greatly to creation of nexus between present and the past of American history. Reference McIlwraith, F. & Muller, E. (2001). North America: The Historical Geography of a Changing Continent (2nd ed.). New York: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. Print Brescia, M. & Super, J. (2009). North America: An Introduction. Toronto: University of Torornto Press. Print Berry, K. & Henderson, M. (2002). Geographical Identities of Ethnic America: Race, Space, and Place. Reno: University of Nevada press. Print. Jackson, K. (2010). The History of New York City, 2nd Edition. New Haven: Yale University Press. Read More