Cultural Geography of the US and Canada

The intergovernmental military alliance to which the United States, Canada, and Britain belong is called __________. A. NAFTA B. the European Union C. NATO D. UNASUR

C. NATO

Which US region is most often considered a historical center for finance, medicine, education, and commerce? A. the West Coast B. the Midwest C. the Northeast D. the South

C. the Northeast

Though cultures always blend, combine, and grow together, every culture seeks to preserve its traditions. What efforts have been made by the Canadian government to keep Canadian culture distinct from that of the United States? In a short paragraph, give at least two examples of steps taken by the Canadian government.

Canada and the United States share a large border, and there has been significant intermingling of cultures as a result. Because the United States is the world's center for the entertainment industry, a great deal of American pop culture has made its way north to Canada. In an effort to retain a distinct Canadian culture, the Canadian government enacted a law that 45% of all radio and television programming must be produced in Canada. To meet this goal, the government established the National Film Board (NFB), the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), and the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commissions (CRTC).

In a short paragraph, explain the various waves of immigration to the United States. What groups were part of each of these waves?

Most early settlers of the American colonies were British. Eventually, they were followed by waves of immigrants from all over Europe. In the early and mid-1800s, large numbers of immigrants came from Ireland, Germany, and France. By the late 1800s, immigrants were arriving from Italy, Poland, Russia, and Scandinavia. Immigration from Europe continued in large numbers well into the 1900s. Since 1965, however, the largest numbers of immigrants have been arriving from Latin America and Asia.

Compare and contrast the cultures of Quebec and Ontario. What makes these two provinces different from one another? In a short paragraph, identify at least two key differences in these provinces' cultures and histories.

Quebec and Ontario both are located in the southeast corner of Canada, but their similarities end there. Ontario reflects Canada's British heritage. The street names and habits, such as afternoon tea, are reminiscent of British colonial days. People in Ontario are mostly Protestant, and like most of Canada, English is the official language. As a province influenced by French culture, Quebec enjoys "cultural independence" from the rest of Canada. French is an official language of Quebec, and the majority of the people are Roman Catholic. Some Quebec nationalist groups have attempted to secede from Canada, but they have been unsuccessful.

Describe the Aboriginal groups of Canada. In a short paragraph, explain some of the differences between these groups.

The Aboriginal peoples of Canada include the First Nations, the Metis, and the Inuit. The First Nations are essentially a grouping of all non-Metis and non-Inuit groups. There are over 600 recognized tribes and over 30 languages among the First Nations groups. The Metis are people who are of mixed European and First Nation heritage. The Inuit are related to cultural groups in Greenland and Alaska who once were called "Eskimos." They live in the most northern parts of Canada, in the Arctic Circle. They are traditionally hunters and fishers, hunting whales and seals. Today, they have a self-governing region called Nunavut, which means "our land." They rule by consensus.

The Midwest is an important agricultural region in the United States. In a short paragraph, explain why the Midwest often is referred to as the "breadbasket" of the United States.

The Midwestern United States is referred to as the nation's breadbasket because it is where the majority of the nation's cereal crops are grown. The southern portions of the Midwest are referred to as the "wheat belt" because of the large amounts of wheat grown there. Corn, barley, and other grains also are grown in large quantities.

Compare and contrast the people and economies of the South and Northeast regions of the United States. In a short paragraph, identify at least two key differences between these regions.

The Northeastern United States became industrialized quickly and was an early center for manufacturing, finance, trade, education, medicine, and immigration. Today, over one-seventh of the US population lives in the Northeast. The area is a major metropolitan region that stretches from Boston to Washington, DC, creating what is known as a megalopolis. The Northeast has a diverse population, but the majority of the people are of Italian, Irish, Puerto Rican, and African American descent. Christianity — specifically Catholicism and Protestantism — and Judaism are the dominant religions.

The United States is often referred to as a "melting pot." What does this phrase mean to you? Why do you think the United States works this way? In a short paragraph, use at least three examples to support your answer.

The United States is referred to as a melting pot because it has so many people from so many different backgrounds. Most of the United States' population is descended from immigrant groups with nonnative backgrounds, meaning that almost everyone can trace their heritage back to some other country. All five major religions are practiced in the United States. Although English is the official language, Spanish is the second most widely spoken language. Other languages are spoken among various ethnic groups, including Chinese, Vietnamese, Arabic, and French. The United States continues to accept large numbers of immigrants each year.