The Rocky Mountain Region

The Rocky Mountains contains some of the highest peaks in the United States. It extends approximately 200 miles from central New Mexico to northeastern British Columbia. Snow and rain falling on the west side of the divide will flow to the Pacific Ocean that runs along California coast. This snow that melts in the spring or summer provides water to rivers and streams that are near the Rocky Mountain region. "The Colorado, Snake, Missouri, and Arkansas rivers rise in the Rockies. Waterways that originate in the Rocky Mountains sustain massive desert communities outside the region such as Los Angeles"(Pearson). Many people around the nation are dependent on the water that flows from the Rocky Mountains. Water from the continental divides of the East side of the Rocky Mountains flows to the Atlantic Ocean which feeds the Colorado river. The Colorado River is Los Angeles primary source of water. The Colorado River is a vital link in sustaining the economy of Southern California -- water for irrigation, water for cities and hydroelectric power for both. Today it supplies about 65 percent -- and by the turn of the century, still as much as 55 percent. Southern California’s rights to Colorado River Water were thought to be solidified in the 1930s when a number of agencies signed water delivery contracts with the Secretary of the Interior. Contracts detailed the priorities, to use and store California's apportionment of river water.

The Great Plains

The Great Plains has experienced a variation of regional economies that has caused many residents to travel West to California. The Dust Bowl in the 1930's was concentrated in the Great Plains region. "Much of the region experienced one of the longest, most severe droughts in recorded history. Massive dust storms-their fury exacerbated by the absence of prairie grasses that held once stabilized the region's soil-wreaked havoc throughout the region" (Pearson). Massive dust storms swept through the region causing major ecological and agricultural damage. These intense storms often hindered visibility for a few feet. Damaging farms and crops, the Dust Bowl quickly decreased the population in the Great Plains. The severe conditions of the Dust Bowl in addition to the Great Depression forced many residents to migrate to California in search of better opportunities.

As described in The Geography of North America and from my personal experience reading the play "The Grapes of Wrath", this script outlines the hardship of families traveling across the country to the West in hope of jobs and survival. Many of these lower class families held behind their homes and suffered on their way to the West. In Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck focuses on a family who arrives to California; however, the dreams of a better life are shattered.

This phenomenal play is currently in theatre in Pasadena, California. last month I attended this show and I can honestly say I was blown away by the set and performance. It depicts the variety of lifestyles across the nation throughout the Dust Bowl and its economic, social and religious effect on citizens of America. Below I have attached a link to direct you to the theatre where purchase of tickets online is available.

This is a MUST SEE show!!

http://www.anoisewithin.org/play/the-grapes-of-wrath/

The Coastal South

The Coastal South consist of a region known as the Atlantic Coastal Plain. The Spanish settlement in the Coastal South remains evident in landscape features like churches, house types and land boundary patterns. Today, nearly half of all Cuban Americans in the United States live in Miami and greater Dade County. Many immigrants of Latin American also live in South Florida. Similar to Los Angeles, where the majority of the population is of Latin descendants of Mexico. Below is a map of the United States and the population of Spanish speakers. The comparison of Spanish influence in parts of the Coastal South as well as Los Angles are very similar.




Although Los Angeles is not located in the Coastal South region, they share many similarities. Tourism is also a major contributor of the Coastal Plains economy. Popular sites include Disney world, beach resorts,and popular, historical or recreational sites in Savannah, New Orleans or Charleston. In addition to popular destinations and  the warm climate this region has attracted and accelerated the retirement migration. In the Geography of North America, it states that "the Coastal South has now developed to the point that it is out of the price range of many middle class retirees".

The Inland South

The Inland south consist of parts of Virginia, west Virgina, the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, Arkansas, southern Missouri, Northern Louisiana, eastern Oklahoma, and East Texas. This South region of the United State was heavily influenced by the slave trade which resulted  in the migration of many African Americans to the urban centers in the North. Out of the south came all major genres of American popular music that has contributed to the success of the entertainment industry of Los Angeles. Rock artist such as Elvis Presley came from within the region and represents Rock and roll that is a " fusion of the traditions in an urbanizing urban south". His music, along with many others from the Inland south were a voice for the entire nation during the depressions of this region. The interesting aspect of the Inland South is its integration into mainstream of the American political economy. Its culture, especially music has an enormous influence on the popular culture throughout the United States. Today, artist such as Elvis Presley are honored on the capital of the entertainment industry, The Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California. 



Today, Los Angeles is also one of the most important sites in the world for the recorded music industry. Integrated with the culture of the Inland South, Los Angeles represents the talent throughout United States. 

You can learn more about the history of music at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles California.

Please check the link below for more information for visiting the muesum

http://www.grammymuseum.org/

The Great Lakes and Corn Belt

The Great Lakes and Corn Belt is an important part of the North American economic core. This area consisting of Canada's largest city and a number of US cities including Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri and a small portions of several adjacent states, is a region of great agricultural productivity. Although Los Angles is not included in this region, the Great Lakes and Corn Belt's overall prosperous productivity in agriculture and all economic sector benefits every region in the United States. Los Angeles, benefiting from the agriculture and local production of ethanol. As the name implies, corn is one of the major crops of the Great Lakes and Corn Belt region. In Geography of North America, it states that "corn is the most widely produced feed grain in the United States, accounting for more than 90 percent  of total value and production of feed grains. Corn is also processed into a multitude of food and industrial products, including starch, sweeteners, corn oil, beverage and industrial alcohol, and fuel ethanol". In California, statistics show that in 2010 the highest corn production in California is in San Joaquin county producing 10-15 millions of corn bushels. However, ethanol plants are located in a couple regions bordering Los Angeles,  San Bernardino, Riverside and Orange county.

Lets look further into ethanol's benefits and its correlation to corn to give us a better understanding of the impact of the Great Lakes and Corn Belt region. 

• Ethanol plants are the facilities where ethanol fuel is created and extensively processed before being transported for sale elsewhere.

• corn is a common source of ethanol,ethanol plants can transform other agricultural or biomass products, including fast-growing switch grasses, sugarcane, wood, and paper, into fuel. 

• Typically, ethanol plants are located near large corn fields, making it economically advantageous to obtain the corn necessary for the ethanol production process

• While ethanol is an alcohol used in alcoholic drinks, it is also used as a biofuel, which means that it is a fuel derived from biological materials like corn, rather than the very old biological materials used in fossil fuels.

Megalopolis

Fair Housing Laws that were enforced following racial discrimination in the Megalopolis region protected cities in the United States such as Los Angeles. Today, Los Angeles has an enormous population of minorities. The diversity of Los Angeles and the country is appreciated around the world. Mexican -Americans have the highest ethnic group population in Los Angeles. Barrios are located in the East end of Los Angeles where the Spanish language is a common form of dialect. According to the United States Census "Los Angeles had the largest Hispanic population of any county (4.8 million) in 2011 and the largest numeric increase since 2010 (73,000)". Los Angeles as the 2^nd largest city following New York is located in the Los Angeles County metropolitan area. The largest cities in LA County are:

1) Los Angeles - 4,065,585

2) Long Beach - 492,682
3) Glendale - 207,303
4) Santa Clarita - 177,150
5) Pomona - 163,408

FUN FACTS –

•  The city flower is the bird of paradise and the city tree is the coral tree.

         

•    City residents are typically called Angelenos (rhymes with casinos).
•   Los Angeles is known by a number of nicknames, including

§  L.A.

§  City of Angels

§  Southland (typically used by local media)

§  Lalaland (my personal favorite)

The Atlantic Periphery

  Los Angeles is located off the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Unlike regions in the Atlantic Periphery, Los Angeles has an overall warm climate with moderate rainfall. In some areas near the coast, winds blow across the Pacific Ocean currents and it contributes to frequent maritime fog. These fogs result in cooler temperatures and cloud covering. Los Angeles does not experience hazards such as blizzards, snow fall or hurricanes. With modest changes in temperatures Los Angeles attracts visitors to its sunny beaches. Dry summers and moderate rainy winters distinguish the city from the Atlantic Periphery region.

Month	Rain (in)	High °F	Low °F	Sunshine
January	3.06	67	49	72%
February	3.27	68	50	69%
March	2.52	69	51	72%
April	1.16	71	54	73%
May	0.25	73	57	75%
June	0.08	77	60	80%
July	0.01	82	63	96%
August	0.07	84	64	96%
September	0.28	82	63	89%
October	0.38	78	59	82%
November	1.38	73	54	80%
December	2.35	68	50	74%

   FUN FACT

·             Despite its image of an oasis with water and palm trees everywhere, Los Angeles is more like a desert,      with an annual rainfall of only 15 inches (38 cm).

If Traveling to Los Angeles here is a list of the Top Dozen Sites:

   1.      Rodeo Drive

   2.      Venice Beach

   3.      Sunset Blvd.

   4.      Universal Studios Hollywood

   5.      Hollywood

   6.      Knott’s Berry Farm

   7.      Six Flags Magic Mountain

   8.      Farmers Market at The Grove

   9.      Drive the Malibu Coast

   10.  Spend day at Disneyland

   11.  Visit Catalina Island

   12.  Go to beachend day at Disneyland

   11.  Visit Catalina Island

   12.  Go to beach

      For more information:

    http://gocalifornia.about.com/od/calamenu/ss/things-to-do-in-los-angeles.htm