Lecture_1 英美国家概况 教学课件.ppt

One River: Mississippi River 3rd longest river in the world “father of waters” “Old Man river” A potent geographic symbol: dividing line between “East” and “West” Two Mountains Appalachian Mts Rocky Mts: “the backbone of the continent”; the Continental Divide Five Regions South Most religious, most conservative Lost Cause Part of “Sunbelt” Population gains Increasing political clout North Long been associated with core American values: liberty, democracy, education, freedom, diversity, capitalism, hard work New England The birthplace examples Puritan legacy on education Liberalism Mid-Atlantic area Midwest American heartland Breadbasket Two faces: Agricultural Corn belt Manufacturing Rust belt Big cities in the area: Chicago Detroit West Large states, small populations Early days: Gold Rush An area of wilderness No formal govern’t institutions Chaotic in social order/unruly in social behavior Jungle law Constant tension between whites and Indians “Wild West” Modern days: land of dramatic scenery A display of natural wonders E.g. Yellowstone : 1st national park Pacific Rim CA the largest state by population Ethnic diversity Liberalism politics Education Social life: e.g. domestic partnership