GEOGRAPHY EDUCATION

Essay #3 for the AP Human Geography 2013 exam focused on how railroads and highways impacted the size and form of U.S. cities.  Andy Baker, one of the great readers on that question has put together an interactive map filled with tangible examples of how Indianapolis’ land use history has been heavily influenced by the railroads and highways.  This would be a great resource to prepare students to answer that FRQ. 

Tags: transportation, urban, models, APHG.

Many feel that corporate expansion within the food industries is inevitable because that’s what we are currently experiencing in many countries including the United States.  Bolivia proves an example of a country that that has rejected corporate hegemony in the marketplace because they support traditional food choices and local vendors.  Keep in mind that we shouldn’t overly romanticize Bolivia, but they are a compelling example that shows the consumers can impact the food options in marketplace.

Tags: food, South America, folk cultures, indigenous, culture, Bolivia.

This article highlights a fascinating cultural shift that impacts the migrants that come to the United States.  The second generation might have more money but they tend to live shorter lives than their parents.  As the next generation becomes integrated into American pop culture, the dietary patterns unhealthy habits follow. 

Tags: migration, popular culture, population, food, culture.

An isogloss is a line that divides regions based on the words that are used to describe the same item or concept.  This series of 22 maps is a delicious way to visualize some of the lingusitic differences in the United States.  Why are these distinct vocabulary terms regionally used? 

Notice that this map shows that Rhode Island and Wisconsin are distinct in using the term “bubbler” where there rest of the country would refer to the same object as a drinking fountain (West) or a water fountain (South).

Tags: language, North America, mapping, regions.

These statistics only include documented migrants although the number of undocumented migration (mostly from Latin America and the Caribbean) has declined since 2007. 

Tags: migration, ethnicity, race, population, podcast.

Part of the economic success of a city can be an overriding cultural ethos of the metropolitan area.  This elusive spirit of the city is often referred to as a sense of place which many sound ‘fluffy’ to some, but can have some very tangible impacts on the urban economic development.  This article answers the question, “How does a sense of place impact urban economic development?” by using various U.S. cities such as New York City, Portland and San Francisco.  

Tags: urban, economic, place, neighborhood.