The four regions of the U.S.

1. Identify and explain which of the four regions of the U.S. has the best potential for wind energy. (4 points)
2. Identify and explain which of the four regions of the U.S. has the least potential for wind energy. (4 points)
3. What obstacles might exist in trying to harness wind energy? (4 points)
4. What other economic activities compete with possible wind energy production in the regions of best potential for wind energy? (4 points)

(If you live outside of the United States, select a place where you would live if you lived in the United States. Preface your answers by identifying that location.)

1. Location: Describe where you live in terms of absolute location. (1 point)
2. Region: Identify, by name, the region into which your location would be included. Give two general characteristics shared in this region. (3 points)
3. Place: Discuss some characteristics that make your location unique from other regions in the U.S. (3 points)
4. Movement: What were the patterns of movement within your region between 1990 and 2000? What may have attributed to this pattern? (4 points)
5. Human-Environment Interaction: Provide specific examples to illustrate how people living and working in your city or town use the resources within your environment. Describe the general type of industry in your region. (4 points)

You previously read about Geographic Information Systems or GIS and how it is used to analyze data about a region or location. By having two or more maps showing different types of information, geographers can layer them to visualize relationships between different characteristics at different locations.
(If you live outside of the United States, select a place where you would live if you lived in the United States. Preface your answers by giving the identify of that location.)

1. What important information is being shown on each map? (3 points)
2. What is the relationship between the climate of a region and where people live? (3 points)
3. What is the relationship between climate region and economic activities? (3 points)
4. What is the relationship between where people live and economic activities? (3 points)
5. Characterize the region in which you live using the three maps. (8 points)
6. How would you characterize where your community fits into the urban hierarchy?
   Explain your reasoning. (3 points)
7. Explain how push-pull factors affect population distribution. (3 points)
8. What effect do resources have on a region’s economic activities? Explain. (3 points)
9. There is debate about the increasing number of laws that protect forests and other ecosystems from economic development. If you’re not sure where you stand on this issue, investigate the topic a bit more. Then, explain whether you do or do not support passing additional laws that protect these ecosystems. Be sure to provide reasons for your position. (6 points)

Sample Solution