I hope you have enjoyed the life of this blog. Some weeks I wasn't as into writting as I thought I would be but felt I delivered just the same. I hope I will continue blogging but maybe more on travel and not geography. Thank you to the GEOG 321 Class that promted me with this assignment.
Happy Travels!
-Charlotte
West to East
The Journey
I have lived in California all my life and have loved every moment of it with the occasional roller coaster ride. As a fashion student I love style and how every county, state, and city has its own. Then I traveled over 3000 miles to study in New York. What an eye opener! There is so much more than my little corner of so cal. I want to become a world traveler and reputable fashion show producer but most important I want to live. My journey starts here. What seems to be a simple geography assignment will actually become a life assignment in fashion and travel.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Valcanoes, Palm Trees and Luaus?
Well I am not talking about NY that's for sure! But in its own way..NY has nightly luaus at the hottest clubs complete with dancing that may not be the hula but its close enough, volcanoes that explode in the form of commuters filing out of the rush hour subway, and palm trees in the form of skyscrapers, dozens and dozens of them.
Hawaii is the only state that is made of several small islands of volcanoes. There is more geography here than in New York. Each island is different, just as each borough of NY is different.
The cuture of hawaii combines a desire for peacefullness, relaxation, and wealth in all its forms. The white sand beaches, volcanoes, lava feilds, and all sorts of outdoor activities complete this state, as well as the hawaiian people, asian influence, and US history from WWII.
Neither NY or Hawaii can bore you no matter what you are into.
Hawaii is a tropical paradise where NY is a throbbing headache that calms at the most appropriate moment. There are views in each state that are breathtaking in their own ways. In visiting both I can see why people share love for each. Central Park my be considered the most outdoorsy place you can visit in NY that can compare even remotely to Hawaii.
Hawaii is the only state that is made of several small islands of volcanoes. There is more geography here than in New York. Each island is different, just as each borough of NY is different.
The cuture of hawaii combines a desire for peacefullness, relaxation, and wealth in all its forms. The white sand beaches, volcanoes, lava feilds, and all sorts of outdoor activities complete this state, as well as the hawaiian people, asian influence, and US history from WWII.
Neither NY or Hawaii can bore you no matter what you are into.
Hawaii is a tropical paradise where NY is a throbbing headache that calms at the most appropriate moment. There are views in each state that are breathtaking in their own ways. In visiting both I can see why people share love for each. Central Park my be considered the most outdoorsy place you can visit in NY that can compare even remotely to Hawaii.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Atlantic to Pacific
New York is located along the northern east coast on the Atlantic Ocean. What can we find opposite this on the Pacific Ocean. The north western states.
Just as the east coast has many natural resources, the west coast has an abundance of fishing and forestry that provides much of the countries seafood and timber. The most of fish harvested here are salmon and on the east coast a big fish contribution is cod and swordfish.
On the east coast and specifically in new york there is not so much fishing but trees are in some abundance. The trees here however are mostly apple and on the west coast we find trees such as Douglas fir, red cedar, hemlock and redwoods. These trees have many uses but mainly the look beautiful. In areas such as Oregon and Washington people go to get away from big cities and experience nature. The Douglas fir however is a main contributor to housing floors, doors, and ply wood.
This region is also home to Mt. McKinley, the highest peak in North America! There is also an active volcano along this coast that last erupted in 1980. This feature is simillar to that of the Hawaiian islands that will be discussed in the next post.
Just as the east coast has many natural resources, the west coast has an abundance of fishing and forestry that provides much of the countries seafood and timber. The most of fish harvested here are salmon and on the east coast a big fish contribution is cod and swordfish.
On the east coast and specifically in new york there is not so much fishing but trees are in some abundance. The trees here however are mostly apple and on the west coast we find trees such as Douglas fir, red cedar, hemlock and redwoods. These trees have many uses but mainly the look beautiful. In areas such as Oregon and Washington people go to get away from big cities and experience nature. The Douglas fir however is a main contributor to housing floors, doors, and ply wood.
This region is also home to Mt. McKinley, the highest peak in North America! There is also an active volcano along this coast that last erupted in 1980. This feature is simillar to that of the Hawaiian islands that will be discussed in the next post.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Compare West to East
We have finally reach sunny California. On our journey from New York to Cali we have visited everywhere in between. In my journey I went from west, Cali, to east, NY and did not stop in between. I now get to write about my favorite state, tied with new york of course.
Lets compare California with New York.
Cali: almost like summer year round
NY: very cold and snowy winters
Cali: Fashion Capital of the Country!
NY: Fashion Capital of the Country!
Cali: Beach as tourist attraction
NY: City as tourist attraction
Cali: Coastal
NY: Coastal
Cali: Relaxed
NY: Fast Paced
Cali: Heavy Mexican and Asian influences
NY: Heavy Jewish and Italian influences
Cali: Traffic!
NY: Traffic!
Cali: Los Angeles
NY: Manhattan
Cali: Earthquake country
NY: Hit by huricanes
Cali: Sacramento
NY: Albany
What other differences can you think of? Comment please!
Lets compare California with New York.
Cali: almost like summer year round
NY: very cold and snowy winters
Cali: Fashion Capital of the Country!
NY: Fashion Capital of the Country!
Cali: Beach as tourist attraction
NY: City as tourist attraction
Cali: Coastal
NY: Coastal
Cali: Relaxed
NY: Fast Paced
Cali: Heavy Mexican and Asian influences
NY: Heavy Jewish and Italian influences
Cali: Traffic!
NY: Traffic!
Cali: Los Angeles
NY: Manhattan
Cali: Earthquake country
NY: Hit by huricanes
Cali: Sacramento
NY: Albany
What other differences can you think of? Comment please!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Southwestern Boarders and Corners
Now I know this isn't the chapter about California but it does include so cal. Woo hometown!! I will talk about California next week so today we will focus on the US Mexico border and its influence on the states. Also about the fact that you dont find much Mexican influence in New York.
I do remember going to one part of queens a couple times and getting fantastic Mexican food but that was only one town one area of the gigantic NYC!
This area like much of the US is known for its ethnic diversity. Since this area closely borders Mexico there are many Mexican immigrants and immigration concerns. As well as the Mexican influence, in this southwestern border we find American Indian cultures. As I mentioned previously New York has a very small Mexican population but an even smaller population of American Indians.
The Mexicans gave the United States a variety traditions and the American Indians did as well. There are many historic sights that represent Indian and Mexican history and culture. In Arizona there are many Indian reservations, in Texas there are a lot of Spanish adobes and in southern California, many Mexican missions.
Ironically the Mexican influence in New York is in the southwestern portion of the state. An area of queens in quite heavily populate by Hispanic peoples and there you can find the best part of Mexico is once again the food the food! Always authentic and fresh.
All this to say..the southern most border of the US and Mexico has a lot of Mexican influence and as you go further east into New York there becomes less and less of a Mexican population however many states do have places where you can get great Mexican food. :)
I do remember going to one part of queens a couple times and getting fantastic Mexican food but that was only one town one area of the gigantic NYC!
This area like much of the US is known for its ethnic diversity. Since this area closely borders Mexico there are many Mexican immigrants and immigration concerns. As well as the Mexican influence, in this southwestern border we find American Indian cultures. As I mentioned previously New York has a very small Mexican population but an even smaller population of American Indians.
The Mexicans gave the United States a variety traditions and the American Indians did as well. There are many historic sights that represent Indian and Mexican history and culture. In Arizona there are many Indian reservations, in Texas there are a lot of Spanish adobes and in southern California, many Mexican missions.
Ironically the Mexican influence in New York is in the southwestern portion of the state. An area of queens in quite heavily populate by Hispanic peoples and there you can find the best part of Mexico is once again the food the food! Always authentic and fresh.
All this to say..the southern most border of the US and Mexico has a lot of Mexican influence and as you go further east into New York there becomes less and less of a Mexican population however many states do have places where you can get great Mexican food. :)
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Varrying Peoples
As much of the other regions of the US, New York is so very different. It stands especially true in the empty interior. This region has so much empty space and many national parks and features of the sort. New York City fills every space possible with buildings and people that there is no room to preserve any national parks.
Every post thus far has talked about what can be found in New York compared to other states and regions. Things found and written about included buildings, products, and physical features. This time I would like to discuss the people found in New York compared to a big state in the Empty Interior, Utah.
Now I am also doing my term paper on this state and discussing its physical features and geographical attributes however the text talks a lot about the Mormon culture in Utah. This culture can be seen in other states and parts of the world but is seen differently.
There is such a strong presence of Mormon people, 70 percent of the population, in Utah that there is almost no presence of non Mormons here. Mormons are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Ironically, this church was founded in New York in 1830. they were not accepted here and moved further and further west until they found present day Salt Lake City, Utah.
There is a show on TLC called sister wives where there is a man who is married to four woman at the same time and they all live together one big but separate life. They are all Mormon and live in Utah. This man has 16 kids. This is not how all Mormons live. many just have one spouse but they do still have a lot of kids because that is their belief system.
New York's Mormon population is 4% that of Utah's. Instead the more common type of people found in New York: Jewish and Italian cultures. In terms of our country however New York has the biggest African American poplulation and about 12% of New York claims to be jewish but NYC is the largest jewish congregation outside of Israel. New York's Italian culture is the largest in the US. These cultures are extreamly different from mormonism and extreamly different from each other as well.
Every post thus far has talked about what can be found in New York compared to other states and regions. Things found and written about included buildings, products, and physical features. This time I would like to discuss the people found in New York compared to a big state in the Empty Interior, Utah.
Now I am also doing my term paper on this state and discussing its physical features and geographical attributes however the text talks a lot about the Mormon culture in Utah. This culture can be seen in other states and parts of the world but is seen differently.
There is such a strong presence of Mormon people, 70 percent of the population, in Utah that there is almost no presence of non Mormons here. Mormons are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Ironically, this church was founded in New York in 1830. they were not accepted here and moved further and further west until they found present day Salt Lake City, Utah.
There is a show on TLC called sister wives where there is a man who is married to four woman at the same time and they all live together one big but separate life. They are all Mormon and live in Utah. This man has 16 kids. This is not how all Mormons live. many just have one spouse but they do still have a lot of kids because that is their belief system.
New York's Mormon population is 4% that of Utah's. Instead the more common type of people found in New York: Jewish and Italian cultures. In terms of our country however New York has the biggest African American poplulation and about 12% of New York claims to be jewish but NYC is the largest jewish congregation outside of Israel. New York's Italian culture is the largest in the US. These cultures are extreamly different from mormonism and extreamly different from each other as well.
Mormon Temple in Utah |
The Famous Carnegie Deli in New York brought to us by the Jewish community. |
New York's Little Italy. The Italian community is so big New York has a town just for Italians. |
Thursday, April 7, 2011
New York is No Little House on The Prairie
When I was younger my sister and I would watch Little House on The Prairie EVERYDAY over summer. We watched so much we would see repeats and we got to know the characters very well. When ever I think of the middle of the country and states like Nebraska and Kansas I think of that TV show. I also think even now how separated these states are from New York or even Cali. There are no grasslands in Manhattan. No one raises cattle or churns their own butter either. Even in the old days New York wasn't so old fashioned, they were ahead of the times and still are today.
To get into the more specifics of the plains and prairies, they arent just feilds of grass and wheat. The states in this region serve as backdrops for many movies and attract tourists with their great geographic features such as their open lands. Many California residents are moving to these states for the lower cost of living. Also all these stats are in the middle of the country its just a two or three hour flight to either LA or NY. Not a bad deal if you have family on the coasts and like nature :)
If you do not however, New York goes far and beyond nature. Obviously this area differs from New York in that NY has more population, more urbanization and more building. I wouldn't say NY conducts more business because there is plenty business to be had in the prairies as fair as wheat and cattle are concerned but there is deffinately a bigger population. Throughout this blog I have of written lots about what New York is and is not. And people who have grown up in Manhattan will deffinatly not survive in a sity like Whichita, Kansas.
The next post we will go into more fast areas of land and state in the Empty Interior and I will offer new insite and fashion tips :)
To get into the more specifics of the plains and prairies, they arent just feilds of grass and wheat. The states in this region serve as backdrops for many movies and attract tourists with their great geographic features such as their open lands. Many California residents are moving to these states for the lower cost of living. Also all these stats are in the middle of the country its just a two or three hour flight to either LA or NY. Not a bad deal if you have family on the coasts and like nature :)
If you do not however, New York goes far and beyond nature. Obviously this area differs from New York in that NY has more population, more urbanization and more building. I wouldn't say NY conducts more business because there is plenty business to be had in the prairies as fair as wheat and cattle are concerned but there is deffinately a bigger population. Throughout this blog I have of written lots about what New York is and is not. And people who have grown up in Manhattan will deffinatly not survive in a sity like Whichita, Kansas.
The next post we will go into more fast areas of land and state in the Empty Interior and I will offer new insite and fashion tips :)
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