“The economic heart of the state”, “workshop of the nation” - this macro district of the United States of America is called differently. In scientific literature, it is called the Northeast of the United States. The region has played and continues to play a crucial role in the life of the most powerful power on the planet. In this article, we will consider the main features, problems and prospects of the Northeast USA, as well as highlight the factors contributing to its sustainable economic development.
US Economic Zoning
The United States, in addition to the traditional state breakdown, is also divided into economic regions. Until the 80s of the last century, there were only three. These are the West, North and South. At the end of the twentieth century, American economists and geographers began to identify four such regions. Since that time, the so-called Northeastern United States (Northeastern United States, or Northeast for short) has appeared on economic maps.
So, the modern micro-zoning of the state provides for the allocation of four economic regions on its territory. These are the South, West, Midwest and Northeast USA. All these areas differ from each other not only in terms of socio-economic development, but also in historical and cultural features.
Northeastern United States: Area Characterization
Macrorayon includes New England, as well as the Mid-Atlantic states. Within it is located both the political (Washington) and the financial and economic capital of the state (New York). The northeast United States consists of nine states. It:
- Pennsylvania;
- New York;
- New Jersey;
- Maine
- New Hampshire;
- Massachusetts;
- Connecticut;
- Vermont;
- Rhode Island.
According to another regionalization, the following counties are also included in this macro district: Columbia, Delaware and Maryland.
Northeast: interesting facts and statistical figures
There are several of the most interesting characteristics of the American Northeast:
- The region occupies only 5% of the country. At the same time, about 20% of all Americans live in it.
- The Northeast is a very rich economic region of the United States. The states of Maryland, New Jersey and Connecticut recorded the highest national average incomes.
- This macro district accounts for up to 25% of the state’s GDP.
- This territory became the starting point of the European colonization of the whole continent.
- Within the region is the largest megalopolis of the Earth "Bosvash" with an area of ​​about 170,000 square meters. km
Northeastern United States: Natural Resources and Geographic Features
The natural resource potential of the macro-district is rather poor. However, it is more than compensated by the unusually advantageous economic and geographical position. The terrain and climatic conditions are ideal for life and business activities. The northeast has extensive access to the Atlantic Ocean. It is here that the country's largest seaports are located - Boston, Baltimore, Philadelphia and others. In addition, the continent’s most important railroad connects Detroit with the Atlantic coast through the region.
The features of the resource base of the Northeast USA are as follows. The main raw material wealth of this region is coal. The macro-district is located within the Appalachian coal basin, which stretches for more than 1000 kilometers along the slopes of the mountain system of the same name. Field development here began back in 1800.
In addition to coal, some non-ferrous metal ores (in particular aluminum) are also actively mined in the Northeastern United States. The deficit of many mineral resources in the region is compensated by the advantageous neighborhood. So, from the South and the Midwest of the USA, oil, gas, iron and copper ores, phosphorites, building materials, etc. are supplied here. Many sectors of the manufacturing industry successfully operate on this raw material: ferrous and nonferrous metallurgy, mechanical engineering, chemical industry and others.
Northeast - the "economic heart" of the United States
In the North-East of the USA, the heavy industry (coal business, metallurgy, various engineering industries), the food, clothing, and printing industries received the most development. The agricultural complex of the region is dominated by dairy farming and narrow-profile gardening. The main factors in the development of the Northeast USA are as follows:
- The advantage of geographical location.
- The richest deposits of coal.
- Historical features associated with the colonization.
Perhaps the most important factor in the economic development of the region is the profitability of its geographical location. Indeed, this part of the state is the closest to Europe. Four centuries ago, this feature was extremely significant. In 1620, the first ship with European colonizers moored off the coast of New England.
It was through the Northeast that thousands of immigrants — adventurers and romantics — came to the continent from the Old World in search of a new life. Many of them settled here, forming the backbone of a future powerful financial and economic system. The northeast of the USA has always been as open as possible to the outside world. Within this region, great corporations emerged and developed — the “monsters” of modern capitalist society.
The main centers of the macro-district
New York is the main financial, industrial and commercial center of not only the Northeast, but the whole country. According to statistics, this metropolis provides over 10% of the state’s total GDP. The offices of the world's largest banks and insurance companies are located here. In addition, a huge seaport operates in New York, annually passing through several thousand cargo ships.
Washington is the administrative capital of the United States. The main product of this city, as the Americans joke, are laws and various regulations. In addition, Washington is an important scientific, educational and cultural center of the country. A unique feature of the city is that there are no skyscrapers! And all because in Washington it is forbidden to build buildings that will be higher than the Capitol.
If Washington is the legal capital of the United States, New York is financial, then Pittsburgh can be safely considered the country's metallurgical capital. The city on the Ohio River is the main center of the American Ruhr - the largest coal and metallurgical base of the mainland. Alas, today many Pittsburgh plants and mines are closing. However, other industries are actively developing in the city, in particular the services and communications sector.
Conclusion
The northeast of the USA is the smallest macro-district of the country. It is located in the north-eastern part of the state, which directly follows from its name, and includes nine states. The region occupies an important place in the US economic system. It was here that the country's main industrial belt was formed. And it is in the Northeast that the largest megacities and industrial centers of the United States are located. These are the cities of New York, Washington, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Boston.