NORTH AMERICA

North America, one of the world’s wealthiest

regions with highly urbanized, mobile
populations, helps drive the processes of
globalization.
The region exemplifies a postindustrial
economy shaped by modern technology,
innovative information services, and a
popular culture that dominates both North
America and the world beyond.
Cultural Coherence and Diversity

• Cultural pluralism remains strong in North America.

Currently, more than 49 million immigrants live in the
region, more than double the total in 1990.
• The tremendous growth in the numbers of Hispanic
and Asian immigrants since 1970 has fundamentally
reshaped the region’s cultural geography.
Cultural Coherence and Diversity

• Tourism brings in millions of additional foreign

visitors and billions of dollars, which are spent
everywhere from Las Vegas to Disney World.
Cultural Coherence and Diversity

• Powerful forces formed a common dominant culture

within the region.
• Both the United States (1776) and Canada (1867)
became independent from Great Britain, but
remained closely tied to their English, or Anglo, roots.
Cultural Coherence and Diversity

• Key Anglo legal and social institutions solidified the

common set of core values that many North
Americans shared with Britain and, eventually, with
one another.
• Traditional Anglo beliefs emphasized representative
government, separation of church and state, liberal
individualism, privacy, pragmatism, and social
mobility.
Cultural Coherence and Diversity
• Protestantism is dominant within the United States, accounting
for about 50 percent of the population.
• Increasingly, major North American sports (hockey, baseball,
basketball, football) transcend national boundaries.
• At the same time, sports popular in other parts of the world
(particularly soccer) have become integral elements of North
American culture.
• The so-called global media sports complex has facilitated this
cultural and economic transformation: Today media companies
broadcast sporting events by satellite and cable TV around the
globe.
Geopolitical Framework
North America is home to the United States,
the last remaining global superpower.
North America’s largest metropolitan area,
New York City (20 million people)
Home to the United Nations and other
global political and financial institutions.
Geopolitical Framework
• Cultural pluralism continues to shape political
geographies in the region. Immigration policy remains
hotly contested in the United States, and Canadians
confront persistent regional and native peoples’ rights
issues.
Geopolitical Framework
• The United States and Canada are federal states,
meaning that both nations allocate considerable
political power to units of government beneath the
national level.
• Federalism leaves many political decisions to local and
regional governments and often allows distinctive
cultural and political groups to be recognized as
distinct entities within a country.
Economic and Social Development
• North America’s economy recovered in many settings
after the harsh economic downturn between 2007
and 2010. Still, persisting poverty and many social
issues related to gender equity, aging, and health care
challenge the region today.
Economic and Social Development
• North America’s economy recovered in many settings
after the harsh economic downturn between 2007
and 2010. Still, persisting poverty and many social
issues related to gender equity, aging, and health care
challenge the region today.
Economic and Social Development
• Food Deserts in a Land of Plenty. One revealing measure of
poverty involves food deserts, where people do not have
ready access to supermarkets and fresh, healthy, and
affordable food.
• In many North American cities, for example, there are more
than three times as many supermarkets in wealthier
neighborhoods versus poorer areas.
• At the same time, unhealthy fast food restaurants are often
most concentrated in low-income districts.
Economic and Social Development
• Access to Education is also a major public policy issue
in Canada and the United States. Although political
parties differ in their approach, most public officials
agree that more investment in education can only
improve North America’s chances for competing
successfully in the global marketplace.
Economic and Social Development
• Since World War II, both the United States and Canada
have seen great improvements in the role that women
play in society. However, the gender gap is yet to be closed
when it comes to differences in salary, working conditions,
and political power.
• Women comprise more than half of the North American
workforce and are often more educated than men, but
still earn only about 78 cents for every dollar that men
earn
Economic and Social Development
• Aging and other health-care issues are also key
concerns within a region of graying baby boomers. A
recent report on aging predicted that 20 percent of
the U.S. population will be older than 65 by 2050.
Today, the most elderly senior citizenry (age 85+)
constitutes more than 12 percent of all seniors, and
they are the fastest-growing part of the population.
Economic and Social Development
• Aging and other health-care issues are also key
concerns within a region of graying baby boomers. A
recent report on aging predicted that 20 percent of
the U.S. population will be older than 65 by 2050.
Today, the most elderly senior citizenry (age 85+)
constitutes more than 12 percent of all seniors, and
they are the fastest-growing part of the population.