Chapter 11: The Agricultural Core

The Agricultual Core is comprised of several small towns and farm landscape ranging from the Great Lakes to the Great Plains.  Sections of the agricultural core overlap into the previously discussed manufacturing core in the United States.  It is divided into the two sections: the interior western plain and the interior eastern plain.  The eastern interior plain is noted as receiving more precipitation and more humidity than it's counterpart.  The western interior plain is dry, comprised of mostly grassland, and has a sense of vast openness.  Due to the presence of rich soil and expansive farmland, this area is ideal for the harvesting of various crops and raising livestock.  Wheat, corn, and soybeans are three examples of the crops grown in this section of America.  Though many individuals may be unaware of this, San Diego actually is home to a thriving agricultural industry!  It ranks 4th in it's own county and 10th in the nation in terms of the value of agricultural products sold...

Farmland in Minnesota

 Agriculture in San Diego? Yes, it's not all beaches!

Surprisingly San Diego is home to 6,565 small family farms, 65% of which are nine acres or less in size.  Here are a few facts about the agricultural arena in California's most southern city...

• Despite the poor soil found in this area, farms located in San Diego are quite prosperous.  The terrain is characteristically steep and the soil in this area is erodible.  Only 6% of the soil is considered to be prime in San Diego but the crops still seem to thrive (sd.county.ca.gov).
• The water used for farming in San Diego is extremely expensive.  Many farmers have to rely on imported water from the Colorado River and Northern California which can be pricey.  As a result, farmers in San Diego are notorious for their low-use irrigation methods.
• The temperate climate in San Diego is idealistic for growing crops.  In some parts of the county, the growing season is year-long.  This weather is perfect for sustaining indoor nurseries because it keeps the cooling and heating prices down.  Various fruit crops such as avocados, strawberries, oranges, and apples also thrive in this environment.   

Apple Tree

Avocado Tree

Plant Nursery in San Diego

Some More Stats...

• #1 county in the nation for value of floricultural, nursery, greenhouse and sod products
• #1 county in the nation in small (under 10 acres) farms (5,899 California farms have 49 or fewer acres, 65 percent of which are nine or fewer acres)
• Ranks #1 in the nation in production of avocados and mushrooms
• Ranks #9 in the nation for grapefruit
• Ranks #8 in the nation for strawberries

Chapter 10: The Southern Coastlands

The Southern Coastlands are located along the southeast portion of the United States.  It is divided into two primary sections: the Rio Grande east to North Carolina and the US-Mexico Border area.  This particular area is known for its idealistic subtropical weather conditions and a long growing season.  Coastal California and the Southern Coastlands are neck and neck in terms of climatic appeal.  Both share pleasant weather conditions that entice millions to visit and in some cases even move.  The only difference is that summers in the Coastlands are frequently hotter and more humid than in San Diego. 

Those from the southeast also have to deal with the possibility of violent hurricanes while natives of San Diego are more likely to experience an occasional earthquake.  On a personal level, last Easter when I was in San Diego for our annual family dinner the ground began to shake for several seconds.  The shaking quickly subsided but the initial shock and fear from the earthquake took longer to wear off.  My story pails into comparison of many of the experiences of those who have gone through the eye of a hurricane.  Who could forget the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005?...

San Diego and the Southern Coastlines also share another commonality: Oranges!  Both Florida and Southern California are the top producers of oranges in all of the United States.  In the growing season of 2006-2007 Florida produced 6,300 tons of oranges while California produced 1,726 tons.  The only other location in all of the United States that produces any form of citrus in large quantities is Arizona.  In fact, only California surpasses Florida in the production of lemons and naval oranges.  The orange industry is especially labor intensive because each orange has to be individually picked.

Oranges ready for picking!

San Diego and portions of the Southern Coastlands also share one more similar feature: the presence of recreation.  San Diego is known for it's aesthetic appeal and popular vacationing hot-spots.  Long sandy beaches and water sports are commonplace in both San Diego and Florida.  SeaWorld is located in both San Diego, California and Orlando, Florida.  This theme park offers visitors an interactive experience with marine life.  San Diego also is home to the expansive San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Wild Animal Park.  Not to be outdone, Orlando, Florida calls Walt Disney World their own.  Walt Disney World is the largest theme park in the United States and turns a child's fantasy land into reality.  New Orleans also is a popular location for visitors due to it's Mardi Gras flavor, the French Quarter, and jazz-infused roots.   

Walt Disney World- Where Dreams Come True!

The French Quarter

Panda at the San Diego Zoo

The Changing South

The South is known as a very distinctive region of the United States and is shaped by various factors.  The people of the South are proud and have a deeper sense of the land that they live on.  They have been greatly affected by the practice of slavery and their way of living reflects it's impact.  They are also famous for their plantations, cotton textile industry, and Southern values.  Much of the south remained rural to the mid 20th century.  The population is heavily African-American and their history has shaped the culture of the South as a whole.  San Diego, California never had to face the difficult past that residents of the South endured but still had their fair share of issues throughout history.

Slaves picking cotton in the South

Ethnic Influences:
The South has been greatly impacted by it's ancestry.  From the slaves in the 19th century to the Cajuns in the 18th century, they have all contributed to the atmosphere of the south.  These contributions can be seen in Southern people's diets, preference for music, and speech patterns.  Fried Okra, grits, gumbo, and craw fish are staples of the Southern Diet.  They also prefer jazz, gospel, and country music rather than the modern genre.  Southerns have a identifiable speech pattern shaped by early slaves and creoles.

Paula Dean "fixing" to make some fried okra

California also has been influenced by it's descendants.  Signs of Mexican culture are apparent throughout the city from Hispanic street names to the name of the city itself, San Diego.  Various restaurants can be found throughout the city offering authentic Mexican cuisine.  Multiple seafood restaurants are also available for your dining pleasure.  The sounds of Mexican music can be heard on the local radio and from Mariachi bands inside of cantinas.  The influence of Spanish architecture is prevalent amongst the buildings of San Diego.  The most obvious example would be the San Diego Mission de Alcala.

Spanish architectural influence- Balboa Park

Other differences:
The South supports a conservative population and the most prevalent religion is the Baptist Church.  They are highly religious individuals and faith plays a central role in their daily lives.  As previously discussed, San Diego is liberal and the Catholic church has the highest number of patrons.  While religion still is important to Californians, it is not as celebrated and is more diversified.  The way of life in the South is far slower than the hustle and bustle lifestyle of a large urban city like San Diego, California.  The South's economy is heavily supported by agricultural pursuits influenced in the past by large-scale plantations.  San Diego is more reliant upon technology, defense, and manufacturing.  Cities in the south are definitively more rural than in Southern California but they are slowly becoming subjected to urbanization.

Appalachia and the Ozarks

Appalachia and the Ozarks is a region in the United States that is characterized by it's rugged landscape, steep slopes, and mountainous areas.  This region encompasses all of West Virginia and parts of Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri.  Sadly this region is also generally know as an economically poor area and most of the residents who inhabit Appalachia and the Ozarks are stereotyped as "hillbillies."  The residents of this area are highly isolated and there is few occupational opportunity beyond mining.  San Diego, California has little to nothing in common with this region when it comes to culture, topography, and economic opportunity.

A Glimpse into Appalachia

Mountain Areas:

Appalachia and the Ozarks region is famous for it's extensive mountain ranges which contribute to isolation and economic depravity.  San Diego also is nearby a few mountain ranges but they enhance economic opportunity, beautify the landscape, and are not a barrier to residents.  The Cuyamaca Mountains are located to the east of San Diego County and run northwest to southeast.  The are part of the Cleveland National Forest and several small towns can be located within these mountains including Julian and Pine Valley.  The Cuyamaca Mountains were known as a gold mining region during the gold rush era but once the gold rush ended the mining site was shut down and is now a museum.  The Laguna Mountains run along a section of eastern San Diego County for approximately 20 miles.  They are bordered by the Cuyamacas on the west and Colorado Desert on the east.  There is a small village aptly named Mount Laguna within the mountains with a population of about 80. 

Cuyamaca Mountains

Laguna Mountains

Population Differences:

The Appalachian and Ozark area is comprised of predominantly white residents who are conservative both politically and religiously.  San Diego is much more diverse to say the least.  This city is intermixed with Caucasian, Mexican, African-American, and Pacific-Islander residents.  San Diego is also very politically liberal and supports a large gay community.  Hillcrest, an area in San Diego County, is a well-known homosexual community.  San Diego's population is predominantly Catholic (67%), followed by the Mormon Church (3.8%), Southern Baptist Church (2.2%), and the Presbyterian Church (2%).  About 17% of the population is classified as other.

Hillcrest- neighboring gay community

Economics:
The residents of states within Appalachia and the Ozarks are very poor and have the largest amount of poverty of any predominantly white area in the United States.  San Diego is generally a wealthier area but still boasts a 14.3% poverty percentage in all of San Diego County according to www.city-data.com.  There is not much educational or occupational opportunity in Appalachia past a high school diploma and working in the mines.  In San Diego there is significantly more occupational opportunity and 35% of the population has a Bachelor's degree or higher and 13.4% has a Master's degree or PhD.

Stereotyped "Hillbillies" in Appalachia

Surfers

The Bypassed East

The Bypassed East is comprised of the Atlantic Provinces of Canada, northern New England, and the Adirondacks of New York.  While this region is near major transportation routes it actually is not on them.  There are only a few large urban areas and about 50% of the cites are urban and 50% of the cities are rural.  New York, Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire can all be found within this region and the topography is characterized by a series of mountain chains including the Green Mountains, White Mountains, Mountains of the Atlantic Provinces, and the Adirondack Mountains.  San Diego, California does not share many similarities with region but rather exhibits more differences.

The Green Mountains

Adirondack Mountains 

Climate:
The Bypassed East's weather patterns are often cold and almost always damp because it is exposed to continental wind systems.  The coastal water is extremely cold, there is heavy precipitation and they also experience a great degree of fog.  The climatic disparity between the Bypassed East and San Diego is notable.  Native San Diego resident would have difficulty adjusted to the frigid temperatures in the East because they are acclimated to a Mediterranean weather classification which translates to mild weather all year long.  The only similarity between the two is the presence of fog but the fog is thicker in the Bypassed East.

Winter in Maine

Winter in San Diego

Population:
Much of the population in the Bypassed East is concentrated in the lowlands and as previously stated, the land is equally constituted of rural and urban areas.  Most of the urban areas are not even substantial.  San Diego on the other hand, is highly urban and does not contain any rural areas.  It is densely populated while the Bypassed East is only highly populated in it's southern section.

Population Density Map

Industries:
Fishing, forestry, and mineral production are the primary industries in the Bypassed East.  The individuals employed in the fishing industry either engage in inshore or deep-sea fishing and usually go for lobster and cod.  As discussed in the previous blog, San Diego is more known for it's technological and defense industries.  The average per capita income in San Diego is significantly higher than the average income in the Bypassed East.

Logging- a big industry in the Bypassed East

The Workforce:
Most of the Bypassed East's work population is employed in fields such as farming, fishing, logging and mining.  Unfortunately, these jobs are also among the lowest paying occupations in the United States.  The majority of San Diego's workforce is employed in the United States Navy, education, and various healthcare fields.  These jobs are traditionally higher paying which corresponds to the higher standard of living.

United States Navy 

Transportation:
There is inadequate access to urban areas in the Bypassed East which contributes to the high transportation costs.  San Diego promotes a highly attractive transportation system.  This city offers accessibility via car, bus, trolley, train, boat, air and even "bike buggies."  It is also in close proximity to neighboring urban towns.

Bike Buggies

The Manufacturing Core

The manufacturing core of the United States consists of the Northeastern United States and the Southern section of Ontario.  According to Regional Landscapes of the United States and Canada, this area produces one-half of each country's steel and approximately 71% of the total number of manufactured cars (90).  Ten of the nation's biggest metropolitan areas are also located within this region.  The manufacturing core is loosely banded together by three locations: the Ohio River Valley, Megalopolis, and the Great Lakes.  These central areas are where most of the manufacturing occurs.  A manufacturing core generally has multiple large cities with even more medium sized cities, numerous industrial concentrations, great ethnic diversity, and a large quantity of migrants.  This area in the United States is most known for it's steel, automobile, and textile industries.  It is also notable for it's accessibility resources: interaction between locations, roads, railroads, airports, and navigable waterways which provide for cheap, convenient transportation.  San Diego, California also contributes, in a lesser degree, to the manufacturing industry but specializes in different categories.

The Manufacturing Core

This is a video of the inter-workings of a Steel Industry in Ohio in 1944

San Diego may not be the manufacturing core of the United States but it's industries still bear importance.  This beautiful city has always been known for it's military and defense industries but is now involving into a far more eclectic area in California.  The biotechnology industries in San Diego are thriving and even beginning to spawn some international competition.  Several small technology firms can be traced within San Diego's city limits.  Residents of San Diego are beginning to manufacture what is currently in global demand such as wireless cellular technology.  According to www.sandiego.gov the top 4 industries in San Diego are:

1.  Manufacturing
2. Defense
3. Tourism
4. Agriculture

There are also 6 additional clusters that San Diego focuses on:

1. Biotechnology/Biosciences
2. Defense and Space Manufacturing
3. Electronics Manufacturing
4. Business and Finance Services
5. Software 
6. Telecommunications

Many other industries in San Diego are beginning to rapidly develop such as environmental, transportation, recreation goods, and international trade.  Qualcomm, a wireless telecommunication company, was founded and is headquartered in San Diego.  A company entitled Websense is also located here and it specializes in web security gateway software.  San Diego's economy is primarily based upon it's port which is also the site of some of the only shipbuilding and submarine yards on the West Coast.  It houses the largest naval fleet and is the headquarters for many national defense contractor including General Atomics and NASSCO.

Qualcomm's next generation smartphone

Launch of navy ship by NASSCO in San Diego

MeGaLoPoLiS

Megalopolis is located in the Northeast portion of the United States and consists of the area from New Hampshire to Washington D.C.  This area was the first region to become urbanized in all of the continental United States.  Metropolitan areas such as New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Baltimore are major cities which are all urban centers on the east coast.  Megalopolis has an apparent urban theme and shares common urban forms such as; dense patterns of streets and buildings, industrial centers, retail clusters, and government complexes.  San Diego, California is not geographically located in Megalopolis but it shares many similar characteristics and qualities...

Map of Megalopolis

Similar Characteristics

• A site characteristic of Megalopolis is it's coastal location and harbors.  San Diego also occupies a coastal location and contains harbors.  The only difference is it is on the west coast rather than the east coast.
• San Diego has dense streets in certain areas, industrial centers, retail clusters and government complexes similar to some of the major cities in Megalopolis.
• San Diego also shares a similar topography with Megalopolis.  They both have a relatively flat coastal plain and portions of hilly landscape.
• Both areas also share exceptional accessibility and are good locations for trade and immigration.
• The rapid growth of the major cities in Megalopolis in the 1800s is paralleled by the rapid increase in population in California, more specifically San Diego, in the mid to late 1900s.  

Downtown San Diego

Metropolitan Boston

Differences

• Megalopolis experiences moderate climate while the climate in San Diego, California is consistently mild or Mediterranean.  Their winters are considerably colder and summers are hotter and more humid.
• A defining characteristic of Megalopolis is the close proximity of cites.  California in general is more spread out and while the cities are relatively close, it pails in comparison to the proximity of cities such as Boston, New York, and Philadelphia.  They are all in separate states yet still within in driving distance.
• Both areas experience high levels of immigration but San Diego has a higher percentage of Mexican immigrant and Megalopolis has a higher degree of African American immigrants.
• Megalopolis and San Diego are both dense in regards to the number of people per square mile but Megalopolis is expansive in it's density while San Diego is concentrated.  California is much more spread out and does not have a large, consistent area of population density like the northeast coast.
• New York, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and Boston have merged to form a single urbanized region over recent years.  California's most productive counties (Los Angeles, San Fransisco, and San Diego) are still relatively independent of each other.  Even though they are all located in the same state, they serve different functions are not to the merging level of Megalopolis.

Climate Chart for San Diego

Climate Chart for New York City