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THE EMPTY INTERIOR (CHAPTER 13) INTRODUCTION • The largest area of sparse population in sub arctic • • • • • North America Sparse population is the key identifiable feature of the region. Population is mostly of Northern European stock, with Hispanic Americans and American Indians being dominant in some areas. Economic activities are not evenly distributed. Key activities include irrigated agriculture, ranching, lumbering, mining, and tourism. The region is outlined on the map on page 291. EMPTY INTERIOR BRYCE CANYON GARDEN OF THE GODS PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY • Mountains – Have much greater variation in local relief compared to eastern mountains – Much higher and more rugged. – Dominate the physical landscape, – Impact greatly on regional climate – Impede transportation. PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY • Plateau Country – Occupies most of the region – Varies in relief, but most of the area is underlain by gently dipping sedimentary rocks – Major landscape features within are created by “exotic streams.” • Colorado and Snake Rivers CANYON LANDS NORTH AMERICA PHYSIOGRAPHY PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY • Lake Bonneville – Previously the largest of lakes in the plateau area – Resulted from the melting of alpine glaciers during the latter part of the Ice Age – Originally covered more than 9,500 mi2, mainly in northern Utah – Diminished in size because stream flow depends on annual precipitation – Remnant is Great Salt Lake, which is about 1,900 mi2 and has a salt content much higher than the oceans LAKE BONNEVILLE PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY • Climate – The region includes much of the area within North America that is classified as desert. – Precipitation generally relates to topography, with the greatest amounts occurring at higher elevations. – The region is strongly dependent upon surface water that flows down and outward from the mountains. HUMAN IMPRINT • Public Land Ownership – Map on pg 296 reveals that much of the land in the region still remains under government control – 90% of Nevada remains in government hands. Why? • (1) The lands were the last to be settled. • (2) The area is largely unsuitable for agriculture. • (3) An effective conservation program was initiated by President Roosevelt in the early 1900s which encompassed much of the region. HUMAN IMPRINT Public Land Ownership ─National Parks A substantial number of National Parks are found in the Empty Interior. They include vast acreage of unique landscapes. ─Forest Lands Not known for their productivity, but serve as areas where the multiple-use concept is applied Host activities include grazing and recreation as well as forestry. NATIONAL PARKS HUMAN IMPRINT Public Land Ownership ─Indian Lands Reservations are generally the poorest quality lands Changing due to the presence of minerals (coal and uranium) Sizable acreage is situated in Arizona and New Mexico. ─Public Concerns Historically - no property tax on government lands. Undeveloped areas are widespread. Grasslands have suffered misuse - overgrazing. Widespread belief that the region is unable to plan and control its own destiny. HUMAN IMPRINT • Mormon Influence ─After moving from New York, church founder Joseph Smith was killed in Illinois in 1844, prompting a continuation of westward migration. ─Initial settlement was in the Wasatch Valley of Northern Utah ─The population has increased dramatically through natural processes. ─The Mormons were innovative agriculturalists who adapted well to the environment and were pioneers with irrigation and dry farming. SALT LAKE CITY MORMON INFLUENCE HUMAN IMPRINT • Agriculture – Much of the southern half of the region must rely on the Colorado, Gila, and Salt Rivers for irrigation. – In the north, the Snake and Columbia Rivers drain major agricultural areas. Producing regions and products Columbia River Valley alfalfa, sugar beets, and potatoes apples are key in Washington HUMAN IMPRINT Producing regions and products (cont) ─Snake River Valley potatoes and sugar beets, especially in the Plains region of Idaho ─Colorado River Valley alfalfa, sugar beets, and potatoes peaches important in Colorado ─Imperial Valley boasts 300 frost-free days vegetables, lettuce, grapes, cotton, and alfalfa Double cropping is possible with some crops. HUMAN IMPRINT Producing regions and products (cont) ─Coachella Valley (north of the Salton Sea) a major producer of grapes, grapefruits, and dates ─Yuma Valley (along the lower Colorado) a major producer of cotton, sugar beets, and oranges ─Salt River Valley lettuce (winter type), with oranges and cotton also being significant HUMAN IMPRINT • Transportation Routes – Take on an East-West orientation – Appear to pass through rather than serve the region – Larger towns developed from early rail service centers. • Tourism – Appears to be a mixed blessing – Generates income but also has an impact on the quality of the natural environment – Somewhat seasonal (except for Las Vegas) and is focused on the National Parks and ski resorts HUMAN IMPRINT • Mining – Gold was initially important. – Copper is found in Arizona, Utah, and Montana. • It provides significant employment since it is low grade and requires smelting. – Lead and zinc are second and third in order of importance and are concentrated in British Columbia. – The distribution of oil shale is shown on page 309. KEY TERMS • Wilderness Act of 1964 – Initially designed to secure lands for protection and preservation and to administer these lands for use and enjoyment as wilderness – Implies that humans must honor a "hands-off" approach to managing such areas – A significant amount of acreage within the Empty Interior falls into this category. KEY TERMS • Transhumance – Refers to the seasonal movement of people and their livestock, in search of pastures – Winters are spent in snow-free lowlands. – Summers are spent in the cooler uplands. – Within North America, the practice is found only in the Empty Interior. – Movement may be either vertical between lower and higher elevations, or horizontal, where precipitation patterns determine the availability and quality of pasture. KEY TERMS • Oil Shale – A potential resource existing in vast deposits in the Green River Formation of Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado – A fine textured sedimentary rock from which kerogen (a waxy hydrocarbon) or shale oil can be extracted – When crushed and heated, kerogen can be liquefied and refined. NORTH AMERICA FOSSIL FUELS NORTH AMERICA FOSSIL FUELS THE EMPTY INTERIOR (CHAPTER 13)
