WG.5 c - Economic Characteristics of US and Canada

The student will analyze the characteristics of the regions of the United States and Canada by

c) explaining important economic characteristics;  

Theme: Cooperation & Conflict (Location, Place, Human-Environment Interaction, Movement, Region)

The United States and Canada have a wide variety of natural resources. 

The abundance of natural resources helped the United States and Canada develop diversified economies. 

Economic characteristics 

• Major exporters of technology, information systems, and foodstuff 
  
• Highly developed infrastructures 
  
• Highly diversified economies 
  
• Rich supply of mineral, energy, and forest resources 
  
• North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) 
  
• Multinational corporations 
  
• A key center of world financial markets (New York Stock Exchange) 
  
• Economic growth 
  
• Disparity of income distribution 
  
• Export of culture via the global marketplace (e.g., McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, entertainment, fashion) 
  
• High literacy rate 
  
• High standard of living 
  

Major natural resources 

• Forestry 
  
• Petroleum 
  
• Minerals 
  
• Fertile soil 
  
• Water