Chapter 10: Florida

Florida (Miami) and Los Angeles are two big attractions that people love to go to. Whether it's for vacation or to become a permanent resident. The sun, sand, and surf are hot topics in both of these regions attracting people from all over. 

Climate
Florida is unique climatically, agriculturally, and geological. Crops, cities, vegetation, soil, and people are all affected by the climate. Florida has a three hundred day growing season, supporting year round citrus and vegetables. Los Angeles is similar in the fact that the climate helps agriculture as well. Although the weather isn't as tropical, vegetation is still abundant throughout the year. Florida, however, has annual rainfall. It can rain anywhere from fifty to sixty inches a year. Los Angeles hasn't seen that before. Like Los Angeles, Florida also has a winter playground. The winters are warm and dry, allowing swimsuit season to go a little longer. Hurricane activity is another difference, as Florida has their hurricane season from June to November.


Demographics
The total population in Florida is 19.32 million. That is significantly more than Los Angeles' 3.82 million. In Florida, there are 7,797,715 (48.8%) males and 8,184,663 (51.2%) female. Although the numbers are similar to Los Angeles, the percent is very close. Like Los Angeles, the dominant race in Florida is Caucasian, with 78%. The next closest would be African Americans being 14.6% of the population. Florida, although known for its party atmosphere in Miami, is also known for it's massive retirement population. Senior citizen flock to Florida because of the warm weather. They may like the party atmosphere too. Senior citizens make up 22.2% of the population. The climate really affects people too, as most people visit or stay because of it and it does.

1) Infoplease. Infoplease, n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2013.

Chapter 9: South Atlantic

The South Atlantic Region is made up of the follow states: Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. The South Atlantic is known for its hot, humid, rainy summers and mild winters in which temperature rarely ever drop below freezing. 50 inches of rain average in this region. Los Angeles doesn't see the same type of temperatures in the colder season, yet the summer temperatures for both regions can see triple digits. Another difference is that theses states tend to have hurricane activity cycle through naturally. Since 1995, activity has increased.

The culture in both of these regions is drastically different too. In Los Angeles, baseball and basketball are hot commodities. With the Dodgers, Lakers, and Clippers playing, you will always be watching one of them. In the South Atlantic regions, NASCAR (The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) is the sport to watch. Not to many people like NASCAR because it is slow and boring. Who wants to watch cars go 200 miles an hour going in a circle 200 times. Rednecks, a term from the south, can be seen anywhere in the United States, but mostly reside from the south. Rednecks are the kind of people who love NASCAR. They love the glorified cars, noise, and alcohol. In Los Angeles, the culture is different. They like faced paced, down to the wire action. Many also go to certain events for the recognition. There are some true fans (like myself), who go to the game or event to cheer for what is really happening. Others, unfortunately, just want to Instagram themselves to be show that they were at the event. In both regions, nonetheless, passion for specific commodities in that regions can be seen.

Chapter 8: Appalachia

Los Angeles is not very similar to Appalachia. While Appalachia is the biggest mountain range west of the Mississippi River, Los Angeles is a the second largest city in the United States with an elevation of 233 feet. Appalachia has a very high precipitation rate, while Los Angeles rate is very low. Unlike Los Angeles, Appalachia runs on a four season cycles: Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring. Although Los Angeles has those seasons too, the climate and temperature remain roughly the same. The mountain range also receives snow each winter, while Los Angeles hasn't seen snow since 1962.

Appalachia

Los Angeles

Obviously, there is a huge difference between the two. Appalachia is more of a rural environment, focusing on the wilderness and wildlife. Los Angeles is also a jungle, but more urban features with buildings and machinery. Due to the urban features of cars and industrial places, is the amount of pollution. The two regions have that in common. Appalachians have water pollution, air pollution and their environment is hurting like ours. Although the two pictures above show differences, there is a lot more rural land in Appalachia than there is in Los Angeles. The use of coal power plants is the cause for the pollution in Appalachia. Los Angeles also has a lot of pollution due to cars. Being a big commuter city, there is always going to be air pollution. Los Angeles is a big, beautiful city, but its really hard to see through the smog.

Chapter 7: Megalopolis

Los Angeles can be easily seen as Megalopolis. From San Francisco, down to Los Angeles, and even further south to San Diego, can be seen as an example of a Megalopolis. Megalopolis means large or great city, and I can't find better words to describe Los Angeles. There are three characteristics that define a Megalopolis as a distinct region: high population density, major urban centers growing toward one another, and a large demand for primary goods that are brought in from other regions. There are many sub cities in Los Angeles that populate the most people per square mile.With nearly 7,000 people per square miles living in Los Angeles, it;s hard not to argue it as a megalopolis. 

Megalopolises, like Los Angeles, are seen as centers for government and business. Downtown Los Angeles is the heart of the business world in Los Angeles. The 405 freeway is always packed with traffic due to commuters going to and from work. Also, with Staples Center, Dodger Stadium, and The Convention Center in close proximity, there is plenty of business occurring at all ours of the day.

GO DODGERS!!

1) Brusell, James. "Los Angeles Is the Most Densely Populated Urban Area in the US."Curbed LA. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2013.

2) "Population Density." Ranking. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2013.

Chapter 6: The North Atlantic Provinces and Northern New England.

The North Atlantic Provinces and Northern New England could not be farther apart from Los Angeles, in regards to climate. They can be farther in miles, but thats practically impossible. Both of theses regions are distinctly different from one another. The summers are hot in the Northern Atlantic, but it never reaches triple digits like it does in California sometimes. Also, the winters on the East Coast are far colder than winter in Los Angeles. It typically tends to snow over on east side, while the west side remains slightly warm and sunny. The above pictures shows how much snow falls in New England. The lower pictures is of Los Angeles during the winter time. It gets cold and a little wet, but the only snow that falls is on the surrounding mountains. In Los Angeles, winter can still be a swimsuit season. 

New England winters

Los Angeles winters

1) H, Eric. "Local Travel Guide for New England: Classic New England Winter Scenes."Local Travel Guide for New England: Classic New England Winter Scenes. N.p., 2 Feb. 2011. Web. 13 Oct. 2013.
2) Plinskin, Michael. "Los Angeles Winter." Los Angeles Winter. N.p., 2011. Web. 13 Oct. 2013.

Chapter 4: Population and Consumption

Compared to the other large cities in California, Los Angeles trumps them all. It's not even close. It continues to increase every second of every day. Los Angeles is home to over 3.82 million people. According to the 2010 United States Census, Los Angeles is home to nearly half of all California residents. City-data.com states that since the year 2000, there has been a 4.4% increase in population. 100% of the population is urban, meaning 0% rural. 

There are approximately 1,921,528 (49.8%) males and 1,936,271 (50.2%) females making up the population. The median age is 34.1. As seen below, the heart of Los Angeles, or downtown, is where most Angelinos reside. There are also quite a few thousand near the coast as well. Indepthfacts.com explains, "LA is a cultural center of the Pacific Rim for the simple fact that its population is diverse and multi-ethnic as well. It is one of those cities in the US that has no majority population because people from over 130 countries live here. They speak more than 80 different languages as they come from different countries and cultures."As of the 2005-2009 American Community Survey, there are 41.3% Caucasian, 57.5% Hispanic/Latino, 9.8% African American, 0.5% Native American, 10.7% Asian, 02% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. Los Angeles can definitely be seen as a melting pot. 





1) Harrison, Laird. "KQED." News Fix KQED Public Media for Northern CA. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2013.
2) "Los Angeles, California." (CA) Profile: Population, Maps, Real Estate, Averages, Homes, Statistics, Relocation, Travel, Jobs, Hospitals, Schools, Crime, Moving, Houses, News. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2013.
3) "Los Angeles Population 2013 Facts and City Information." InDepthFactscom Los Angeles Population 2013 Facts and City Information Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2013.

Chapter 3: Sustainability

Based on the picture above, one can see a significant different in regards to smog and pollution in Los Angeles. Los Angeles is a big commuter city, as people travel from all over the city to work in the heart of downtown. Due to the high prices of gas and the pollution cars produces, carpooling or taking public transportation has been of the rise. More people are taking buses, bikes, subways, walking, and carpooling to get where they need to go. It saves them a little green (money), while making the city of Los Angeles more green (the color, not money). 

The Los Angeles Sustainability Collaborative is one of the many organizations dedicated to creating a more sustainable environment. Through research and observation, they are providing solutions to emerging environmental challenges in Los Angeles. According to their site, lasustainability.org,  "LASC has since been serving as match maker between academia, non-profit organizations, and policy makers — pioneering a model of collaboration and problem solving." Some of their initiatives are reinventing the streets of Los Angeles, protecting the water (oceans and rivers), re-powering the city, and creating new ways to sustain this beautiful city. 


1) "The Los Angeles Sustainability Collaborative Is Dedicated to Creating a More Sustainable Los Angeles by Facilitating Research, Informing Stakeholders and Providing Solutions to Emerging Environmental Challenges." Los Angeles Sustainability Collaborative RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2013.

Chapter 2: The Nonhuman World

Climate

Los Angeles whether is beautiful. The rain is not very frequent, so when it does shower, it too is beautiful. In the summer, the temperature can reach 100°F. It also tend to be the most humid time of the year. The winters are cold, but not as cold as the East Coast. Temperatures during the winter, range from 40 °F to 50 °F. When it rains, the highest average for perception is just under 200mm.

Santa Monica Mountains
The Santa Monica Mountains are one of the transverse mountain ranges in Southern California. is a broad anticline that has been severely ruptured by faulting and intruded by sills and dikes. The Santa Monica range is bisected by the flow of water that flows through Malibu Canyon. Just like in the city, the mountain has the same climate. Although the mountains are high, they are not as high as the San Gabriel, thus, the Santa Monica Mountains do not receive snow.



The Pacific Ocean
Located west of the city of Los Angeles, 
the Pacific Ocean is a nice place to visit 
on those hot, sunny, California days. Meaning Peaceful Sea, the Pacific Ocean is the largest body of water on Earth, covering 30% of the Earth's surface. Ranging about 3,800 meters, the ocean's temperature depends on the location. The closer to the equator one is, the warmer the water gets. 









1) "Geology of the Santa Monica Mountains." Geology of the Santa Monica Mountains. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2013.
2) "Pacific Ocean Facts for Kids." Pacific Ocean Facts for Kids. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2013.
3)"Santa Monica Mountains Page." Santa Monica Mountains Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2013.

Chapter 1: Regions and Ecoregions

Los Angeles, the City of Angels, is one of the most beautiful cities in the United States. Situated in Southern California, on the western coast of the United States, it has the second biggest population. Los Angeles is home to over 3.82 million people. Spread well over 470 square miles of land, this is the perfect spot for a growing community. Los Angeles is known as one of the most diverse regions of the US in terms of geographic area. It is made up of smaller distinct cities that range from the dry Santa Monica Mountains, to the Pacific Ocean. There a rivers that flow through Los Angeles such as the River of Los Angeles, San Gabriel, Rio Hondo, and Santa Clara river.

Los Angeles has the most ideal weather anyone can ask for. Perfect for relaxing out by the pool or going out for a night on the town. Throughout most of the year, the weather in Los Angeles is warm and sunny. There are very few clouds in the sky. The nice ocean breeze greets the Angelinos' faces on those hot, sunny days. There is little rain, compared to the sunny days and humidity percentages are also fairly low. With the warm weather year round, it makes the attractions in Los Angeles much more enjoyable. Whether your a fan of the Dodgers or Lakers, enjoy a concert at the Hollywood Bowl, or just a nice stroll down Sunset Blvd, there is always something to do here. 

I Love LA!

1) "Los Angeles Population 2013 Facts and City Information." InDepthFactscom Los Angeles Population 2013 Facts and City Information Comments. N.p., 9 June 2013. Web. 13 Oct. 2013.

2) "Map of Los Angeles." Map of Los Angeles. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2013.