Chapter 20: Hawai'i

America's island paradise, Hawai'i, shares its year-round tropical weather, treetop fruit, world-famous hula, and laid-back culture with many tourists and residents. Only 2,479 miles away from Los Angeles, Hawai'i is just a plane ride to paradise.


Geography
From the Aleutian Trench to the Big Island, Hawai'i has 132 volcanically formed islands, reefs, atolls, and shoals composing the Hawaiian archipelago. The eight populated islands of the state, are the youngest, yet largest islands. Together, they stretch almost four hundred miles. The eight major islands include: Hawai'i, Maui, O'ahu, Kaua'i, Moloka'i, Lana'i, Ni'ihau, Kaho'olawe.















Climate
Unlike the Mediterrannean weather of Los Angeles, Hawai'i's tropical location allows for warm weather. Like Los Angeles. there is little seasonality, but the trade winds and rainfall pattern call for differences. The annual average for rainfall is twenty-five inches. The rainy season is from October to March. However, it is frequently warm. In the summer, the average temperature is 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The winter averages about 78 degrees Fahrenheit. The water surrounding the islands average between 74 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit year round. At the tops of the volcanoes, it get a little colder, averaging 40 degree Fahrenheit. One may not know, but occasionally

, the Big Island mountains and on Maui's Haleakala, can receive snow.

Chapter 19: California

California is a diverse, complex, and extreme state. It has a complex topography and a diverse demography and economy. The elevations are extreme, as well as the climate and vegetation. Nearly everyone knows where California is located and what it signifies: sun, sand, money, beautiful people, and diversity. 

Geography

California is a very complex and diverse state. Spanning more than 770 miles from Mexico to Oregon, and 250 miles from the West Coast to the eastern border. The state is divided into three major regions. the first is the Pacific Northwest. The second, the Intermontane. The third contains the Sierra Nevada and Coastal Range, the Coastal urban conurbations, and the Central Valley. Without elaborate water schemes, Los Angeles would be brown. Being the second largest city in America, a lot of water is needed for survival.

Climate

Many people are attracted to and flock to California because of its mild weather and Mediterranean precipitation pattern. Temperatures average between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Inland valleys however, climb over 100 degree Fahrenheit. There are some wet winters and a lot of very dry summers. Annually, there is twenty inches of precipitation in some areas, including snow in the Sierras. 

 

Chapter 17: Pacific Northwest

The Pacific Northwest is separated from the rest of the country as a result of mountains forming a barrier. The land benefits the region as the mountainous barrier was overcome and the timber was exploited.


Geogrphy
The Pacific Northwest spans over two thousand miles from Alaska to northern California and lies between the Intermontane and Pacific Ocean. The region is roughly dry near the Intermontane and wet and moist towards the west. Being part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, there are active volcanoes in the area. The Pacifc Northwest has three subregions: The Washington and Oregon Coast Ranges; the British Colombia Coast Mountains, the Puget Sound Trough, Willamette Valley and the Inside Passage, and the Cascade Mountains. Los Angeles is nowhere near active volcanoes, yet residents to have to worry about earthquakes and the Raymond Fault.


Climate
For three of the four season, this region receives an abundance of precipitation due to the marine climate. Annually, this region sees over 200 inches of rain. Los Angeles doesn't come close to that. Towards the Cascades, high winds are in abundance. Due to the ocean air decreasing air pressure, storms climb the mountains causing rain and snow from the released moisture. Los Angeles is quite the opposite. For three seasons, and most of the fourth, there is nothing but hot weather and sunshine.

Chapter 16: Intermontane

Lying between the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains is the most dry and beguiling area of the US. It is known as the "empty quarter" and the "ghost region' due to its dry, rough, unproductive land that is not very populated.


Geography

Sustaining a hot and dry landscape, the Intermontane has a small population. Water is a necessity for life, and there is very little water in this barren land. The Intermontane region can be broken up into three major subregions: the Colombia Plateau, the Basin and Range, and the Colorado Plateau. The Colombia Plateau is divided into two provinces: the Palouse and the Snake River Plain. the Basin and Range is separated into three provinces: the Great Basin, the Sonoran Desert, and the Mexcian Highlands. Lastly, the Colorado Plateau is a bunch of mesas and canyons, whith the spot light on the Grand Canyon. Los Angeles is also broken down into sub-cities. Eighty eight to be more specific.


Climate
Los Angeles and the Intermonte share the lack of precipitation in common. Due to the Cascade Mountains and Sierra Nevada acting as a rain shadow, not a lot of rain see the Intermontane. This results in a dry region, receiving less than two inches of rain. The Colorado Plateau receives an average of fifteen inches annually. This mostly comes form summer thunderstorms. Los Angeles doesn't receive that much precipitation. When it does rain in LA, it doesn't last very long and dries up very quickly.

Chapter 15: The Rocky Mountains

The Rocky Mountains are a physical barrier that govern the weather, precipitation, and the flow of water. The population is on a boom bust pattern, yet the water is not. The largest city near the Rockies, resides in the rain shadow.

Geography
The many ranges of the Rocky Mountains stretch from Alaska to New Mexico. They rise above the eastern plains and meld into the western plateaus. The Rockies are divided into five latitudinal subregions: Southern Rockies, Middle Rockies, Northern Rockies, Canadian Rockies, and Brooks Range. In comparison, Los Angeles has 88 sub-cities including, Beverly Hills, Compton, El Segundo, and Lakewood.












Climate
Although the Rockies are adjacent to the Great Plains, the temperature differential is 35 degrees Fahrenheit. This is because as the elevation increases, the temperature decreases. This is known as vertical zonation. The lower elevation has desertlike plants and animals. The higher elevation sees a tundra like atmosphere. The Rockies see very cold temperatures unlike Los Angeles.

Chapter 14: The Great Plains and Canadian Prairie

The Great Plains is too slow for most people. Unlike the hustle and bustle of downtown Los Angeles, the Great Plains has a very subtle revealed landscape. The climate, topography, and vegetation is seen as a transition zone between the dry, itchy west and the wet, forested midwest.

Geography
The Great Plains are almost perfectly named. There is a lot of plain, flat land. The land is perfect for mechanized agriculture, however, there isn't enough surface water to support it. the only way is to drill for underground water. The land is flat and treeless, making the landscape seem endless. LA is different as there are many tall buildings, hills, mountains and trees that block the horizon.

Climate
Unlike the barely two season city, the Great Plains climate is extreme and dramatic. However, the Great plains is decidedly western in its aridity. The western plains don't see as much precipitation as the eastern plains due to the affects of the Gulf Coast air. The plains receives less than twenty inches of rain. Due to the precipitation, the topsoil becomes fertile, but production is limited. A calcium carbonate is often left after a rain. Only long, itchy grass can survive the climate of the Great Plains. The grasses are longer in the east due to the precipitation though. The rain slow production in Los Angeles as traffic becomes worse and dangerous and outside activates cannot be done. Although both areas see rain, it's not too often the clouds let it fall.

Chapter 13: The Midwest

Geography
The Midwestern Central Lowland can best be seen and described as flat. However, there are many dynamic details of that flat lowland. Lakes, rivers, trees, rolling hills, glaciers, grass, dairy, corn, and rust are just some of the variety the Midwest offers. Los Angeles is fairly flat as well and also has many details, but none like the Midwest. Los Angeles has a lot of concrete, trash, smog, people, and cars. There is a lot of organic nature, rather than made made and planted foliage. Both are beautiful in there own ways. Industrial development in relation to the landscape has butt heads. Like much of Los Angeles, due to development of industry, there is destruction of the environment. Still, a lot of green can be seen in the Midwest.


Climate
The climate in the Midwest fluctuates a lot more than it does in LA. This is because the land both gains and loses warmth more quickly than water. Due to the flat land, there aren't many natural barriers allowing winds to blow freely. The Midwest, unlike LA, has four seasons. Short, dramatic spring and fall lead to long, hot, humid summer. The winters seem endless and cold. Los Angeles seems to have summer and spring all year long.

Chapter 12: The Ozarks

By the 1950's, the Ozarks were known as the land of opportunities. Many people, now a days, flock to Los Angeles for their opportunity to become famous. The Ozarks are home to a sparsely populated, laid-back, old-fashioned "hillbilly" regions. Far opposite of the hustle and bustle, heavily populated, fancy handbags and shoes people of Los Angeles.


Geography
The Ozarks are an remnant of a 500 million year old inland sea leaving behind a karst landscape marked by caves, sinkholes, and water discharging from rocks as springs. Los Angeles, is far different as it is a concrete jungle filled with tall building, potholes, and smog. The Ozarks have higher-than hills and lower-than mountains, dissected and uplifted plateaus. Los Angeles has surrounding hills and mountains. There are also many rivers and waterways the flow through the city and surrounding areas.

Climate

Unlike Los Angeles, the Ozarks see four distinct seasons. They range fro 80 degree, humid and rainy summers to average january temperatures of 34 degrees. Winter snows are brief and the growing season varies between 180 and 200 days, Los Angeles only sees two season. Hot, sunny, humid summers and sunny, yet cold falls. There is some rain, but not enough to call it a rainy season. 

Chapter 11: Gulf Coastal Plains and Mississippi Valley

Both coastal regions, the Gulf Coastal Plains and Los Angeles, have many of the same traits. Known as the belly of the states and the underside of America, the Southern region is "the most southern place on Earth. The Gulf Coast represents land that is laid-back, joyous, and filled with culinary treasures, as well as corrupt counterparts. Los Angeles has much of the same. Some of the best food can be found in the heart of Los Angeles. Many of which are small hole-in-the-wall restaurants and food trucks. Los Angeles, although very busy, can also be laid-back and joyous like New Orleans' Mardi Gras.

Los Angeles River

Geography

Due to the Gulf embayment, the flooding from the ocean and then the water retracting created the Mississippi River. Unlike the Los Angeles River, the Mississippi River is full of life and nature. This river also has many regional and ecoreginal impacts that effect the surrounding regions. The river is used strongly for shipping purposes. The Los Angeles River is not natural   whatsoever, surrounded by concrete. The LA River is not commercially used. 

Mississippi River

Climate

The Gulf Coast region has moist winds blowing onshore, boosting winter and spring precipitation from a high of nighty inches to a low of seven. This is far different from Los Angeles, as even though it is a coastal city, there precipitation ranges are nowhere near as high and not as frequent. Some other weather issues that occur in the Gulf Coast that do not occur in Los Angeles, are hurricanes. Hurricane season begins in June and lasts through November. These natural disasters can be very serious, as Hurricane Katrina redefined that meaning. Los Angeles needs to worry about its own natural disatsers; earthquakes.