Why 80% of Americans Live East of This Line

Summary

This video explores the stark division between the densely populated and sparsely inhabited regions of Earth, focusing on the United States. It discusses the '98th Meridian', which divides the U.S. into a more developed East and a rural West. The script delves into the historical and geographical reasons behind this division, including the impact of the Rocky Mountains and climate change. It also highlights the challenges of water scarcity and the foresight of John Wesley Powell, who predicted these issues over a century ago.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The script describes a map illustrating the stark contrast between the densely populated areas and the vast, underpopulated frontiers on Earth.
• 📏 It highlights two significant straight-line boundaries on Earth: one in Africa between the Sahel and the Sahara Desert, and the other in the United States, dividing the settled East from the unpopulated West.
• 🏜 The Sahara Desert is depicted as an extremely hostile environment for human life due to its lack of rainfall and extreme heat.
• 🇺🇸 The U.S. is noted for having a 'straight-line' division, with the 98th Meridian of longitude marking a clear split between the more developed East and the rural West.
• 🏙️ The script points out that 80% of the U.S. population lives to the east of the 98th Meridian, while the West, including California, is home to the remaining 20%.
• 🌊 The West Coast of the U.S. has a narrow strip of land with sufficient rainfall for large population centers, thanks to the rain shadow effect caused by mountain ranges like the Rockies.
• 🌳 The Rocky Mountains are identified as a major factor in the division of the U.S. climate, blocking moisture and creating a rain shadow that affects the distribution of life and agriculture.
• 🌾 The types of crops grown on either side of the climate line differ, with corn being prevalent in the wetter East and wheat in the drier West.
• 🌡️ The script discusses the shifting climate line in North America, moving eastward from the 100th to the 98th Meridian, indicating changing rainfall patterns and potential impacts on agriculture and society.
• 💧 It emphasizes the importance of water availability in the West, where irrigation is crucial and water scarcity is a defining characteristic of the region.
• 🔮 John Wesley Powell's early recognition of the division and his proposals for water management based on watersheds were not heeded, which the script suggests may have contributed to current water scarcity issues.

Q & A

What is the significance of the 98th Meridian in the United States?

The 98th Meridian marks a nearly vertical line that separates the more populated and developed eastern part of the United States from the more rural and underpopulated western part. It is an invisible line that follows the boundary of the North American frontier, with a significant portion of the U.S. population living to the east of this line and a smaller portion to the west.

Why does the Sahara Desert have such a stark contrast to the African Sahel in terms of human habitation?

The Sahara Desert is one of the most hostile environments on the planet for human life due to its extreme temperatures and lack of rainfall, which can go for years without a single drop. In contrast, the African Sahel is a semi-arid belt that receives limited but still existent rainfall, supporting human habitation.

How does the Rocky Mountains' rain shadow affect the climate and population distribution in the western United States?

The Rocky Mountains act as a colossal wall, blocking most of the moisture from the Pacific Ocean, creating a rain shadow effect. This results in less rainfall and a more arid environment in the western United States, leading to lower population densities and the need for more complex irrigation practices for agriculture.

What is the role of the Cascade Range in creating a climate divide in the Pacific Northwest?

The Cascade Range creates a clear division between the wet, rainy coastal plain to its west and the drier, more arid environments to the east. This mountain range prevents moisture from the Pacific Ocean from reaching the eastern parts of Washington State, leading to significant climatic differences.

How does the distribution of rainfall across the United States influence the types of crops grown in different regions?

In the wetter eastern part of the United States, where water is more plentiful, corn is the dominant crop due to its high water requirements. In contrast, the drier western regions, where water is scarce, favor drought-resistant crops like wheat.

What was John Wesley Powell's proposal for the settlement of the American West, and why was it not adopted?

John Wesley Powell proposed that the American West should be divided into areas based on natural watersheds to better manage the scarce water resources. However, his scientifically based proposals were ignored by politicians of his time, who continued to base political boundaries on surface geography and politics.

How has the line dividing the wet and dry halves of North America shifted over time, and what are the implications?

The line dividing the wet and dry halves of North America, once identified by John Wesley Powell as the 100th Meridian, has shifted eastward to around the 98th Meridian due to climate change. This shift implies that the American Frontier cities will experience less reliable rainfall, potentially leading to economic damages and challenges for agriculture and water management.

What is the current state of the Colorado River, and how does it impact the American West?

The Colorado River, which provides fresh water for around 40 million people across the American West, is currently experiencing a severe drought and is drying up. This has led to the first-ever cuts in water allocation by the U.S. federal government, potentially exacerbating water scarcity and impacting agriculture and urban areas that rely on the river.

How does the distribution of population and urban centers in the western United States relate to the availability of water?

In the western United States, most of the population and urban centers are concentrated in areas with access to water sources, such as coastal plains and near major rivers. The vast interior, which has limited water availability, is largely unpopulated and represents one of the emptiest landscapes on Earth.

What is the significance of the 100th Meridian in the context of the United States' climate and geography?

The 100th Meridian was identified by John Wesley Powell as the approximate boundary between the wetter eastern United States and the drier western part. It marks a significant decrease in annual rainfall as one moves westward, influencing agriculture, population distribution, and the overall climate of the region.