Population and Settlement

Population and Settlement

Population and settlement is effective in the North American Region. The North American region displays how its population changed the settlement landscape to fit the needs of modern society. North Americans have always been on the move. One in every five Americans moves annually. It is not uncommon for people to migrate from place to place in North America. The most common way people move is to the west towards the setting sun. This started many years ago and is still true in present day. By 1990 more than half of North Americans moved west of the Mississippi River which is far different from colonial times.

The west is becoming more and more populated. This Growth in the west has to do with new job creation in high-technology industries and services, and the region’s scenic, recreational, and retirement amenities. The move to the interior west also can cause problems: the demand for water in the arid region continues to grow, the mix of natives and new migrants causes cultural tension, and the area’s growing political and economic power is redefining its traditional peripheral role in national affairs.

The growth of Las Vegas is an example of how things are in the west. It is one of North American’s fastest growing metropolitan areas. It has become a national and international destination resort. It gets more than 39 million visitors a year. The region’s population is home to 1.9 million people in 2007 and predictions say that the population will be 3 million residents by 2020. This threatens wildlife species and this means more water will be demanded. In 50 years Las Vegas looks like it will have major problems with crime, drug abuse, and gang violence. Migrating can be a good or bad thing.