The North Pacific Coast

A major theme in the chapter of the text about the North Pacific Coast Region is the significance of forest products and green energy sources.

The North Pacific Coast region largely talks about significant potential from hydroelectric power due to the number of dams in the region.

Many people assume that Colorado is a key contributor to lumber production, when in reality, it produces less than 1% of the United State's lumber overall. A large part of Colorado is made up of National Parks, protecting the forests in the region.

In terms of renewable energy, Colorado is increasing the numbers of homes powered by solar energy, and has a group dedicated to promoting the expansion of renewable energy use in Colorado called the CRES (Colorado Renewable Energy Society).

Sources:
Regional Landscapes of the United States and Canada

http://csfs.colostate.edu/cowood/library/03_Our_Industry.pdf

http://www.cres-energy.org/about_pubs.html

California

Having spent much of my life in Southern California, and decent amount of time in Colorado, I must insist that these two places are very different. Northern California, however, strongly reminds me of Colorado at times.

Northern California:

Colorado:

They may be forests made up of different trees, but the feel of the forest surrounding you and the beauty of all the nature is incredible!

The gorgeous redwood trees and the climate in Northern California are similar to that of Colorado. Colorado is so green, vibrant and filled with nature. Southern California is largely urban, with so much traffic and a large population.

Southern California seems to have dominated and suppressed the nature in the area, while Boulder has built itself into it at the base of the Flat Irons.

Colorado is not subject to the dangerous earthquakes California experiences, but they both undergo disastrous forest fires from time to time.

The textbook uses the example of the Santa Clarita forest fire in October of 2007 that burned over 38,000 acres.

Boulder experienced the worst forest fire in Colorado's history last year, in the fall of 2010. Over 169 homes were lost to the fire.

Sources:

Regional Landscapes of the United States and Canada

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October_2007_California_wildfires

http://ecopolitology.org/2010/09/09/fourmile-canyon-fire-a-sign-of-things-to-come-in-pine-beetle-ravaged-colorado-maybe-not/

The Southwest Border Area

The Southwest Border Area section of the book largely focuses on ethnic diversity within the region, and the blending of cultures.

Boulder has very little ethnic diversity, especially when compared to the Southwest Border area. The presence of the University of Boulder helps bring in some other ethnic groups, but the majority is still Caucasian.

The Southwest Border area is greatly defined by the variety of cultures, especially Hispanic and Native American. The second largest ethnic group in Boulder is Hispanic/Latino, but not anywhere near the percentage in the Southwest Border Area.

Above is an example of a Mariachi Band playing in the streets of San Antonio, Texas. This is located in the Southwest Border Area.

Boulder, Colorado Ethnicity Statistics:

White:    85,656

African American:      1,514

Hispanic or Latino:      7,801

Asian:      4,680

American Indian or Alaska Native:         952

Hawaiian/Pacific Islander:         149

Other:      4,129

There are some similarities in landscape, as parts of Colorado are occupied by the Colorado Plateau. This can resemble some of the canyons and plateaus that exist in the Southwest Border Area.

Sources:
Regional Landscapes of the United States and Canada

http://profiles.nationalrelocation.com/Colorado/Boulder/

The Empty Interior

I think the name of this region is kind of sad. 

Boulder is somewhat included in this region, and I don't think that the name of it does the region justice. It implies a boring, plain area without much excitement or beauty. Despite the fact that the name comes from the population (or rather, the lack thereof), I still disagree with the title choice.

I find it incredible that there is such a large area in the United States that is not overpopulated. Living in Los Angeles, it is sometimes difficult to remember that there are areas that aren't so congested with people and traffic...

Boulder does, however, fit into the category. Once you get outside the immediate city area, there is plenty of space for nature to persevere. It's a city only made up of 94,673. This may seem like a lot, but when compared to Los Angeles' 12,828,837, it really puts things into perspective.

There is a BIG difference.

In the Empty Interior, an important theme is water supply and irrigation. These two regions are actually connected by water in the Colorado River Basin.

Irrigation is an important issue in Colorado as well as the Empty Interior, making the transportation of water a big part of agricultural success.

Sources:

Regional Landscapes of the United States and Canada

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles

http://geography.howstuffworks.com/united-states/geography-of-boulder.htm
http://www.lcra.org/water/supply/irrigation.html
http://www.co.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/ecs/Irrigation/CO_Irrigation_Guide.html

The Great Plains and Prairies

Again, there will definitely be some strong commonalities between Boulder and the region of the Great Plains and Prairies. A large portion of Colorado is included, as well as Montana, Wyoming, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, and even a tiny bit of Illinois.

Because Boulder shares some of the Great Plains region on it's eastern side leading up to the Rockies, there is a common base. Denver, Colorado's capital is located in the Great Plains and Prairies region.

The Great Plains region runs along the edge of the Colorado Rockies, just like the city of Boulder.

Because Colorado is partly included in the Great Plains and Prairies region, it has experienced some of the natural disasters that are common in the region. Tornadoes are one example.

In 2009, five consecutive tornadoes tore through Denver, Colorado- only an hour away from Boulder.

The Southlands mall was largely damaged from this specific occurrence.

Sources:

Regional Landscapes of the United States and Canada

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/19683459/detail.html

The Agricultural Core

This region has some strong similarities with the area immediately surrounding Boulder in Colorado. Boulder's location on the border between the Colorado Rockies and the Great Plains provides a diverse range of physical characteristics.

The Agricultural Core includes a large part of the interior plains, spreading from the Appalachians to the Rockies.

Some similarities in the terrain are obvious. Again, a common theme between this region and Colorado is agriculture. It's obvious by the name that the Agricultural Core region is extremely focused on agriculture... 

Wheat, hay, barley, and livestock are commonly produced in both Colorado and places such as Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, etc.

Sources:

The Regional Landscapes of the United States and Canada

http://geography.howstuffworks.com/united-states/geography-of-colorado2.htm