[VIDEO] Wait until you get to at least the last three cities. And some cities such as St. Louis and Detroit had experienced some form of population decline.
Many cities had some form of geographic advantage. Such as Chicago which historically had a geographic advantage, a hub for transportation, being on the Great Lakes, and being on a river which is connected to other important rivers.
People may emphasize here in this state that Chicago is losing population, however, Mr. Beat state's that that the Windy City is always reinventing itself.
Chicago is a great city, but which of these 25 cities would you choose to live?
[VIDEO] Door County, Wisconsin right at the top of the eastern peninsula of the state. This county could "decide" the the next P.O.T.U.S. And Wisconsin is a battleground state.
In the 2016 election Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania made the difference and handed the 46th P.O.T.U.S. Donald Trump the White House. Those states proved pivotal for Joe Biden in 2020 where he was elected the 47th P.O.T.U.S. and he effectively flipped those states back to blue. Oh yeah let's not forget nominally these are often blue states. Perhaps Wisconsin and Pennsylvania are more purple than blue.
And also add that 2016 and 2020 the results in those elections for President were very close. Narrow margins and in 2020 certainly in Detroit, MI or Philadelphia, PA there were allegations of "voter fraud".
Regardless, whether you vote early or wait for election day next month vote. Make sure it counts, the race shouldn't just be "decided" by one county in the whole nation!
[VIDEO] Chicago is a very navigable city. We know what the center of Chicago's grid which is State and Madison all addresses go from 0 from there north, south, east, and west. I never knew that a city block in Chicago is one-eighth (1/8) of a mile which means I've been walking miles for years especially from downtown Chicago. And of course in general street numbers go in each direction by mile you will know where you are in the city if you look at street signs or how far you are at least from State & Madison, however, the grid isn't entirely consistent.
Of course there are diagonal streets let's say south of State & Madison generally you have Archer Ave. & South Chicago Ave which go diagonal. I was always told that in the days before expressways or interstate highways that these were the original expressways.
Of course from Chicago Geographer those facts and some other quirks in the city's grid system as you see in this six minute video.
[VIDEO] Very interesting video which actually dropped on Memorial Day - which I hope was a joyous one for you all. It address the issue of why some places don't grow while others do.
Arizona and Colorado have enjoyed an influx of people moving in. Arizona is known for having an influx of Californians and retirees. Indeed Arizona may well have a lower standard of living vs what one may expect in California. When anyone chooses to move they may consider among other things taxes, say income taxes, sales taxes, etc.
However, one reason Kyle of Geography King discusses is the culture of New Mexico. New Mexico is said to be a minority-majority state. I could read this as white people are a minority to minority groups. Perhaps those of Latin & Indigenous American descent outnumber those of white or European descent. This is considered controversial though I do wonder what Kyle's comments look like as far as this possibility.
New Mexico I learned is of a higher elevation compared to Arizona it's western neighbor. Both are generally dry or desert terrain as a result both states have vastly different climates. Industry are both different in Arizona and New Mexico, perhaps in New Mexico you don't necessarily need a degree to get into a lucrative field and thus you can make good money in a more agricultural or industrial economy.
This is very interesting video to watch. I suppose anyone out there who made their move, what brought you to Colorado or Arizona? Also what brought you to New Mexico if you move there recently?
[VIDEO] These two nations are on the Carribbean or West Indies island of Hispanola. But were European colonies of both France & Spain at one point in their history. We get the history of Indigenous Americans on the island, most of the Taino people died not from conflict with the Spanish colonists, but from unfamiliar diseases.
We learn the Dominican Republic is doing far better economically than Haiti, is more stable politically, is more forested, and is more ethnically diverse. And I didn't know Haiti held the whole island of Hispanola at one point.
Here's another video that explains some of the vast differences between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Why is one so desperately poor while the other is so much more prosperous?
[VIDEO] This video seems to be very political, however, it's as much of a geography lesson than anything else. Red states have less people than the blue states. Red states are more religious. Blue states are more ethnically diverse. Blue states have a higher GDP.
And then we go into the areas of whether or not blue or red states are more rural. Of course what makes a red state or a blue state. Is it how they vote in a presidential election?
Illinois is a blue state, however, you leave the Chicago area the redder this state becomes. However, most of this state's voters are in the Chicago area and at least Cook County Chicago is a solid blue area. Other blue states have such a sharp divide the urban/suburban areas are more Democrat than the rural area which are largely Republican.
As for this "national divorce" well it sounds like another civil war which I hope never happens. I think it's just a reflection of how divided this country is. Right now there is a stark divide between liberal (blue) vs. conservative (red). It seems both sides have very different set of values and right now there is hardly much reconciliation between those differences.
I would say I never heard much talk of a national divorce before 2020 and the pandemic. Of course that's not to say that the differences didn't just emerge three years ago. These differences have been around for decades
[VIDEO] This is advertised as America's highest train going up to Pike's Peak in Colorado. Another place I can chronicle in the near future. Want to know more about this railroad check out this website https://www.cograilway.com/
Now that I know this is only 12 miles west of Colorado Springs, Colorado well perhaps the next time I visit Denver, Colorado via Amtrak possibly this would be worth my time.
[VIDEO] I was always curious about Michigan. It's almost as if it's two separate halves an upper and lower peninsula. Of course the lower peninsula has major cities such as Detroit, Flint, Lansing - Michigan's state capital, Grand Rapids, etc. So what is the difference between the upper and lower peninsulas of this state. In fact why was Michigan's map drawn this way.
[VIDEO] All I know about Palestine and Israel is that the population of both are so vastly different that unfortunately they hardly get along. I think this is a great video if you want to know the history of each territory. And you get a lot of religious history that causes me to want to look into this more. Easily this part of the world is the birthplace of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.
[VIDEO] One of my more recent favorites on YouTube recently. Lord Spoda takes his wife and us on a journey across the United States of America in their Ford Bronco. Going along backroads and sometimes going into some of America's largest cities.
Most recently he took a trip to Cheyenne, Wyoming which you can view here.
Back in May of this year he visited our neighbors in the northern state I like to call Dairyland although the actual name is Wisconsin. He visits the city of Milwaukee which he refers to as the Midwest's coolest city. However, aside from a lower standard of living compared to Chicago and of course the festivals you might hear of issues of reckless drivers, petty crime, lower wages, terrible public transit, or even terrible public education.
After spending time in Milwaukee, then then visit the Wisconsin state capital of Madison, Wisconsion. His wife has a state capitol passport which she gets stamped once she makes a visit. Perhaps time for me to get one at least to say I visited the state capitol in Springfield.
Anyway, if you have 25 minutes to watch this on your hopefully restful Sunday.
[VIDEO] Puerto Rico and District of Columbia compared. Puerto Rico is a a commonwealth and most importantly not a U.S. state but an U.S. insular area or an unincorporated territory of the United States. Of course the District of Columbia we may also know them as Washington, D.C. is a federal district though self-governing is actually under the authority under the federal gov't.
What Mr. Beat jokes about at the start of this video is that both states will become the 51st State. Well both of them can't be the 51st state and perhaps D.C. could be the state that will get the nod in the future if that was to be. The proposed state name I've heard for D.C. is Douglass Commonwealth. So we could yet have another state that might declare themselves a commonwealth as these four states - Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Virginia, and Kentucky.
And who knows of Puerto Rico will refer to themselves as a commonwealth once they're fully admitted to the Union. However, they have made the news in recent years for being hard hit by a hurricane. They are U.S. Citizens and I found this site advocating their own statehood.
Which territory do you think will achieve statehood? Should Washington, D.C. remain a federal district - there is an actual debate about that some might say D.C. becoming a state is unconstitutional.
[VIDEO] Well when was the last time we saw two states compared. It feels like it's been a minute.
I'm not that familiar with both states but have been numerous times. I view Virginia as more of a southern state though I've never been anywhere else other than northern Virginia. As far as Maryland I remained int he Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Actually it's probably true for both Virginia and Maryland.
We hear about the Mason Dixon line which marks the border between Maryland and Pennsylvania. It was also the line that had divided slave states and non-slave states. We learn how Maryland got it's odd shape. We see that West Virginia was actually once part of Virginia.
One thing I know from history is that Maryland was an English colony for Roman Catholics and even now has a significant Catholic population while Virginia is more evangelical Christian. Maryland is more densely population compared to Virginia and thanks to Baltimore Maryland has a higher crime rate.
I could go on and on, but it's better if you watch the video. Perhaps you've also been to both states and have your own commentary?
[VIDEO] YouTuber Hoosier Boo paid a visit to the Four Corners monument which marks the borders between the states of Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico. It's located on the tribal land of the Navajo Nation and is the only part of America where you can legit stand in four states. So on my next visit to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon this ought to be on the list of must visits. To share on my YouTube channel in the future...
[VIDEO] How about some geography today. Mr. Beat compares the southwestern states Oklahoma and Texas.
As you know Texas - known as the Lone Star State - for a variety of reasons has become the next hot state along with Florida and has seen growth in population in recent years. I think at some point in the past two decades Texas surpassed New York at the second most populous state in these United States.
The Sooner State - Oklahoma - is known for having a large number of American Indians, Native Americans, or Indigenous Americans. Many of those tribes who reside there were part of the "Trail of Tears" when the US Gov't in the 19th century forced them from their lands in the southeast - states like North and South Carolina, Georgia, etc.
I've spent some time in Texas over the years and have visited cities as Houston, Dallas, Austin, and Amarillo. Dallas is known as the site of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy - I've been to the exact site near Dealey Plaza where this horrific event occurred.
I also want to add that I've only passed through Oklahoma going through Oklahoma City and Tulsa and at that my last visit to that state was over 30 years ago. Probably about time to visit again!
Anyway Mr. Beat didn't release a video last Friday so today I will offer this treat for you all. In the more recent comparison video Mr. Beat didn't discuss the Runza sandwich. In this one he does and you might have heard about it from Geography King also.
Also both states I've passed through on the way across the country. I noted that Nebraska is the only state with a unicameral legislature. Kansas has some very well known political figures such as the late Bob Dole. Both states trend Republican.
I could go on and on however once you watch the video, hopefully you learn something new.
[VIDEO] The Russian invasion of Ukraine has been dominating the news as of late depending upon what network you're watching. FOX News, CNN, MSDNC....well whatever news network you're watching or even you see little things about this situation on your local news stations.
Kyle of Geography King shares with you a quick overview of the nation of Ukraine. The people, the culture, the economy, even the terrain. You may ask though not necessarily answered here is why is Russia invading, what do they want with Ukraine?
[VIDEO] On the heels of Mr. Beat's Iowa and Nebraska compared let's look at Geography King's profile of Nebraska. He hasn't yet done a profile on Iowa as he has other states such as Oregon, Wisconsin or even Illinois (I mention those specifically because I shared those vids on this blog). However, add this 17 min. video to your knowledge about this Midwestern/Great Plains state.
[VIDEO] Geography time, two similar states compared with each other. How many of us know anything about both of these states? I've only passed through both of these states over the years whether by car or by train. I know both of these states as primarily agricultural states.
Nebraska politically is known as the only state with a unicameral - one chamber - legislature. Iowa politically is known for their caucuses that are part of the Presidential Primaries to determine Presidential election nominees. There are a couple of vids about the Iowa caucuses on this blog.
Perhaps we might have heard of both of these state's largest cities which is Des Moines in Iowa and Omaha in Nebraska. Both are considered very conservative, however, other than those tidbits I don't have much to add. However, what does Mr. Beat have to add as far as our knowledge of these American states or in this case these two Midwestern American states.
[VIDEO] Well I shared a video about the Great Lakes which includes Lake Michigan. Now a news story about Chicago's shoreline along Lake Michigan. To start with there is a concern with regards to rising water levels on the lake and gov't efforts for the shoreline. Here's the story from WTTW's Chicago Tonight.
[VIDEO] I know the basic story of the five Great Lakes. Basically were formed in an ice age once glaciers retreated to far more colder areas of North America. Chicago is right next to one of them Lake Michigan and of course there is Superior, Ontario, Erie & Huron. A large interconnected group of freshwater lakes.
So this program which aired on the History Channel in 2008. Ah I really miss when History actually had programming like this although I was a fan of Pawn Stars.
