Ch 8- The Great Lakes and Corn Belt

The Great Lakes and Corn Belt region, seen to the right, is thought of America's "heartland." The landscape in this region has been changed drastically by humans through settlement which is similar to much of the east coast, and especially Philadelphia. The land is generally flat, or has rolling hills. The Mississippi River and the Great Lakes water systems served as important transportation networks. 

The Northwest Ordinance of 1785 helped to settle this area of the US. Under this act, the land was surveyed using a township and range system. This system was used extensively in this region and results in 36-square-mile townships that look like checkerboards. This picture of the state of Iowa shows the distinct squares that make up the bulk of this region. 

This is similar to how Philadelphia was planned by William Penn. Philly was the first city to be mapped out, rather than haphazardly settled. Though the city has expanded greatly since then, remnants of Penn's early planning can still be seen today. 

Many major cities reside in this region. Four of Canada's major metropolitan cities are located here: Oshawa, Toronto, Hamilton, and St. Catherine's-Niagara. In the United States, Detroit, Chicago, and Pittsburgh, are urban areas. These areas have long identified themselves with the products produced there.  

As a city, Philadelphia consistently identifies with the historical aspects of its settlement. Being such a huge part of our country's founding can be seen in the logos of the sports team. Both the Philadelphia 76ers, a professional basketball team, and the Phillies, a baseball team, feature red and blue colors. The 76ers have the thirteen stars that were on the original American Flag. Their name is even a tribute to the year 1776 when the country was founded. The Phillies have the Liberty Bell behind their team name. The historical mecca that the city is continues to be a cultural point of reference. 

Other identifications for the city of Philly are foods such as soft pretzels and Philly cheese steaks (which is possibly the most delicious sandwich you could eat), and the NFL Eagles (pronounced the "iggles"). Like steel in Pittsburgh, and automobiles in Detroit, these things help make Philadelphia the city that it is. 

The skyline at night