Census 2000/2010

Week 8 Write Up

     The map of the Asian population shows the concentration of Asian populations in the US. One can infer that the majority of Asians in the US live in California or the New England area. This could be due to a variety of factors. Asians began immigrating to the US in the 1800's. There was a massive immigration of Chinese immigrants to the California during the Gold Rush era. This has led to the development of several concentrated communities, the best example being San Francisco's Chinatown. Many Asian immigrants also came during the tech boom of the 1990's and settled in the Silicon Valley, evident in the map.
     The map of the Native American population shows the concentration of Native American people in the US. One can see that the population is concentrated in the Dakotas, Montana, Utah, and New Mexico. This is also due to a historic event. When America was officially founded, the European settlers often fought and ruined the Native Americans with their diseases and advanced weapons. Finally, President Jackson ordered his infamous "Trail of Tears" eviction of Native Americans to poorly settled areas of the Midwest. The survivors remain in those areas today, clearly shown in the map.
     The map of the African American population in the US shows a large concentration of the population in the American South. This is a clear indicator of early American history. The Northern US (New England and States bordering Illinois, Michigan, and Indiana) did not import as many slaves as the Southern US. The South had large plantations that required a lot of labor, which the African slaves supplied. After emancipation, the majority of African Americans were too poor to leave the South, where they remain today.
     These maps describe historical patterns that are relevant today. Traditionally, the South has been seen as economically unequal with larger gaps between rich and poor compared to the rest of the US. Consequently, the majority of African Americans live there. Likewise, the Native American population has not left the place where President Jackson ordered them to go. They inhabit parts of the US that would seem uninhabitable by many Americans. This could lead into a discussion of why minorities remain impoverished despite efforts to balance the system. GIS is an amazing tool in this example. It highlights important patterns that are not immediately noticed by looking at a chart or text. It is easily understandable and is becoming easier and more accessible. GIS is truly changing the way society views and interprets data.