Culture Region

Boston is part of the Megalopolis, also referred to as the headquarters of America. The megalopolis dominates the entire nation in population, economic importance, educational opportunities, and health facilities. It extends roughly from southern New Hamsphire to northern Virginia and contains dozens of metropolitan areas. They are joined together by freeways and railways. Megalopolis contains about 50 million people, or close to 1/5th the total population of the United States. Because of Boston's location next to a harbor, it is a center of immigration. It has become one of the gateways to America, bringing people from Spain to Ethiopia. Boston specifically had a significant black population at the time of the American Revolution due to slavery. Boston is also noted for its educational advances with many colleges and universities to choose from.

Human Impact on the Environment

The Boston Harbor Project is committed to restoring the harbor to what it was from what it is today. "Boston Harbor is made up of fifty square miles and includes 180 miles of shoreline and 30 islands. It is a precious and valuable part of New England, but over the past three and a half centuries, we have not treated Boston Harbor with the respect and gratitude that it deserves from us. Ten years ago, it was one of the most polluted harbors in the United States." In 1796, there were a series of illnesses breaking out, the first in many contamination to come to the harbor. As early as the latter part of the 1800's, warnings were posted to not swim in the Boston Harbor for fear of boils. The Clean Water Act was passed in 1972, requiring secondary treatment for discharged waste water from all publicly owned treatment plants.

Recreational Resources

The location of Boston to the bay makes the ocean a major recreational resource in the area. Another resources would be the miles of bike paths that filter through the city. There is also the Stone Zoo and the Franklin Park Zoo. There are boating centers as well as yoga and dance studios. There are many visual and performing art activities, parades, feasts and festivals, and walks and races. The Boston Public Garden is also a popular place for recreation.

Neighborhoods

"While many cities are defined by their skylines, Boston is distinguished by its vibrant neighborhoods. Indeed, Boston's strength, diversity and vitality are all rooted in her 21 neighborhoods, where neighborhood pride and cultures from all over the world are cherished and celebrated. Although each neighborhood has its own personality and distinct appeal, all of the neighborhoods demonstrate Boston's changing face, as this historic capital has become a magnet for all of the world's citizens. These new immigrants have joined native Bostonians and transplants from across the country to make Boston the world-class city it is today."



The North End of Boston

The City of Boston

There are many functions of an urban area including: retailing, wholesaling, manufacturing, business service, entertainment, religious service, political and official administration, military defensive needs, social service, public service, transportation and communication services, meeting place activity, visitor service, and place to live. Boston's coastal location on the north Atlantic makes it the economic and cultural center for the region. Although Boston is the fourth most densely populated city in the country. Boston is also surrounded by the "Greater Boston"and surrounded by cities such as Chelsea, Everett, Somerville, Cambridge, Canton, Milton and Quincy. These cities are considered hinterland as they are the area surrounding a city that directly serves and is served by a city.

Some random facts about Boston:
1. Before the advent of railroads in the middle of the 19th century, all major cities, such as Boston, were associated with waterways.
2. Newspapers reach over 5 percent of all households in Boston than papers from any other center.
3. Boston is one of 24 metropolitan migration fields, which influences the characteristics of the center's population.
4. Boston is one of 7 most diversified cities: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, St. Louis, Philadelphia and New York.
5. Boston is considered a conurbation, or urban cluster. The major urban cluster, and the one called the Megalopolis of America, is the continuous urban string that stretches from north of Boston to the many suburban towns of norther Virginia and includes Boston, Providence, Hartford, New York, Newark, Trenton, Philadelphia, Wilmington, Baltimore, and Washington D.C.
6. Boston is full of new skyscrapers and historic neighborhoods.

Modern Transportation and Communication Systems

According to the Boston Transportation Department, their mission is to promote public safety, manage the city's transportation network, and enhance the quality of life for the residents. Their mission is ensured through the use of planning coordinated engineering, education and enforcement. A recent change in Boston's transportation department is the installation of a new parking meter program which uses kiosks that accepts credit cards, dollars and coins. These kiosks will make it more convenient for residents of the city of Boston instead of the coin-only meters that existed before.
Parking in a major city always has its problems but the city of Boston has many convenient places for its residents and visitors to park. Right now, Boston has over 7300 electronic parking meters, 34 municipal parking lots, 134,000 private parking spaces, along with a multitude of on-street parking in front of houses and businesses.






The city of Boston is committed to providing bicyclist a convenient way to travel through town. Promoting bicycling is a priority for the city and has become the preferred method of travel for many residents as it is not only convenient but also offer many health advantages as well as a better quality of life. Beginning back in the 1870s, bicycling in Boston has always been a common sight. In fact, Colonel Albert Pope, a Civil War veteran, was the foremost proponent of bicycles and he established the Pope Manufacturing Company, which originated in Boston. He company began marketing bicycles in 1878 and the residents took the bicycle and rode with it! Today, Boston is committed to educating both bicyclists and motorists on safety training as well as increasing the public awareness of the laws that are needed to be followed for the safety of all.

Industrial and Commerical Organization

Boston Harbor
Since its discovery in the 1630s, the Boston Harbor has played an important part in history. It was the site of the Boston Tea Party on December 16, 1773. In the 1960s, the water was so polluted that it became the focus of one of the first harbor cleanup programs.
Boston’s exports include grains and metals and its imports are petroleum products, automobiles and general container cargo. In 2004, the port handled 1.3 million tons of general cargo, 1.5 million tons of non-fuels bulk cargo, and 12.8 million tons of bulk fuel.

After the attack on September 11th, Boston suffered as the travel, financial services and high technology sectors were low. Between 2001 and 2003, nearly 32,000 jobs in these sectors were lost however in 2004, the some of the jobs were leveled off, especially in tourism. Manufacturing in Boston has lost some of its ground but it remains an important sector of the economy. Considered one of the top places to do business in the United States, Boston is home to many major industries including finance, high-technology research and development, tourism, medicine, education, commercial fishing, food processing, print and publishing, and government.

Early in Boston history, wool processing and the manufacturing of clothing, textiles, shoes and leather good remained at the center of the industry. Boston is home to Fleet Bank, investment firms such as Fidelity Investments, and insurance firms such as John Hancock Financial Services. Boston is one of the country’s top 10 tourist attractions with a focus on the city’s history sites, restaurants and hotels. In 2004, 16.3 million tourist came to Boston, bringin in $7.9 billion!

Fishing continues to be a focal point in Boston’s economy with more than two million pounds of fish being caught in the waters in and around Boston each year. Such surpluss of fish make Boston a fishing, food processing and food store prime industry. Both large and small printing operations keep thousands of workers employed in the metropolitan area.

Fortune’s Top Companies in Boston
Bain & Co.
Bingham McCutchen
Boston Consulting Group
Nixon Peabody
Pricewaterhouse Coopers
Procter & Gamble

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Harbor
http://www.city-data.com/us-cities/The-Northeast/Boston-Economy.html
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/bestcompanies/2007/states/Massachusetts.html

Agriculture, Gathering, and Extractive Industries

From early on in the history of Boston, foreign trade, fishing and agriculture sustained the economy. As fishing grew a booming industry in the 1800s, many men lost their lives as it was a highly dangerous career. Whaling also came into existence in the 19th century, bringing home cargo of enormous value. In the 1960s, fishing began to slow as foreign competition in the traditional Atlantic fishing groups as well as the depletion from overfishing. By 1970, the industry made a comeback and today Massachusetts ranks as one of the top U.S. states in value of fishing landings.
Today the area of Massachusetts is covered in rocky soils that serve only to support truck gardening. The sandy bogs of southeaster Massachusetts and Cape Code produce two-fifth’s of the U.S. cranberry supply. According to Britannica, cranberries are one of the state’s top sources of farm income, after greenhouse and nursery products. Dairy also contributes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6VlWxOh_6o

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/368402/Massachusetts/79350/Settlement-patterns

Political Geography

As we look at the political geography of Boston, I will open up the area to the entire state of Massachusetts. Massachusetts is most notable as a democratic state yet in recent decades, the color is not so bright. The state is composed of both liberal Republicans and conservative Democrates. Taking a look at the city of Boston, in 1990, the vote landed 45% democrat and 48% republican. By 2002, the vote was 44% democrat and 49% republican.
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/ideas/articles/2006/06/04/the_state_im_in/

Government and Society
Health and welfare – Massachusetts is one of the chief medical centers of the world as well as a notable leader in research. In early Massachusetts’ history, the state recognized the responsibility to care for those who were ill. In 1818, the state took up the responsibility to care for the mentally ill and others who were disabled. In 1854, the state opened the first almshouse and in 1898, the state opened the first hospital for tubercular patients.

Education – as noted earlier, Harvard College (now Harvard University) was founded in 1636 in Massachusetts. Massachusetts also set the stage for kindergarten and secondary education in 1840. The state has also many private preparatory schools including Roxbury Latin School, founded in 1646.
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/368402/Massachusetts/79350/Settlement-patterns

Population Geography

In 1990, Boston was the 20th largest city in the United States with 574,000 people living within the city. It had the 4th highest population density with 11,900. It is the second smallest of the 20 largest cities, per square mile with only 48 square miles (the smallest being San Francisco). Boston also was the 10th largest urbanized area with 2,775,000.

http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0027/twps0027.htm#tabA

Demographic Statistics
Average household size: 2.3
Person 25+ with a bachelors degree: 35.6%
Median household income: $39,629
Avg. household income: $55,865
Poverty rate: 19.5%
Unemployment rate: 7.2%
Homeownership rate: 32.3%

http://www.dataplace.org/area_overview/Boston,_MA

Settlement Patterns

William Blaxton was the first settler of Boston and it was from him that the early Puritans were purchased the land known today as Boston. The city quickly became populated by early settlers and the First Church of Boston was created. Boston was believed to be a city with a special covenant with God, known as the “City upon a Hill.” The first school and college in America were formed in Boston, the Bostin Latin School and Harvard College, founded in 1635 and 1636. A road joining Boston and New York City was built that made easier the connectivity of the two cities and allowed for great expansion of Boston.

After the Revolutionary War, Boston became one of the wealthiest international traditing ports, exporting products such as rum, fish, salt and tobacco. As trade increased in Boston, so did the city population. In 1790, the city was comprised of 18,320 people. Fifty years later in 1840, the population was 93, 383. And by 1890, a marvelous 448, 477. Today the city of Boston is comprised of over half a million people.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Boston,_Massachusetts

Physical Features

Boston is lies on the Atlantic seaboard and fronts on the Boston Harbor. Boston is the oldest large city in the United States, founded over 350 years ago and filled with history, charm and adventure. The city is composed of old buildings and streets that help make the city unique and historical. Founded by Puritans, many political leaders came from this great city.
http://geography.howstuffworks.com/united-states/geography-of-boston.htm

Boston is an irregular shaped city and is relatively small, comprising only 47 square miles. Comprised of mostly old buildings, the city has recently gone through a period of renewal as the city has brought in new office buildings, large housing developments, extensive restoration, and a vigor unknown for decades.
Downtown Boston is below the merging of the Charles, Mystic and Chelsea rivers. The oldest park in the nation is located in Boston, called the Public Garden. The city is equipped with subways, surface and elevated lines and numerous bus lines, as well as railways.
http://geography.howstuffworks.com/united-states/geography-of-boston 1.htm

Boston has a continental climate with very changeable weather patterns such as wide temperature swings in a matter of days, and unseasonal snowfalls. Summers are usually sunny, hot and humid, the temperature in July averaging 82°F (28°C). Winters, by contrast, are bitterly cold, windy, wet and snowy. Boston averages 42 inches (108cm) of snowfall annually, much of it deposited in north-easterly storms. The best time to travel to Boston is in late spring or early autumn, when the weather is warm and pleasant. Autumn is particularly lovely when New England's trees wear their colorful fall foliage.
http://www.wordtravels.com/Cities/Massachusetts/Boston/Climate

Introduction

Welcome to beautiful Boston, Massachusetts! Capital and the largest city in the state, Boston is located in the northeast corner of the United States. An economic and cultural center to the entire northeast region, Boston is known for its advances in education, medicine, and technology. Now one of the most expensive places to live in the United States, Boston is a beautiful city with so much to offer.