Ethnic & Racial Geography of the US Quiz
Diversity patterns (10 questions).
Ethnic & Racial Geography of the US Quiz: Quick Study Notes
The racial and ethnic geography of the United States is defined by historical settlement, forced migrations, voluntary immigration waves, and modern economic shifts. Understanding where specific populations live helps explain cultural landscapes, political dynamics, and regional identities.
Key Takeaways
- The Great Migration: A massive movement of African Americans from the rural South to industrial cities in the North and West (1916–1970).
- Majority-Minority States: States where non-Hispanic Whites comprise less than 50% of the population (e.g., California, Texas, Hawaii, New Mexico).
- Ethnic Enclaves: Distinct neighborhoods (Chinatowns, Little Havanas) within cities that preserve cultural heritage and support new immigrants.
- Upper Midwest: Retains strong Scandinavian and German heritage due to 19th-century settlement patterns.
- Urban Concentration: Most recent immigrant groups settle in major metropolitan areas rather than rural regions.
Where is the “Black Belt” located geographically?
The Black Belt is a crescent-shaped region in the Deep South, stretching from Maryland to Texas (primarily AL, MS, GA, LA, SC), historically known for its dark, fertile soil and high concentration of enslaved people, and today, a high African American population.
Which US region has the highest concentration of Hispanic Americans?
The Southwest has the highest concentration, specifically in New Mexico, Texas, California, and Arizona, reflecting both historical Mexican territories and modern immigration patterns.
What is a “majority-minority” state?
A majority-minority state is one where the combined population of racial and ethnic minorities exceeds 50% of the total population, making non-Hispanic Whites a minority group relative to the whole.
Where do most Asian Americans live in the US?
The majority of Asian Americans live in the West, particularly in Hawaii and California, as well as in major metropolitan areas in the Northeast (like New York) and Texas.
What was the Great Migration?
The Great Migration was the relocation of more than 6 million African Americans from the rural South to the cities of the North, Midwest, and West from roughly 1916 to 1970 to escape Jim Crow laws and seek economic opportunity.
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