Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Just as source areas have changed, so, too, have the final destinations of immigrants. Cities have al-
ways attracted large numbers of them, either as points of arrival or potential employment. But in the
first half of America's history, an abundance of rural land (due to displaced Native Americans) was
also available to pioneer settlers.
In many instances, immigrant groups of like origin from different parts of Europe settled large con-
tiguous tracts, basically transforming the frontier into an ethnic quilt. Often, of course, settlements
thrived, populations grew, and towns arose, resulting in the New Pragues, New Lisbons, and New
Leipzigs that dot America. In these rural (or formerly rural) areas, land tends to be owned rather than
rented, and therefore it gets passed down over the generations. As a result, a persistent ethnic geo-
graphy that dates from pioneer days remains over much of America.
By the second half of America's history, the frontier was largely gone and with it the opportunity for
new immigrant groups to settle large rural tracts. Accordingly, immigration assumed an increasingly
urban focus, and so it remains. In cities, people tend to rent their residences rather than own them.
Thus, the propensity is for ethnic turnover to occur in certain neighborhoods with each new wave of
immigrants. As a result, if you live in New Prague, New Lisbon, or New Leipzig, then the countries
in the right-hand column on Table 12-1 may surprise you. On the other hand, if you live in New York,
Chicago, or Los Angeles, then this information may be yesterday's news.
