CD1-track18

Geography: American Southern Coastlands

1. What is the main topic of the lecture?

A The geographical division in the Southern Coastlands.

B The impact of the climate on agriculture of the Southern Coastlands.

C The economic situation in orange markets of the Southern Coastlands.

D The importance of rainfall in the food market of the Southern Coastlands.

(B)

2. According to the lecture, what are the main consequences of the warm weather

and a lot of rainfall in the Southern Coastlands? (Click on 2 answers)

A People in the region can grow crops more than once in a year.

B It helped people in the region develop a wonderful system of irrigation.

C The region attracts a lot of migrant workers.

D People in the region can grow specialty crops.

(A,D)

听力原文：

CD1-track18

Geography: American Southern Coastlands

“Of anywhere in the united states it is in the southern coastlands that the climate has

greatest impact on human geography. There are several factors which affect human

activity: humid subtropical, long growing season, mild winter temperatures and warm

humid summers. There are 9months or more of potential growth for agricultural crops

for almost the whole region of the southern coastland. What is more the average

annual rainfall is more than 125cm mostly between April and October when warm

temperatures support plant growth and sunlight is plentiful. It is enough rain for most

agricultural activities for almost the entire region. These climactic conditions have

brought forth 2 important results: farmers can grow their crops until late in the fall

without fear of frost as long as agricultural conditions are met. I mean as long as

there is fertile soil, control of insect pests and appropriate ground drainage. It has

even been possible to harvest 2crops and even more for vegetable farmers. Of greater

importance is the fact that there is the chance to produce specialty crops that cannot

be produced in other parts of the United States. Although the region where citrus

fruits have been produced has slowly moved southwards along the peninsulas interior citrus production. Citrus production has been noteworthy in contributing to Florida’s

economy. Of the 7 major citrus growths, in Florida orange and grapefruit are most

important. Most oranges, about 80% today, are processed rather than being sold fresh.

The processing of oranges has had affects on other parts of the economy as more

people are employed in the industry and sales are not limited to the harvest period but

continue all year long. The grapefruit is produced in a similar area as the orange, but

the demand and output is only about 25% of the orange. These 2 citrus fruits are also

grown in south Texas but with irrigation. Production costs for citrus fruits mainly

come from harvesting. The fruit must be picked by hand from the trees. During the

harvesting season thousands of migrating laborers flock to Florida to do the

physically strenuous in the citrus groves. In the mainland United States it is only in

the southern coastlands sugar cane production is found. It is in production all year

round and needs more than one year to reach full maturity. It is intolerant of frost and

needs a large amount of water more than 125 cm per year. Rice has fewer climactic

requirements than sugar cane. As long as rice has sufficient water it will mature

according to the amount of heat it receives in the summer. In Louisiana and Texas rice

is grown with irrigation. Besides specialty crops there are parts of the southern

coastlands which are one of the countries main areas for growing vegetables. In the

winter urban markets are filled with fresh vegetables grown in Florida and along the

southern part of states along the gulf.”