Northern Atlantic and Northern New England

    The area identified as the Northern Atlantic Provinces and the Northern New England states are close to Massachusetts but the state of Massachusetts is not part of the area.  Therefore, there are many similarities as well as differences between these areas.  As is seen in the picture below, Massachusetts is a part of Southern New England along with Connecticut and Rhode Island.  The Northern Atlantic and Northern New England area share many features in common with Massachusetts, like physiography and climate, while they also have many differences, like population size and distribution.  There are also differences in their sustainability and culture. 

From the PowerPoint of Dr. Jim Craine

Fall Foliage Season

   According to the book, the fall foliage season is a part of the year in Autumn during which the leaves of many trees turn from their normal green to many spectacular colors of Fall leaves (often various shades of red yellow purple and brown).  While Massachusetts does not have the number of visitors that go to Vermont for this reason, the state gets it's fair share of fall tourists.  This natural event can be so spectacular that people travel to Massachusetts and other areas of the region from all over the world.  Hotels are booked well in advance and cities like Boston, Gloucester, and the Berkshire cities are packed with visitors.

Fall foliage in Springfield, MA

http://www.wggb.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Foliage6.jpg



General Economy

    Because Massachusetts, particularly Boston, fall into Megalopolis, this state does not share the failing economy as some of the Northern New England states or the North Atlantic Provinces.  Like these areas, the colonial economy of Massachusetts was also based on the fishing industry, logging and dairy farming.  Cities like Boston, New Bedford and Gloucester have been able to maintain a stronger fishing industry.  The state has also have moved with the 21st century into areas of technology and electronics.  The numerous colleges and universities that are spread throughout Massachusetts are also major employers and have helped to keep unemployment low until recent years.  There are more than 100 colleges and universities in Massachusetts.  According to the article at Boston.com, Massachusetts faired much better than most states during the recession that began in 2008.  The greatest economic issue that the state currently faces is a recent rise in unemployment, particularly with those who have only a high school education or less.  This means that the majority of those who are unemployed are immigrants.  http://www.boston.com/businessupdates/2013/07/31/weak-economic-growth-mass/Znovxrrl1P0uDfyuUWOq0I/story.html

Fishing Industry, Cod & "Lobstah"

   According to an article in the Patriot Ledger, in 2009 the  Massachusetts fishing industry ranked third in the United States.  It also states that the industry brought about $4.4 billion in revenues to the state.  Overfishing has caused a problem with the maximum sustainable yield of cod and haddock in Massachusetts but the industry has been able to make up for it with the amount of sea scallops, mackerel and herring that is caught and sold in the harbors of Massachusetts.  Since Massachusetts has so many large cities with restaurants and tourists, there is a much greater demand for these new fish and shellfish in these cities as well.   
   In 2010 there was a lobster crisis identified in Massachusetts, particularly in the bay areas of Boston and Buzzards Bay.  It turns out it was one of those "unintended consequences" we keep reading about in our textbook.  Global warming was causing the cold ocean temperatures to rise which began either killing off the lobster or causing them to move to colder water areas.  So heat is good when you are cooking lobster but not when lobster are trying to stay alive.

                                        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKY42dVxzTU