The Empty West: Why Few People Live in the Vast West Coast Region

1️⃣The natural geography of the West Coast region, including mountains and rugged coastlines, makes it challenging to establish large population centers.

2️⃣Limited access to fertile lands, transportation infrastructure, and major ports contributes to the lack of large cities in the region.

3️⃣The West Coast region has historically been overshadowed by the more populated areas of California and the Pacific Northwest.

4️⃣The idea of creating a new state called Jefferson, encompassing parts of Northern California and Southern Oregon, has been proposed but faces challenges in gaining recognition.

5️⃣Despite its sparse population, the West Coast region offers stunning natural landscapes and attractions, including national forests, mountains, and rugged coastlines.

Why is the West Coast region of the United States sparsely populated?

—The region's challenging natural geography, limited access to fertile lands, transportation infrastructure, and major ports make it difficult to establish large population centers.

What is the state of Jefferson?

—The state of Jefferson is a proposed new state that would encompass parts of Northern California and Southern Oregon. It has gained attention due to a perceived lack of representation for rural communities.

What are some notable features of the West Coast region?

—The West Coast region offers stunning natural landscapes, including national forests, mountains, and rugged coastlines. It is known for its beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities.

What are the challenges in creating a new state like Jefferson?

—Creating a new state requires approval from the state legislature and the U.S Congress, which is a challenging process. Additionally, the region itself must have strong support and consensus for statehood.

Is the West Coast region completely empty?

—While the region is sparsely populated compared to other areas of the country, there are still small and medium-sized cities in the West Coast region, such as Eugene, Medford, and Chico.

00:00The West Coast region of the United States is a heavily populated area, but there is a large empty area in the middle.

03:22The geography of the West Coast region, including mountains and rugged coastlines, makes it difficult to establish large population centers.

05:00The West Coast region is home to some notable features, such as national forests, mountains, and rugged coastlines.

09:46The proposed state of Jefferson in Northern California and Southern Oregon faces challenges in gaining recognition.