The Intermontane region has been called a ghost region because it is the driest area of the United States, and has not offered much incentive for migration to the area traditionally. However, due to air-conditioning and the commodities of modern life, this are has now attracted many for its warm and steady climate. In fact, it is now reaching its limit in terms of a sustainable population growth, and must contend with the implications of increased water and energy use. The region could gain many advantages from taking cues of another sunny city, San Francisco.
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The Intermontane topography (www.bizjournals.com)
A sun-belt city (www.bizjournals.com)
The Native American tribes of the region were the first group to inhabit the region, and have generally lived in the region beyond the epochs of Mormon and Euro-American settlement. Most of the Native Americans of the region, and 13% of the nation's Native American population now live in the Four Corners of the southwestern Basin and Range. The Navajo, Apache, Jicarilla Apache, Hopi, and Mountain Utes are all native to the region. Spanish culture introduced by explorers and religious missionaries has vastly impacted the landscape, culture, architecture, and history of the region, as it has in San Francisco. The Law of the Indies plaza-style city pattern is present in both the Intermontane region and in San Francisco. Ranching and raising of livestock was much more successful in the Intermontane region than in San Francisco however, and thus cowboy culture emerged here. Mormon culture also affected the region, as leader Brigham Young, who took over after Joseph Smith died, lead his followers into the region. Their towns are modeled after their most thriving city, Salt Lake City, and they have aligned their religion with Christian beliefs, though Joseph Smith added several texts. They believe that their homes are literally the Zion that God promised the Israelites in The Bible.
Adobe style architecture in Santa Fe, New Mexico (en.wikipedia.org)
Catholic Religious influence in Intermontane region (www.travelingboy.com)
Downtown Salt Lake City, Utah (en.wikipedia.org)
Climate & Geography
The region can be defined by a general lack of precipitation, which makes for dry, arid soils, a hot climate, and sparse vegetation. The Colorado Plateau averages 15 inches annually. The highest plateaus receive some snow during the winter. Haboobs, which are dangerous dust storms occurr in the Sonoran desert due to the aridity and lack of precipitation, though these storms may indicate imminent monsoon rains. Unlike the Intermontane, San Francisco has more rain, generally never has snow, and agriculture is slightly more successful here.
Economy
The region has historically been dependent on ranching, and only a small portion of the land has been used for agriculture to the lack of precipitation. It is currently dependent on irrigation for the agriculture that goes on in the fertile Palouse region, and in the Coachella and Imperial Valleys.The desert valleys would be devoid of crops were it not for the irrigation from the Colorado River. Overgrazing due presents a huge obstacle for the ranching industry that will need to be approached in a holistic manner if the industry is to survive. Coal mining is abundant, but its mining has caused air and water pollution. Uranium mining has caused nuclear accidents and poses the threat of nuclear radioactivity. Renewable energy is available however, in the form of geothermal, wind, and solar power. Due to the lack of public and governmental support, the region is abusing its natural resources and taking those of other regions as well. The example set by forward seeking San Francisco for sustainability would be a huge improvement if adopted by the Intermontane region. Multi-purpose land use and renewable energy are its most viable solutions at the time.
The region can be defined by a general lack of precipitation, which makes for dry, arid soils, a hot climate, and sparse vegetation. The Colorado Plateau averages 15 inches annually. The highest plateaus receive some snow during the winter. Haboobs, which are dangerous dust storms occurr in the Sonoran desert due to the aridity and lack of precipitation, though these storms may indicate imminent monsoon rains. Unlike the Intermontane, San Francisco has more rain, generally never has snow, and agriculture is slightly more successful here.
Sonoran Desert at Sunset (planet-wild.com)
Economy
The region has historically been dependent on ranching, and only a small portion of the land has been used for agriculture to the lack of precipitation. It is currently dependent on irrigation for the agriculture that goes on in the fertile Palouse region, and in the Coachella and Imperial Valleys.The desert valleys would be devoid of crops were it not for the irrigation from the Colorado River. Overgrazing due presents a huge obstacle for the ranching industry that will need to be approached in a holistic manner if the industry is to survive. Coal mining is abundant, but its mining has caused air and water pollution. Uranium mining has caused nuclear accidents and poses the threat of nuclear radioactivity. Renewable energy is available however, in the form of geothermal, wind, and solar power. Due to the lack of public and governmental support, the region is abusing its natural resources and taking those of other regions as well. The example set by forward seeking San Francisco for sustainability would be a huge improvement if adopted by the Intermontane region. Multi-purpose land use and renewable energy are its most viable solutions at the time.
Southern Coachella Valley agriculture (
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