Informative Essay Sample on Whatcom County

Introduction

USA has about 50 States and Washington State is one of the fifty states in USA having 12th largest population, and Whatcom County is country located in Washington State. It has been abundantly bestowed with natural resources and excellent topography, which supports agriculture and other industries. Due to recent trend of migration, many racial ethnic minorities have moved in this state and they have developed a unique set of culture. It holds great importance due to presence of Pacific Ocean and many Rivers.

WHO

Whatcom County has a total area of 6,485 km2 of which 5,500 km2 is land and 995 km2 is water which makes up of 15.34% of total area.There are five main ethnic groups that reside in Whatcom County including, whites, Latino/Hispanic, Asians, Pacific Islanders, African Americans and Native Americans(http://www.pascenter.org). The population density of Whatcom County comprises of 79 people per square mile. The racial ethnic population comprises of 88.4% of White people, African American people comprises of 0.69% of total population of Whatcom County , Native American or Latin American comprises of 2.82% of total population, 2.78% are Asian where 0.14% are Islander, further, according to survey of 2000 Hispanic or Latino’s ethnic population comprises of 15.5%,German 9%, Englishmen 8.2% and other races makes up 2.66% of the total population. A household median income in the county is $40,005, and the median income for a family was $49,325. The per capita income of Whatcom County is $20,025. Almost 7.8% of the families which makes 14.20% of the total population lives below the poverty line (http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/morning_call/2012/11/washington-state-13th-highest-median.html)

WHAT

Whatcom County has valuable shorelines, lakes and rivers through which it is also famous for its fishing; hence it has valuable marine resources. In addition to that, industry has forest which produces finest lumber. High-quality wood and it’s by products are produced and paper companies are also found here; hence, forestry an important part that has been contributing towards state’s economy. It is also producing farm products that include vegetables and fruits. Wine industry has also been a fast growing industry.It also produces hydroelectric power.(http://www.ehow.com/list_7211053_list-natural-resources-washington-state.html#ixzz2arrAWXWw).

It has topography that has glaciers, mountains and low-lands. Mountains of the Coast Ranges arecovering north and south along the Pacific coast. It has dams and lakes. In the western part of the Whatcom county has Pacific Ocean,and due to its presence the climate is humid and moderate, winds from the ocean cools the land in summer and warms it in winter; and in this region rainfall is heavy. In the eastern region winters are cool and summers are hotter. In the western part it has dense forest whereas in eastern part they have sparser forests. In low lands shrubs and grasses are found. (http://geography.howstuffworks.com/united-states/geography-of-washington1.htm).

People in Whatcom County have mainly been associated with farming.Due to presence of ocean, rivers and lakes, they are rich in Marine resources so they are associated with fish farming. Apart from that, due to presence of natural resources people have been employed in the field related to science and technology.Main exports of Whatcom County includePulp, Paper & Paperboard Mill Products, Fruit & Vegetable Preserves, Basic Chemicals and Other General Purpose Machinery. It is also one of the greatest exporter of fruit & Vegetable Preserves includes Dairy Products, Meat & Meat-Packing Products, fish, Grains, Seafood Products, Canned, Prepared, Animal Foods, Bakery & Tortilla Products and Sugar & Confectionery Products and these are exported by Japan, Canada, Philippines, Mexico, China, South Korea, Hong Kong, United Kingdom, Taiwan and Indonesia,

WHERE

It lies in U.S state of Washington, in its north it has an international boundary of Canada and Oregon lies in its south. On the western side there is vast Pacific Ocean. As it is surrounded by Pacific Ocean from one side it has a very well developed fishing industry. And due to its favorable topography it has been able to develop its marine life, agriculture industry and exports food and raw ingredients. (http://www.netstate.com/states/geography/wa_geography.htm)

WHEN

With the presence of water it has well developed marine resources; Rocky shores are habitat of many marine lives. With the development in technology dams were built in and hence now it is largest producer of hydroelectric power and with the presence of ocean and rivers it has developed a fishing industry. For agricultural product greenhouse effect has been used which is causing pollution, causing Global warming. (http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/encyclopedia/greenhouse-effect/?ar_a=1)

WHY

Immigration has brought together many racial ethnic groups to this stated creating a new and innovative, melting pot culture. This has increased innovation in farming and other fields. But due to industrialization pollution and global warming has been damaging the physical features of this State.

Conclusion

Due to its physical geography Whatcom County’s coast has numerous benefits it has valuable marine life including flora and fauna and it has been able to produce a great amount of electricity through hydroelectric power plans and dams. Further due to various natural resources and well developed agricultural sector it has been able to export many agricultural.Since, diversity in its population has increased innovation and productivity.