Why is the US exceptional? We constantly talk about spirit and culture and institutions and...
But the main reason is much more mundane: Geography.
Consider this map. What's makes the US so lucky?
Mainly 2 things:
But the main reason is much more mundane: Geography.
Consider this map. What's makes the US so lucky?
Mainly 2 things:
1. It's an impregnable fortress. Nobody can ever invade it.
Oceans & mountains on both sides.
Just 2 neighbors.
Mexico is smaller, too hilly, and has just 1 natural harbor so it can't be a threat (too poor).
Canada is too cold and exposed, not enough food for a big competitor.
Oceans & mountains on both sides.
Just 2 neighbors.
Mexico is smaller, too hilly, and has just 1 natural harbor so it can't be a threat (too poor).
Canada is too cold and exposed, not enough food for a big competitor.
2. It has the Mississippi Basin, the single best land area in the world. Why?
🏔️ Mountain ranges on both sides concentrate water inwards.
🌽 >1M square miles (2.5M km) of extremely well-irrigated land ➡️ lots of cheap food
🏔️ Mountain ranges on both sides concentrate water inwards.
🌽 >1M square miles (2.5M km) of extremely well-irrigated land ➡️ lots of cheap food
🏗️ Nearly flat, which is also great for agriculture, but also for building anything for cheap, really
⛴️ The Mississippi and its tributaries have more navigable length than all other navigable rivers in the world COMBINED
🕴️ They're all connected to each other, so easy trade
⛴️ The Mississippi and its tributaries have more navigable length than all other navigable rivers in the world COMBINED
🕴️ They're all connected to each other, so easy trade
Worth remembering when we talk about the center of America as flyover country.
That's the heartland.
Not only figuratively.
That's the heartland.
Not only figuratively.
And ON TOP OF THAT the East Coast, from Mexico to Boston, has intracoastal waterways, which make trade easier to protect, hence is cheaper
What are these intracoastal waterways? The islands that protect all the East Coast.
Why do all these rivers and intarcoastal waterways matter so much? Because it makes it dirt cheap to trade
When trade is cheap, your goods can go anywhere.
Compare this with Russia, which doesn't have any cheap way to transport the goods from the middle of the country, which means these goods are either more expensive or simply can't be traded (eg, if perishable)
Compare this with Russia, which doesn't have any cheap way to transport the goods from the middle of the country, which means these goods are either more expensive or simply can't be traded (eg, if perishable)
I go into much more details in today's article, and also cover some dynamics from the rest of the world
unchartedterritories.tomaspueyo.com/p/world-chessb…
unchartedterritories.tomaspueyo.com/p/world-chessb…
This is inspired by sources like the amazing Stratfor Monographic worldview.stratfor.com/article/geopol…
Or Prisoners of Geography
amazon.com/dp/B00V3L8ZHK/
Or Prisoners of Geography
amazon.com/dp/B00V3L8ZHK/
Follow me for more of these. I'm covering next:
- If Geography determines History, what determines Geography? (hint: Space!)
- What's the role of Technology? (hint: it changes over History).
- If Geography determines History, what determines Geography? (hint: Space!)
- What's the role of Technology? (hint: it changes over History).
So summary:
- Impregnable
- Best fertile land in the world
- Very cheap to build other stuff too
- Super easy and cheap to trade
All of this creates lots of wealth
Worth keeping in mind when we talk about American exceptionalism.
- Impregnable
- Best fertile land in the world
- Very cheap to build other stuff too
- Super easy and cheap to trade
All of this creates lots of wealth
Worth keeping in mind when we talk about American exceptionalism.
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