Why is America a 'Nation of Cities'?

Question

America is one of the biggest Nation States in the world and yet large proportions of its geography remain untouched by human development, (Death Valley and areas of extreme temperatures for obvious reasons), why is this land left untouched?

Answer 1

The USA was called a "Nation of Cities" because it has probably the most number of cities in the world.

In my opinion, Death Valley and some others parts in the USA is remained left untouched because they want to preserve the natural appearance, to enhance the tourism, or to protect the native people living on that place. Like Death Valley, which is home to the Frank Tribe, have inhabited the valley for about 1000 years.

Answer 2

I don't agree that "a Nation of Cities" is a very good description of the USA, nor do I agree that large proportions of its geography are "untouched."

The US has a large proportion of its population in urban areas, but those urban areas have a rather low density compared to other urban areas around the planet. For instance, NY is only about 1/10 as dense in people per square mile as some large asian cities. And most Americans do not live in the city centers, but in the surrounding low denisty surburban areas. America could better be called a "Nation of suburbs".

As for being untouched, essentially the entire US east of the Mississippi has been lumbered, cut to the ground and is now regrown with second growth forests that have many non-native plants. Much of the western US is also covered with non-native vegetation introduced in the 1800s. Areas that are suitable for farming have been farmed. Areas that are suitable for ranching have been ranched. There is little land that has not had some attempt at exploitation. If it is vacant now it is because no one can figure out how to make money from it. The 19th century entrepreneurs were very aggressive and were not hampered by any environmental restriction. You can see the results of their efforts in thousands of abandoned settlements all over the western US.

Death Valley is not very big and has an extremely harsh environment, but even Death Valley was exploited by mining.

So, I think your basic thesis is wrong.

Answer 3

it takes time. developing the infrastructure in remote locations takes time, but urban sprawl will eventually take over all but the harshest areas.