Hawaii

It has been said that one day something terrible will happen California will be separated from America and will end up near Hawaii. Now I don't know if these are just old wise man stories or what, but I do know that if we will get the same weather I am all down for it! Hawaii is a beautiful place, filled with tropical islands, sandy beaches, and some of the most beautiful landscapes one could see. The Hawaiian Islands are made up of eight islands of varying size. The largest of the group, commonly called “The Big Island”, is over 4,000 square miles. The smallest of the islands is about the same size as Simi Valley! Kaho’olawe is about 44 square miles. Simi Valley is approximately 40 square miles.

As Simi Valley is close to the beach, about 30 miles, many residents of the city surf. I don't personally, although I do wish to learn, but many of my friends and acquaintances do. The origin of surfing is an unclear one, however it is clear how it became popular.  Duke Kahanamoku is the man who has been credited with spreading the sport of Hawaii. While living in Southern California, near Simi Valley, the Duke made many connections especially in the movie industry, which helped him to spread the sport of surfing. A restaurant named Dukes has been opened in California as well as Hawaii. It is delicious restaurant that I try to visit a couple times a year. The nearest one to Simi Valley is about 30 miles away in Malibu.

The sign for Duke's Malibu

Credit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke_Kahanamoku
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfing
  Regional Landscapes of the United States and Canada by Birdsall, 2009

The North Pacific Coast

Even though both the region of the North Pacific is close to Simi Valley, both locations are quite opposite. The North Pacific is characterized by its physical environment. It has high precipitation, lush forests, tall mountains and much much more.  Simi Valley has mountains also, however the mountains in this region of the nation are quite different. Most of the mountains around Simi Valley are covered with dry grasses and dirt during the summer, and during the winter they have some green to them; Nothing like the mountains in the North Pacific, such as Mount St. Helens.

Santa Susan Mountains overlooking Simi Valley

Mount St. Helens

In the beginning of the chapter the author wrote that residents of the North Pacific generally has an "exclusive attitude," but I understand why. This is a region of North America with beautiful lands, fresh air, and wide open spaces. As much as we Californians welcome visitors with our theme parks and other attractions, the North Pacific attracts visitors with its luscious landscape. However it is much easier for the land to be ruined than man made attractions so the nervousness of the residents is understood.

I would like to note however, that both Simi Valley and the North Pacific Coast offer great places for people to hike. As a resident of Simi Valley I know of lot of trails and different hikes people can take, and I am sure that there are plenty more to offer in the North.

Credit:
  Regional Landscapes of the United States and Canada by Birdsall, 2009
 http://countrystudies.us/united-states/geography-21.htm

California

My favorite thing about Simi Valley being located in California, and Southern California to be more specific, is the abundant amount of recreational activities residents are able to do. One of the biggest attractions in California and one of my personal favorites is Disneyland.

Minnie and Mickey Mouse at Disneyland

Disneyland is a theme park located in Anaheim California. Disneyland Park opened on July 18, 1955, and since then has had about 600 million guests. The park is constantly expanding, recently opening a "Downtown Disney" filled with restaurants, shops, and fun stalls. This resort brings in many visitors, many from different parts of the world. Other parks and attractions California has to offer range from snowboarding in Big Bear, Universal Studios Park, roller coasters at Magic Mountain, surfing at beautiful beaches, hiking in the Sierras, to the dazzling lights of Hollywood. California has much to offer.

Another big fact about Califonia is the high ethnic diversity. The state of California is a popular destination for migrants entering the United States. I myself immigrated to California from England! There are people of many different races, including high numbers of Chinese, Mexican, Japanese, Korea, Filipino, along with representation from many Middle Easter countries.

So if you are reading this and have not visited California, please come on over! It is a beautiful place, with something to offer everyone!

Credits:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disneyland
  Regional Landscapes of the United States and Canada by Birdsall, 2009

The Southwest Border Area

This chapter is one that is very important for Simi Valley, as the city is located in the Southwest Border Area. California and most of the Southwest region was once owned and inhabited by Mexicans and other Latin people, until they were unfairly removed from their lands. Now what is left is an Americanized society and lands, with a high fusion of Latin people and their culture. The names of our streets, schools, sports teams, cities and much much more are all from the Latin culture. Simi Valley itself, which has almost always been a highly white dominated society is about 20% Mexican. In other places in the Southwest, such as El Paso, Texas, the Mexican population there is about 81%!

Sign in both English and Spanish

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Not all Latin people and their culture is welcomed however. There is a lot of controversy and debate about the California/Mexico border. Lately a lot of immigrants from Mexico are coming to live in Southern California, and the fact that most of them do it illegally, has brought about a large issue in the Southwestern regions politics and economy. Whether citizens of the Southwest want them here or not, the Hispanic community has left a large footprint here, one that will never be washed away.

Credit:
Regional Landscapes of the United States and Canada by Birdsall, 2009
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simi_Valley,_California#2010

The Empty Interior

Map of the Empty Interior

As one can see from looking at this map, just outside of  Simi Valley and the rest of Southern California lies the Empty Interior. The Empty Interior is a large land of 1000 miles from east to west in the southern sections and 375 miles in the norther sections. This land is characterized with desert valleys and high rugged mountains. This land is North America's largest area of sparse human population. If you could take away all of the human imprint in Southern California, it would like a lot like the majority of the Empty Interior. As Southern California has better weather, enough precipitation for agriculture, and is close to the ocean providing for access to trade, the area was and is in high demand for habitation.

Simi Valley is so close to the Empty Interior however that residents have easy access to many of the wonderful things the Empty Interior has to offer. Such as the amazing wildlife, the National Parks, and the beautiful Indian reservations. I understand why Southern California is more appealing to live in compared to the majority of the Empty Interior, but I am thankful to be able to witness the wonders of the land.

Credit:
 Regional Landscapes of the United States and Canada by Birdsall, 2009

The Great Plains and Prairies

Simi Valley, like most of Southern California is a city that is blessed with amazing weather. It is sunny almost year round and it rarely rains, so one never has to fear too much about making plans. The Great Plains area gets hit with hailstorms, tornadoes and high winds. The only winds Simi Valley seems to get are the Santa Ana Winds, which blow through strongly in late fall and early winter; however strong these winds are, I'm sure it is nothing compared to that of "Tornado Alley" in the central Plains.

Santa Ana Winds blowing into Southern California

Even though these two regions, Simi Valley and the Great Plains have very different weather and climate, they both managed to suit the same settlers. The American Indians and the Spanish settled in both places. The Apache and the Comanche occupy large sections of the Plains, Simi Valley once was home to the Chumash Indians.

Credit: 
http://www.atmos.ucla.edu/~fovell/ASother/mm5/SantaAna/winds.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simi_Valley,_California#Climate
 Regional Landscapes of the United States and Canada by Birdsall, 2009

The Agricultural Core

The agricultural core and the area of Simi Valley both had a lot in common when starting out. They both had humble beginning of family owned farms and businesses. Within about 20 years or so both regions received railroads, extending their trading and expanding population. The agricultural core's region however is expansive, allowing for a more constant growth.

Clarksville, Iowa (profiled on page 226) is a small town in the agricultural core. People first started settling in Clarksville in 1852, not long before people began settling in Simi Valley. Both of these two cities however went completely different ways. After the farming died out, Simi Valley adapted and grew with the rest of Southern California in the industrial and technology sector. Simi Valley is now connected to and is near many main freeways, making it highly assessable. The story for Clarksville is different however. This city has managed to stay small, so small in fact that not even the two main streets have a streetlight.

Downtown Clarksville

Simi Valley Town Center

Despite the similar beginnings these two cities had the paths they each took were quite opposite.

The Subtropical Enviornment

Unlike Simi Valley, the subtropical environment is a place where the environment is warm and humid, wet, and tropical. This area is filled with many ports  and is a main shipping focus for the American economy. This land is full of deltas, harbors, and many water ways, Simi Valley is not however. As I have mentioned before, Simi Valley is surrounded by mountains, the nearest beaches are not far, but do require some commuting to.

One thing the city of Simi Valley and the subtropical environment have in common is citrus, and the growth of. Chapter 10 talks about the large amounts of citrus and crop farming going on in the subtropical environment, especially in Florida. Citrus fruits, rice, and sugarcane are the region's most important crops. This was once true of the city of Simi Valley.

In the 1920's and 30's farmers were still involved in dry-land farming, and Simi Valley was a perfect place for such labor. There were once over 135 citrus ranches in what was then known as the Tapo District. Simi Valley also produced grapes, strawberries, carrots, walnuts and other types of row crops.

An orange crate label from Tapo Citrus Association

The Subtropical environment is and most likely always will be an area of high farming, especially of citrus fruits. Simi Valley however is not, it is now more industrialized and farming is no longer an activity. However there is still evidence of the ever once bustling citrus production in Simi at such historical centers as Strathearn Park.

Credit:
Simi Valley A Journey Through Time, by Patricia Havens, 1997
 http://www.simihistory.com/index.html