Lab #7: Census 2000/2010

In this lab we are able to connect US Census 2000 data to that of GIS. In doing this we are able to find and collect data from a secondary source and apply it to GIS. All of the maps represent data that was collected during the US Census in 2000. The data is divided according to the percentage of each race (Asian, Black or Some Other Race) that is concentrated by county. Thus, for the first map the data is divided according to the percentage of Asians living in each county. Through looking at the legend we are able to learn that the areas on the map in light blue represent areas with a low population density of Asians living in the United States. Colors represented in darker shades of blue represent higher percentages of population density. Thus, we are able to learn that there are high concentrations of Asian people living within the state  of California, Washington and in the upper East Coast. The highest percentage of Asians living within a county is that of 46% and it is represented by dark blue on the map. 

In the second map we have the distribution of African Americans living in the United States ranked by percent. Once again we can tell that the areas in light blue represent low population densities whereas areas in darker shades of blue represent higher population densities. From the map we can tell that there is a high concentration of African Americans living in the South in states such as Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama just to name a few. A reason as to why there are high percentages of African Americans in the South might have to do with the history of the slave trade and the plantations that originated in the South. The highest percentage of African Americans concentrated in a single county is that of 86.4% and it is represented by the darkest shade of blue on the map.  

The last map shows us the distribution of "some other race" living in the United States ranked by percent. The light colors represent low population densities and the darker colors represent higher population densities. From the map we can tell that there are high concentrations of "some other race" on the western part of the United States particularly in areas such as California, Texas and Arizona. There is a high percentage of "some other race" as well in Southern California, particularly that of Los Angeles County. The highest percentage of some other race is that of 39% and it is represented by the darkest shade of blue. 

In addition, we can tell that there are large percentages of Asians, African Americans and "Some Other Race" in California, particularly in Los Angeles County. One of the reasons as to why this might be is due to all of the ethnic enclaves situated in Los Angeles as well as to the wonderful melting pot that Los Angeles is!