Chapter 18 - Hawaii

Hawaii has a large Asian and Pacific Islander population.  Over 40% of the Hawaiian population is Asian and another 9% is Pacific Islander.  While Simi Valley has slowly become more diverse over the past few decades, it still has a very small Asian/Pacific Islander presence.  In Simi Valley, only 9% of the population Asian and only 0.1% is Pacific Islander.

Sources:
Regional Landscapes of the United States and Canada (p363-365)
Simi Valley Demographics Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simi_Valley,_California#Demographics)

Chapter 16 - North Pacific Coast

The North Pacific Coast region is known for being wet.  The region has the greatest average precipitation in North America.

Unlike the North Pacific Coast, Simi Valley has far less rainfall throughout the year.  On average, the wettest month of the year in Simi Valley is February when around 4.5 inches of rain falls.  On the other hand, Seattle has three months a year (December, January and February) with more average rainfall.  Between May and September in Simi Valley, there is usually less than half an inch of rainfall.  In Seattle, there is never a month with less than a half inch of precipitation.

Sources:
Regions and Landscapes of the United States and Canada (p325-325)
Seattle Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle)
Simi Valley Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simi_Valley,_California#Climate)

Chapter 15 - California

Simi Valley is also a part of the California region.  Many of the most notable aspects of California are visible in Simi Valley.

Simi Valley is often effected by both earthquakes and wildfires.  The 1994 Northridge earthquake was centered just a few miles to the east of Simi Valley and many Simi Valley residents had injuries and property damage.  Simi Valley structures have been threatened many times by wildfires, including the Sesnon fire in 2008.

Just like much of California, Simi Valley residents are dependent on motor vehicles.  Many Simi Valley residents commute to Los Angeles County for work each day.

YouTube Video - Brushfire in Simi Valley, 2003.  

Sources:
Regional Landscapes of the United States and Candade (p294-315)

Chapter 14 - Southwest Border Area

Simi Valley is in the region known as the Southwest Border Area.  Simi Valley has a lot in common with the rest of the region but can also differ in some ways.

Just like the rest of the Southwest Border Region, Simi Valley has seen a population explosion, especially an increase in the Hispanic population.

Unlike the rest of the region, Simi Valley is in the county of Ventura where the percent of persons below the poverty level is less than 5%.  Much of the Southwest Border Region has a poverty problem including the counties surrounding Ventura.

Sources:

Regional Landscapes of the United States and Canada (p276-248)

Chapter 13 - The Empty Interior

Gambling, national parks and natural wonders bring millions of tourists each year to various parts of the Empty Interior.  These tourists and visitors provide important revenue to the cities, residents and businesses of the region.

Simi Valley also has a notable tourist attraction.  The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum attracts visitors and tour groups who have a desire to learn about American history and the 40th President of the United States.  The newly added Air Force One Pavilion gives visitors the opportunity to step aboard the actual aircraft used by multiple Presidents.

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum provides sweeping views of the hills surrounding Simi Valley.

Sources:
Regional Landscapes of the United States and Canada (p.267)
Reagan Presidential Foundation (http://www.reaganfoundation.org/library-and-museum-overview.aspx)

Chapter 12 - Great Plains and Prairies

Simi Valley and the Great Plains and Prairies share a common misconception.  Many people believe that the residents of both areas share the same ethnic background.

In reality, there are areas within the Great Plains and Prairies that are ethnically diverse, like Colorado and Winnipeg.  

Simi Valley is also more ethnically diverse than it gets credit for.  In fact, the white population in Simi Valley declined from 80% in 1990 to 73% in 2000.  At the same time, the Hispanic population in the city has increased from 12% to 17%.

Sources:

Regional Landscapes of the United States and Canada (p233)

Simi Valley General Plan Update Technical Background Report (Demographic and Economic Conditions and Trends) 

Chapter 11 - The Agricultural Core

Simi Valley has little in common with the climate and agriculture of the Agricultural Core.  As stated earlier in this blog, the land used for agriculture in Simi Valley has decreased over the past decades.  One of the few exceptions in Simi Valley is the Christmas Ranch Tree Farms.

Located in the center of Simi Valley and started in 1971, Christmas Ranch Tree Farms grows Christmas trees year round on 17 acres of land between their properties in Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks.  The ranch grows many species of tree including Monterey Pine and Sierra Redwood.  The farm is a "cut your own" farm and opens every year the day after Thanksgiving. 

Sources:

Christmas Ranch Tree Farms (http://www.christmasranchtreefarms.com/simivalley/simivalley.html)

Regional Landscapes of the United States and Canada (p208-225)

Chapter 10 - The Southern Coastlands

The Southern Coastlands are known for producing crops that are difficult to find in other parts of the world.  While Simi Valley does not grow any crops that are specific to the region, it does have a large farm and tourist attraction just outside the city limits.

Underwood Family Farms is a year-round, active farm and tourist attraction located just west of Simi Valley.  Underwood Farms grows and sells a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.

Sources:

Underwood Family Farms (http://www.underwoodfamilyfarms.com/index_uff.html)

Regional Landscapes of the United States and Canada (p191-195)

Chapter 9 - The Changing South

Big Sky - Simi Valley 

The South went through an economic and urban transition after the 1930s.  These changes included a movement from an agricultural based economy to urban-based, non agricultural employment.  

Simi Valley has also changed over the years.  From residences with farm land and horse property to tract housing and pre planned communities.  The farming land and horse properties are not being replaced, but they are being heavily outnumbered by new housing communities like Big Sky, one of the newest housing developments in the hills of northern Simi Valley.

Even though Simi Valley and The South have both had some form transition from agricultural to urban, they are not similar in every way.  The South has regions where the African American population is as high as 85%.  Simi Valley is not known as being a diverse town.  During the last census, it was determined that Simi Valley residents are over 75% white.  African Americans in Simi Valley make up just under 2% of the population.


Sources:
Regional Landscapes of the United States and Canada (p.174-181)
US Census Bureau (http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/0672016.html)

Chapter 8 - Appalachia and the Ozarks

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) were programs designed to help and improve certain aspects of Appalachia.

The TVA was charged with improving navigation along the Tennessee River while the ARC was responsible for improving the economy of the area through highways, in the hopes of reducing the local isolation. 

In recent decades, Simi Valley has also looked to improve transportation routes through the city and decrease the natural isolation that the mountains provided.  In the last five years, both Highway 23 (the west entrance to Simi Valley) and Highway 118 (the east entrance to Simi Valley) have undergone extensive widening projects to reduce traffic build ups that had become problems for commuters during rush hour.

In the early 1990's a bridge was built to connect Highways 23 and 118, just north west of Simi Valley.  This allowed travelers to transit from the Conejo Valley to the north San Fernando Valley without having to exit the highway.


Sources:
Regional Landscapes of the United States and Canada (p.160-162)
Highway Photo (http://www.cahighways.org/maps/118-widening.jpg)

Chapter 7 - the Bypassed East

Simi Valley Borders (formally a large strawberry field)

Like the Bypassed East, Simi Valley has seen a decline in farming and agriculture over the last few decades.  Large patches of land that were once used for growing and selling strawberries and other fruits have now turned into office buildings and shopping centers.

While fishing is not part of the Simi Valley economy, it is a small part of the towns history.  The annual Huck Finn Fishing Derby has been hosted at the Rancho Simi Community Park every year in April or May.  Even though the Huck Finn Fishing Derby only comes around once a year, the lagoon used to host the event is open for fishing year round.


Sources:
Regional Landscape of the United States and Canada (p.130-139)
Ventura County Star (http://www.vcstar.com/news/2009/may/04/where-the-fishing-was-reel-fun/)

Chapter 5 - North American Manufacturing Core

According to the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce, the largest employers and business in Simi Valley have nothing to do with manufacturing, creation or natural resources.  In fact, most of the largest employers and business have to do with services provided within the city, including the Simi Valley Unified School District, Simi Valley Hospital, Parks and Recreation, and waste management.

While the majority of business involves maintaining and improving the city, there are some businesses that produce tangible products and services for use outside of Simi Valley.  These include... 

Meggitt Safety Systems - Manufactures smoke and fire detection systems.  Over 300 employees in Simi Valley.

Polytainer - Container manufacturing.  275 employees in Simi Valley.

Milgard Manufacturing - Window and Door manufacturing. 250 employees in Simi Valley.

Sources:

Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce (http://www.simivalleychamber.org/discover/city-of-simi-valley/major-employers)

Meggitt Safety (http://www.meggittsafety.com/company.asp)

Polytainer (http://www.polytainer.com/)

Milgard (http://www.milgard.com/)

Chaper 4 - Megalopolis

Urban Sprawl

Simi Valley is a part of the greater Los Angeles area.  Los Angeles has many of the same features and problems as Megalopolis.

Megalopolis is dependent on its natural ports in order to facilitate trade between coastal cities and also European countries.  While southern California does not have as many natural ports, it does have the Port of Long Beach which moves $140 billion in goods annually and is important for US/Asian trade.

Megalopolis is all about connecting densely populated areas.  While these populated areas on the east coast are different cities in different states, Los Angeles connects large cities which now bleed into each other. Eight of the largest cities in California and located in the greater Los Angeles area.  Los Angeles, Long Beach, Santa Ana, Anaheim, Riverside, Irvine, Fontana and Oxnard are all large cities that are connected by a network of highways. 

This area also faces some of the same problems as Megalopolis including urban sprawl, insufficient transportations networks and traffic problems.

Sources:

Port of Long Beach (http://www.polb.com/about/default.asp)

Largest Cities in California (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_California_cities_by_population)

Regional Landscapes of the United States and Canada (p.64-p.85)

Chapter 3 - Foundations of Human Activity

Simi Valley was originally settled by the Chumash Indians.  Chumash Indians were "physically and spiritually united with nature".  The hills surrounding Simi Valley and its proximity to the Pacific Ocean allowed them live off the land without actually farming it.  

While Simi Valley is located only thirty miles from the second largest urban area in the country (Los Angeles), it was relatively unpopulated at the beginning of the 20th century.  It was not until the 1970s that the population really started to grow.  The Simi Valley population grew over 600% from 1960 to 1970, from 8,000 to 78,000.

Simi Valley was incorporated in 1969 and currently has a population of 125,000.

Simi Valley residents that want to learn more about the Chumash Indians can still enjoy Chumash Park and Trail, located in the hills, just northeast of the town.

Sources:

Chumash Trail (http://www.rsrpd.org/park/chumashparkandtrail/chumashparkandtrail.html)

Chumash Indians (http://www.chumashindian.com/)

History of Simi Valley (http://www.simihistory.com/Chumash.htm)

Simi Valley Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simi_Valley,_California#History)

Chapter 2 - Geographic Patterns of the Physical Environment

Simi Valley Sunshine

Simi Valley lies in the Pacific Mountains and Valleys physiographic region.  The climate of Simi Valley is consistent with a costal area in this region.  As a result of its latitude (34.2911), maritime influence (~15 miles from the coast) and topography (900 ft elevation), Simi Valley has a small temperature range throughout the year.  Historically, the temperature peaks around 95 degrees in the summer months and drops to around 40 degrees in the winter.
Simi Valley is also known for being the starting location of the Santa Susana fault line.  This earthquake fault line runs from the Santa Susana Mountains about 20 miles to the east towards the San Gabriel Mountains.


Sources:
National Weather Service (http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?site=lox&textField1=34.2630&textField2=-118.7513&smap=1)
Weather Channel (http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/93065)
Active Faults (http://www.parmeleegeology.com/ACTIVE%20FAULTS.htm)
Regions and Landscapes of the United States and Canada (p.18-p.27)

Chapter 1 - Regions and Themes

Simi Valley, California, is located in two different regions of the United States.  Simi Valley lies in the overlapping area comprised of the California region and the Southwest Border Area.  Many of the themes of these two regions are clearly represented in Simi Valley.

Some of the themes of the California region are a perception of amenities and environmental dependence.  Simi Valley has a median household income around 28 thousand dollars higher than the average California median household income and 37 thousand dollars higher than the national average.

While Simi Valley may not be as “dependent” on it’s environment as some other california locations, it is definitely effected by it.  As the name would indicate, Simi Valley is located in a valley.  Surrounded by the Santa Susana Mountain Range and the Simi Hills, Simi Valley has a natural barrier that separates it from the Conejo Valley and Los Angeles County.  Because of these natural barriers, there are limited ways to access the town and Simi Valley residents are dependent on the canyon passages and Highways 118 and 23.

Sources:

Regions and Landscapes of the United States and Canada (p.6-p.7)

United States Census Bureau (http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06000.html)

Simi Valley, California Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simi_Valley,_California)