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)