Chapter 17: Hawai'i and The Pacific Islands

Hawai'i and The Pacific Islands

This week the topic is Hawai'i and the Pacific Islands.  Hawai'i and The Pacific Islands make up an archipelago that extends 3600 miles Northwest from Hawai’i to the Aleutian Trench off Alaska's coast.  The Hawai'ian archipelago contains 8 inhabited islands, and about 120 uninhabited islands.  The eight inhabited islands extend out in a northwestern path, and include the "Big Island" of Hawai'i, Kahoolawe, Maui, Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau.  The Islands formed as a result of a hotspot.  This concept will come up again later.  The oldest inhabited islands in the chain are Kauai and Niihau which were formed about 5 million years ago.  A new island is currently forming about 20 miles off the coast of Hawai'i.  However, it is still about 3000 feet under the sea, and will be thousands of years until it breaks the surface.  Now that we have a basic understanding of this weeks region, we can move on to comparing Hawai'i and the Pacific Islands with Rehoboth Beach, DE.

For the last time, we will begin by comparing the climates of the two regions.  Hawai'i's tropical location gives it a warm and equable climate with few seasonal extremes in temperature.  Despite this, temperature and precipitation can vary dramatically with elevation and orientation of topography to the northeast.  Rehoboth Beach and the surrounding areas can have variations in precipitation, but it is not as dramatic as the Hawai'ian islands experience.  Hawai'i's Climate is largely influenced by trade winds, which are persistent warm winds that blow from east to west in tropical oceans.  The trade winds drop large quantities of rain on the north and east coasts of the islands.

Mt. Waialeale, the rainiest place on Earth

 For example, the eastern slope of Mount Waialeale on Kauai is the rainiest spot on Earth, and averages 486 inches of rain annually.  In contrast, the south and west side of the islands are in the rain shadow.  Amazingly, one can drive 20 miles from the wettest place on Earth, and end up in a place that gets only a little more rain than deserts in The Intermontane West region.  The oceanic location of the Hawai'ian islands results in little temperature variability among places at the same elevation.  Similarly, Rehoboth Beach experiences moderating effects from the Atlantic Ocean.  Temperatures in Hawai'i are mild to harm, with little seasonal change throughout the year.  For example, Honolulu has an average temperature of 82 degrees Fahrenheit in January, and 88 degrees in July.  This is not the case in Rehoboth Beach.  Seasonal changes in temperature are the norm in Rehoboth Beach.  Overall, the two regions have similarities, but also multiple differences in terms of climate.

The hot spot phenomena is illustrated in this diagram

Hawai'i and the Pacific Islands clearly have obvious differences from Rehoboth Beach.  For one, Rehoboth Beach is clearly not an island.  Additionally Rehoboth Beach was not formed by a hot spot like the Hawai'ian archipelago was.  Next, Hawai'i and the Pacific Islands are not a part of the continental U.S like Rehoboth Beach is.  Lastly, volcanoes are a major part of Hawai'i and the Pacific Islands.  Volcanoes are erupting constantly and forming additional land masses.  Also, a hot spot is constantly leaking lava that is forming future islands that will one day reach the surface and potentially become inhabited.  Rehoboth Beach, and the entire state of Delaware, are not worried about volcanoes, or benefiting from any land created by eruptions.  This is because there are 0 volcanoes in Delaware.  These are some of the obvious major differences between the two places; however, we will see that both regions have similarities as well.

The Hawai'ian Islands and Rehoboth Beach, DE have similarities.  One big similarity is that both regions are located along oceans.  As a result, beaches are a big part of each region.  Additionally, both regions have warm summers that creates the perfect beach weather.  The complimentary climate of each region makes both places extremely popular vacation destinations.  The Hawai'ian Islands draw vacationers year round unlike Rehoboth Beach, but in the summer months, both places are popular places for a beach getaway.  Rehoboth Beach and The Hawai'ian Islands both have economies that are tightly intwined with tourism.  It is undeniable that both places are largely dependent on tourism to help drive their economies and bring in money.  Tourism is without a doubt a strong similarity that both Rehoboth Beach, DE and The Hawai'ian Islands share.

Check out the above video for a brief history of the "Big Island" of Hawaii, as well as spots to check out if you ever find yourself visiting the island.

Of course we can't talk about The Hawai'ian Islands without at least mentioning the insane waves, and huge surfing scene Hawai'i and the other islands have to offer.  Check out the video below for a gnarly wipeout on a big Hawai'ian wave.  If you ever find yourself trying your hand at surfing in The Hawai'ian Islands, just remember to stick to what you can handle.

Overall, Rehoboth Beach and The Hawai'ian islands have their share of differences, but the similarities both places share are undeniable.  This concludes my Geography 321 Blog.  There will be no more "Until Next Time's"  If you took the time to read my blog, I sincerely hope you learned something (And weren't too critical of my less than stellar ability to correctly place commas).  It has been an enlightening and also grueling journey at times, but alas we have reached the end and I am very proud of my blog.

I'm William Custard
You Stay Classy, Rehoboth Beach.

Chapter 16: The Pacific Northwest

The Pacific Northwest Region

This week the topic is The Pacific Northwest.  True to its name, The Pacific Northwest is located in the northwestern United States along the Pacific coast up into Canada and eventually reaching Alaska.  The region is famous for its environmental initiatives to preserve and protect the local environments.  In fact, Ernest Callenbach referred to the region as Ecotopia in one of his novels.  However, in more resent years, the region is more often referred to as Cascadia.  Most of The Pacific Northwest is mountainous, and most of the mountain ranges parallel the coast.  Similar to California, some areas in The Pacific Northwest are troughs that are enclosed by mountain ranges to the west and east.  One such area extends from central Oregon to Puget Sound (The Willamette Valley) and can be found between the Cascade Mountains and the Coast Ranges.  The Willamette Valley was the end of the Oregon Trail.  Today, its incredibly fertile land is home to the densest population in Oregon and its largest cities. Geographically, The Pacific Northwest includes the coastal regions of Washington and Oregon, before heading up the coast of Canada, and finally reaching coastal regions of Alaska.  First, we will compare the climate of The Pacific Northwest with Rehoboth Beach, DE, and then we will look at an important aspect of The Pacific Northwest and how it relates to both regions.

Interestingly, this week, we have a region on the northwestern coast to compare to a town on the northeastern coast.  Both regions are separated by close to 3000 miles, but there will likely be similarities in climate between the two places because of there similar overall locations.  The Pacific Northwest's climate is influenced by 3 major things: 1) Its location just east of the relatively warm ocean. 2) Its location within the zone of onshore westerly winds. 3) North-south mountain barriers located along the coast, as well as father inland.  Similar to other places we have studied, the Coast Mountains get most of the precipitation from onshore moisture on the western slopes.

This graphic highlights the effects of the rain shadow,
as well as the moderating effects on temperature
the Pacific Ocean has on coastal parts of the region.

Thus, creating a rain shadow effect on the surrounding areas east of the mountain range.  The phenomena of rain falling on the western side of the mountains as it is lifted and cooled is called orographic rainfall.  Rehoboth Beach, and Delaware as a whole, does not experience orographic rainfall because there are no major mountains in the way for ocean air to have to rise over.  Therefore, precipitation from the onshore winds falls throughout much of Delaware, rather than just west of the mountains as in The Pacific Northwest.  Ironically, The Pacific Northwest's coastal mountains get some of the highest rainfall totals in North America, yet regions directly east of the mountains receive under the national average.  This fact highlights the rain shadow effect, and how real of an effect it has on the region's climate.  Despite the large variations in rainfall throughout the region, some areas, such as Corvalis, Oregon receive similar amounts of annual rainfall as Rehoboth Beach.  Both areas receive about 45 inches of rain each year.  In The Pacific Northwest, winters are cool and rainy, with numerous storms.  I have family in Washington, and have heard it said that there is the rainy season, and then there is August.  Snow is usually only seen in the mountain peaks, but on occasion temperatures can get low enough in other areas.  In the summer, maritime air moderates the temperature, and thus, temperatures are cooler along the coast than farther inland.  The moderating effect the Pacific Ocean has on the Pacific Northwest is very similar to the moderating effect the Atlantic Ocean has on Rehoboth Beach.  That said, Rehoboth Beach is far more humid than The Pacific Northwest. As a whole, coastal regions in The pacific Northwest tend to have cooler summers, but warmer winters than Rehoboth Beach.  As you move inland, regions of The Pacific Northwest tend to have cooler-cold winters that are similar in temperature to winters in Rehoboth Beach.  Overall, both regions have their differences; however, they also have multiple similarities.

Environmental protection is a very important aspect of The Pacific Northwest. The Pacific Northwest has placed a high value on protecting the environment, and has done so in a manner that is unrivaled by other regions, Rehoboth Beach included.  However, that is not to say Rehoboth Beach does not value the environment.

Backpacking in The Pacific Northwest is a popular activity

As a beach town, Rehoboth Beach's popularity is dependent on providing clean beaches, and a clean environment overall, so vacationers will keep coming back each summer.  Rehoboth Beach actively works to keep its beaches and city clean.  Additionally, the city operates in a way that does not cause major environmental harm.  Similarly, The Pacific Northwest continues to protect its surrounding environment.  As a result, many vacationers like to visit The Pacific Northwest during the summer months for activities such as backpacking, sports fishing, river rafting, and taking in the beautiful scenery.  Both Rehoboth Beach, and The Pacific Northwest benefit in terms of tourism by protecting their environments, and keeping the region clean/safe.

Overall, The Pacific Northwest and Rehoboth Beach, DE had similarities as well as differences.  Their similar locations, albeit on opposite coasts, played a role in many of the similarities the two regions shared.  Next week the topic will be Hawai'i and the Pacific Islands.  It is the final chapter in my course, and therefore, will be the final installment to my Geography 321 Blog so don't miss it.

Until Next Time,
William

Chapter 15: California

This week the topic is California.  As most people know, California is located on the western coast of the United States, and is the 3rd largest State.  California became a state shortly after gold was found within its borders.  Today, California is an extremely diverse state, and is at the forefront of a lot of issues and pop-culture in the United States.  Geographically, California can be divided into 3 large areas: mountains that parallel the coast, interior valleys, and higher mountain ranges to the east.  Additionally, people often divide California into Northern and Southern California.  Earthquakes are very common in California.  In fact, they are happening all the time, but the vast majority are so small we don't really feel them.  Earthquakes in California are the result of strike-slip faults along the Coast where the North American Plate and the Pacific plate are sliding past each other. California has multiple faults, but the most famous and well know is the San Andreas Fault.  California's location on the western coast is opposite to Rehoboth Beach's location on the Eastern Coast.  We will take a look at the two locations by comparing the climates and also making note of other similarities and differences.

Throughout the United States, California is often considered to be a cool and exciting state to live in.  California, southern California specifically, has a highly desirable climate that contributes to the states popularity.  Most of California features a Mediterranean climate, with cool and occasionally rainy winters and long summers with warm to hot temperatures and little or no precipitation.  Spatial variations in precipitation and temperature in California are driven by latitude, altitude, and distance from the ocean.  Typically, along the coast and mountains in Northern California the climate is wetter and cooler than other parts of California.  The coastal mountains soak up most of the precipitation on the western side, leaving the eastern side and interior valleys increasingly dry as you move inland.  Coastal California and the lowland valleys are generally frost-free year round, but mountainous areas receive heavy snow.

Carson Peak, Sierra Nevada Mountains

Some areas of the Sierra Nevadas experience as much as 300 inches of snow each winter, which melts in the spring/summer and provides vital water for Californian cities.  Rehoboth Beach shares similarities with California's climate.  It is not a perfect match, but there are similarities between the two regions.  For example, portions of California (more northern) have warm summer temperatures similar to Rehoboth Beach.  Also, the Pacific Ocean moderates the weather in coastal areas of California like the Atlantic Ocean does to the weather in Rehoboth Beach.  Additionally, the moisture from the ocean air results in the occurrence of rain in coastal regions of California and in Rehoboth Beach.  Despite the similarities, there are plenty of differences.  First, southern California experiences hotter summers than Rehoboth Beach does.  Personally, I always enjoyed being able to leave the 100+ degree weather behind for the mid 80 degree weather in Rehoboth Beach.  Second, California does not have rain evenly distributed throughout the year like in Rehoboth Beach.  Lastly, California does not experience humid weather like Rehoboth Beach does.  This is a major difference between California's mediterranean climate and Rehoboth Beach's mild humid subtropical climate.  Overall, both places share several similarities, but also several key differences in terms of climate.

The earthquake "Ring of Fire"

California is very well known for having more than a few faults, and being in the "Ring of Fire".  Earthquakes are a common occurrence in California, but most are so small residents do not feel a thing.  Rehoboth Beach, and Delaware at large are not in the "Ring of Fire".  Earthquakes are not nearly as significant of a concern in Rehoboth Beach as they are in California.  Continental Plates are not sliding past each other on the Rehoboth Beach coast as is the case in California.  This is a major difference between the two regions.

Miners during the California Gold Rush

California is also very famous for the Gold Rush.  In 1848, Gold was discovered within the Californian border.  By 1849, the rush was on.  A year later, California officially became a state.  California experienced a massive population spike as people from all over flocked to California in hopes of striking it rich.  The frenzy that the Gold Rush sparkled in terms of people flocking to the state is similar to the summertime frenzy Rehoboth Beach experiences each year.  Of course there are differences between the two events, but the increase in overall population, and frenzy sparked by both events is a similarity for the two regions.


Overall, we were able to identify many similarities, as well as differences between Rehoboth Beach, Delaware and California.  Next week we will discuss The Pacific Northwest, and once again compare and contrast the region to Rehoboth Beach.

Until Next time,
William

Chapter 14: MexAmerica

MexAmerica Region

This week the topic is MexAmerica.  MexAmerica is located in the southwest corner of the United States, and spans the entire U.S - Mexico border.  In terms of U.S land, MexAmerica includes portions of Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.  The regions location at the border between the U.S and Mexico results in a unique situations.  For example, the formation of maquiladoras in Mexico and the resulting twin city phenomena is unique to MexAmerica.  We will further discuss this later, but first, we will compare the climate of MexAmerica to the climate of Rehoboth Beach.

Climate plays a major role in how regions develop.  Therefore, comparing climates is a standard for these blog posts.  Similar to The Intermontane West, the MexAmerica climate varies throughout the region.

This picture exemplifies the open, hot, dry climate,
as well as the different elevations seen throughout the
MexAmerica Region

That said, the entire region is linked by one characteristic, hot, dry weather.  Mountains in Southern California, and Northwestern Mexico block most of the onshore moisture coming from the nearby pacific ocean.  Because of this, MexAmerica is essentially in a rain shadow and receives little precipitation.  For example, Phoenix, Arizona only receives an annual average of 8 inches of rain per year.  This is much less than the 44 inch annual average Rehoboth Beach gets.  Eastern parts of MexAmerica are not as dry, and get 20-25 inches of rain annually.  Despite this, the region is still well below the national average, and only gets about half the rain Rehoboth Beach does.  MexAmerica's southern latitudinal position results in very hot summers.  The average temperature for Phoenix in July is 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

Phoenix, Arizona in the distance

Locations further east, or at higher elevations in the region are still pretty hot, but are somewhat cooler overall.  MexAmerica is much hotter than Rehoboth Beach's July average of 87 degrees.  In winter, the MexAmerica region is much cooler.  Phoenix averages a high of 65 and low of 43 degrees in Janurary.  This is still significantly warmer than Rehoboth Beaches average of 30 degrees Fahrenheit in January.  Despite the difference in seasonal temperatures between the two places, they do share a similarity.  Both MexAmerica and Rehoboth Beach experience a swing of about 50 degrees between summer and winter months.  That said, MexAmerica is still hotter on average year round than Rehoboth Beach.  These two very different regions unsurprisingly do not have a lot in common; however, a similarity could still be found, albeit a small one.

MexAmerica is home to a very unique scenario.  Thanks to regulations set in place by NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) numerous maquiladoras in Mexico were formed.  Maquiladoras are assembly plants, or factories that rely on mexican labor.

This map highlights maquiladora production.  The twin city
phenomena can also be seen if you look closely.  For example,
Tijuana is San Diego's twin city.

Often times companies ship raw goods to the maquiladoras for assembly, and then import the finished goods back into the United States for sale. As a result of this, a phenomena called "Twin Cities" formed.  Twin cities refers to the notion that for large cities on the mexican side of the border, there is a U.S equivalent on the other side of the border.  These twin cities often form in places maquiladoras are popular, and provides cities on each respective side of the border to aid in business.  This scenario is not seen in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, or even anywhere else in North America for that matter.  It is unique to MexAmerica and it drives the regions economy.  Therefore, maquiladoras and twin cities are an integral part of MexAmerica and deserve being noted.

Rehoboth Beach, DE and MexAmerica are very different places.  The large distance, and multiple major landforms between the two locations are partially responsible for the vast amount of differences.  It is not surprising that a northeastern town on the coast is vastly different from a southwestern region that is blocked in by mountains to the west.  Next week we will have made our way across the United States and will be discussing California.  The comparison between a state on the east coast vs a state on the west coast is sure to be interesting, so do not forget to check it out.

Until Next Time,
William

Chapter 13: The Intermontane West

The Intermontane West

This week the topic is The Intermontane West.  True to its name, The Intermontane West region is located on the western side of the United States and is directly east of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and west of The Rocky Mountain Region discussed last week.  The region does partially extend into Canada, but the vast majority of land it encompasses is in the United States.  On the U.S side, The Intermontane West includes portions of, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and most of Nevada, and Utah.  Rehoboth Beach is a large distance away from The Intermontane West, but we will compare the two and look for a common link between the two areas.

First, we will compare the Climates of both areas as has become the tradition.  The Intermontane West is a very diverse region.  In fact, The Intermontane West actually includes 4 different climate realms: sub-humid, semi-arid, moderately arid, and extremely arid.  Local climate patterns are largely influenced by elevational differences similar to The Rocky Mountain Region.  In contrast, elevation differences are not a deciding factor in weather patterns for Rehoboth Beach because the area is rather flat, and does not feature mountainous terrain.   Air moving in from the pacific is a dominant influence on climate patterns in The Intermontane West.  Similarly, the Atlantic Ocean plays a big role in the climate, and weather of Rehoboth Beach.  The Sub-humid portion of The Intermontane West includes mountainous areas in Eastern Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.  The high elevation of the mountains result in westerly winds dropping precipitation as they flow over the mountain.  At higher elevations the precipitation often falls in the form of snow.  The semi-arid area includes most of the Columbia Plateau including the Palouse region.  The moderately arid area includes most of the Great Basin of Nevada and Utah, and is the largest area of the 4 separate climate realms that make up The Intermontane West.

Death Valley National Park

 Lastly, the extremely arid area includes the Mojave Desert and Death Valley.  The extremely arid realm gets less than 8 inches of rain each year.  Death valley is the driest place in North America, and receives less than 3 inches of precipitation on average annually.  This is a big difference from the annual amount of rain Rehoboth Beach experiences each year.  During storms, Rehoboth Beach can experience more rain in a day than Death Valley gets all year.  Death Valley, and the extremely arid realm receive little rain because they are located in what geographers call the "rain shadow".  A rain shadow is the area located behind a large mountainous area.  The wind blows in westward from the Pacific Ocean, and drops most of its precipitation as it flows up and over the Sierra Nevada Mountains.  By the time the wind makes it up and over, very little (If any) precipitation is left for the extremely arid realm.  Thus, a rain shadow is formed.  In contrast however, areas in the mountains of the sub-humid portion of The Intermontane West can receive as much as 150inches of precipitation on the western slopes a year.  150 inches of rain would more than triple the average annual rainfall Rehoboth Beach experiences.  The Intermontane West is a very diverse region, and features various unique and extreme climates.  Therefore, Rehoboth Beach and The Intermontane West do not have many similarities in terms of climate.

Federal Government land ownership as a percent by state

As the U.S expanded westward an interesting trend started occurring in The Intermontane West region.  Areas in The Intermontane West, and all states west of there, have much larger percentages of land under federal ownership than states east of The Intermontane West.  Most of the states in The Intermontane West have at least 40% of their land owned by the Federal Government.  In Nevada, the Federal Government owns 84.48% of the land.  This trend can be explained by a few things.  First, the federal government owned little land on the east coast and realized they should keep some under their control.  Second, the area is largely rural and unsuitable for large establishments; however it is suitable for federal uses such as military bases.  Lastly,  portions of the land under federal ownership are National Parks or Preserves.  East of The Intermontane West federal land holdings are much smaller.  In Delaware, The government only owns 2.04% of the land.  Rehoboth Beach, and Delaware as a whole, is mostly owned by people outside of the Government, as apposed to the large Federal Government land ownership in The Intermontane West.  This trend highlights a big difference between Rehoboth Beach, Delaware and The Intermontane West region.

Rehoboth Beach and The Intermontane West are two largely different areas.  Both places offer unique experiences to visitors, but the similarities between the two regions are few and far between.  Next week we will cover MexAmerica as we continue to move West across North America.  Rehoboth is not a part of MexAmerica so we will compare the two climates, and look for an additional similarity or difference like we did this week.

Until Next time,
William

Chapter 12: The Rocky Mountain Region

The Rocky Mountain Region

This week the topic is The rocky Mountain Region.  True to its name, this region is essentially the Rocky Mountains and the directly surrounding vicinity.  The Rocky Mountain Region spans from northwestern Canada down into the United States before ending in the New Mexico area.  On the U.S side, The Rocky Mountain region includes portions of: Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico.  The Rocky Mountains are composed of many discontinuous mountain ranges, and extends nearly 2000 miles from New Mexico to Northeastern British Columbia.  The Rocky Mountains contain some of the highest peaks in the United States and provides rugged, yet spectacular landscapes.  Rehoboth Beach is clearly not a part of this region, so we will compare the two locations, and see if we can draw any similarities between a popular beach town, and a very well-known mountain range.

As always, we will begin by comparing the climates because it gives good insight into the regions we are comparing.

The Rocky Mountains National Park

The Rocky Mountain region is arid and some portions receive only a little more precipitation than arid western deserts.  However, higher altitudes do tend to receive more precipitation.  In winter months, most precipitation falls in the form of snow.  Thus, ski resorts are popular throughout the region.    During spring and summer, the snow melts and supplies many rivers with water that ultimately helps desert communities thrive.  Similarly to The Great Plains,  The Rocky Mountain Region is influenced by cold and warm winds(chinook winds) that can result in large changes in temperature over a short time.  Additionally, the various elevations affect weather conditions.  High peaks tend to draw clouds for precipitation, and valleys often act as wind tunnels.  Additionally, higher elevations experience colder temperatures than lower elevations.  We have discussed the climate of Rehoboth Beach many times, and it should be apparent that these two regions have largely different climates.  First, Rehoboth Beach, and really Delaware in general, does not have drastic elevation changes that affect the climate.  In fact, Delaware is pretty flat overall.  Second, the Rockies experience large variations in temperature throughout seasons and even day to day.  As noted before, Rehoboth Beach, is moderated by the Atlantic Ocean, and thus does not experience the same extreme variation in temperature day to day.  Rehoboth experiences year round rain, and gets about the national average; however, excluding the higher elevations, the rocky mountain region does not get the same amount of year round rainfall.  Also, precipitation is generally in the form of rain for Rehoboth Beach, but in The Rocky Mountain region, precipitation is often in the form of snow.  Rehoboth Beach and The Rocky Mountain Region are clearly two rather different places in terms of climate, but based on their different geographic locations this is understandable.

Despite largely different climates, Rehoboth Beach and The Rocky Mountain Region do share a notable similarity.  As with other regions we have discussed, the similarity is tourism and vacationers.  Rehoboth Beach is famous for its summer time beach frenzy.  This influx of tourists and vacationers is seasonal and only occurs in the summer however.

Aspen, Colorado Ski Resort

 The Rocky Mountain Region has atractions that pull in tourists and vacationers too.  I'm talking about ski resorts in the winter, and hiking/camping in the spring-summer time.  Ski resorts are a very popular location for vacationers looking to get out and have an exciting and active trip.  One very well-known ski resort is Aspen, Colorado.  When the warmer months roll around, hikers and campers visit the region to explore the mountains and take in the awe-inspiring landscapes.


Despite the differences between the two regions, similarities do exist.  Next week the topic will be The Intermontane West.  Delaware is not included in the region so we will once again compare the two climates, and look to draw a similarity between the two.

Until Next Time,
William

Chapter 11: The Great Plains

The Great Plains Region

This week the topic is The Great Plains. Geographically, The Great Plains is located in the middle of the United States.  The region actually also extends into portions of Canada.  On the United States side, The Great Plains extend from Montana and North Dakota down to the northern tip of Texas.  The area includes parts of, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.  On the western side, the region is stopped by the protruding Rocky Mountains.  Rehoboth Beach, Delaware is obviously not a part of The Great Plans; therefore, we will look to compare the two regions and point out some differences, as well as similarities. 

Climate is an ever important indication of what a region has to offer, and plays an important role in how a region develops over time.  Therefore, we will once again begin by comparing the climates of the two different regions.  The Great Plains is home to an unpredictable and variable climate that can experience extremes from day to day, and even year to year.  Even nearby places can experience sharp differences at any given time.  Overall, The Great Plains is relatively dry, with strong seasonal changes and dramatic variations in temperature and precipitation.  Summers are hot, but are less extreme the higher north you go.  Winters are very cold in the northern areas, but generally milder in southern portions of The Great Plains.  However, Blue Northerns can, and do bring freezing temperatures and even blizzards throughout the region in the winter.  In contrast, Chinook winds bring warmer temperature to the region at times too.

A Tornado Rips through The Great Plains

This constant play between Blue Northerns and Chinook winds results in the formation of tornadoes.  Because of this, The Great plains is the most susceptible place in the world to tornadoes.  Specifically, the southern portion of The Great Plains is often referred to as "Tornado Alley".  Rehoboth Beach's climate is different in many key areas when compared to The Great Plains.  Specifically, Rehoboth Beach does not experience much variation day to day or year to year in temperature and precipitation like The Great Plains.  However, Rehoboth Beach and its surrounding areas can experience differences in local weather even though they are relatively close together like areas in The Great Plains experience.  I have been in Rehoboth before and have it be a nice sunny day, but 20 minutes away at my grandparents house it will be windy and rainy.  The Great Plains experiences large variations in temperature and precipitation from summer to winter, but the opposite is true for Rehoboth Beach.  Rehoboth Beach"s temperature is moderated by the Atlantic Ocean.  There is a variation from winter to summer, but it is not as significant as The Great Plains region experiences.  Additionally, Rehoboth Beach experiences consistent amounts of rain year to year, and is constant throughout the year unlike The Great Plains.  Lastly, Rehoboth Beach does not experience tornados like the Great Plains do.  On the other hand, Rehoboth Beach can, and have experienced blizzards like the Great Plains do.  The blizzards are rarer in Rehoboth Beach, but they do happen.  Overall, both regions have differences as expected, but similarities can still be found.

The Great Plains consists of large ranges of rural areas.  Large cities for residents of these more rural areas to visit are scattered throughout the landscape.  Rehoboth Beach, and Delaware at large is a part of the Megalopolis area.  However, much of Delaware is rural and residents make trips to the larger cities throughout the year.  Similarly, The Great Plains features large cities for people from more rural areas to visit when they need certain supplies.  In Delaware,  large cities in the surrounding area include, Dover, Wilmington, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and other
farther away cities such as, New York, Boston, and D.C.

Winnipeg, Manitoba

In the Great Plains, some of the large cities for residents from more rural areas to visit are, Tusla and Oklahoma City on the U.S side, and Calgary, Edmonton, and Winnipeg on the Canadian side.  I have a friend who lives in Manitoba, and about once or twice a month him and his family make a trip into Winnipeg for the day.  The formation of large cities spread apart by rural, or less urbanized areas is a common similarity between the The Great Plains and Rehoboth Beach, DE.



Despite being located in two different sections of the United States, The Great Plains and Rehoboth Beach share some similarities.  There were many differences in climate as expected, but nevertheless, some similarities could be found.  Next week the topic will be The Rocky Mountain Region.  We will compare the two regions climates, and look to draw a similarity between two otherwise largely different areas.

Until Next Time,
William

Chapter 10: The Coastal South

This week the topic is The Coastal South.  The Coastal South region spans the southeastern coast of the United States.  Specifically, the region runs from its most northern portion in Virginia, down and around the coast, to its most western portion along the coast of eastern Texas.

The Coastal South Region

The Coastal South region includes portions of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and the entire state of Florida.  Once again, this region does not include Rehoboth Beach, or any portion of Delaware for that matter.  Geographically, The Costal South is directly south from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.  Both areas are coastal regions on the eastern side of the United States.  Despite not being a part of the Coastal South, Rehoboth Beach shares similarities with the region.

Both regions are coastal areas located along the eastern portion of the United States.  Rehoboth Beach is a more northern location on the coast, but the two regions still share climate similarities.  As noted before, Rehoboth Beach features a mild humid subtropical climate.  The summers are hot, and the winters are mild compared to locations farther inland.  The Atlantic Ocean plays a role in moderating Rehoboth's weather.  There is no dry season, and afternoon thunderstorms are not uncommon.  Similarly, the Coastal South features a humid subtropical climate, with long hot rainy summers and mild wet winters.  There is little day to day variations in temperature, and similar to Rehoboth Beach, the Atlantic Ocean has moderating effects on the temperature of coastal areas.  Both areas have humid subtropical climates; however, Rehoboth Beach experiences a milder version of it because of its more northern location.  Thus, Rehoboth Beach generally has a cooler summer temperature than areas in The Coastal South such as Miami Florida.  Also, both regions experience rainfall and thunderstorms year round.  However, the Coastal South experiences a greater quantity of thunderstorms.  In fact, The Coastal South is the most thunder-prone area in North America.  Additionally, The Coastal South is prone to hurricanes.

Hurricane Katrina Aftermath

Many devastating hurricanes have formed off the coast and slammed coastal regions along The Coastal South.  For example, Hurricane Katrina slammed New Orleans causing massive damage.  The Rehoboth Beach area can, and has been affected by hurricanes in past.  Hurricane Sandy was a recent hurricane that affected Rehoboth Beach.  However, generally speaking, Rehoboth Beach is only mildly affected by hurricanes that form further down south.  Often times, Rehobth Beach only experiences rain, increased water levels, and rougher seas when hurricanes are occurring down south. Overall, Rehoboth Beach is not part of the Coastal South region; however, the two regions share many similarities in terms of climate.

Miami South Beach.  A very popular vacation destination

Both Rehoboth Beach, and the Coastal South feature coastal areas with popular beaches to enjoy.  Thus, both places are very popular for people looking to get away during the summer and hit the beach.  Like Rehoboth Beach, Florida is an extremely popular summer vacation spot.  Thousands flock to both places each week during summer to enjoy a vacation on the beach.  Because of this, both Rehoboth Beach, and cities along the coast in The Coastal South have economies that are driven by vacationers.  The climate plays a big role in creating an environment that goes well with enjoying the beach and being on vacation.  The climate, coupled with the nice beaches and towns that have been established along the coast create the perfect vacation spot for people in Rehoboth Beach, and areas throughout The Coastal South.  

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, is not included in the Coastal South region.  Despite this, the two areas have several similarities as highlighted above.  Next week the topic will be The Great Plains.  Rehoboth Beach is not located in The Great Plains; Therefore, we will compare the two regions.  The two regions will not be as closely related as they were this week.  Nevertheless, we will look to draw at least some similarities no matter how small.

Until Next Time,
William

Chapter 9: The Inland South

This week the topic is The Inland South.  The Inland South includes parts of Virginia, West Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, Arkansas, southern Missouri, northern Louisiana, eastern Oklahoma, and east Texas.  Rehoboth Beach is not a part of this region, so we will instead compare and contrast the two regions.

In previous entries, comparing the climates of the two locations have become a recurring theme.  I think the climate of an area is important to understanding the region and what it encompasses.  For this reason, comparing the climates of the two locations will be a continuing theme.  The Inland South features a humid subtropical climate.  Summers are hot and humid, and winters are generally mild with the occasional cold snaps that can bring snowfall.  Rain is common throughout the year, but most common during spring and summer.  These rain storms are often accompanied by thunder and lightning.  Overall, the general climate has multiple similarities to Rehoboth Beach.  First Rehoboth Beach also experiences hot humid summers and cool/mild winters.  That said, the Inland South likely has a higher average summer temperature because there is no body of water to moderate the surrounding area.  Both the Inland South and Rehoboth experience rain and thunderstorms throughout the year; however, the Inland South experiences more rain annually, and it is not as evenly distributed throughout the year as in Rehoboth Beach.  Generally speaking, the two locations have similar climates, but the inland south tends to get a more extreme version of it.

In an effort to compare the inland south to Rehoboth Beach, the topic of vacationers and tourism is important.

Great Smokey Mountains National Park

It has been well documented in previous posts that Rehoboth Beach is a summer hot spot for vacationers looking to get away and hit the beach.  The Inland South has locations that tourist and vacationers flock to as well.  One such place is Great Smoky Mountains National Park, located along the border of North Carolina and Tennessee.  This is the nations most visited National Park and draws millions of tourists each year.  Tourism is beginning to become a mainstay of the Inland South's economy similar to the effect it has on Rehoboth Beach's economy.

Next week the topic will be The Coastal South.  We will once again be comparing The Coastal South to Rehoboth Beach since it is not located in the region
Until next time,
William

Chapter 8: The Great Lakes and Corn Belt

This week the topic is The Great Lakes and Corn Belt.  The Great Lakes and Corn Belt region encompasses Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and parts of, New York, Pensylvania, Missouri, Kansas,Nebraska, and South Dakota.  This region is often referred to as the "heartland" of North America.  Rehoboth Beach is not a part of this region, so this post will seek to compare and contrast the two regions.

The Great Lakes region is located to the west of Delaware.  Right away, there is an obvious difference.  Delaware is located on the eastern coast, and the Great Lakes region is much more inland.  The closest sizable body of water is the Great Lakes in the northern part of the region.  The region features a humid continental climate, with cool-cold winters, and hot summers.  Rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year, and therefore is no real dry season.  Northern areas of the region tend to experience colder winters than the more southern areas as one would expected.  The Great Lakes region's climate is different from Rehoboth Beach, but it also shares some similarities.  For example, Rehoboth Beach experiences warm humid summers and rain distributed evenly throughout the year similar to the Great Lakes region.  Regions close to the Great Lakes experience some moderating effects similar to the moderating effects Rehoboth receives from the Atlantic ocean.  However, these places do not have the same climate.  For example,  the region gets colder in the winter, and as a result tends to receive much more snowfall than Rehoboth Beach.  Generally, Rehoboth Beach shares the most climate related similarities with southern states in the region, rather than the northern states.

The Great Lakes region is famous for its large corn growing industry, hence the tern "corn belt".

Corn Fields such as this one line the highways in Delaware, and the
surrounding area of Rehoboth Beach

A map of corn production shows the vast majority of corn is produced in this region.  However, Delaware, more specifically the lower portion of the state, is also a relevant producer of corn.  I have driven through many corn fields in Delaware, and enjoyed many cobs of corn purchased straight from the farmers who grew it.  Rehoboth Beach is not designed to grow corn, but the surrounding areas are filled with fields of corn.  Corn is popular with steamed seafood and crabs specifically at restaurants in Rehoboth Beach.  Despite being in different geographical regions, the two places are surprisingly linked by the production of large quantities of corn.

Next week the topic is The Inland South.  Once again, Rehoboth Beach is not part of this region; therefore we will once again compare and contrast the two regions.
Until next time,
William

Chapter 7: Megalopolis

This week the topic is Megalopolis, which is the region Rehoboth Beach falls into.  The term Megalopolis was coined by the french geographer Jean Grottmann, and is used to describe the densely populated urban corridor of the northeastern United States.  The five major cities that make up Megalopolis are: Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington D.C. Delaware is not host to any of these cities, but rather located between these major cities and thus it is lumped into the Megalopolis region.  Many of the topics in the chapter have been discussed (climate, historical settlement, summer beach crowds, etc) in earlier blogs, so I will seek to address topics that have not already been mentioned in reference to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

Much of Delaware falls into the non-urban places in an urban region category.  However, Delaware is still home to urban cities.

Wilmington, DE City Skyline

For example Wilmington, Delaware is is an industrial center, and also the headquarters of the DuPont chemical company.  Fun fact, many companies like to incorporate in the state of Delaware because of its state taxation policies.  Delaware has no sales tax, so the price you see is the exact price you pay.  I have personally waited until I was on vacation to make bigger purchases so i could take advantage of this.  Nevertheless, much of Delaware falls into the non-urban places category.  Rehoboth Beach is more developed than much of the surrounding areas, but it is still not the "urban" setting most people think when they hear the word city.  For this reason, Rehoboth Beach falls more into the category of non-urban places.  In fact, Rehoboth Beach more specifically, would likely classify as a resort community.  These resort communities are very popular along the atlantic coast, and popular destinations for people looking to get away from the Megalopolis cities.

Check out the above video for a brief tour around part of the boardwalk on a hot summer day in July.  Take note of the wide sidewalks perfect for accommodating the large number of vacationers that flock to Rehoboth Beach in the summer.  The boardwalk is a popular place to visit, and spend an afternoon or evening.  If you ever find yourself in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware I recommend checking out the boardwalk.

Rehoboth beach is not a major city in the Megalopolis region; however, the major cities still serve a purpose for residents of Rehoboth Beach and Delaware as a whole.

Philadelphia: One of the major megalopolis cities

Of the 5 cities Megalopolis includes, I have personally been to 4 (still need to make it to Boston one day).  These cities are the location of major airports that I have personally flown into when visiting Delaware.  From Rehoboth Beach, New York is about a 5-6 hour drive, Washington DC and Boston about 4 hours, and Baltimore and Philadelphia are about 2 and half hours away.  Although the drives are quite time consuming, these major cities provide countless opportunities for residents in the surrounding areas.  Ironically, residents of Rehoboth Beach and surrounding non-urban areas take vacations to these major cities to get a taste of the city life.


Overall, Rehoboth Beach is a resort community for many vacationers looking to escape the Megalopolis cities; however, all the surrounding cities provide countless opportunities for residents of Rehoboth Beach too.  Next week the topic will be The Great Lakes and Corn Belt.  Once again, Rehoboth Beach does not fall into this category so we will compare and contrast the two regions.
Until next time,
William

Chapter 5: The Atlantic Periphery

This week the topic is the Atlantic Periphery.  On the U.S side, the Atlantic Periphery includes all of Vermont, most of Maine and New Hampshire, and northeastern New York State. Rehoboth Beach is not a part of the Atlantic Periphery, so this entry will seek to compare and contrast the major features of the two.

Despite being located on the eastern coast like states in the Atlantic Periphery, Rehoboth Beach experiences much different weather patterns.  The Atlantic Periphery experiences cool to mild summers, with cold and snowy winters.  Rehoboth Beach on the other hand experiences hot summers, with relatively mild winters.  Snowfall in the Atlantic Periphery is also significantly higher than in Rehoboth Beach.  Both places seem very different, but they do share some similarities.  First, both places do not experience a dry season, and get consistent levels of rain throughout much of the year.  Secondly, the Atlantic Ocean does not have a big effect on major weather patterns in the atlantic periphery, but it does have moderating impacts on temperature and precipitation in coastal regions.  This is similar to the moderating effects Rehoboth Beach experiences from the Atlantic Ocean.  Both places are different in climate, but do still share some similarities.

Local fisherman prepare to cast their lines in
Rehoboth Beach, DE

The Atlantic Periphery is known for its large fishing industry that contributes to its economy.  Rehoboth Beach does not have as big of a fishing industry as the Atlantic Periphery, but fishing and crabbing is still very much a part of Rehoboth Beach.  There are many seafood restaurants and crab shacks scattered throughout the city.  In my experience, many people can be seen fishing or crabbing in the bays.  Some people even go clamming in the water as well.  The commercial fishing industry is larger in the Atlantic Periphery, but fishing is still a very relevant enterprise in Rehoboth Beach and the surrounding areas.

Lastly, the Atlantic Periphery is a popular location for vacationers.  However, unlike Rehoboth Beach, the Atlantic Periphery draws vacationers through a longer time frame.  Vacationers are drawn to the Atlantic Periphery during fall to see the beautiful fall foliage.  Additionally, ski resorts are another popular spot for vacationers when the snow starts to fall during the later months and early months of the new year.  Similar to Rehoboth Beach, the Atlantic Periphery draws summer vacationers too.  In Rehoboth Beach, most vacationers come for the beach and nightlife; however, in the Atlantic Periphery most summer vacations go for hiking, camping, fishing, and boating.  Despite differences, the Atlantic Periphery and Rehoboth Beach still share some similarities.

Next week the topic will be Megalopolis.  Rehoboth Beach is a part of the Megalopolis region, so the next chapter will highlight some of the key topics at play in the region.
Until next time,
William

Chapter 4: The North American Political Economy

This week the topic is the political economy of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.  The different economic sectors, effects of suburbanization, and Delaware's political representation will be topics to discuss.  Cities along the coast of Delaware, such as Rehoboth Beach will be shown to differ from the more inland areas of Delaware.

There are four economic sectors, and they are: Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, and Quaternary.  The primary sector covers activities associated with the identification and extraction of raw materials.  The secondary sector covers activities associated with the transformation of raw materials into finished products.  The tertiary sector covers the distribution and servicing of finished products, and finally the quaternary sector covers any activities associated with management, planning, technology, research, and development.  As one might expect, Inland areas tend to differ from coastal regions of Delaware like Rehoboth Beach in the sectors they identify mostly with.  Many inland areas of Delaware are flat fields used for agriculture.  I have driven through many corn fields on my trips to Delaware.  Factories can be seen scattered throughout the inland areas as well.  Thus, inland areas tend to be more associated with primary and secondary sectors.  However, a coastal city, such as Rehoboth Beach, is more built up and features numerous shopping centers and businesses rather than agricultural fields.

The Tanger Outlets in Rehoboth Beach, DE

For example, Rehoboth Beach features an outlet mall that spans across both sides of the highway and draws customers from all over.  Additionally, Rehoboth Beach is focused around drawing tourists in for vacations and thus getting them to buy goods and service in the city.  Rehoboth Beach, and other coastal cities nearby tend to be associated with the tertiary sector, rather than the primary and secondary sector.   However, this is not to say all coastal regions are the same, and that all inland areas are different.  For example, Dover, Delaware's capital, is not located right on a coast, but has many shopping centers that are associated with the tertiary sector.

Following the development of more roads and reliable transportation, suburbanization became popular throughout the United States.  With this, came the development of edge cities.

 Rehoboth Beach is not a major city compared to other US cities, but in the context of Delaware, Rehoboth Beach is a moderately sized city.  Because of this, some smaller cities have formed more inland in less urban areas, and residents commute to Rehoboth Beach to visit the outlets, go to restaurants, and go to work.  One such city where people commute into Rehoboth Beach, is Dagsboro, DE.  My grandparents live in Dagsboro, and when visiting we would make many trips into Rehoboth to visit the the outlets, go to dinner, or even see a movie.

Like all states, Delaware has 2 senators in The Senate.  However, Delaware's small size and population only result in one member being sent to the House of Representatives.  Delaware counts for 3 electoral votes in the presidential election and is typically a democratic state.  Despite this, in the 2012 presidential election, Rehoboth Beach residents as a whole favored the republican candidate.

Next week the topic will be the Atlantic Periphery.  Rehoboth Beach is not a part of the Atlantic Periphery, and thus there will be less relevant information in the chapter pertaining to the location.  Despite this, we will compare and contrast the two locations instead.
Until next time,
William

Chapter 3: Historical Settlement of North America

This weeks topic is the historical settlement of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.  The eastern coast of North America was fundamental to european exploration and eventual settlement.  Delaware's intriguing history is intertwined with many events dating back to the exploration and settlement by europeans.  In order to understand how Rehoboth Beach became what it is today, we must see how Delaware came to be formed and later the events that led to the the formation of Rehobeth Beach.

Prior to european exploration Delaware was inhabited by two Eastern Algonquian Native American Tribes known as the Unami Lenape and the Nanticoke.  The Dutch were the first europeans to establish a settlement in present day Delaware.

The Zwaanendael Museum in Lewes, DE

In 1631, the Dutch established a trading post at Zwaanendael near present day Lewes, Delaware.  Rehoboth Beach is a neighboring city to Lewes, and it is likely Dutch settlers explored the areas of present day Rehoboth Beach.  However, the settlement was wiped out after clashing with local tribes nearly a year later.  In 1638 Sweden established settlements in Delaware, but were conquered by Dutch forces reestablishing settlements in 1655.  The Dutch control was short lived however.  In 1664, an English fleet conquered the Dutch and took control of the settlements under the orders of The Duke of York.  The Delaware provinces were later passed on to William Penn in 1682, who had control over settlements in present day Pennsylvania as well.  Delaware remained an English colony from there on until the American Revolution in 1776, at which point they became the 1st state in the United States by being the first to ratify the constitution.

The history of Delaware's Settlement is important to understanding how Rehoboth Beach became the city it is today.  The earliest settlers of Rehoboth Beach were Native Americans who traveled to the area in the summer months to enjoy the weather and abundant seafood.  Between 1650 and 1675, Dutch and then later English settlers established settlements in the area as farmers.  Members of William Penn's early legislatures also resided in the area.  In 1873, Reverend Robert W. Todd formed the Rehoboth Camp Meeting Association on 414 acres he purchased.

Overhead view of part of the city and beach

The city was laid out in a fan shape, with wide streets, parks, and specific building lots.  The design still remains mostly intact today.  The Delaware assembly established a municipality initially naming the territory Henlopen city.  However, it was later renamed to Rehoboth Beach and has stayed that way since.  The popular boardwalk was built in 1873 between the beach and Surf Ave. and ran the full length of ocean front.  Storms, such as the major one in 1962, have affected the boardwalk, but it still stands today and is a mile long.  in 1925 a paved highway connected Rehoboth Beach to Georgetown and thus began to link the city via paved roads to Washington D.C. This marked the beginning of many government officials and legislatures taking vacations to Rehoboth Beach.  Today, many government officials still vacation in Rehoboth Beach, and because of this, the city has become known as the Nation's Summer Capital.  I have made many trips to Rehoboth Beach and can say that it is a very cool city to visit during the summer.  The streets are always full with people walking around, and the boardwalk is always popular too.  If you can get past the massive crowds of people in the summer, Rehoboth Beach is a very fun and exciting place to visit during the summer.  It is amazing to see what it has become and grown into since its humble beginnings hundreds of years ago.

Next weeks Topic will be the Political Economy of Delaware with a focus on Rehoboth Beach specifically.
Until next time,
William

Chapter 2: North America's Environmental Setting

This week the topic is the environmental setting of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.  Despite being a relatively small city, there are still several things to address.  Most notable is the climate, which plays a major role in the prosperity of the city during the summer months.  However, I'd like to begin with a brief overview of some bigger environmental locations in and around Delaware.  These locations are not very far from Rehoboth Beach and give a good idea of the surrounding areas.

First, the entire state of Delaware is located east of the fall line.  Thus, water from rivers flow eastward to the atlantic ocean.

Hawksnest Overlook, Delaware River

Delaware is home to the Delaware River, which provided many benefits for early settlers and residents still today.  The Delaware River is also the location of George Washington's famous crossing of the Delaware in December of 1776.  The next major location is the Chesapeake Bay.  The Chesapeake Bay is a bit of a drive from Rehoboth Beach (About 2 hours actually), but it is a major environmental landmark and therefore worth noting.  Additionally the Chesapeake Bay and Bays found throughout Delaware are estuaries and the home for many different species of animals.  Essentially these bays serve as transitioning areas between rivers and the ocean.  Rehoboth Bay is the northernmost of Delaware's inland Bay's and is connected to the Broadkill River by the Lewes and Rehoboth Canal.

Rehoboth Beach, and the rest of Delaware is located in the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain physiographic province.  This province ranges along the eastern coast from New York down to Florida, and then westward along the Gulf of Mexico.  The terrain in the province is some of the flattest terrain on the continent.  Speaking from personal experience, Delaware as a whole is very flat, and there are not mountains in the distant like you can see on clear days in many parts of California.  The area is characterized by swamps, marshes,lagoons, and estuaries as mentioned earlier.

A National Guard tank rolls through a flooded section of
road near the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal during the
storm of 1962

The climate of Rehoboth Beach plays a major role in the city's summer madness.  Rehoboth Beach features a mild humid subtropical climate.  The summers are hot, and the winters are mild compared to locations farther inland.  The Atlantic Ocean plays a role in moderating Rehoboth's weather.  There is no dry season in Rehoboth Beach, like we experience during the summers in California.  Additionally, in Rehoboth Beach it is not uncommon for afternoon thunderstorms to roll in.  Based on experience I can say these storms move fast.  They appear off in the distant and no more than 15 minutes later the wind is swirling and it's overhead.  In 1962, a major storm caused massive flooding and damages to many cities including Rehoboth Beach.  On average Rehoboth Beach gets about 44 inches of rain annually.  This is only slightly above the national average, and thus rain does not ruin most summer

Wreckage in Rehoboth Beach from the 1962 storm.
The boardwalk took the majority of the damage.

beach trips.  Rehoboth has an average temperature of 87 degrees fahrenheit in july, and 30 degrees fahrenheit in January.  This statistic highlights why Rehoboth is such a popular summer destination.  87 with a nice breeze always beat the 105 degree weather California would get while I was on vacation.  The weather is perfect for summer beach days, and it attracts thousands of vacationers each year.  In the winter it cools down to a brisk average of 30 degrees.  The beach is deserted and in some areas it resembles a ghost town.  Despite a below freezing average, snowfall in Rehoboth Beach is relatively less than areas further inland because of the moderating effects the atlantic ocean has on the climate.  Despite this, my cousins who live in Rehoboth Beach can confirm snow days are still very possible.

Next week we will cover the early settlement of Delaware and its connection to the colonies and later United States.
Until next time,
William