CIVICS IN PRACTICE

HOLT

Chapter 15

Citizenship in the Community

Section 1: Kinds of Communities
Section 2: Purposes of Communities
Section 3: Citizens Serve Communities

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Section 1: Kinds of Communities

The Main Idea
There are many kinds of communities. Some are
located in transportation centers or farming regions.
Others grow where there are jobs in factories or
offices. Communities may be small or large, but all
of them take advantage of their surroundings.
Reading Focus
What factors affect the location of communities?
What types of communities exist in rural areas?
What types of communities exist in urban areas?
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Section 1: Kinds of Communities

Transportation, resources, and climate

affect a communitys location:
Early settlers chose locations with natural advantages

for their livelihood: fertile river valleys, harbors,

hydroelectric power, and good climates.
Businesses and trade developed at crossroads and led
to new communities.
Waterways offer ports, water, and transportation.
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CIVICS IN PRACTICE
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Section 1: Kinds of Communities

Transportation, resources, and climate

affect a communitys location: (continued)
1840sRailroads connected regions, and new inland

communities developed.
Auto travel has led to communities along highways.
Communities grow where natural resources can be
developed.
Good climates promote recreation and enable
farming in certain regions.
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CIVICS IN PRACTICE
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Section 1: Kinds of Communities

Rural Communities
Rural farm communitiesAmericas smallest

communities; approximately 2 million farms in

the United States stretch across the country
Small country townspopulation of less than
2,500; where farmers buy supplies and market
crops; have movies, shops, and post offices
Recently, some businesses have established
themselves in rural areas.
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CIVICS IN PRACTICE
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Section 1: Kinds of Communities

Urban Areas
Have 2,500 or more people
1990sthree quarters of Americans lived in

urban areas
Today suburbs are growing faster, and some
cities have grown smaller
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CIVICS IN PRACTICE
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Section 1: Kinds of Communities

Metropolitan area
A large city and its surrounding towns and

suburbs
261 metropolitan areas in the United States
Some metropolitan areas have turned into a
megalopolisan area so large it forms a
continuous urban chain. Example: New York,
Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C.
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SECTION 1

CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT

Question: What are examples and

characteristics of urban and metropolitan
areas?
Urban Area
village
town
borough
city
population of
2,500 or
more
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Metropolitan Area
large city
unclear where
city ends and the
surrounding
towns and
suburbs begin
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CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT

Section 2: Purposes of Communities

The Main Idea
People live together in communities for many reasons.
Communities provide people with ways to
communicate with one another and relax in their free
time. Communities also provide services and local
governments that help residents make the most of
their resources and labor.
Reading Focus
What kinds of values do communities teach?
What types of services do communities provide?
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CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT

Section 2: Purposes of Communities

Methods of communication in
communities:
Conversation with other members
Telephones, e-mail, Internet, radios, and

television
Writing letters and notes
Newspapers
Books and magazines
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Section 2: Purposes of Communities

Communities help people enjoy their lives:

Provide recreational facilities to encourage

health, diversion, cultural learning, and

relaxation.
Promote natural assets like climate and location.
Pooling resources and labor improves the quality

of life.
Public safety and education are provided by
communities.
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CIVICS IN PRACTICE
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Section 2: Purposes of Communities

Local communities need laws and

regulations to
help citizens avoid conflict.
maintain peace and order.
provide forums for addressing problems and

concerns.

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SECTION 2

CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT

Question: Why do local communities need laws

and regulations?
Why Communities Need Laws and Regulations

to maintain
peace

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to maintain
order

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CIVICS IN PRACTICE
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Section 3: Citizens Serve Communities

The Main Idea
Communities provide many benefits and services to
their residents. But citizens also need to contribute
their energy and efforts if they want their
communities to remain welcoming and healthy.
Communities depend on cooperation among people.
Reading Focus
How can citizens help their communities face
challenges?
Why is volunteering important to help improve the
communities in which we live?
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Section 3: Citizens Serve Communities

Challenges facing Americas

communities:
Limited opportunities for young people
Drug use, crime, and family management

problems
Pollution, traffic jams, and downtown decay
Faltering schools
Museum and park maintenance
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Section 3: Citizens Serve Communities

Volunteer groups improve our communities:

Aid sick people, those in poverty, the elderly, and the

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disabled
Raise money for charity
Clean up neighborhoods and address community needs
Permanent groups include firefighters and hospital
volunteers.
Large national groups: League of Women Voters,
American Cancer Society, and Volunteers of America
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Section 3: Citizens Serve Communities

Good citizenship is related to

developing good communities:
Enjoy a communitys benefits and contribute

to the community in return.

Take pride in your community and make it the
best it can be.
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SECTION 3

CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT

Question: How does good citizenship relate

to developing good communities?
How Good Citizenship Relates to
Developing Good Communities
When citizens
fulfill their
duties and
responsibilities

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the quality of life

in communities
improves.

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CIVICS IN PRACTICE
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Chapter15WrapUp

1. Howdonaturalfactorsandtransportationinfluence
thedevelopmentofcommunities?
2. WhatarethetworuralAmericas,andhowdo
theydiffer?
3. Howdopeoplecommunicateincommunities?
4. Whatrolesdolawsandregulationsplayin
communities?
5. Inwhatwaysarevolunteerorganizationsessential
toacommunityssuccess?
6. WhatproblemsdocommunitiesintheUnitedStates
face?
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