Changes on the Cultural Landscape

Cultural landscapes, like cultures themselves, are subject to frequent change. The processes of innovation and diffusion that result in cultural change are often visible on the cultural landscape, as we have seen in our discussion of the automobile.

Changes in cultural landscapes can also result from successive occupation of a region by different cultures. The Los Angeles basin of southern California was occupied by several Native American cultures for hundreds of years. During the late eighteenth century. Spanish missionaries established a series of missions across California.

The Spanish attempted to force the local Native American population to adopt Spanish culture, but many died following exposure to European diseases and many others moved away. In 1848 California was ceded from Mexico to the United States following American military victory in the Mexican War. In the following year the California gold rush brought large numbers of Americans to the Golden State. Soon, Americans outnumbered and overwhelmed the original Spanish settlers.

Considerable evidence of Spanish occupation remains on the Los Angeles cultural landscape. The original Spanish mission founded at that time still stands, as do many other buildings constructed by the Spaniards. Place names, architectural design, and many other aspects of the Los Angeles cultural landscape reflect the Spanish influence.

Geographers have devoted considerable attention to the study of changes in cultural landscapes resulting from the arrival of distinct cultures. Successive occupation of a place by different cultures is known as sequent occupance (Figure 2-7).

Figure 2-7. Sequent Occupance in Los Angeles. The city of Los Angeles was founded by Spaniards moving northward from present-day Mexico in the 1780s. Although Americans took over California in 1848, many traces of Spanish culture are still evident in architecture, place and street names, and other aspects of the cultural landscape of Los Angeles. Examples of Spanish influence include (a) The old Los Angeles city hall and (b) a modern home in suburban Los Angeles

Sequent occupance is especially evident in Europe and Asia. Evidence of Roman occupation remains visible on the landscape of much of Western Europe today. The original walls of Paris, Vienna, and other major European cities were constructed during the Middle Ages. Many features of European cities reflect successive invasions by different conquerors over the past several hundred years.

Preservation of buildings and other features that typify past cultural landscapes has been receiving increased attention in recent years. Places such as colonial Williamsburg, Shaker Village in Massachusetts, the Spanish missions of California and Texas, and the restored ghost towns of the American West re-create aspects of past cultural landscapes and promote a large tourist trade (Figure 2-8).

Figure 2—8. Historic Preservation. In numerous parts of the world, concerted efforts to preserve buildings and other landmarks of historic significance have been made. In some cases, entire communities re-create a cultural landscape of the past such as shown here in colonial Williamsburg. Virginia.