How Does America Use Its Land?

 

Using comprehensive infographics, Bloomberg breaks down the six major categories of land in the 48 contiguous United States and offers insights into how they are used.

• Bloomberg – Here’s How America Uses Its Land

Among the interesting facts in this article:

• The 1.9 billion acres that make up the contiguous United States can be groups into six major categories:
  • Pasture/Range
  • Forest
  • Cropland
  • Special Use (National Parks, Military Bases, Highways, Railroads, Wildlife Areas)
  • Urban
  • Miscellaneous (Cemeteries, Golf Courses, Marshes, Deserts, and other areas with low economic value)
• Urban areas make up just 3.6% of the total contiguous U.S., but account for roughly 80% of the population.
• Pasture is the largest land category by far, making up over a third of U.S. land.
• Forests make up a fourth of land in the contiguous U.S.
• The 100 largest private landowners in the U.S. own 40 million acres, an area larger than the state of Florida.