Chapter 5: Manufacturing Core - Economics

Chapter 5 is about the Manufacturing Core region, which Monterey County is not a part of. The chapter does talk about the economics of that region, so I am going to talk about the economics of Monterey County.

Agriculture and tourism make up most of the Monterey County economy. The agriculture sector is worth $2.8 billion and the tourism sector is worth $1.76 billion (the farm, food manufacturing, and leisure/hospitality industries make up almost 40% of all jobs in Monterey County). The wine industry, commercial fishing, and movie production sectors also make up the economy.

Monterey County Golf Course (A Popular Tourist Attraction)

• agriculture: More than $2.81 billion products grown. Vegetable crops are largest component, accounting for $2.1 billion or 75%. Farming accounts for 21% of jobs. Food processing accounts for 54% of manufacturing jobs.
• tourism: Direct travel and tourism spending amounting to $1.76 billion. Travel spending, employment, payroll, and Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) collections are the four indicators for measuring the impact of the hospitality industry. 
• wine industry: $384 million in direct sales and employs 1,100 full time and 641 part time/seasonal workers.
• commercial fishing: Worth $17-25 million annually in Moss Landing and employs over 300 people full time and 800 part time/seasonally.
• movie production: Contributes $2.5 million during an average year of filming on location.

Monterey County Winery

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Chapter 4: Megalopolis - Urbanization

Chapter 4 is about the Megalopolis region, which Monterey County is not a part of. The chapter does talk about the urbanization of that region, so I am going to talk a bit about the recent urbanization rate of Monterey County.

Urbanization has slowed in Monterey County compared to the late 1990s. Most farmland categories saw increases (mostly due to vineyards and row crops).

That said, agricultural land will face development pressure as the population increases. After all, the California Department of Finance predicts that the county’s population will increase from about 408,700 in 2000 to more than 590,000 by 2020. Plus, more than 1,000 acres have already been set aside for future non-agricultural use.

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Chapter 3: Human Activity - Settlement

BRIEF SETTLEMENT HISTORY
Monterey County was founded in 1850, the same year California was, making it one of California's original colonies.

Mission San Carlos de Borromeo

The county's name comes from Monterey Bay, which was discovered and named by Spanish merchant Sebastian Vizcaino in 1602, when he was searching for a port along the California coast. The Portola expedition of June 3, 1770 took possession of Monterey and dedicated the Presidio de Monterey and the Mission San Carlos de Borromeo. In fact, 4 of the 21 California Missions were located in Old Monterey County. Indians were taught skills in the Missions by priests, though more often than not they were also mistreated. Many of the traded goods needed for commerce in early California were made in Missions as well. The Spanish rule ended in April 1822 as the Mission military and priests pledged allegiance to Mexico. In 1836, during the Mexican rule, Monterey became the capital of California.

Monterey County During Mexican Rule

The Mexican rule became weak quickly because of turmoil, political rivalries, and landowner squabbles. Still, a few American merchants and traders were able to thrive in the Mexican economy. In 1845, President James Polk assigned Thomas Oliver Larkin to bring peaceful annexation in order to stop British control of California. In March 1846, John Charles Fremont headed a party that took position in Salinas Valley. In July 1846, Commodore John D. Sloat went to Monterey Bay and took possession of the capital of California, declaring that "henceforward California will be a portion of the United States."

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Chapter 2: Physical Environment - Elevation & Climate

ELEVATION
The elevation of Monterey County ranges from 0 to 5,844 feet above sea level. Junipero Serra Peak is the highest point and is located 12 miles inland in the Big Sur area.

Junipero Serra Peak

CLIMATE
Monterey County has a Mediterranean type climate with cool summers and moderate winters. There is a lot of fog in the summer, while the spring and fall have clearer days.

Average Annual Temperature: 57 degrees F
Average Summer High: 68 degrees F
Average Winter Low: 61 degrees F

The ocean temperature along the shore averages 55 degrees in the colder summer and 58 degrees in the warmer fall and winter.

Average Annual Rainfall: 17 inches (mostly between November and April)

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Chapter 1: Regions - Area & Population

Monterey County is a county in the California region that is about 125 miles south of San Francisco and 345 miles north of Los Angeles. It goes along the Pacific Coast and an average of 30 miles inland from the coast.

AREA
Total = 3,771.07 square miles
Land = 3,321.95 square miles (or 88.09%)
Water = 449.12 square miles (or 11.91%)

POPULATION
Total = 415,057
Density = 110.1/square mile

Cities/Towns of Monterey County

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