Interesting Map

[phxtlc]

Goofing around I came across this map showing the percentage of Federal land in each state and thought I'd share.

http://strangemaps.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/map-owns_the_west.jpg

 

[re_guderian]

Now you know why Eastern Senators are always introducing legislation regarding land closures out west. They got nuthin' back home to dork with...

This is a result of the timing of the development and population of the country, and it's awareness of the value of open spaces around the turn of the century. "Federal" land back east is different than what we're used to here. They aren't devoid of development like here for the most part. Also, the west has huge military training ranges. Not sure if they count Indian reservations as part of the federal land or not.

 

[phxtlc]

I don't think the count the reservations or Arizona would be higher. According to information I've read only 14% of the land in Arizona is available or able to be developed. I think the two most interesting ones are Texas and Nevada. How a land the size of Texas gets bought up enough to leave less than 2% is amazing, especially after you drive through West Texas. There's nothing out there, towns on the map have 6, 63, 102 people in them, yet there's no public land. Go online and look up land for sale out there, you can get a 100 acres for $30 - $40k! On the other hand there's Nevada that apparently nobody wants to live in for any reason. So the goverment gobbles up over 80% of the land to drop bombs on and hide ufo's. Correct me if I'm wrong but BLM was created to basically manage land nobody wanted or areas that the goverment thought may be usefull in the future for mining and stuff.

 

[Tools R Us]

Here is a map of federal lands in AZ.

http://www.nationalatlas.gov/printable/images/pdf/fedlands/az.pdf