McDonald's

In the continental US, what's the farthest you can be from a McDonald's?

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Answer: 107 miles. Between the tiny Dakotan hamlets of Meadow and Glad Valley lies the McFarthest Spot: 107 miles distant from the nearest McDonald's, as the crow flies.

1. How accurate was your prediction?

2. What is the big story this map tells?

3. Is the fact that there are so many McDonald's good news or bad news?

4. Explain why, in the US, you can never be more that 100 miles from a Micky D's?

5. What is the consequence of the ubiquity of McDonald's?

6. McDonald's is a potent symbol of globalization. Can you think of any better known or more global symbol than McDonald's?

7. What would this map have looked like in 1950, and what do you think it will look like in 2040?

8. Is there anything more American than McDonald's?

9. Is there any US restaurant/store there are more of than McDonald's?

10. In the comments section below, advise the residents of Meadow, North Dakota whether a McDonald's would be good for their hamlet.

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Action Extension

Look at a Google Maps of your community and type in McDonald's. How far could you drive around before you ran into the nearest McDonald's? Without speeding or breaking any laws, see how many McDonald's you can drive to in 30 minutes. 

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Learning Extension

Watch 7 minutes of Super Size Me.