1. Constructing the Model
Drag the land use to its correct distance from the market based on Transport Cost and Perishability.
Land Uses (Drag Me)
🌲 Timber
Heavy & Hard to Transport
Heavy & Hard to Transport
🥛 Dairy/Gardening
Perishable & Intensive
Perishable & Intensive
🐄 Livestock
Animals walk to market
Animals walk to market
🌾 Grains
Light & Non-Perishable
Light & Non-Perishable
MARKET
Ring 1
Ring 2
Ring 3
Ring 4
2. Distorting Reality
The "Isotropic Plain" (flat, featureless land) rarely exists. See how geography changes the rings.
The original model assumes ox-carts and no rivers.
3. Scaling Up: The USA
Geographers apply Von Thünen to the entire United States.
If New York City is the "Market", the rings expand westward across the continent.
- Northeast: Dairy/Vegetables (NJ = "Garden State").
- Midwest: Grains (Corn/Soy).
- West: Livestock Ranching (Cattle).
- Exception: California/Florida (Specialty Crops due to climate).
Ranching
Grains
Dairy
Market
Market
NYC