钢铁工业是美国经济的重要支柱产业,有美国经济的“晴雨表”之称。二战后钢和生铁的产量一直分别徘徊在1亿吨和7000万吨左右(1973年钢产量达1.368亿吨,1997年达1.086亿吨)。美国的钢铁工业主要分布在北部,并日益向水运便利的五大湖沿岸和沿海地区集中。美国发展钢铁工业有着较 The iron and steel industry is an important pillar industry of the U.S. economy. It is also known as the “barometer” of the U.S. economy. The output of steel and pig iron after World War II has been hovering around 100 million tons and 70 million tons respectively (in 1973, the steel output reached 136.8 million tons, and in 1997 it reached 108.6 million tons). The U.S. steel industry is mainly located in the north and is increasingly concentrated on the shores of the Great Lakes and coastal areas where water transportation is convenient. The U.S. develops the steel industry