You could make some very general statements, but for every one of them, there are tons of exceptions. In fact, most eastern shelters are found only on the major trails. And shelters are found randomly in the West though admittedly, not many of them. When eastern trails go up mountains, they switchback less than western trails. Okay, that s certainly true as a general rule.
Western wildernesses are more remote.
All that said, however, you re right that differences do exist. And it s simply not possible in the east to walk for a week without crossing a road. I ve got pictures in my head of what western hiking means, and I see big open spaces and high mountains. When I think of the East, I think of quiet green forests and trickling streams. And I become confused all over again.