1. The South and West Regions of the United States
By Liz Klein

2. Lesson Standards
6 – G1.2.1 Locate the major landforms, rivers and climate regions of the Western Hemisphere.
6 – G2.1.1 Describe the landform features and the climate of the region (within the Western) under study.
6 – G2.2.1 Describe the human characteristics of the region under study

3. Lesson Objective
The learner will understand the human and physical characteristics of the South and West regions of the United States. This includes the climate, landforms, bodies of water, culture, industry, and resources of the regions.

4. Introduction
Before we dig into the West and South region of the U.S. lets watch a video on these regions! Click on the regions link below to watch a video on the region you want to get an introduction about.
Western Region of the U.S.
Southern U.S. Region

5. Let’s get started! Please click on one of the region’s
Navigation Page
Let’s get started! Please click on one of the region’s
you wish to learn about!
South
West
When finished, please complete your final task. Click here!

6. The West Region of the United States
Let’s take a look into what the West has to offer!

7. Climate Click here to see the current weather forecast
The spring and fall have long and pleasant temperatures
Summers have very hot with temperatures approaching and exceeding 100 degree F on many days.
Winter in states, like Montana, Idaho and Wyoming can be very cold, with temperatures dropping well below 0 degree F.
The yearly precipitation for the west region is about 32in. a year.

8. Major Landforms
Rocky Mountains -extends across the western part of North America
Great Basin - a large desert in California, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming
Mt. Rainier –Highest peak of the Cascade Mts. in Washington

9. More Landforms Great Plains - dry land on eastern edge of the West
Mt. McKinley - in Alaska, Highest peak in North America
Mt Hood – In the Cascade Mts. in Oregon
Great Plains - dry land on eastern edge of the West

10. Resources of the West Gold Silver Hydroelectric Power Petroleum Copper
Many natural resources have drawn people to the West for well over 400 years!
Gold
Silver
Hydroelectric Power
Petroleum
Copper
Coal

11. Industries of the West
furs
Manufacturing
wool
salmon
Film
grain

12. Bodies of Water of the West
Rio Grande River
Colorado River
Pacific Ocean
Columbia River

13. Culture of the West
Facing both the Pacific Ocean and the Mexican border, the West has been shaped by a variety of ethnic groups.
Asians from many countries have settled in California and other coastal states.
The southwestern border states have large Mexican-American populations.

14. Culture of the West Continued
Hawaii's location makes it a major gateway between the U.S. and Asia, as well as a center for tourism.
The desert and mountain states have relatively low population densities and were developed as ranching and mining areas.
There is a large Mormon population in southeastern Idaho, Utah, northern Arizona and Nevada.

15. Culture Continued
The West is also known for the extravagant casino resort towns of Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada.
The West also has many Native American tribal reservations.

17. Question 1 Please select the best response
Which statement best describes the climate of the West
Cold winters, cool summers, and little precipitation
Hot summers, cold winters, and pleasant fall and spring temperatures
Mild winters, cool summers, and pleasant fall and spring seasons.

19. Great Job!

20. Question 2 Please select the best response
What are the landforms and bodies of water of the West
Rocky Mountains, Pacific Ocean, Colorado River,Mt. Rainier, Great Plains
Appalachian Mountains, Atlantic Ocean, Tennessee River, Mt. Hood, Coastal Plains
Great Basin, Atlantic Ocean, Rio Grande River, Coastal Plains, Mt. McKinley

22. Great Job!

23. Question 3 Please select the best response
Describe the industries and resources of the West
fruits, technology, gold, copper
film, textile, wool, shellfish
petroleum, hydroelectricity, grain, salmon

25. Great Job!

26. Question 4 Please select the best response
Describe the culture of the West
White and African Americans are the primary race of the West and Christian is a religion that is practiced
Has a very diverse culture of Asians, White Americans, and African Americans and Mormon is a religion that is practiced
Has a very conservative culture where cooking is a large part of the culture along with country and blues music

28. Great Job!

29. The South Region of the United States
Lets take a trip to the South!

30. Climate Click here to find out the current weather
Moderate rain throughout the year.
Summer s are very hot!
Spring and Fall are very pleasant.
Winters have some snow and freezing rain but are mild and short lived.

31. Major Landforms Appalachian Mountains
Lies on the northern part of the South.
Coastal Plains
The coastal areas include bayous, deltas, marshes, mud flats and swamps.

32. Resources of the South bauxite zinc shellfish sulfur salt cattle
timber
lead

33. Industries of the South
Strong Textile Industry
Technology Industry
Tourism Industry
sunny beaches
theme parks
historic cities
Agriculture Industry
citrus fruits
peanuts, pecans
rice
peaches
chickens
turkeys

34. Bodies of Water Atlantic Ocean Gulf of Mexico Mississippi River
Tennessee River
Tombigbee River

35. Culture
Southern culture is more socially conservative than the rest of the country.
Rural communities developed strong attachment to their churches.
Southerners are often viewed as having a more relaxed and slower paced lifestyle.
Southerners are known to be polite and well-mannered, labeled as "southern hospitality."

36. Culture Continued
The South has a large African American population because of the descendants of the slaves brought into the South
Southerners are most easily distinguished because of their accent from other Americans.
An important feature of Southern culture is their food and home style cooking.
Country is the music of white Southerners and rhythm and blues is the music of African American southerners

38. Question 1 Please select the best response
Describe the climate of the South
Cold winters, hot summers, cool spring and fall temperatures
Hot summers, mild winters, and moderate rainfall
Mild summers, cool winters, and no rainfall

40. Good Job!

41. Question 2 Please select the best response
Describe the landforms and bodies of water of the South
Rocky Mountains, Mt. Hood, Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico
Coastal Plains, Mt. Rainier, Pacific Ocean, Tennessee River
Coastal Plains, Appalachian Mountains, Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico.

43. Good Job!

44. Question 3 Please select the best response
Describe the industries and resources of the South
sulfur, shellfish, tourism, agriculture
gold, copper, petroleum, shellfish
technology, manufacturing, wool, mining

46. Good Job!

47. Question 4 Please select the best response
Describe the culture of the South
Lots of diversity including Asians and Native Americans and a major religion is Mormon
Conservative, food, good manners, country, rhythm and blues, and African and White Americans
Christian religion, diverse ethnicities, rock and roll music, fast paced lifestyle

48. Good Job!

50. Picture Sort
Recall the characteristics of the South and West regions of the United States. Draw a T-chart and write the number of the picture that corresponds to the region on your chart 1 3 2 5
South
West 4 6 8 7 11 9
Check your work on the next slide! 10

51. Picture Sort Answers
South
West 5 3 2 1 8 4 6 10 9 11 7