1. U.S. Geography Unit
By Carol Fahringer

2. Divided Into 8 Different
Geography of the US:
Divided Into 8 Different
Physical Regions

3. A. The Appalachian Mountains:
1. Political Regions: New England & Middle Atlantic States
2. Physical Regions: Older, moderate height ranges run along eastern US from ME to GA

4. 3. Vegetation: Conifer and deciduous trees
Features Several Clustered Ranges:
Catskills in NY,
Green Mts. in VT,
Poconos in PA,
Allegheny - PA to VA,
Great Smoky Mts. between TN & NC
3. Vegetation: Conifer and deciduous trees
4. Weather: Mild Continental - mild summers, cold winters, adequate rainfall

5. B. The Coastal Plains:
1. Political Region: Southeastern & South Central States
2. Physical Regions: Atlantic Plain & the Gulf Plain. Fairly flat lowland area.
Features:
a. Piedmont where mountains meet plains
b. Coastal Plains - many marshes, slow rivers

6. 3. Major Cities: New Orleans, LA and Houston, TX
4. Vegetation: Conifer and deciduous trees
5. Weather:Humid Subtropical –
* Summers - hot & humid,
* Winters - mild & moist; Florida more tropical

7. C. The Interior Plains: 1. Political Region: North Central States
2. Physical Regions: Great Plains (West), Central Plains (East)
* Features:
Flat but rise gradually toward Rocky Mts.

8. 3. Important Cities: Chicago, IL & Dallas, TX
4. Vegetation: Prairie grasses, few trees
5. Weather: Great Plains - steppe with hot summers & cold winters, limited rainfall
Central Plains - Humid Continental -
mild summers, cold winters with adequate rainfall

9. D. Canadian Shield: 1. Political Region: North Central States
2. Physical Region: Lowland area of hills & plains bordering E Canada, rich in minerals

10. 3. Weather: Humid Continental
- mild summers & cold winters with adequate precipitation

11. E. Rocky Mountains:
1. Political Regions: Alaska & Rocky Mountain States
2. Physical Regions: High, rugged peaks stretch from Alaska to Mexico

12. *Three Large Ranges include:
a. Bitterroot Range (ID, MT)
b. Big Horn Mts. in WY
c. Sangre de Cristo (CO & NM)
3. Important City: Denver, CO

13. * Highland - cooler temps w/altitude
4. Weather:
* Highland - cooler temps w/altitude
* Alaska (N & W Coast) Tundra - Cold year-round,
*(Remainder) Sub arctic - Long cold winters, short summers

14. F. The Intermountain Region:
1. Political Region: Rocky Mountain States
2. Physical Regions: Rugged & high Mts., high plateaus, deep canyons & desert

15. 3. Important Cities:
Phoenix, AZ & Salt Lake City, UT
4. Vegetation: Deciduous trees (low altitude), Conifers (high altitude)
5. Weather: Desert - hot days, cold nights, almost no rainfall
* Borders steppe - hot summers, cold winters, limited rainfall

16. G. The Pacific Coast: 1. Political Region: Pacific Coast States
2. Physical Regions: Pacific Coastal Ranges, Interior Ranges
(Cascades, Sierra Nevada)
*High mts. with valleys & hills in between.
(Ex.: Mt. St. Helens -Cascades, Willamette Valley)

17. 4. Vegetation: Deciduous & conifer trees, rich farmland
3. Important Cities: Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; San Francisco, CA; Los Angeles, CA
4. Vegetation: Deciduous & conifer trees, rich farmland
5. Weather: Pacific Northwest - Marine - mild moist climate,
summers warm & humid, winters mild & moist
California: Mediterranean - winters mild & wet,
summers hot & dry

18. H. Hawaiian Islands: 1. Political Region: Hawaiian Islands
2. Physical Region: Island chain of 8 lg. islands & many small islands in Pacific Ocean
* Volcanic origins - Mauna Loa still active

19. 3. Vegetation: Tropical - Pineapple & Citrus grown
4. Weather: Tropical - hot & humid year-round
The End