Physical Geography of the United States and Canada: A Land of Contrasts North America’s vast and varied landscape and abundant resources have attracted immigrants and shaped the development of the United States and Canada. The Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming was formed by erosion. It was named a national monument in 1906. NEXT

Looking at the Earth Physical Geography SECTION 1 Landforms and Resources SECTION 2 Climate and Vegetation SECTION 3 Human-Environment Interaction Unit Atlas: Physical Unit Atlas: Political NEXT

Landforms and Resources Section 1 Landforms and Resources • The United States and Canada have vast lands and abundant resources. • These two countries share many of the same landforms. NEXT

Landforms and Resources SECTION Landforms and Resources 1 Landscape Influenced Development Anglo America • U.S., Canada: former British colonies, most people speak English • Strong economic and political ties with one another Vast Lands • Canada second largest country in the world by area; U.S. third • Together they cover one-eighth of the earth’s land surface Continued . . . NEXT

SECTION 1 continued Landscape Influenced Development Abundant Resources • Landmass and natural resources attract immigrants to both countries • U.S. and Canada have developed into global economic powers Map NEXT

Many and Varied Landforms SECTION 1 Many and Varied Landforms Major Landforms • All major landforms are found in U.S. and Canada • The two countries share mountain chains and interior plains Map The Eastern Lowlands • Atlantic Coastal Plain extends from Delaware down to Florida • Gulf Coastal Plain goes from Florida, along Gulf of Mexico, to Texas • Piedmont—low plateau between coastal plains, Appalachian Highlands Continued . . . NEXT

The Appalachian Highlands SECTION 1 continued Many and Varied Landforms The Appalachian Highlands • Appalachian Mountains run 1,600 miles from Newfoundland to Alabama - include Green and Catskill mountains in the north - Blue Ridge and Great Smoky mountains in the south • More than 400 million years old • Erosion has created gentle slopes, peaks from 1,200–2,400 feet • The Appalachian Trail is a scenic hiking path along the chain Image Image Continued . . . NEXT

The Interior Lowlands • Glaciers leveled the land, left fertile soil SECTION 1 continued Many and Varied Landforms The Interior Lowlands • Glaciers leveled the land, left fertile soil • Interior Plains extend from Appalachians to Missouri River • Great Plains extend from Missouri River to Rocky Mountains • Canadian Shield—vast, flat area around Hudson Bay Image Continued . . . NEXT

The Western Mountains, Plateaus, and Basins SECTION 1 continued Many and Varied Landforms The Western Mountains, Plateaus, and Basins • Rocky Mountains run 3,000 miles from Alaska to New Mexico • Relatively young: 80 million years old • Less erosion means rugged, 12,000-foot, snow- covered peaks • Continental Divide—the line of highest points along the Rockies - separates rivers that flow eastward from those that flow westward Image Continued . . . NEXT

The Western Mountains, Plateaus, and Basins SECTION 1 continued Many and Varied Landforms The Western Mountains, Plateaus, and Basins • Other Pacific mountain ranges: Sierra Nevada, Cascade • Continent’s highest peak: Mt. McKinley in Alaska • Major earthquake activity in Pacific ranges • Between ranges and Rockies: cliffs, canyons, basins (low desert) Image The Islands • Canada’s large, northern islands: Ellesmere, Victoria, Baffin • U.S.: Aleutians (Alaska), Hawaiian (politically, not geographically) NEXT

Resources Shape Ways of Life SECTION 1 Resources Shape Ways of Life Oceans and Waterways • U.S. and Canada are bounded by: - Atlantic, Pacific, Arctic oceans - Gulf of Mexico • Countries have many large, inland rivers and lakes that provide: - transportation, hydroelectric power, irrigation, fresh water, fisheries Image Continued . . . NEXT

SECTION 1 continued Resources Shape Ways of Life Oceans and Waterways • Great Lakes: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior • Mississippi-Missouri-Ohio river system: continent’s longest, busiest • Mackenzie River: longest in Canada, crosses Northwest Territories Interactive Continued . . . NEXT

Minerals and Fossil Fuels SECTION 1 continued Resources Shape Ways of Life Land and Forests • Fertile soil helps make North America world’s leading food exporter • Large forests yield lumber and other products Minerals and Fossil Fuels • Mineral quantity and variety make rapid industrialization possible - Canadian Shield: iron ore, nickel, copper, gold, uranium - Appalachians, Great Plains: coal - Gulf of Mexico: oil, natural gas • U.S.: biggest energy consumer; gets most of Canada’s energy exports Interactive NEXT

Climate and Vegetation Section 2 Climate and Vegetation • Almost every type of climate is found in the 50 United States because they extend over such a large area north to south. • Canada’s cold climate is related to its location in the far northern latitudes. NEXT

Climate and Vegetation SECTION Climate and Vegetation 2 Shared Climates and Vegetation U.S. and Canada Climates • U.S. has more climate zones than Canada • U.S.: moderate mid-latitudes, Canada: colder high latitudes Map Colder Climates • Arctic coast is tundra: huge, treeless plain with long, cold winters - some permafrost—permanently frozen ground • Rockies and Pacific ranges are highland: colder, sparse vegetation - affect weather in lower areas: block Arctic air, trap Pacific moisture Continued . . . NEXT

SECTION 2 continued Shared Climates and Vegetation Moderate Climates • North central, northeast U.S, southern Canada are humid continental - cold winters; warm summers; heavy agriculture • Pacific coast has marine west coast climate - warm summers; long, mild, rainy winters; mixed vegetation - climate affected by ocean currents, coastal mountains, westerlies - prevailing westerlies—middle-latitude winds blowing west to east NEXT

Differences in Climate and Vegetation SECTION 2 Differences in Climate and Vegetation Milder Climates • Much of U.S. located south of 40 degrees N latitude - milder, dry, and tropical climates • Southern states are humid subtropical - hot summers; mild winters; long growing season for variety of crops • Central, southern California coasts have Mediterranean climate - dry, warm summers; mild, rainy winters; fruits, vegetables grow well Continued . . . NEXT

Dry Climates Tropical Climates SECTION 2 continued Differences in Climate and Vegetation Dry Climates • Great Plains, northern Great Basin semiarid: dry with short grasses • Southwest is hot, dry desert, including Mojave and Sonoran deserts Tropical Climates • Hawaii is tropical wet: rain forests, temps around 70 degrees F - Mount Waialeale on Kauai Island is one of the wettest spots on earth • South Florida is tropical wet and dry: warm with tall grasses - Everglades—swampland covering 4,000 square miles NEXT

Effects of Extreme Weather SECTION 2 Effects of Extreme Weather Natural Hazards • Warm Gulf air clashes with cold Canadian air over the Great Plains - creates thunderstorms, tornadoes, blizzards • Hurricanes sweep the Gulf and Atlantic coasts in summer and fall • Heavy rains cause floods along big rivers like the Mississippi • Heat, lack of rain bring droughts, dust storms, forest fires Map NEXT

Human-Environment Interaction Section 3 Human-Environment Interaction • Humans have dramatically changed the face of North America. • European settlements in the United States and Canada expanded from east to west. NEXT

Human-Environment Interaction SECTION Human-Environment Interaction 3 Settlement and Agriculture Alter the Land Settlement • Before humans, land changed due to natural forces: weather, erosion • Human settlers adapted to, and changed, the environment • First North Americans were nomads, moving from place to place - migrated from Asia over Beringia, a land bridge from Siberia to Alaska - hunted, fished, and gathered plants; settled near rivers and streams Continued . . . NEXT

SECTION 3 continued Settlement and Agriculture Alter the Land Agriculture • Agriculture replaced hunting and gathering 3,000 years ago • Settlements became permanent - cut down trees for houses, plow fields, dig irrigation ditches - plant corn, beans, squash • Today U.S. and Canada are leading agriculture exporters NEXT

Building Cities Where Cities Grow Montreal—Adapting to the Weather SECTION 3 Building Cities Where Cities Grow • Water access a major factor in how towns begin, develop • Other factors: landscape, climate, weather, natural resources Montreal—Adapting to the Weather • Canada’s second-largest city; major port located on island in Quebec - meeting of St. Lawrence and Ottawa rivers make it important trade site • French build permanent settlement in 1642 at base of Mount Royal • Cold winters force people to stay inside and build underground areas Image Continued . . . NEXT

Los Angeles—Creating Urban Sprawl SECTION 3 continued Building Cities Los Angeles—Creating Urban Sprawl • Mild climate and the ocean bring thousands to area in early 1900s - once-small Spanish settlement expanded into valleys and foothills • Becomes U.S.’s second-largest city in 1980s - problems: air pollution, low water supply, earthquake area • Los Angeles has spread out over a large area - city proper: 469 square miles; metropolitan area: 4,060 square miles Image NEXT

Overcoming Distances Trails and Inland Waterways SECTION 3 Overcoming Distances Trails and Inland Waterways • First natives go east, south down Pacific coast; some remain north • Europeans colonize the east coast then go inland, creating trails - national and Wilderness roads, Oregon and Santa Fe trails - use Mississippi and Ohio rivers; build canals - Erie Canal—first navigable water link between Atlantic, Great Lakes Continued . . . NEXT

Trails and Inland Waterways SECTION 3 continued Overcoming Distances Trails and Inland Waterways • St. Lawrence Seaway—deepwater ship route built by U.S. and Canada • Connects Great Lakes to Atlantic by way of St. Lawrence River • Gated-off sections called locks raise and lower the water and ships • Large ocean vessels can get to industrial and agricultural heartland Map Chart Continued . . . NEXT

Transcontinental Railroads SECTION 3 continued Overcoming Distances Transcontinental Railroads • Transcontinental—from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean • Builders of early-1800s railroads face many natural barriers - workers cut down forests, bridge streams, tunnel through mountains • First U.S. transcontinental railroad: 1860; first Canadian: 1885 • Move goods, people; promote economic development, national unity • Today U.S. has world’s largest rail system; Canada, third largest Continued . . . NEXT

National Highway Systems SECTION 3 continued Overcoming Distances National Highway Systems • Arrival of automobile spurs roadbuilding in early 20th century • Today U.S. has 4 million miles of roads, Canada has 560,000 miles • Large Canadian highways connect major southern cities from east to west - Trans-Canada Highway: 4,860 miles, Newfoundland to British Columbia • U.S. interstate highway system: 46,000-mile network begun in 1950s NEXT

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