Chapter 3 Lesson 1: Vocabulary

Contiguous Connecting to or bordering another state

THE REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES Northeast South Middle west West

The Northeast region of the U.S. It is small in size but large in population. Most of the people live in cities. The Northeast has the largest population density.

Southern region of the U.S. It contains some of the country’s largest swamps. Warm temperatures, long summers, and frequent rainfall have made the South an important agricultural region. Warm climate and sandy beaches help the South attract tourists. Hurricanes often strike in the South between June and November.

THE MIDDLE WESTERN REGION OF THE U.S. The Interior Plains are located here. The fertile soil makes it the farming center of the U.S. Dangerous tornadoes occur in the Middle West. The Great Lakes are an important waterway in the Middle West.

The Western Region of the U.S. The Rocky Mountains are the most prominent landform in the West. The Grand Canyon is in the West. It is among the world’s greatest landforms. Earthquakes occur frequently in the West. The West has a mild, rainy climate which is perfect for growing some of the world’s largest trees. The Hawaiian Islands were formed by volcanoes.

Coastal plain Low land that lies along the coast

swamp A low, wet area where trees and bushes grow; usually covered by shallow water at least part of the year

everglades A swampy grassland, such as in southern Florida.

hurricane A tropical storm that brings heavy rain, high seas, and winds 75 miles per hour or more

tornado A funnel shaped, spinning, windstorm, sometimes called cyclone or twister

Continental Divide The crest of the Rocky Mountains that divide North America’s river systems into those that flow east and those that flow west.

Appalachian Mountains