Unit 2: The United States and Canada Physical Geography

Landforms and Resources

Landscape United States and Canada are located in North America, in the Western Hemisphere. They are both part of the Northern Hemisphere. Oceans surrounding these two countries are the Atlantic (East Coast) and Pacific (West Coast) Canada is the 2nd largest country in the world, America is the 3rd .

Resources

Landforms Eastern Lowlands Flat, coastal plain along Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico

Landforms Appalachian Highlands Appalachian Mountains 1600 miles from Newfoundland, Canada to Alabama Green, Catskill, Blue Ridge, Great Smoky Peaks about 1200-2400 ft

Landforms Interior Lowlands Interior Plains Great Plains Appalachians Canadian Shield

Landforms Western Mountains, Plateaus, Basins Rocky Mountains Continental Divide Sierra Nevada and Cascade Ranges Denali/Mt. McKinley is the tallest peak on the continent Earthquakes common

Landforms The Islands Canadian islands near Arctic Circle Aleutian Islands located off of Alaska Hawaiian Islands A state of America but located in the Pacific (ie not part of North America)

Oceans and Waterways Atlantic Pacific Gulf of Mexico Great Lakes- HOMES Mississippi River (USA) Mackenzie river (Canada)

Land and Forests Some of the most fertile soil in the world North America is the world’s leading food exporter ½ of Canada is covered in forest US has more varieties of trees

Minerals and Fossil Fuels Iron ore Nickel Copper Gold Uranium Silver Coal Natural Gas Oil

Climate and Vegetation

Climates and Vegetation Colder Climates Arctic coast of Alaska and Canada have tundra climate Long, cold winters Brief, chilly summers Permafrost

Climate and Vegetation Moderate Climates Humid continental climate Winters are cold, summers warm Very productive agricultural area Diary, grain, livestock

Climate and Vegetation Milder Climates Humid subtropical climate: summers are hot and muggy, winters are short and cool Long growing seasons Mediterranean: summers are dry, sunny, warm. Winters can be cool and rainy.

Climate and Vegetation Dry Climates Great Plains and Great Basin 15 inches of rain a year Short grasses and shrubs Desert climate

Climate and Vegetation Tropical Climates Hawaii and southern Florida Rain forests Lots of rain, warm temperatures Everglades (FL)

Human-Environment Interaction

Agriculture and Cities North America is the #1 producer of food world wide The soil and varying climates of North America have made agriculture a huge success Both America and Canada have urbanized…how they perceive space varies between the countries

Overcoming Distances Waterways Transcontinental RR Highway System