East of the Mississippi River Chapter 4

Bodies of Water Pages 117-121

The Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf Coast Which region? Mid-Atlantic, New England, Southeast Atlantic Ocean Facts: Atlantic Ocean=largest body of water east of the Mississippi River Shoreline stretches 2,000 miles Stretches from Maine to Florida The Gulf Coast Smaller body of water called Gulf of Mexico Stretches from Florida to Texas to Mexico Mississippi River dumps into Gulf of Mexico

The Great Lakes What regions? Facts: Mid-Atlantic and Midwest 5 lakes: lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario St. Lawrence River flows from Great Lakes into the Atlantic Ocean Formed by glaciers thousands of years ago. Largest group of freshwater lakes in the world

The St. Lawrence Seaway What regions? Facts: Mid-Atlantic and New England Facts: Flows eastward for 750 miles and empties in Atlantic Ocean United States and Canada built canals and gaged passageways called locks This has made it easier with shipping resources.

The Mississippi River What Regions? Facts: Midwest and Southeast “Mighty Mississippi”-longest river in North America Flows for 2,350 miles and dumps into Gulf of Mexico There are many tributaries that flow east and west from the river Barges and ships use the river to carry resources. The government has built levees (walls) to help with flooding

The Ohio River Which region? Facts: Midwest and Southeast Flows westward for 981 miles Boundary between Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and West Virginia, Kentucky Has been an important shipping and transportation route.

Mississippi River

Physical Features Pages 121-122

Atlantic Coastal Plain Mostly underwater forming a shelf around the Atlantic coastline. Formed by ocean waves moving sandy sediment to form a flat lowland. Stretches from northeastern U.S to Mexico Most areas are below sea level meaning more floods.

The Appalachian Mountains Oldest and longest mountains in the U.S. Begins in Alabama and ends in Canada Stretches for 1,500 miles Covered by dense forests Two parallel mountain ranges are: Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. Fall line- an area where waterfalls flow from higher land to lower land

Climate Page 122

New England and Midwest See mostly dramatic seasonal changes Cold winters and hot, humid summers Autumn is cool and leaves change colors Springtime brings rainy and sometimes snowy weather and strong storms

Coastal Areas Mild climates Still have seasons but the temperatures are less extreme than they are inland States more south will have a mild change in season

Southeast Humid subtropical climate Summers are rainy and hot Winters are cooler and drier Hurricanes can occur in this region.

Resources Page 123

Minerals and Energy Resources New England: iron ore, gold, zinc, coal, oil, natural gas Mid-Atlantic: iron ore, gold, zinc, coal, oil, natural gas Midwest: iron ore, gold, zinc, coal, oil, natural gas Southeast: iron ore, gold, zinc, coal, oil, natural gas

Farming and Industry New England: logging, fishing, automobiles, electronics, clothing Mid-Atlantic: logging, fishing, automobiles, electronics, clothing Midwest: grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy foods, wood, sugar, corn soybeans Southeast: cotton, dairy foods, wood, sugar, corn, soybeans, grains, fruits, vegetables