United State Geography: 4 Regions I. Introductory Facts about the U.S. Land A. The U.S. is the _____ largest country in land size. B The U.S. is the _____ largest country in population with 315 million. C. The U.S. is a fragmented country which has ____ states that share a common boundary. (Hawaii and __________ ) The United States has a variety of ___________ such as mountains, plains, rivers, and lakes. In spite of the great variety of __________, generally the climate is _____ or temperate. The climate changes with location and elevation. II. Economy of the U.S. U.S. economy is based on a ______ enterprise system, 75% service industry, 22% manufacturing, 2% agriculture and 1% mining. 4th 3rd 48 Alaska landforms climates mild free

produces exports B. U.S. ________ and ________ more food than any other country. C. Produces ½ of the world’s _________ and one-tenth of the world’s wheat. D. U.S. has an abundance of rich __________ and ______________ resources such as iron ore, zinc, lead, copper, coal, and oil. E. Largest part of the economy is _____________ industries such as: banking, doctors, lawyers, teachers, and etc. III. People of the U.S. The U.S. is made up of people from many different __________. ¾ of the people are descendants from the ____________. U.S. began as a _______ colony and became a world superpower. U.S. ________ groups are made up of 70% White, 13% Hispanic, 12% African American, 4% Asian, 1% Native American. corn minerals natural poverty lands Europe British ethnic

Northeast U.S. Video Guide What information can you get from maps? What are the four regions that are commonly used to divide the U.S.?  What are some northeastern cities that serve as harbors? What do natural resources provide? What is the earth’s most recyclable resource?  What are some renewable resources? Physical features, political boundaries, population, vegetation, weather Northeast, South, Midwest, and West NYC, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore Food and fuel water Apples, maple trees, wind, solar

Northeast U.S. Video Guide What are some nonrenewable resources? What is a city? What is a bay? What makes Philadelphia historically important? What is the largest city in the U.S.? How many boroughs are there? Coal, oil, and natural gas Large areas where people live and work Part of the ocean that extends into the land U.S. Capital, Constitution and Declaration of Independence was signed New York City, 5

II. The Northeast: Land of Big Cities This region contains the _____________ and Mid-Atlantic states. Its climate varies and is dominated by the _____________ Mts.(oldest) It is the most ____________ populated region in the U.S. Manufacturing and trade have made this an urban area. ( ______% live in cities.) These cities are ports around good harbors such as: Boston, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and ____________ (largest city in the U.S.). The coastal region of the Northeast is a ______________ (super city). The ________ is based on city life jobs such as: manufacturing and service industries. (finance, communications, and government) ____________ is made up of mostly small farms. (dairy products) ____________ off the Atlantic Coast is a major industry. New England Appalachian densely 80 New York megalopolis economy Agriculture Fishing

What are some physical features of the South Region? South U.S. Video Guide What are some physical features of the South Region? What makes Washington D.C. different from other cities in the United States?  Why is the coastal region in the South good for farming? Why has the Mississippi River fascinated so many people? What rivers are tributaries of the Mississippi River?  Sandy beaches, marshes, coastal plains, mountains Only city not in a state, nation’s capital Rich soil, warm weather, plenty of rainfall Longest river, history, folklore, industry, commerce Missouri, Arkansas, Ohio

South U.S. Video Guide What is a delta? What city can be found at the mouth of the Mississippi delta and why is it unique? What is hurricane? What makes up a large part of the U.S. South Coast line? What do estuaries provide? Area formed by soil deposits at the mouth of the river New Orleans, much of it lies below sea level Large powerful wind storms that form over an ocean Marshes and swamps Food, shelter, nutrients, and variety of animal species

III. The South ___________ than most regions and receives plenty of ________. Coastal plains dominate this region. ___________ is one of the most important parts of the economy. Citrus fruits that require year-round warmth and sunshine are grown here. Florida ( __________ ) and Georgia ( __________ ) Drilling and mining __________ are also important to the South. The most important industry in the South is ___________ (cloth). Transportation and tourism is a big part of the economy. __________ is the transportation center of the South. ______ ___________ is the gateway between the Gulf of Mexico and the ________________ River. _________________, the nation’s capital, is located in this region, but in not part of any specific state. Warmer rainfall Farming oranges peaches minerals textiles Atlanta New Orleans Mississippi Washington D.C.

The 5 Great Lakes Lake Superior Lake Michigan Lake Huron Lake Erie Lake Ontario It is the largest and deepest of the 5 Great Lakes. It has the world’s largest freshwater dunes. (Does not share with Canada) It has 30,000 islands within its border. It is the shallowest and smallest of the 5 Great Lakes. It is connected to Lake Erie by Niagara River. (Niagara Falls drops 325 feet)

What is the nickname given to the U.S. Midwest region? Midwest U.S. Video Guide What is the nickname given to the U.S. Midwest region? What did the cities of the Midwest once serve as? Today? What city is known as the “Windy City”?  How were the Great Lakes formed? What river connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean? Describe what the landscape of the prairies is like? America’s Heartland Farming communities; hub of transportation, industry, arts, trade Chicago 2 million years ago formed by glaciers St. Lawrence River Flat, rolling hills with tall grasses

What kind of animals live on the prairies? Midwest U.S. Video Guide What kind of animals live on the prairies? Why is fire essential to the prairies (grasslands) What are the 3 agricultural centers of the Midwest? What kind of products are grown in these areas of the Midwest? What do you think would be difficult about living on a working ranch? Buffalo, rattlesnakes, spiders, coyotes, deer It keeps the grasses from overgrowing Lake States, Plains States, and Corn Belt Milk and cheese; wheat; corn and soybeans Hard work but also rewarding

IV. The Midwest - “The Heartland of the U.S.” This regions hosts the largest group of freshwater _______ known as the “Great Lakes” consisting of Superior, ___________ (doesn’t share the Canadian border), Huron, Erie, and Ontario. The Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean are connected by the _______________ River. West of the Mississippi River lies the _________ __________. Considered the “____________” because its thought to be the agricultural center. Farmers grow grains and raise cattle here. This region is also a major ______________center among the Great Lakes. ______________, Illinois is the largest city in this region. It’s also considered to be in the center of things. lakes Michigan St. Lawrence Great Plains Heartland manufacturing Chicago

St. Louis ______________, Missouri hosts a large stainless steel arch which marks this the “Gateway to the West” Detroit, Michigan is called the “ ________ _________” because it’s the headquarters of the auto industry. Motor City

Identify some interesting physical features of the West? West U.S. Video Guide Identify some interesting physical features of the West? What 3 layers is the earth made up of? What is the Continental Divide?  What is a geyser? Which western state has forests, mountains, deserts, and hosts the 2nd largest city?  Rocky Mountains, Death Valley, Grand Canyon Core, crust, and mantle An invisible line in a mountainous area where rivers flow in separate directions Spring that shoots out hot water through the crack of the earth’s crust California (Los Angeles)

Identify the 1st National Park? What states is it located? West U.S. Video Guide Identify the 1st National Park? What states is it located?  What states make up the four corners? What do the layers of color tell about the Grand Canyon? What is a fault? What is the most famous one in California? How do scientists measure an earthquake? Yellowstone National Park (Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming) Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico Age (timeline) of the canyon A crack in the earth’s crust, San Andreas Fault Richter Scale

West U.S. Video Guide Gold Rush Gold, oil, timber, and fish 11. What event took place that encouraged people to migrate to California? 12. What natural resources historically have drawn people to Alaska? Gold Rush Gold, oil, timber, and fish

V. The West Because the __________ Mountains lie in this region, they have an abundance of minerals. The Rocky Mountains are the ___________ mountain range in the U.S. Higher and more rugged than the ____________ Mountains. C. Oil, natural gas, and coal are important _________ resources here. The ______________ Divide, a ridge of mountains, separates the rivers flowing west to the Pacific and east to the Mississippi. E. The _______ _______ and National Parks such as Yosemite and _______________ (1st National Park) are located in this region. F. California is the leading farm state in this region. _____________ is the 2nd largest city in the United States. Rocky largest Appalachian natural Continental Grand Canyon Yellowstone Los Angeles

Hawaii ___________ is made up 8 large islands and 120 smaller islands in which it depends heavily on tourism. _________ (the largest state in the U.S.), a peninsula, hosts the tallest mountain peak in N. America known as ______________. This state also has an abundance of ______, but much of it is national protected parks. Alaska Mt. McKinley oil