Unit #2: U.S. & Canada

Take Five Compare the following features between the US and Canada: Landmass Population Rivers Mountains What do the US and Canada have in common that place them in the same region?

Chp 5 Section 1: Landforms and Resources US and Canada are bound together by the following: History Physical geography Cultural heritage Economic & political ties

History of North America Bering Straits Hunters and gatherers Agricultural revolution Native Americans Great Britain and France French & Indian War American Revolution

Physical Geography Landmass-Canada has the world’s 2nd largest land mass and the US has the world’s 3rd largest land mass Rich in natural resources Such as: fertile soil, water resources, forests, mineral deposits

Physical Geography: Landforms Use the blank map provided to recreate the landforms on pg. 118 Eastern lowlands Appalachian Highlands Islands Ellesmere Victoria Baffin Hawaiian islands—name the various islands Western Mtns Rocky Mountains Continental Divide Sierra Nevada Cascade Range Mt. McKinley Interior Lowlands Great Plains Canadian Shield

Wally Points… Look at the map on page 120, what types of natural resources does the US and Canada have at their disposal? What common natural resources does the US and Canada have in common? Complete the “skillbuilder” section on pg 120.

Natural Resources & Raw Materials Water resources: Atlantic, Pacific, Arctic Oceans & Gulf of Mexico 8 of the world’s 15 largest lakes are located in N America: Great Lakes: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie & Superior Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, Illinois, Mackenzie, and St. Lawrence Rivers

Wally Points… What states does the Mississippi River flow through?

Natural Resources & Raw Materials ½ of Canada is woodland forests 1/3 of US is woodland forests Major producers of lumber and forest products Minerals Iron ore, nickel, copper, gold, uranium, silver etc Fossil fuels Oil, natural gas, coal US is the world’s largest consumer of fossil fuels

In Class Assignment Make a Venn diagram or other graphic organizer comparing and contrasting the US and Canada—include the following elements: physical geographic features (mountains, rivers, lakes, plains), raw materials, culture, history, population, political systems and economy.

Take Five What types of climates can be found in North America? What climates do the US and Canada share? What climates do NOT exist in Canada?

Take Five… The population of Canada is clustered along the border with the US in the eastern half of the country. Why is this a trend?

Chp 5 Section 2: Climate and Vegetation The US and Canada share various climate zones The US has more climate zones than Canada US=Ranging from tundra to tropical Mid-latitudes Canada=arctic and subarctic climates Winters are long, summers short average temp in summer 400 F Permafrost-permanently frozen ground

Climates of US and Canada Moderate climates-North Central and Northeastern US and southern Canada have a humid continental climate: cold winters and warm summers Most productive agricultural regions Dairy, grain and livestock

Climates of US and Canada Milder Climates South of 400 latitude Hot and muggy summers Mild and cool winters Mediterranean climates (like California as well) Dry Climates Great Plains & Great Basin Less than 10 inches of rain per year Tropical Climates Hawaii & Florida Warm, wet climate Everglades—4,000 sq miles of swampland

Everglades

Effects of Extreme Weather in the US Tornado Alley—Great Plains Earthquakes—California Hurricanes—N. & S. Carolina, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas Flooding, blizzards, volcanoes (Mt. St. Helens)

In Class Assignment Using your maps—answer the skill builder questions on pg 125

Timed Writing Assignment Write a 5 paragraph essay (thesis, point one, point two, point three, conclusion) on the following topic (grammar & spelling do not count…do you best) Discuss the government, economy and culture of America. Refer to both past and present issues as relevant…

How was it graded? Paper graded from the rubric + Map grade divided by 2 to get final average

How was it graded? Title 5 pts Legend 5 pts Scale 5 pts Compass 5 pts Lat & Long 15 pts Clear border dispute 15 pts Colorful 25 pts Well designed 25 pts

Take Five What is “urban sprawl”? What is the difference between “Americanization” and multiculturalism? What approach do you think is healthier for a country?

Take Five What islands form a state in the US? What are the highest mountains in the US? Where are the most below sea-level elevations located in the US? Which lake does the St. Lawrence River connect to the Atlantic Ocean?

Section 3: Human-Environment Interaction Agricultural revolution—nomads moving to settlement Agriculture due to fertile soils is key resource for both the US and Canada Irrigation systems to open farming in certain dry regions

Section 3: Human-Environment Interaction Cities Usually near water resource (lake, river, stream, etc) Other factors: landscape, climate, weather & natural resources Montreal: freezing temps yet 2nd largest Canadian city St. Lawrence & Ottawa rivers Mount Royal Adaptation to weather—underground & inside LA: mild climate 2nd largest US city Pacific coast Problems with urbanization—pollution, traffic, lack of water resources Earthquake prone

Section 3: Human-Environment Interaction Overcoming Distances Intercoastal waterways Ex: St. Lawrence seaway—joint project of US/Canada—connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic. Ships are raised and lowered by a series of locks which allows large ships to enter into the agricultural and industrial areas of NAmerica Transcontinental Railroads Connecting east and west coasts and providing transportation for travel as well as commerce 1869 US connects east and west 1885 Canada connection from Montreal to British Columbia US has 2nd largest rr system in world & Canada has the 3rd largest National Highway Systems US 4 million miles of roads Canada 560,000 miles of roads

In class assignment… DO NOT COMPLETE THE INTERNET ACTIVITY!!!!! To be placed in your portfolio Complete the Chp 5 Assessment on pg 132-133 DO NOT COMPLETE THE INTERNET ACTIVITY!!!!!