Chapter 4 – Section 1 – pages 115-119 The United States Chapter 4 – Section 1 – pages 115-119

The Land 48 contiguous states, with Alaska and Hawaii make up the 4th largest country in the world. 5 main physical regions on the mainland. Alaska and Hawaii are have unique characteristics.

Coastal Plain Atlantic Coastal Plain spans from MA to FL. Gulf Coastal Plain is north of the Gulf od Mexico. Soil is thin and rocky in ACP, better in GCP. Good harbors = big port cities. Megalopolis is a large stretch of settled land. Suburbs and cities on the ACP make one.

The Appalachian Mountains 2nd longest mountain range in the US. Run from Canada to Alabama down the east coast. Oldest mountains in the US. The area east of the Appalachian Mountains is called the Piedmont, and it is good farming soil.

The Interior Plains Central Lowlands Mississippi River Great Lakes Fertile farms and important waterways. Mississippi River Flows from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico 2,340 miles long Great Lakes Largest group of freshwater lakes in the world. Formed by glaciers. Great Plains Rich grasslands that start west of the Mississippi River. Fertile farms and livestock grazing.

Mountains & Basins Rocky Mountains Continental Ridge Longest mountain range in North America. Starts in Alaska and ends in Mexico. Continental Ridge Separates rivers that flow west and east. Formed by plate tectonics. Plateaus (west of the Rockies) Columbia The Great Basin (Great Salt Lake) Colorado

The Pacific Coast 2 mountain ranges: The Cascade and Sierra Nevada. Cascade mountains range from WA to CA, and were volcanic in nature. Areas west of the Cascades and the Sierra Nevada are fertile farmlands.

Alaska & Hawaii Alaska Hawaii The tallest mountain in the US is Mount McKinley. Borders on the Artic Circle. Most people live in the Yukon River Valley. Hawaii 8 main islands and 120 small islands. Coral reefs and underwater volcanoes

Climate Most of the US is in the middle latitude region, so there are a variety of climates. There are 7 main climate zones in the contiguous US. Alaska and Hawaii have their own distinctive climates.

Mid-Latitude Climates Marine West Coast Pacific Coast Mild temperatures & rainy Mediterranean Southern California Dry warm winters Humid Subtropical Southern US Mild winters, hot summers, violent weather Humid Continental Northern US Cold winters, hot summers

Dry Climates The western US, along the Rocky Mountains and plateaus, is a steppe climate. Pacific Mountain ranges block the moisture from the Pacific Ocean. Rocky Mountain keeps the hot dry air trapped. The southwest US is a desert climate with high daytime temperatures and less rain than the steppe climate to the north.

High Latitude Climates Most of Alaska is a sub-arctic climate. Cool summers and frigid winters. Sparse vegetation. Heavy rainfall on coast, drier inland.

Tropical Climates Southern Florida and Hawaii are the only tropical climates in the US. Heavy rainfall and humid temperatures. Florida is warmer on average than Hawaii because of the Pacific Ocean.