American Indian Culture Regions

American Indians are diverse! When Europeans first arrived in America, they noticed that the Natives were very diverse Different cultures were developed by Native peoples, based on their environment Scholars group Native Americans who shared similar cultures into culture regions (or culture areas)

What is a culture region? Culture Region: a geographic region which shares similar physical terrains, natural resources, and cultural characteristics

Three Characteristics of Culture Regions 1.Physical terrain 2.Natural resources 3.Culture

Physical Terrain Climate & Landforms

Natural Resources Plant and animal life

Culture everything that makes up the way of life of a people Shelter Tools Language Clothing Arts Religion Government

10 Culture Regions 1.Arctic 2.Subarctic 3.Northwest Coast 4.Plateau 5.Great Basin 6. California 7. Southwest 8. Great Plains 9. Northeast 10. Southeast

Arctic Physical Terrain Large, treeless plains, called tundra, Frozen and snow-covered Winters are long and severe Blizzards Natural Resources Little vegetation Dogs, used for hunting and hauling Sea mammals major food source (seals, sea lions, sea otters, walruses, and whales) Other game (polar bears, musk oxen, mountain sheep, wolves, wolverines, foxes, rabbits squirrels, and waterfowl.

Subarctic Physical Terrain Mostly interior (except Hudson Bay & Pacific coast) Thick pine forests Thousands of lakes, ponds, swamps, rivers, and streams Long winters with deep snow and thick ice Short summers Natural Resources Caribou Large game (moose, deer, musk oxen, mountain sheep, bison) Small game (beaver, mink, otter, porcupine, rabbit, squirrel, and waterfowl) Seeds, berries, bark

Northwest Coast Physical Terrain Narrow coastal region Cool & damp climate with mild wet winters and cool summers Thick forests Many rivers Mountains Evergreen forests Natural Resources Lots of food source: seals, sea lions, and fish (salmon, halibut, herring, cod, and flounder) Hunted whales Hunt deer, elk, bear, and mountain goat They learned to dry their meat and fish with smoke

Plateau Physical Terrain High plateau region, surrounded by desert & mountains Rivers Natural Resources Small game Wild plants (berries & edible roots) Fish (Salmon) Large game in the mountains (elk, deer, mountain sheep, bear)

Great Basin Natural Resources Sparse vegetation Very little resources Small game Foragers Physical Terrain Very dry Surrounded by mountains, plateaus, & deserts

California Physical Terrain Mountain ranges & Pacific coastal regions Forest & deserts Mild climate, with many warm days Varied rainfall Natural Resources Acorns from oak trees Wild plants (berries, nuts, seeds, roots) Fish, seafood, small game, birds, deer

Southwest Physical Terrain Mesas and canyons, Mountains, deserts Few rains Natural Resources Evergreens (mountains), cactus Small game (rabbits, birds, and rattlesnakes)

Great Plains Physical Terrain Large inland region Rolling, fertile tall-grass prairies Summers are typically hot and dry, and winters are long and harsh. Natural Resources American bison (buffalo) Farmers Berries

Northeast Physical Terrain Temperate & humid climate Hundreds of rivers, creating rich soil for agriculture. Widespread forests *** Sometimes the area is grouped with the Southeast culture area and referred to as the Eastern Woodlands. Natural Resources Animals (a variety of game, large and small: fish, deer, rabbit, squirrel, beaver, and various birds, such as turkey, partridge, duck, and goose; also hunted moose, elk, and bear)

Southeast Physical Terrain Semitropical Humid and well-watered Saltwater marshes, grasses, rich soils, swamplands, rounded hills, high grass, and rolling mountains Natural Resources Forests of pine trees Animals (deer, squirrel, birds, fish)