PRE-AP GEOGRAPHY CHAPTER 5 –THE UNITED STATES Geographic Regions of the USA

5.1PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

The United States is the third largest country in the world (Russia & Canada) I. The USA has 3 major physical geographical regions with unique features A. THE EAST AND THE SOUTH – low area, which is flat and close to sea level 1. Atlantic Coastal Plain - Flat, close to sea level moving west it rises to a higher level called the Piedmont 2. Appalachian Mountains - Main mountain range in the East; millions of years of erosion so that highest peak is about 6,700 feet (Mount Mitchell, NC 6,664 feet)

B. INTERIOR PLAINS- Filled with hills, lakes, and rivers 1. Great Lakes - The largest group of freshwater lakes in the world; important for trade between the United States and Canada. 2. Mississippi River - North America’s longest and most important river it has many a. tributaries - smaller streams or rivers that flow into a larger stream or river (Missouri and Ohio). These rivers deposit rich silt that creates the fertile farmlands of the Interior Plains. 3. Great Plains - At higher elevation has vast areas of grasslands

C. WEST – Where several of the country’s most rugged mountain ranges are located 1. Rocky Mountains - Enormous rugged mountain ranges that rise above 14,000 feet (Mount Elbert, CO 14,440 feet) 2. Continental Divide - A line of high peaks in the Rocky Mountains. A continental divide - an area of high ground that divides the flow of rivers towards opposite ends of a continent. Rivers to the east empty into the Mississippi River and to the west into the Pacific Ocean. 3. Alaska & Hawaii - At 20,320 feet, Alaska’s Mount McKinley is the highest mountain in North America. Hawaii formed by volcanoes millions of years ago.

II. CLIMATES A. Climate of the East and South region 1. Northeast: Humid continental climate with snowy winters and warm, humid summers. 2. South: Humid subtropical climate with milder winters and warm, humid summers. Florida: Warm all year B. Climate of the Interior Plains region 1. Most of the region: A humid continental climate 2. Great Plains: Hot and dry summers

C. Climate of the West region 1. West: Mostly dry 2. Pacific Northwest coast: A wet, mild coastal climate 3. Alaska: Sub-arctic and tundra climates 4. Hawaii: A warm, tropical climate The United States

III. RESOURCES A. The USA is rich in natural resources such as farmland, oil, forests, and minerals. Alaska, California, Texas & Louisiana: oil The U.S. is a major oil producer but uses more oil than it produces. Appalachians and Rockies: minerals including coal. Coal supplies the energy for more than half of the electricity produced in the U.S. The U.S. has about 25 percent of the world’s coal reserves. Forests: lumber Farmlands: wheat, corn, soybeans, cotton, fruits, and vegetables

PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY The Big Idea The United States is a large country with diverse physical features, climates, and resources Main Ideas Major physical features of the United States include mountains, rivers, and plains. The climate of the United States is wetter in the East and South and drier in the West. The United States is rich in natural resources such as farmland, oil, forests, and minerals.

5.2 CULTURE

I. The people of the U.S. are very diverse A. European Descendants - About 7 out of every 10 people B. African Americans - African Americans live in every region, but southern states and many large cities have a higher percentage. C. Hispanic Americans - Many came from Mexico, Cuba, and other Latin American countries. Most live in the southwestern states that border Mexico. D. Asian Americans - Live mostly in the west E. Native Americans - For thousands of years, Native Americans were the only people in the Americas. Today most live in the west, particularly in Arizona and New Mexico. Do you think TMS represents the cultural make-up of the U.S. as a whole? Explain.

II. CULTURE A. Language After English, Spanish is the most widely spoken language. About 17 million Americans speak Spanish. Over 50 million are bilingual, or speak two languages. B. Religion Most people are Christians. Some are Jewish or Muslim. A small percentage is Hindu or Buddhist. Many religious holidays: Christianity – Christmas & Easter; Judaism - Hanukkah, Yom Kippur, & Rosh Hashanah; Islam - Ramadan and the feast called ‘Id al-Fitr African Americans also celebrate Kwanzaa, a holiday that is based on a traditional African festival.

C. Food & Music Diverse ethnic foods like Mexican tacos, Italian pasta, or Japanese sushi are now part of the American diet. Music from around the world have also influenced American culture. American musical styles include blues, jazz, rock, and hip hop. D. Popular Culture American culture, such as movies, television programs, and sports, are popular abroad. Examples - Star Wars seen by millions, baseball in Japan, Starbucks in almost every major city, and an MTV channel in Asia

CULTURE Big Idea The people and culture of the United States are very diverse. We didn't start the fire

Complete the chart on page 140 (#3)

Complete the map zone activity on page 131 and the graphic organizer on page 132 (#3). Complete both of these on your 5.2 notes.

5.3 THE UNITED STATES TODAY

I.The United States is grouped into four regions today A. The Northeast - Industrial and financial centers. Economy: banks, investment firms, insurance companies, respected universities. Rich farmland, coal, steel production, and fishing. 1. Most densely populated region in the U.S. with 40 million people. Cities from Boston to Washington, D.C. form a megalopolis, or a string of large cities that have grown together. Cities founded in colonial era became important seaports.

B. The South - Rich farmlands grow cotton, tobacco, and citrus fruit. This region is becoming more urban and industrialized. Atlanta metropolis has grown from 1 million in 1960 to 4 million today. Research Triangle in North Carolina is growing high-tech area. Texas Gulf Coast and lower Mississippi Rover areas have huge oil refineries and petrochemical plants. Important trade centers with Mexico and Central and South American countries. E.g., Miami

C. The Midwest - One of the most productive farming regions in the world Crops: corn, wheat, and soybeans. Dairy farms in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota Major cities are located near the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers and the Great Lakes because products are easily shipped to and from these centers. Detroit, Michigan, is the country’s leading automobile producer. Chicago, Illinois, is the third largest city in the nation.

D. The West - Large open spaces with major cities on the Pacific Coast More than 10 percent of the nation lives in California, where farming, technology, and entertainment are important industries. Economy of other states: ranching and growing wheat. Mineral resources: coal, oil, gold, silver, copper, and others Oregon and Washington: forestry and fishing Seattle: Washington’s largest city with many industries. Alaska: oil, forests, and fish Hawaii: pineapple, sugarcane, and tourism

II. Economy - Largest economy in the world. Many natural resources, modern technologies, and jobs Beneficial trade with Canada, Mexico, China, Japan, and Europe 1992: The North American Free Trade Agreement, NAFTA, has made trade easier with Mexico and Canada. The United States has a strong economy and a powerful military but is facing the challenge of world terrorism. What type of economy would you say the U.S. has? Why ?

III. Military A powerful military to protect the U.S. Helps other countries defend themselves IV. Terrorism September 11, 2001: Terrorists hijacked four American jets and crashed them into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. A. The hijackers wanted to disrupt the U.S. economy with terrorism, or violent attacks that cause fear. President George W. Bush declared war on terrorism and established the Department of Homeland Security.

The U.S. sent forces to Afghanistan to kill or capture members of al Qaeda, a terrorist group, and established a new democratic government in the country. 2003: Bush believed Iraq was another threat and ordered an invasion of Iraq. B. World leaders are working with the U.S. to combat terrorism. 9/11 World Tribute to 9/11