Alabama’s Natural Environment Chapter 2

Lesson 1 – Alabama’s Regions Our state has many different kinds of landforms. The green areas on the map are the lowest points. The brown areas on the map are the highest points.

Our 5 Regions Highland Rim region- 1.Located in the northwestern corner of Alabama 2.Land is hilly 3.It is to the west of the Appalachian Mountains

Our 5 Regions Cumberland Plateau region- 1.Located southeast of the Highland Rim 2.Has plateaus, which are large areas of flat land that are higher than the land around it 3.It has the Appalachian Mountains

Our 5 Regions Ridge and Valley region- 1.Located east of the Cumberland Plateau 2.Jagged and uneven land 3.It has valleys and sharp mountain ridges 4.The city of Birmingham is in this region

Our 5 Regions Piedmont region- 1.Located south and east of the first 3 regions 2.Similar in height to the Cumberland Plateau, but lower than the Ridge and Valley 3.It has Cheaha Mountain, the highest point in the state

Our 5 Regions Coastal Plain region- 1.The largest landform region in Alabama 2.Forests in the northern part, sandy soils in the southern part, and rich farmland in between 3.Mainly flat land

Lesson 2 – Alabama’s Rivers We have three main river systems –Alabama – Coosa – Tallapoosa –Tennessee –Black Warrior – Tombigbee Fun Fact: The French explorer who suggested connecting the Tennessee and Tombigbee Rivers was Marquis Montcalm

River Systems Two of Alabama’s river systems are connected by the Tennessee – Tombigbee Waterway, which is an important trade route between the Midwest and the Gulf of Mexico. This area of Alabama is known for great soil and is called the Black Belt.

Dams were built to hold back water and to control the flow Generators in the dams use the power of the water to produce electricity This is called hydroelectric power

Some Water Dams in Alabama

Lesson 3 – Alabamians and the Environment We have many natural resources Natural resources are things in the environment that people can use. –Water –Soil –Forests

Natural Resources Our temperate climate and rich soil is good for farming. It helps them have a long growing season. Our major crops are –Corn –Soybeans –Peanuts

Natural Resources Trees are an important resource in Alabama They provide wood, which is a raw material A raw material is something that is changed so that people can use it

Natural Resources People in Alabama have changed the natural environment There is now less farmland, and forests are being cut down to make new houses There are groups in Alabama that are trying to conserve, or save, our natural environment

George Washington Carver He found that peanuts and sweet potatoes grew well in Alabama and invented many different uses for them. He developed 118 products from sweet potatoes and he helped make Alabama a leader in peanuts.