The Geography of the Americas Continent

Learning about America thru maps. Topographic map = shows the main features of the terrain. It shows the shapes of the continents, the mountains, and the rivers. Example in the topographic map p.44 you can see 3 major mountain systems in America and 2 biggest rivers North America topographical map Mountain SystemLocation Rocky mountainsCanada to South of the U.S (entire west coast North America) Sierra MadreMexico and Central America Andes MountainsNorth Colombia to South Chile ( South America) RiverLocation Mississippi- Missouri River North America Amazon RiverSouth America

Thematic map Maps that show an idea or concept. These maps use visual aids such as colors or symbols. Great tool but only show part of the information. Example page 45 of your textbook Maps shows the languages spoken in the American Continent 3 most spoken are Spanish, English and Portuguese. Few others languages: French, Dutch, Mayan Example thematic map

Class Work: American Continent Project Groups of 2 Students research about a country in the American Continent of their preference. The research will be done in the library. Once your choose a country look for facts about the country such as population, culture, food, geography, climate. Write the information down and when we come back to the classroom groups will create a poster. The poster must include the facts from your research and images or drawings that represents the country

Natural regions Rain Forest and Savannas are found in the tropics. Area between tropic of Cancer and Capricorn Rain Forest – -Climate is hot and humid all year long. -Rainfall is abundant -Tall trees Savannas - hot but not always rainy - rainy season and dry season - small trees, bushes and tall grasses

Forest and Prairies – found in the temperate climates. Forest - Trees whose leaves fall of the winter and grow back in the summer. -Animals such as deer and bears Prairies -Abundant grass -hot dry summers and very cold winters - usually use to raise cattle

Steppe and desert are regions that have dry climates. Steppe -Grasses and bushes grow in steppe -The soil is dry -Trees grow close too bodies of water -Temperature vary even through the day Desert -Very hot and dry -Long periods without rainfall -formed by sand and some by gravel, or small stone -Cactus and other plants can grow.

The Tundra and Taiga are the coldest zones on the planet. -On the northern regions of the earth -long winters -Pine trees are found -Is very common in Russia Tundra -Is the coldest region on Earth -Long winters -Even thought it snows very little, its so cold that the soil is frozen most of the year.