North America: From Coast to Coast: Chapter 3 Section 1

1) The Atlantic Coastal Plain From the Gulf of Mexico to the east coast of North America. Much rich farmland Some swamps and wetlands.

2) The Appalachian Mountains: 400 million year old mountains West of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. Rounded mountains. – Weathered and worn down over the years

3) The Central Lowlands: West of the Appalachian Mts. Generally flat Rich soil – Lots of farming

4) The Great Plains: Grasslands with few trees Between the Central Lowlands and the Rocky Mountains Rich soil – Lots of farmers Raise cattle

5) The Rocky Mountains and Coastal Ranges Highest mountain range in North America From Mexico to Alaska Includes: – The Rocky Mountains, the Sierra Nevada, the Cascade and the Coast Mountains (Canada)

6) Intermountain Region: Between the Rocky Mountains and the western coastal mountains. A dry desert with plateaus and basins – The Grand Canyon Ranchers raise cattle and sheep

7) Canadian Shield: Covers most of Greenland, the Hudson Bay and to the Great Lakes. Rich with minerals – Iron, gold, copper and uranium Most of the land can’t be farmed Very few people live here.

8) Waterways: North America has an extensive (LARGE) river system. The longest: – USA: Mississippi and the Missouri – Canada: Mackenzie River The rivers are used for water, food, power and transportation

9) The Middle Latitudes: Most of the USA and Canada is located in the middle latitudes of the northern hemisphere. – Between the cold Arctic Circle and the hot Equator – Temperate climate (means: not too hot, not too cold) Plants and animals can survive here. Rich soil means farmers can grow enough crops to feed large populations

10) An Isolated Continent: North America is almost completely surrounded by water: Arctic Ocean Gulf of Mexico Pacific Ocean Atlantic Ocean

10) An Isolated Continent: (continued) These waters isolated (means: no one disturbed it) North America: – Unique plants like the giant sequoia and the saguaro cactus

10) An Isolated Continent: (continued) – Unique animals like the bald eagle and American alligator

11) Crossing Barriers: When people learned to build better ships they discovered America They brought new animals and plants with them – Sometimes destroying the native ones The oceans still kept North America safe during the two world wars Today, satellites, internet and airplanes connect people quickly

Homework! Assignment: Chapter 3 Section 1 #1,2,3a and 3b Finish Geography Terms Worksheet