1. Physical Geography of the US and Canada Chapter 5 section One and Two

2. Review Political Map: page 120

3. Review Physical Map: page 122

4. The Land of US and Canada

5. Land in the West Mountains here are younger and sharp edged The Pacific Ranges were created when tectonic plates collided millions of years ago pushing up a series of sharp peaked mts – include the Sierra Nevada –the Cascade Range –the Coast Range –the Alaska Range which contains the highest pt on the continent Mt McKinley (20,320 ft) the Rocky Mountains –Grew as geologic forces pushed slabs of rock upward – link the US and Canada –3000 miles long from New Mexico to Alaska Areas between the Pacific Ranges and the Rockies –Dry basins and plateaus –Includes the Columbia Plateau which was formed by lava that seeped from cracks in the earth –Also includes the Colorado Plateau which is heavily eroded and contains flat topped mesas and the majestic Grand Canyon (at its deepest its 6000 ft) –it also includes the Great Basin which cradles Death Valley=the lowest place in the US –The plateaus found in Canada are colder and narrower than in the US

6. Land in the Center of US and Canada The GREAT PLAINS –Found to the East of the Rockies to the Mississippi River –300 to 700 miles across center of the region – in some places it slopes downward to the Central Lowlands along the Mississippi River

7. Land in the Eastern Portions of US and Canada Mountains here are older and worn and lower than those in east East of the Mississippi the land rises slowly into the foothills of the Appalachian Mts. Appalachian Mountains –Heavily eroded –Oldest mts in NA –Second longest range (1500 miles from Alabama to Quebec) –formed by powerful upheavals within the Earth’s crust and shaped over time by ice and running water The Canadian Shield –At edge of the Canadian plains – giant core of rock centered on the Hudson and James Bays – stony land makes up the eastern half of Canada and the northeastern US – it descends into Hudson Bay The coastal lowlands –East and south of the Appalachians The Piedmont –b/t the mts and the coastal lowlands –Wide area of rolling hills with many rivers cutting through it Coastal Plains –Gulf Coastal Plain westward to Texas –Atlantic Coastal Plains in the Carolinas

8. Islands of this portion of North America Hawaiian Islands –Volcanic –With each eruption lava accumulated on the floor of the ocean until it pushed through the water’s surface –8 major and 124 smaller islands Greenland –Is an example of a continental island which is an unsubmerged part of the continental shelf –Territory of Denmark –World’s largest island Important islands for Canada –Newfoundland –Prince Edward Island –Cape Breton Island –Vancouver Island Important Island for US is Manhattan Island at mouth of the Hudson River which is a major US and world economic center

9. Water Systems of US and Canada

10. Why are waterways important to the US and Canada? Makes them prosperous ($$$$$) Satisfies needs of cities and rural areas Provides power for homes and industries Moves resources across the continent

11. The Continental Divide A divide is a high point or ridge that determines the direction in which rivers flow This one is a high ridge of the Rockies in North America It is also referred to as the Great Divide Waters east of the Divide flow towards THE ARCTIC OCEAN, HUDSON BAY, THE ATLANTIC OCEAN AND THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER (WHICH EMPTIES INTO THE GULF OF MEXICO) Waters west of the Divide flow towards PACIFIC OCEAN.

12. Headwaters These are the source of rivers RIVERS SUCH AS COLORADO AND RIO GRANDE HAVE THEIR’S IN THE ROCKIES

13. Tributaries Are SMALLER RIVERS AND STREAMS MANY CONNECT to major rivers

14. Mississippi River Flows 2350 miles from its source It begins in Minnesota as a stream so narrow you can jump across it At its widest it is 1.5 miles when it dumps into the Gulf of Mexico This river is responsible for draining over 1,200,000 miles of land including all or part of 31 states and 2 provinces This is one of world’s biggest commercial waterways

15. Fall Line A boundary in eastern US Where the higher land of the Piedmont drops to the lower Atlantic coastal plains Along this eastern rivers break into rapids and waterfalls This blocks ships from traveling further inland MAP STUDY QUESTIONS: 1 and 2

16. St Lawrence River In Canada 750 miles long From Lake Ontario to the Gulf of St Lawrence in the Atlantic Ocean Forms part of the border b/t Canada and US Provinces of Quebec, Montreal, and Ottawa grew up along this Much of Canada depend on these waters for trade

17. Niagara Falls Formed by the Niagara River which dumps into Lake Ontario Forms another part of the border b’t US and Canada Two separate drops form the falls the Horseshoe and the American These falls are a major source of hydroelectric power for both countries

18. The Great Lakes and its connectors to the Atlantic Ocean Created by glaciers Large deposits of coal, iron, and other minerals are found near the lakes This has meant lots of development of industries and urban growth Because are linked to the Atlantic Ocean this helps make cities along the Great Lakes powerful trade and industrial centers Lakes are linked to Atlantic Ocean by series of canals, St Lawrence and other inland waterways Because these waterways connect inland and coastal waterways they have helped the development of North America

19. Natural Resources

20. Benefit of Resources There is an abundance of natural resources found in the US and Canada This makes these nations wealthy These resources and the areas that they are found in need protection Access to this natural wealth has helped speed industrialization.

21. Water Ample freshwater is one of many natural resources

22. Fossil fuels Formed in the Earth from buried plant and animal remains of a previous geologic time 100s of millions of years ago Coal, petroleum, and natural gas Petroleum and natural gas are important energy sources for these nations Texas and Alaska rank first and second in petroleum reserves in the US Texas also has the greatest reserves of natural gas Most of Canada’s petroleum and natural gas reserves lie in or near Alberta Coal be found in the Appalachians, Alaska is also a potential source of more fossil fuels CONCERN: FIND THEM BUT DO NOT DISTRUPT THE ENVIRONMENTS IN WHICH THEY ARE FOUND

23. Minerals Minerals are found in the Rockies –Gold – silver –copper the Canadian Shield –iron and nickel – 28% of the world’s supply of potash (a mineral salt used in fertilizers) –18% copper – 14% gold –12% silver Iron ore in Minnesota and Michigan Damage to Environment by Mining –Involves heavy equipment – uses large amts of water, – moves a great deal of rock and other natural materials –this can mean damage to land, water, and air Solution –Finding ways to remove the minerals and metal resources with the least disruption of the surrounding ecosystems –Restore land once used in mining and make it into wildlife parks, tree farms and orchards, public hunting and fishing areas and grazing livestock

24. Timber Timber is vital resources for US and Canada Forestland uses –-timber production –Land investment –part of farms –-recreation –farm and domestic use –-part of residence –Enjoyment of owning Makes up little less than 50% of Canada 33% of US (used to be a lot more) Damages to Environment –commercial lumber operations need to harvest responsibly –Renewable but only if protected Solutions –replant trees to replace –protect animals native to forest –preserve old growth forests

25. Fishing Fisheries are places for catching fish and other sea animals Located along coastal waters of Atlantic, Pacific and the Gulf of Mexico The Grand Banks in Canada was most richest fishing grounds but overfishing in recent years depleted stock rapidly so that cod fishing is now banned Aquaculture –Fish farming –New economic activity –Created in response to new laws protecting species that have been over or are being over fished

26. Climate and Vegetation of US, Canada and Greenland

27. US and Canada has a variety of climates because of its Latitudes elevations location to bodies of water.

28. Southern Climates Being close to the coast as well as prevailing winds makes these areas warm and wet or warm and dry Types of Climates found in Southern US –Subtropical –Tropical –Desert –Mediterranean Found b/t 25 degrees N and 40 degrees N

29. Warm and Wet Southern Climates Humid subtropical climate is found in the SOUTHEAST. –RAINY –LONG MUGGY SUMMERS –Mild WINTERS –THERE IS NO DRY SEASON BECAUSE IT BORDERS THE ATLANTIC OCEAN AND THE GULF OF MEXICO –VEGETATION: DECIDUS FORESTS BUT MUCH HAS BEEN CLEARED FOR FARMING –The Everglades are WETLANDS AND SWAMPS IN FLORIDA that HAVE A GREAT VARIETY OF VEGETATION AND WILDLIFE –HURRICANES are a threat to this region IN THE LATE SUMMER AND EARLY AUTUMN OCEAN STORMS 100S OF MILES WIDE WITH WINDS 74 MILES PER HOUR AND HIGHER HIT THE COASTLINES ONLY THE EXTREME SOUTHERN TIP OF FLORIDA of the southeast HAS A DRY SEASON IN WINTER HAWAII ABOUT 2400 MILES OFF COAST OF MAINLAND AND PUERTO RICO HAVE TROPICAL WET CLIMATES WITH LUSH RAIN FORESTS

30. Warm and Dry Southern Climates The rain shadow effect causes this type of climate when dry air moves down the leeward side of mountains PLATEAUS AND BASINS B/T THE PACIFIC RANGES AND ROCKIES Have HOT AND DRY WITH ISSUES FOR WATER SUPPLIES MUCH OF THIS AREA IS STEPPE OR DESERT An example is Death Valley –Is in the Great Basin in Nevada and has highest temperature ever recorded in the US (134 degrees) Mediterranean climate –In central and southern California –Has mild wet winters –Hot dry summers –Vegetation is drought resistant woodland of twisted hard leafed trees and chaparral (shrubs) which needs regular burning but have to be caregul with the Santa Ana winds which blow down the mats from inland plateaus

31. Northern Climates THIS IS MOST OF THE continuous US AND THE SOUTHERN 1/3 OF CANADA FROM ABOUT 40 TO 50 DEGREES N LATITUDE EXPERIENCES VARIATIONS IN CLIMATE AND VEGETATION FROM HOT AND HUMID TO COOL AND WET

32. The Great Plains (interior northern climate) FAR FROM BODIES OF WATER THAT KEEP TEMPERATURES MODERATE THE GREAT PLAINS IN CENTER OF THE CONTINENT HAS A HUMID CONTINENTAL CLIMATE WITH BITTERLY COLD WINTERS AND HOT SUMMERS Where is moisture and warmth or cold coming from: NOT FROM= WESTERN MTS which BLOCK MOISTURE BEARING PACIFIC WINDS GETS WARM MOIST WINDS THAT BLOW NORTH ALONG THE ROCKIES FROM THE GULD OF MEXICO AND COLD MOIST WINDS THAT BLOW SOUTH FROM THE ARCTIC Vegetation on Great Plains –PRARIES NATURALLY TREELESS EXPANSES OF GRASSES ARE COMMON –RAINFALL FROM 10 TO 30 INCHES KEEPS THE GRASSES TALL 6 TO 12 FT –CAN GROW AS MUCH AS HALF AN INCH A DAY Weather Phenomena –TORNADOES/ VIOLENT SPRING AND SUMMER THUNDERSTORMS CALLED SUPERCELLS OFTEN SPAWN THESE TWISTING FUNNELS OF AIR WITH WINDS THAT CAN REACH 300 MILES PER HOUR In the 1930s –SETTLERS BROKE UP THE DENSELY PACKED SOD TO GROW CROPS –DRY WEATHER HIT IN THE 30S AND WINDS ERODED THE TOPSOIL REDUCING FARMLANDS IN SEVERAL STATES TO A BARREN WASTELAND CALLED THE DUST BOWL –IT COULDN’T OF HIT A WORSE TIME: THE GREAT DEPRESSION –MANY PEOPLE LEFT THE AREA AND MIGRATED TO THE WEST (THIS IS WHEN LA GOT BIG) –SINCE THE 1930S FARMING AND CONSERVATION METHODS HAVE RESTORED THE SOIL

33. Closer to West Coast Interior Climates STEPPE CLIMATE WITH MIXTURE OF VEGETATION DEPENDING ON LATITUDE OR ELEVATION THESE TYPICALLY OCCUR B/T AREAS of DRY DESERT CLIMATES AND HUMID INTERIOR CLIMATES ELEVATION gives the higher reaches of the Rockies and Pacific Ranges a highland climate. Vegetation –CONIFEROUS FORESTS COVER MIDDLE ELEVATIONS –THE TIMBERLINE IS THE ELEVATION ABOVE WHICH TREES CANNOT GROW AND LINCHENS AND MOSSES GROW THERE Dry wind called the CHINOOK (shuh nuk) blows down the eastern slopes of the Rockies melting the snow

34. Coastal Northern Climates Marine west coast climate is found on the Pacific coast Caused by ocean currents and westerly winds this is from northern California to southern Alaska The mt barrier forces the warm wet ocean air upward where it cools and releases moisture Receive more than 100 inches per year Winters: overcast and rainy Summers: cloudless and cool Ferns, mosses, and coniferous forests grow here

35. High Latitude Climates Subarctic climate Tundra

36. Subarctic Large parts of Canada and Alaska lie in these areas frigid winters Temperatures in these regions can reach NEGATIVE 70 DEGREES F A HIGH ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE AREA THAT LINGERS OVER THE CANADIAN SUBARCTIC SPAWNS COLD WINDS THAT CHILL MUCH OF US DURING WINTER Experience Blizzards –MANY PARTS OF NORTHERN NA EXPERIENCE THESE –WITH WINDS OF MORE THAN 35 MILES AN HOUR –WITH BLOWING SNOW –VISIBILITY OF LESS THAN 13 to 20 FEET –Last FOR 3 HOURS OR MORE!

37. Tundra Lands along the Arctic coast BITTER WINDS COOL SUMMERS VAST EXPANSE OF WILDERNESS MAKE IT INHOSPITABLE FOR MOST PLANTS AND FEW PEOPLE LIVE THERE

38. Greenland’s Climate Few people live here Along the coasts –Sparse tundra vegetation of cotton grass and lichens Only a small area is ice free area –have few trees –drawfed birch, willow, and alder scrubs do survive Interior parts have ice cap climate –layers of snow and ice often more than 2 miles deep that constantly cover the ground –Only vegetation is lichens

39. Essay Questions Label physical map of US and Canada Why are the water sources for the US and Canada so important? Explain TWO reasons. (3 pts each) List three other natural resources that are found in large amounts in the US and Canada.(2 pts each) Pick one and explain some environmental concerns connected to using this resource.(2 pts) In your opinion is it more important to protect the environment for the future or to protect the economy at the present time.(2 pts) Explain your answer.(3 pts)