1. U.S. AND CANADA PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

2. Overview  In total area, both the U.S. and Canada are among the largest countries in the world.  Canada is the 2 nd largest country  The U.S. is the 3 rd largest country  Together, these 2 countries fill 1/8 of the land surface on earth

3. Natural Resources  The U.S. and Canada are very rich in natural resources.  They have fertile soils, plentiful supplies of water, vast forests, and large deposits of minerals  Both countries are leading agricultural and industrial nations because of their abundance of natural resources.

4. Natural Resources  Examine the map of the U.S. and Canada’s resources on pg. 120 and answer the following questions: 1) What resources seem to appear the most in the U.S.? 2) Which energy resource is more widespread in Canada than in the U.S.? Why is this? 3) What are some advantages Canada and the U.S. may have as a result of their abundant resources?

6. Landforms  The U.S. and Canada have many different types of landforms. Refer to the map on pg. 118 and answer the following questions: 1) What are two U.S. states and two Canadian provinces found in the Great Plains region? 2) Which U.S. state and which Canadian province seem to have the most diverse physical landforms?

8. Features of Canadian and U.S. Landforms Rocky MountainsGreat PlainsCanadian ShieldAppalachian Mountains Western mountain chain Mostly treeless areaRocky and FlatEastern mountain chain Extends 3,000 miles from New Mexico to Alaska 4,000 feet above sea- level Lies in northeast Canada 1,600 miles from Alabama to Newfoundland Its highest point is called the “Continental Divide” Runs from southern Texas up through southern Canada Covers about 1.8 million square miles Includes the Green, Catskill, and Smoky Mountains 80 million years oldIts fertile soil allows crops to grow in abundance Encircles the Hudson Bay 400 million years old

9. Bodies of Water  The U.S. and Canada possess ample water resources.  They are bordered by 3 oceans: Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic. The U.S. is also bordered by the Gulf of Mexico.  As a result, both countries have important shipping, fishing, and trade industries.  Both countries have large rivers and lakes that serve as sources of transportation, hydroelectric power, irrigation, fresh water, and fisheries.  The continent’s longest and busiest river system is the Mississippi- Missouri-Ohio  8 of the world’s largest lakes are found in this region. Among these are the 5 Great Lakes: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior.