1. US and Canada: Physical Geography

2. Physical Features
The two countries share many physical characteristics.
Much of the area is dominated by grassy plains and mountain chains.

3. Mountain Ranges Eastern North America the Appalachian Mountains
Western North America dominated by the Rocky Mountains
Also the Pacific Ranges: Sierra Nevada, Coast Range, and Cascades

4. Plains Coastal Plains near Atlantic Ocean and Gulf Coast
Great Plains between Appalachian Mts. and Rocky Mts.
From the South by the Gulf of Mexico all the way up to the icy tundra in Canada

5. Rivers Mississippi River is the largest on the continent.
Ohio and Missouri Rivers are tributaries of the Miss. River.
Other major rivers include the Colorado, Columbia, Saint Lawrence, Yukon, and the Rio Grande

6. Major Bodies of Water
Bering Sea and Bering Strait separate North America and Asia
Gulf of Mexico made up of Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean
North America has 8 of the world’s 12 largest freshwater lakes
Including the 5 Great Lakes
Also has one major saltwater lake

7. Canadian Shield Also known as the Laurentian Plateau
Huge expanse of igneous rock (comes from volcanoes) covered by a thin layer of soil
Gives us an idea of how the northern portion of the United States was formed

8. Climate and Vegetation Polar Zones
Polar Climate
Northern Canada and Alaska
Winters are long and cold, summers short and cool
Tundra has very little vegetation
Pine forests toward the southern portion of Canada

9. Climate and Vegetation Temperate Zones
Temperate Climate
Most of Canada and the United States
Humid climates with year-round precipitation
Trees vary from broadleaf trees to pine forests dependent on region
Some of the world’s largest trees found in the Pacific Northwest
Prairies used mostly for ranching and farming

10. Climate and Vegetation Tropical Zones
Tropical Climate
Southern states
Humid and dry in the southeast
Arid and dry in the southwest
Palm trees grow in the coastal areas of California, Florida, and Hawaii
Southwest portion of United States filled with desert vegetation

11. Weather Experiences most types of natural disasters
Volcanoes along the Pacific Coast
Droughts in the Southwest
Tornados in the central plains
Hurricanes/Tropical Storms along the Gulf and East Coast
Floods in areas with lots of rainfall/rivers
Heavy snow/avalanches in mountainous areas

12. Today’s Activity
Use today to work on the physical features side of the map.
Any spare time, use to work on the atlas work you got on your way in!

13. What is this?
Where is this located?
Why is it significant to the people who live near it?

14. Where in the World Wednesday?
Niagara Falls
Found on the border between Ontario and New York
Naturally created
When: since the creation of the Earth
Why: Three waterfalls off of the Niagara River which drains into the Great Lakes. The Niagara River developed when the Great Lakes (which used to be part of a glacier during the Ice Age) overflowed.
Used for hydroelectric power

15. Resources Water Land Mineral and Fossil Fuels
Allow for shipping and fishing industries to be successful
Land
North America is the leading food exporter in the world.
Lots of woodlands and lumber resources
Mineral and Fossil Fuels
Valuable deposits of iron ore, nickel, copper, and gold
Natural gas/oil and coal deposits allow for energy producing resources to come from within