1. Regions of the United States
Understanding how and why our land is divided up into regions

2. What are regions?
a region is a group of places that have something in common
a region is an area with common features that set it apart from other areas

3. Why do we have regions?
The Earth is so large, geographers break it up into regions to study.
All regions consist of common physical and human characteristics
Understanding regions helps us understand why certain things happen where they do

4. Review: Physical Characteristics
What is a physical characteristic?
features that occur naturally on Earth
Examples: mountains, valleys, oceans, lakes

5. Review: Human Characteristics
What is a human characteristic?
features that describe people or things that people build
Example: religion, jobs, roads, homes, cities, etc.

6. Think-Pair-Share-Compare
Think to yourself for a minute: if our classroom was divided up into regions, what regions would there be? Why?
Pair with another classmate to discuss and compare your ideas. Come up with an answer together.
Share with the class what regions you think our class should be divided into
Compare our answers. Why were some alike and some different?

7. US Physical Map
Source: mypages.valdosta.edu

8. US Climate Map
Source: grayduckgarlic.com

9. US Precipitation Map
Source: bumperscollege.uark.edu

10. US Population Density Map
Source: learnnc.org

11. US Economics Map
Source: gurufocus.com

12. US Time Zone Map
Source: imagekb.com

13. US Political Affiliation Map
Source: theguardian.com

14. US Baseball Map
Source: harvardsportsanalysis.wordpress.com

15. Activity 1:
In groups of 3, use the blank US map provided to you to divide the United States into regions. You can use any of the maps I have shown you to help you, or come up with ideas of your own. Label each region and explain why you have chosen to divide the country in this way.
Once your map is completed, get together with another group and compare your maps. What is similar? What is different? Whose map is a more effective and useful division of the country?
Present your maps to the class, explaining your choices.

16. US Regions Map

17. Northeast Region Physical Characteristics Human Characteristics
Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont
Physical Characteristics
Human Characteristics
bordered by Atlantic Ocean
tall grasses
four distinct seasons
plentiful forests
America's first colonies
seafood industry
historic places-tourism
contains nation's capital Washington DC
farming-apples, cherries, peaches, cranberries

18. Southeast Region Physical Characteristics Human Characteristics
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia
Physical Characteristics
Human Characteristics
low mountains and rolling hills
majority of Appalachian Mountains
lots of trees and variety of plants
little snow in Florida and Louisiana
bordered by Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico
tourism to big cities (Orlando, Atlanta, New Orleans, Nashville, Louisville, etc.
many cash crops grown- tobacco, sugar, cotton, soybeans, fruit, nuts
lots of music originated here

19. Midwest Region Physical Characteristics Human Characteristics
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin
Physical Characteristics
Human Characteristics
Very flat land-Great Plains
four distinct seasons
tornados common
grasslands with few trees
mostly ranches and farmland
known as "Bread Basket of the World" because of all the wheat grown here
known as "Cornbelt" because of all the corn grown here

20. West Region Physical Characteristics Human Characteristics
California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming
Physical Characteristics
Human Characteristics
bordered by Pacific Ocean
rocky shorelines
many forests
Rocky Mountains
Great Basin-desert area (largest desert in US)
large cities: Seattle, Las Vegas, LA, Denver, etc.
fishing a big sport
outdoor sports-skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, surfing
Yellowstone National Park

21. Southwest Region Physical Characteristics Human Characteristics
Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Texas
Physical Characteristics
Human Characteristics
high mountains, flat plains, low deserts
arid and dry
few lakes and rivers
sun shines hot all year
Grand Canyon
sagebrush and cactus
large cities-Phoenix, Dallas, Santa Fe, etc.
tourism-Grand Canyon
rich copper and oil
resources/mining is a major occupation
cattle ranching and farming
fastest growing region in the U.S.

22. Activity 2:
Using the flipbook you just made and the sheet provided, compare and evaluate the five regions of the United States

23. World Physical Map
Source: freeworldmaps.net

24. World Climate Map
Source: testpakstars.com

25. World Population Map
Source: en.Wikipedia.org

26. World Precipitation Map
Source: climate-charts.com

27. Each State’s Economy Compared with other Countries
Source: slate.com

28. Brainstorm: How will you use this information in your life?