1. Physical Geography of the US
Oct 30, 2017

2. THE PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE U. S. (Part II)
The United States is the third largest country in world yet it has the world’s largest economy in the world. Why?
MAIN IDEA: Identify and examine the key characteristics of the physical geography of the United States.

3. Do you know your states?
On the front of your packet is a blank US map. You have the next 6 minutes to label as many of those states as you can.
How did you do?

5. Label the states

7. Draw & label the rivers on your map

8. Label the Continental Divide

9. Shade in the Mississippi River Valley

10. Shade in the area of the Great Plains

11. Label the Great Lakes

12. US Biome Details

13. US Infrastructure

14. US Regions

15. 51st State? Should Puerto Rico become the next state?
Puerto Rico after Maria

16. Puerto Rico before Hurricane Maria
Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria

17. “…not too hot, not too cold”.
Unlike other large countries such as Russia and Canada, the U.S. has a relatively mild climate-
“…not too hot, not too cold”.
Equator

18. THE PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE U. S. (Part II)
The United States is the third largest country in world yet it has the world’s largest economy in the world. Why?
MAIN IDEA: Identify and examine the key characteristics of the physical geography of the United States.

19. As you watch the map change take note of the location of 10 biggest populated states
in the 1700s
by the 1860s
By 1900s
1950
2000
2010

20. I) Identifying the Relationship Between the United States’ Physical Geography and Its Population Settlement:

21. As you can see, the eastern half of the U.S. is more densely populated. Why?

22. Physical Geography plays a large role into it

23. Reasons Why the Eastern Half of the U.S. is More Densely Populated:
1) The Western half of the U.S. is very mountainous while the eastern half is predominately a plains region (flat); mountains limit transportation.

24. The Appalachians are much older and not as tall (due to erosion).

25. In North America, the Continental Divide is an imaginary line that sits atop a continuous ridge of mountain summits that divide the continent into two main drainage areas.
West
Box

26. In what other way is the physical geography of the western half of the U.S. different from the eastern half that might explain why eastern half is more densely populated?

27. Reasons Why the Eastern Half of the U.S. is More Densely Populated:
2) Western half has few “navigable” rivers; limits
transportation/ trade and thus has limited population
settlement.

28. What two characteristics must a river possess in order for it to be a “navigable” river for transportation/ trade?

29. What two characteristics must a river possess in order for it to be a “navigable” river for transportation/ trade?
Depth and width
The western half of the U.S. is dominated by mountains and thus has few navigable rivers.
The eastern half of the U.S. is dominated by plains and thus has navigable rivers.

30. The Mississippi River Valley provides an important network of waterways into the interior of the nation for trade and transportation which has increased population settlement in this region.
Very few nations have such an extensive natural waterway to its interior like the U.S. does.

31. Reasons Why the Eastern Half of the U.S. is More Densely Populated:
3) The Western half of the United States also has a drier climate; lack of fresh water resources limits population settlement.

32. Hoover Dam (Lake Mead) has allowed population settlement/ growth in the Southwest.
As you watch the video clip, how did building the dam impact the area?
How could the Dam’s success influence other traditionally dry area in the West?

33. * Mountains in the west
* Lack of navigable rivers in the West for transportation
* Drier climate in the West
The factors above have limited population settlement in the western half of the United States.

34. THE GREAT LAKES
The Great Lakes have also provided the United States with an important natural transportation network.

35. How were these large, natural lakes formed?
Cleveland, appear in 1890, peak in 1940 at #5
Detroit stayed on top 10 list for 1900s, fell off in 2000
Chicago, #3 2010
Buffalo, appeared in 1860 & 1910

36. Glacier erosion!
During the last “Ice Age” 18,000 years ago, glaciers covered large areas of land in North America.

37. What is another possible reason explaining why population settlement abruptly ends at the dotted line below?

38. THE GREAT PLAINS

39. The Great Plains is a treeless, grassy plains landform; has a rolling-to-flat landscape.

40. As a result, would this area be primarily urban or rural?
This area has a mild climate and good fertile soil (arable land) for farming.
As a result, would this area be primarily urban or rural?

41. What’s missing for farming?
Area has a mild climate and good fertile soil for farming.
What’s missing for farming?

42. Most of this rainfall occurs in the Fall and Winter when crops are not planted.
So how do famers adapt to the semi-arid climate conditions in the Great Plains?

43. ADAPTING TO A SEMI-ARID CLIMATE IN THE GREAT PLAINS:
1) Irrigation pumping from
the Ogallala Aquifer (one
of the world’s largest
aquifers).

44. Irrigation farming from the Ogallala Aquifer

45. 2) Dry Farming techniques
ADAPTING TO A SEMI-ARID CLIMATE IN THE GREAT PLAINS:
2) Dry Farming techniques
Farmers learned they could grow crops on the dry soil if they plowed deeply, breaking up the tough sod (soil) with steel plows; allows rain water to seep deep in to the soil.

46. What natural disaster often hits parts of the Great Plains region?

47. Tornados are most common east of the Rocky Mountains and west of the Appalachian Mountains during spring and summer. They are associated with strong frontal systems that form on the plains.

48. WIND ESTIMATE *** (MPH)
Fujita Scale
SCALE
WIND ESTIMATE *** (MPH)
TYPICAL DAMAGE F0
< 73
Light damage. Some damage to chimneys; branches broken off trees; shallow-rooted trees pushed over; sign boards damaged. F1
73-112
Moderate damage. Peels surface off roofs; mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned; moving autos blown off roads. F2
Considerable damage. Roofs torn off frame houses; mobile homes demolished; boxcars overturned; large trees snapped or uprooted; light-object missiles generated; cars lifted off ground. F3
Severe damage. Roofs and some walls torn off well-constructed houses; trains overturned; most trees in forest uprooted; heavy cars lifted off the ground and thrown. F4
Devastating damage. Well-constructed houses leveled; structures with weak foundations blown away some distance; cars thrown and large missiles generated. F5
Incredible damage. Strong frame houses leveled off foundations and swept away; automobile-sized missiles fly through the air in excess of 100 meters (109 yds); trees debarked; incredible phenomena will occur.

49. El Reno Tornado- Worst in US History
Tornado destruction
F5 Tornado Canada

50. Your State Report
You are going to use this template to create a powerpoint presentation about one of the 50 states

51. Symbols of [name of your state]
The state bird is
The state flower is
The state tree is

52. State Flag
Describe the flag and why this design was chosen for your state.

53. State Nickname
Tell what is the state’s nickname. Write a short explanation of how your state got this nickname.

54. State History First Inhabitants Exploration Settlement
Name the major tribes of Native Americans that lived in this state. Include a few interesting facts about these people.
Exploration
Which European explorers visited your state and where did they come from?
Settlement
Where was the first post-explorer settlement located in your state? Who started it and why?

55. State History, continued
Colonial Days
If your state was one of the original thirteen colonies, explain what life was probably like during that time.
Territorial Days
If your state was a territory before it became a state, explain when the United States Congress created the territory. Explain how settlers were able to obtain land in the new territory.

56. Statehood
This state became the _____ state in the United States in __________
The first Governor of the state was _________________

57. Government National Government Name the current United States Senators
List current United States Senators
Name the current United States Representatives
List current United States Representatives
State Government
Name the current governor
Current governor
Describe the state’s legislature
Description

58. Maps
In this space, insert a political and/or physical map of your state. Point out the state capital.
Note: Check out Clip art and Media on office Online at for maps and other graphics of your state.

59. Population 1950 – increased/decreased 1960 – increased/decreased
Over the past fifty years the population has (increased/decreased).

60. Economy Chief products of the state include
Agricultural (farm) products
Mining products
Manufactured goods

61. Weather The average high temperature in July is Temperature
The average high temperature in January is
The average yearly precipitation is
precipitation

62. Natural Resources Name the major rivers and bodies of water. List
Name and describe a few different kinds of minerals.
Minerals

63. Natural Resources, continued
Name and describe some of the trees and wildflowers.
List
Plant Life
Name and describe some of the wild animals.
Animal Life

64. Places to Visit
Choose one place in your state that would be interesting to visit. Tell where it is located in the state and why it would be interesting to visit.
Note: You can use Microsoft Internet Explorer to find information about your site.

65. Famous People
Choose three well known residents of your state. Tell what they did to become famous.

66. State Motto
Tell about the state motto and what makes this state special.

67. Works Cited
List the resources you used for your research.