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Chapter 5 “A Land of Contrasts”
United States and Canada
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Ch. 5.1 “Land and Resources”
U.S. and Canada occupy 4/5 of North America Culturally known as Anglo America Large land mass + abundance of resources = high probability of econ. success In total land mass Canada and US are #2 and #3 respectively behind only Russia. Known as Anglo America because both countries were both colonies of Great Britain.
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Varied Landforms Eastern Lowlands (Coastal Plain)
Appalachian Mtns. (highlands) Interior Lowlands Great Plains Canadian Shield West 1. Rocky Mountains 2. Continental divide 3. Sierra Nevada & Cascades Islands 1. Canadian (Arctic) 2. Aleutian (Alaska) 3. Hawaiian (Pacific) Eastern Lowlands is a coastal plain that runs along Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. Appalachian Mtns are one of two major mtn ranges in US and Canada
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Continental Divide: point where rivers flow E and W. Islands of Canada
Rocky Mtns. Continental Divide: point where rivers flow E and W. Islands of Canada Rocky Mtns. 2nd major mtn range.
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Oceans Pacific Atlantic Arctic Gulf of Mexico Hudson Bay
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Waterways The Great Lakes Mississippi River
Mackenzie River: Canada’s longest river 1. Mississippi is the continents longest and busiest river
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Land and Forests U.S. is the world’s largest food exporter
Most Agricultural land is found in plains and river valleys Large forest areas ½ Canada 1/3 U.S.
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Minerals and Fossil Fuels
Both US and Canada have large supplies of both This allowed both to industrialize rapidly 1. US is the largest consumer of energy resources
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5.2 “Climate and Vegetation”
U.S. has more climate zones than Canada Colder Climates Arctic Coasts of Alaska and Canada Permafrost – permanently frozen ground Moderate Climates N. Central and N. Eastern U.S. and S. Canada Prevailing Westerlies: NW U.S.- winds that blow from West to East. Wet but mild winters
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Great Plains
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Differences in Climate and Vegetation
Milder Climates Southern States: mild temp + adequate rainfall = long growing season Dry Climates Great Plains and Northern parts of Great Basin, less than 15 in. of rain per year Tropical Climates Hawaii and Southern Florida Everglades: swamp land that covers 4,000 sq. mi.
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Effects of Extreme Weather
Thunderstorms Tornados Blizzards Cold air from Canada Warm air from Gulf of Mexico
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5.3 “Human Environment Interaction”
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Settlements Alter Land
1st Settlers Nomads: people who move from place to place Probably came from Asia on land bridge known as Beringia. Most settled near coastline, rivers and streams.
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Agriculture Alters Land
Settlements become permanent after agriculture becomes primary source of food. Both countries are leading exporters of agriculture
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Building Cities Montreal Canada’s 2nd largest city Major Port
Below 32° 100 days out of year As consequence many retail centers underground
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Los Angeles US 2nd largest city Rapid population leads to problems
Smog Inadequate H²O supplies
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Overcoming Distance Land bridges
Europeans settled on E. coast and cut paths (Oregon trail) to west.
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Waterways Erie Canal- Atlantic Ocean to Great Lakes
St. Lawrence Seaway N. Americas most important deepwater ship route Uses locks to move ships up & down 600 feet
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Transcontinental Railroad
Trains make crossing continent easier 1st trans continental RR completed in 1869 Many natural barriers, canyons, rivers, mountains, had to be overcome
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National Highway System
US 4,000,000 miles of roads Canada 560,000
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