1. Physical Geography of the United States and Canada:
A Land of Contrasts
North America’s vast and varied landscape and abundant resources have attracted immigrants and shaped the development of the United States and Canada.

2. Physical Geography Looking at the Earth Landforms and Resources
SECTION 1
Landforms and Resources
SECTION 2
Climate and Vegetation
SECTION 3
Human-Environment Interaction

3. Landforms and Resources
Section-1
Landforms and Resources
The United States and Canada have vast lands and abundant resources.
These two countries share many of the same landforms.

4. Landforms and Resources1
Section-1
Landforms and Resources
Landscape Influenced Development
Anglo America
U.S., Canada: former British colonies, most people speak English
Strong economic and political ties with one another
Vast Lands
Canada second largest country in the world by area; U.S. third
Together they cover one-eighth of the earth’s land surface
Continued…

5. Landscape Influenced Development {continued}
Abundant Resources
Landmass and natural resources attract immigrants to both countries
U.S. and Canada have developed into global economic powers

6. Many and Varied Landforms1
Many and Varied Landforms
Major Landforms
All major landforms are found in U.S. and Canada
The two countries share mountain chains and interior plains
The Eastern Lowlands
Atlantic Coastal Plain extends from Delaware down to Florida
Gulf Coastal Plain goes from Florida, along Gulf of Mexico, to Texas
Piedmont—low plateau between coastal plains, Appalachian Highlands
Continued…

7. Many and Varied Landforms {continued}
The Appalachian Highlands
Appalachian Mountains run 1,600 miles from Newfoundland to Alabama
− include Green and Catskill mountains in the north
− Blue Ridge and Great Smoky mountains in the south
More than 400 million years old
Erosion has created gentle slopes, peaks from 1,200–2,400 feet
The Appalachian Trail is a scenic hiking path along the chain
Continued…

8. Many and Varied Landforms {continued}
The Interior Lowlands
Glaciers leveled the land, left fertile soil
Interior Plains extend from Appalachians to Missouri River
Great Plains extend from Missouri River to Rocky Mountains
Canadian Shield—vast, flat area around Hudson Bay
Continued…

9. Many and Varied Landforms {continued}
The Western Mountains, Plateaus, and Basins
Rocky Mountains run 3,000 miles from Alaska to New Mexico
Relatively young: 80 million years old
Less erosion means rugged, 12,000-foot, snow-covered peaks
Continental Divide—the line of highest points along the Rockies
− separates rivers that flow eastward from those that flow westward
Continued…

10. Many and Varied Landforms {continued}
The Western Mountains, Plateaus, and Basins
Other Pacific mountain ranges: Sierra Nevada, Cascade
Continent’s highest peak: Mt. McKinley in Alaska
Major earthquake activity in Pacific ranges
Between ranges and Rockies: cliffs, canyons, basins (low desert)
The Islands
Canada’s large, northern islands: Ellesmere, Victoria, Baffin
U.S.: Aleutians (Alaska), Hawaiian (politically, not geographically)

11. Resources Shape Ways of Life
Oceans and Waterways
U.S. and Canada are bounded by:
− Atlantic, Pacific, Arctic oceans
− Gulf of Mexico
Countries have many large, inland rivers and lakes that provide:
− transportation, hydroelectric power, irrigation, fresh water, fisheries
Continued…

12. Resources Shape Ways of Life {continued}
Oceans and Waterways
Great Lakes: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior
Mississippi-Missouri-Ohio river system: continent’s longest, busiest
Mackenzie River: longest in Canada, crosses Northwest Territories
Continued…

13. Resources Shape Ways of Life {continued}1
Resources Shape Ways of Life {continued}
Land and Forests
Fertile soil helps make North America world’s leading food exporter
Large forests yield lumber and other products
Minerals and Fossil Fuels
Mineral quantity and variety make rapid industrialization possible
− Canadian Shield: iron ore, nickel, copper, gold, uranium
− Appalachians, Great Plains: coal
− Gulf of Mexico: oil, natural gas
U.S.: biggest energy consumer; gets most of Canada’s energy exports

14. Climate and Vegetation
Section-2
Climate and Vegetation
Almost every type of climate is found in the 50 United States because they extend over such a large area north to south.
Canada’s cold climate is related to its location in the far northern latitudes.

15. Climate and Vegetation2
Section-2
Climate and Vegetation
Shared Climates and Vegetation
U.S. and Canada Climates
U.S. has more climate zones than Canada
U.S.: moderate mid-latitudes, Canada: colder high latitudes
Colder Climates
Arctic coast is tundra: huge, treeless plain with long, cold winters
− some permafrost—permanently frozen ground
Rockies and Pacific ranges are highland: colder, sparse vegetation
− affect weather in lower areas: block Arctic air, trap Pacific moisture
Continued…

16. Shared Climates and Vegetation {continued}
Modern Climates
North central, northeast U.S, southern Canada are humid continental
− cold winters; warm summers; heavy agriculture
Pacific coast has marine west coast climate
− warm summers; long, mild, rainy winters; mixed vegetation
− climate affected by ocean currents, coastal mountains, westerlies
− prevailing westerlies—middle-latitude winds blowing west to east

17. Differences in Climate and Vegetation2
Differences in Climate and Vegetation
Milder Climates
Much of U.S. located south of 40 degrees N latitude
− milder, dry, and tropical climates
Southern states are humid subtropical
− hot summers; mild winters; long growing season for variety of crops
Central, southern California coasts have Mediterranean climate
− dry, warm summers; mild, rainy winters; fruits, vegetables grow well
Continued…

18. Differences in Climate and Vegetation {continued}2
Differences in Climate and Vegetation {continued}
Dry Climates
Great Plains, northern Great Basin semiarid: dry with short grasses
Southwest is hot, dry desert, including Mojave and Sonoran deserts
Tropical Climates
Hawaii is tropical wet: rain forests, temps around 70 degrees F
− Mount Waialeale on Kauai Island is one of the wettest spots on earth
South Florida is tropical wet and dry: warm with tall grasses
− Everglades—swampland covering 4,000 square miles

19. Effects of Extreme Weather
Natural Hazards
Warm Gulf air clashes with cold Canadian air over the Great Plains
− creates thunderstorms, tornadoes, blizzards
Hurricanes sweep the Gulf and Atlantic coasts in summer and fall
Heavy rains cause floods along big rivers like the Mississippi
Heat, lack of rain bring droughts, dust storms, forest fires

20. Human-Environment Interaction
Section-3
Human-Environment Interaction
Humans have dramatically changed the face of North America.
European settlements in the United States and Canada expanded from east to west.

21. Human-Environment Interaction
Section-3
Human-Environment Interaction
Settlement and Agriculture Alter the Land
Settlement
Before humans, land changed due to natural forces: weather, erosion
Human settlers adapted to, and changed, the environment
First North Americans were nomads, moving from place to place
− migrated from Asia over Beringia, a land bridge from Siberia to Alaska
− hunted, fished, and gathered plants; settled near rivers and streams
Continued…

22. Settlement and Agriculture Alter the Land {continued}
Agriculture replaced hunting and gathering 3,000 years ago
Settlements became permanent
− cut down trees for houses, plow fields, dig irrigation ditches
− plant corn, beans, squash
Today U.S. and Canada are leading agriculture exporters

23. Building Cities Where Cities Grow Montreal—Adapting to the Weather
Water access a major factor in how towns begin, develop
Other factors: landscape, climate, weather, natural resources
Montreal—Adapting to the Weather
Canada’s second-largest city; major port located on island in Quebec
− Meeting of St. Lawrence and Ottawa rivers make it important trade site
French build permanent settlement in 1642 at base of Mount Royal
Cold winters force people to stay inside and build underground areas
Continued…

24. Building Cities {continued}
Los Angeles—Creating Urban Sprawl
Mild climate and the ocean bring thousands to area in early 1900s
− once-small Spanish settlement expanded into valleys and foothills
Becomes U.S.’s second-largest city in 1980s
− problems: air pollution, low water supply, earthquake area
Los Angeles has spread out over a large area
− city proper: 469 square miles; metropolitan area: 4,060 square miles

25. Overcoming Distances Trails and Inland Waterways
First natives go east, south down Pacific coast; some remain north
Europeans colonize the east coast then go inland, creating trails
− national and Wilderness roads, Oregon and Santa Fe trails
− use Mississippi and Ohio rivers; build canals
− Erie Canal—first navigable water link between Atlantic, Great Lakes
Continued…

26. Overcoming Distances {continued}
Trails and Inland Waterways
St. Lawrence Seaway—deepwater ship route built by U.S. and Canada
Connects Great Lakes to Atlantic by way of St. Lawrence River
Gated-off sections called locks raise and lower the water and ships
Large ocean vessels can get to industrial and agricultural heartland
Continued…

27. Overcoming Distances {continued}
Transcontinental Railroads
Transcontinental—from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean
Builders of early-1800s railroads face many natural barriers
− workers cut down forests, bridge streams, tunnel through mountains
First U.S. transcontinental railroad: 1860; first Canadian: 1885
Move goods, people; promote economic development, national unity
Today U.S. has world’s largest rail system; Canada, third largest
Continued…

28. Overcoming Distances {continued}
National Highway Systems
Arrival of automobile spurs roadbuilding in early 20th century
Today U.S. has 4 million miles of roads, Canada has 560,000 miles
Large Canadian highways connect major southern cities from east to west
− Trans-Canada Highway: 4,860 miles, Newfoundland to British Columbia
U.S. interstate highway system: 46,000-mile network begun in 1950s

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