1. Geography of North America
6th Grade

2. Contiguous United States

3. Rivers and Lakes Major cities have developed along rivers
Cincinnati (Ohio River)
New Orleans (Mississippi River)
Jaurez (Rio Grande River)
St. Lawrence River connects the Atlantic and the Great Lakes
Rivers and Lakes

4. The five Great Lakes form the largest body of fresh water in the world
Four of the Great Lakes provide a natural border between the United States and Canada
The Rio Grande is a natural border between the U.S. and Mexico
Rivers and Lakes Cont.

5. The Great Plains Plains- flat areas of land
Plains make up most of the center of the United States and Canada
Crops grown here support North America with leftovers to export
Soil and climate make the Great Plains great for farming
The Great Plains are home to deposits of oil and natural gas
The Great Plains

6. Western Mountains and Deserts
Western U.S. and Canada are covered by mountains and high plateaus
The Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevadas make up a cordillera in North America
Cordillera- several mountains ranges that run parallel to each other
Western Mountains and Deserts

7. Mountains and Deserts cont.
The Great Basin is located between the Rocky Mts. and Sierra Nevadas
Basin- depression in the surface of land
The Great Basin is a desert because it is in a rain shadow
Mountains and Deserts cont.

8. Rain Shadow

9. Mexico’s Landforms Central Mexico has mostly mountains and plateaus
The Sierra Madre mountains run along each side of Mexico
Sierra Madre Oriental along the east coast
Sierra Madre Occidental along the west coast
Mexico’s Landforms

10. Mexico’s Landforms cont.
The Mexican Plateau is between the two Sierra Madres mountain ranges
Mesa Central is the southern part
Mexico City- Mexico’s capital is located here
Due to volcanic activity, Mesa Central has rich soil
Mesa del Norte is the northern part
Mesa means table
Mexico’s Landforms cont.

11. Mexico’s Resources Mountains contain copper, silver, and zinc
Oil is found along the Gulf of Mexico
Farming is important
Many rural farmers use subsistence farming (growing just enough food for their family)
Mexico’s Resources