1. United States Map Political Map
Physical Map: Label the following:
Appalachian Mountains
Gulf Of California
Rocky Mountains
Gulf of Mexico
Mt. McKinley
Great Basin
Great Lakes- Label Each one
Great Plains
Mississippi River
Coastal Plain
Colorado River
Rio Grande
Political Map
Label all states and color (using at least 5-6 colors)

2. North America
Physical Features

3. Landform Regions United States and Canada make up 80% of the continent
Major landform regions of the United States and Canada generally stretch from North to South
Eastern Coastal plain
Piedmont (area at or near foot of a mountain region)
Appalachian Mountains
Canadian Shield
Rocky Mountains
Pacific Coast Region

5. Dividing Up America!! Three main features
Appalachian Mountains were created by the collision of the North American plate with the African plate
Highest peak in the Appalachian Mts.- 6,000 feet
Interior Plains
Mississippi River and its tributaries drain this region
Includes the Great Lakes-formed by glaciers
Rocky Mountains-From New Mexico to Canada
Some of the highest peaks reach 14,000!

6. The Ring of Fire!!!!
A Tectonically active region around the edges of the pacific
Many active volcanoes and earthquake faults
Most of United States is on the North American plate except for some places in California (on the pacific plate)
Alaska and Hawaii are also in a geologically active area
Hawaiian Islands are the tops of submerged volcanoes

7. Bodies of Water
Continental Divide-Created by the Rockies, divides rivers flowing east and west
Major River Systems
Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio (Flow East)
St. Lawrence System
Western Rivers- Colorado, Columbia, Yukon (Flow West)
Major Lakes
Great Lakes in US
Great Bear and Great Slave in Canada

8. Climates
Tropical Wet and Dry- Southern tip of Florida and parts of Hawaii
Humid Subtropical- Most of Southeastern US
Humid Continental- Northeast US and Southern and SE Canada
Semi-Arid-Great Plains, parts of MT. regions
Highland- Rocky mountains
Marine West Coast- Southeast Alaska and Northern California
Mediterranean- South and Central California
Tropical Humid- Parts of Hawaii
Tundra- Far North America
Subarctic- Most of Canada and Alaska

10. Natural Resources Farming- Forests- Water-
Variety of soils and climates
Abundant crops and livestock
Forests-
Leading producers of wood and paper
Water-
Plentiful supplies
Irrigation and Hydroelectric power

11. Resources of the United States
US is the world’s leading agricultural producer
Only about 3% of the population farms
But we still feed our people and have enough to export!!!
Great Plains region- great for corn, soybeans, and wheat
The US has 25% of the world’s coal reserves and is a major coal exporter
Appalachians, Rockies, and Interior Plains

12. US is a major oil producer but uses more than it produces
Gulf Coast, California, and Alaska
We have valuable mineral resources:
Iron, copper, lead, zinc, gold, and silver

13. Research Activity
You and your partner will be assigned 2 states to research.
Describe the physical geography of both.
Describe the main source of economy (how they make $)
Describe the population makeup and density
Describe the education (colleges) available in both

14. Research Activity
After completing your research, use the information you gathered to write 2 paragraphs about which state you would rather live in/go to college in and why. Cite evidence from your research to support your answer.

15. History and Culture of the United States

16. The Beginning of America
Ancestors of today’s American Indians first settled North America 14,000 years ago
Crossed land bridge that linked Asia and Alaska
Spanish explorers reached America around 500 years ago, soon followed by the French and the English

17. What’s in a name????
Early settlement of the United States can be seen in many of our place-names
Many Native American place-names are still used today
Appalachians, from the Apalachee tribe
Mississippi, Algonquian word for “great river”
Alaska, Arizona, Kansas, Nebraska, North/South Dakota- originate from Indian words
Spanish explorers moved into TX, NM, and CA
San Antonio, El Paso, Sante Fe, Los Angeles
French explorers traveled the Mississippi River creating:
New Orleans, St. Louis, and Detroit
British empire setting the east creating places:
New York, Richmond, and Charleston

19. 13 Colonies New Hampshire Massachusetts Rhode Island Connecticut
New York
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Delaware
Maryland
Virginia
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia

20. Colonial History British were the major influence on our history
1600s-13 colonies!
Most of the colonial settlements were ports located on natural harbors or on navigable rivers
Developed regional economies
South-tobacco and cotton
North- trade, shipbuilding, and fishing
By Colonists were tired of British control
Led a successful rebellion against colonial rule
We are independent!!!
A colony is a territory controlled by people from a foreign land.
In 1619 Europeans began bringing enslaved Africans to the colonies.

21. Independence and Westward Expansion
After independence- set up a federal system of government
Power is divided between local, state, and national gov’t
Power rests with the people
1800s- Americans migrated westward in search of better farmland
By 1830 we have made it to Texas
1850- California gold rush!!
Government encouraged movement west- gave land away for free
Ran into conflicts with the Indians- pushed Indians from their land and farther west onto reservations

22. Economic Development 1830- Northeastern US was industrializing
Industries and railroads spread
South- based on export crops
Plantations ran the south using slave labor
Economic differences of North and South led to the Civil War remember this 
After the Civil War, rapid westward migration occurred due to the transcontinental railroad 1869
Railroads made it easier to get away from rivers and machinery made farming easier
Vast development of the US made it more attractive to people to migrate to the country’s growing cities

23. The 1900s
US experienced major social, economic, and technological changes
World War 1
1930s- Great Depression
World War II
1950s-1990s- Cold War (bitter conflict with the Soviets)

24. The Melting Pot America’s Culture
Due to our history of immigration, our culture includes traditions, foods, and beliefs from all over the world
More than 99% of Americans are either immigrants or the descendants of immigrants
Most with European descent
12% have African origin
A little more than 12% are Hispanics and Asians (largest growing groups)
American Indians make up less that 1% of the population
English is the main language but the US has no official language
Spanish is the second most widely spoken language

25. Religion More than 1,200 religious groups
Immigrants introduced many of these religions
Christianity is the major religion in the country
More than 50% are Protestants: Baptists, Lutherans, Methodists
25% Roman Catholic Christians
Some 6 million Jews live in America (more than Israel!)
The number of people practicing Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam are growing

26. Settlement and Land Use
Population of the US is concentrated in the Northeast
Reflects country’s settlement
People have started to move away from the Rust Belt and move to the Sun Belt (warm areas of South and West)
Settlement patterns also reflect land use
Most densely populated areas: Urban areas
Less populated areas: farmlands and ranch areas

27. Education Helped create a high standard of living
Education is free and is required of all citizens
More than 3000 colleges are located in the country
Many students come from around the world to study in the United States

28. Arts, Customs, and Traditions
The US helped pioneer the development of motion pictures
First country to build skyscrapers
Our great authors include: Edgar Allan Poe, Mark Twain, Emily Dickinson, Ernest Hemingway, Maya Angelou… all world known

29. Musical Styles Our many ethnic groups have inspired musical styles
Africans brought West African music
Europeans brought instruments and harmonies
Jazz was created from the blending of European and African music… Began in New Orleans
Other music that began in United States
Blues, Country, Rock ‘n’ Roll, and Rap

30. Traditions
Most widely celebrated holidays: Christmas, Easter, which reflect America’s Christian heritage
Americans celebrate July 4th
One tradition Americans enjoy is watching and playing sports
Baseball, basketball, football, etc..

32. Do Now-Answer the Following By Yourself!!!! Without Notes
1. Name this State
3. Name this State
2. Name the Capital of the State
4. Name the Capital of the State
5. Name the State AND the Capital

33. Regions of the United States

34. Northeast Smallest and most densely populated region
What does that mean?
Holds 1/5 of the country’s population
Most of that population is centered in the MEGALOPOLIS
Boston, New York, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Washington D.C.)
New York is the largest Metropolitan area

35. Serves as the political and financial center
Most industrialized region
Began as manufacturing region but cheaper labor made it decline
Becomes known as the Rust Belt
Very diverse culturally
Due to immigration

36. South Stretches from Virginia to Texas
Home to little more than 30% of U.S. population
Historically- Mainly agricultural and rural
After Civil War, many people left to go North in search of jobs
Civil War damaged our economy
Since 1960s, many people have migrated back

37. New Immigrants have started moving into the South
From Mexico, Caribbean, and Latin America
Example: Florida-Hispanics make up a majority of the population and speak Spanish

38. South serves as a major source for lumber
Cotton and Tobacco-still very important
Foreign automobile industry has become very popular
South is great for tourism-warm weather, beaches, etc…
Dallas-Fort Worth (Texas) is the largest metropolitan area
Atlanta, Miami, and New Orleans serve as major transportation and commercial cities

39. Midwest Stretches from Nebraska to Ohio
Farming Region-most productive because most of the land is arable (fit to grow crops)
Which Belt is it?
Corn Belt: Illinois and Iowa are leading corn producers
Dairy Belt: Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan
Wisconsin produces more butter and cheese than any other state

40. Major Cities: Chicago-Largest City Detroit
3rd largest metropolitan area
Most important railroad hub
Detroit
Automobile industry
Midwest cities located on the Great Lakes have access to coal and iron ore

41. The West Largest and most sparsely populated
What does that mean??
½ of the land area of U.S. but only ¼ of population
Dry plateaus, deserts, and high mountains make up the terrain
Railroads improved the settlement to the area
With help from irrigation techniques

42. Interior: good for livestock and wheat farming
Wheat Belt:
North/South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Colorado
Rocky Mountains: good for mining

43. Most of the population lives in the pacific states
California-home to 34 million people
Silicon Valley-leading in computer technology
Alaska-largest and least dense state
Good for oil and fishing
Hawaii
Based on military bases
Tourism!!
Los Angeles: Largest metropolitan area
2nd Largest in the country

44. Regions Recap
North Smallest Lots of people Industry, Finance, Politics New York-#1 Metropolitan Area
South
Clearly the Best 
Agriculture, Foreign Cars, Tourism
New Immigrants
Dallas-Fort Worth-Metropolitan Area
Midwest
Farming
Corn Belt/Dairy Belt
Railroads and Automobiles
Coal and Iron Ore
Chicago-#3 Metropolitan Area
West
Largest
Fewest People
Roughest Terrain/Landscape
Technology, Oil, Military, Livestock, Wheat
Tourism
Los Angeles: #2 metropolitan area

46. Do Now Quickwrite – in a paragraph, answer the following questions.
What is the environment?
How do people affect the environment?

47. I. Environmental Issues
The United States consumes more energy than any other country. This causes the production of huge amounts of waste, automobile exhaust, and other pollutants.
A major challenge has been finding ways to reduce pollution and protect the environment.

48. Power plants and factories that. burn coal and oil cause acid rain
Power plants and factories that burn coal and oil cause acid rain. This pollution kills trees and contaminates rivers and lakes.
Other problems are caused by fertilizers. The Mississippi river carries fertilizers from farms to the Gulf of Mexico. These chemicals promote the growth of algae; which has created a “dead zone” in the Gulf of Mexico.

49. Dams on the Columbia and Snake Rivers produce hydroelectricity
Dams on the Columbia and Snake Rivers produce hydroelectricity. They also block the path of migrating salmon.
This causes a dramatic decline in the Salmon population. Another problem in the West is the growing population that has caused a strain on the water supply of that area.

50. Natural Hazards
Natural hazards present other challenges in regions around the country. Some large cities on the west coast are vulnerable to earthquakes.
In areas where earthquakes are common, developers must follow strict building codes designed to limit earthquake damage.

51. Floods threaten many parts of the United States
Floods threaten many parts of the United States. In some places, dams and levees have helped control the flow of rivers and have reduced flooding, though heavy rains and snowmelts still cause major floods.

52. Tornadoes are threats in the Midwest and South, particularly in spring and summer.
Hurricanes threaten areas along the east coast and Gulf of Mexico. The greatest danger posed by hurricanes is flooding.
Seawalls help to limit the damage.

53. Cities and Population
Many people have moved from inner cities to the suburbs.
The population of some large cities have dropped significantly.
Because of these shifts in population, many cities are unable to collect as much money in taxes.

54. Immigration and changing population patterns have also greatly affected the U.S.
In the past, most immigrants to the country came from Europe and settled in the Northeast.
Today, most immigrants come from Asia and Latin America. These immigrants settle mainly in the West and South.

55. Economy and Trade
When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 the U.S. became the world’s only superpower.
A superpower is a huge powerful country. The U.S. has the world’s largest economy and is also the most powerful country politically and militarily.

56. The United States imports many raw materials and manufactured goods, the country has a trade deficit.
A country has a trade deficit when the value of exports is less than the value of its imports.
In 1992 the U.S., Canada, and Mexico signed the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

57. NAFTA eliminates many tariffs on products flowing between these countries.
Supporters of NAFTA argue that free trade allows American companies to sell more products and create higher paying jobs.
Opponents say free trade allows American companies to move factories to countries with lower wages, causing unemployment in the U.S.