1. Physical Geography of North America
SSWG1 Explain why physical characteristics of place such as landforms, bodies of water, climate, and natural resources act as contributing factors to world settlement patterns.
a. Identify and describe climates and locations of major physical features of North America. Explain how these physical characteristics impact settlement patterns including, but not limited to, the Mississippi River System, the Appalachian and Rocky Mountains, and the Canadian Shield
h. Describe the spatial distribution of natural resources, including, but not limited to, fuel and energy, agricultural, and mineral sources. Predict how distribution of natural resources continues to impact global settlement patterns..

2. Landforms & Resources

3. Vast Lands Atlantic Ocean (East) & Pacific Ocean (West)
Arctic Ocean (North) & Gulf of Mexico (South)
1/8 land surface of world
Country
Size (land area sq. km)
Russia
16 million
Canada
14 million
United States
9 million

4. Abundant Resources Fertile soils Lots of water
Large deposits of minerals

6. The Eastern Lowlands
Flat, coastal plain along Atlantic Ocean & Gulf of Mexico
3 subregions
Atlantic Coastal Plain
Gulf Coastal Plain
Piedmont

7. The Appalachian Highlands
Appalachian Mountains: extend 1,600 miles from Newfoundland to Alabama
Oldest, soft peaks

8. The Interior Lowlands
Lowlands, rolling hills, lakes, rivers, fertile soil
3 subregions
Interior Plains
Canadian Shield: flat, rock region covering nearly 2 million square miles & encircling Hudson Bay
Great Plains: vast, treeless grassland

9. The Western Mountains, Plateaus & Basins
Rocky Mountains: extends 3,000 miles from Alaska south to New Mexico
Young, jagged peaks
Continental Divide: line of highest points in the Rockies marking the separation between rivers flowing eastward & westward
North America’s Highest Peak = Mt. McKinley
Pacific Mountain Ranges, Steep Cliffs, Deep Canyons, Lowland Desert Areas (Basins)

10. The Islands
Canada’s northernmost lands = icy islands near Arctic Circle
Greenland = Largest North American Island
Aleutian Islands – coastal Alaska
Hawaii – geographically not part of North America, but central Pacific
Politically, part of North America

11. Natural Resources

12. Resources Shape Ways of Life
Landforms of U.S./Canada = variety & abundance of natural resources
Leading agricultural & industrial nations
Why?

14. Oceans & Waterways 3 oceans = Atlantic, Pacific, Arctic
Gulf of Mexico (U.S.)
Shipping & fishing Industries
Inland rivers, lakes
Transportation, hydroelectric power, irrigation, fresh water, fisheries
Great Lakes: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior
Along with St. Lawrence Seaway world’s major shipping routes

15. Oceans & Waterways
Continent's longest & busiest river system is the Mississippi-Missouri-Ohio
Mackenzie River = Canada’s longest river
Flows across Northwest Territories to the Arctic Ocean

16. Land & Forests Fertile soils World’s leading food exporter
Agricultural land found in plains & river valleys
½ Canada, 1/3 U.S. = forests & woodlands

17. Minerals & Fossil Fuels
Iron ore, nickel, copper, gold, uranium = Canadian Shield
Gold, silver, copper, uranium = Western Mountains
Coal, natural gas, oil, well-developed networks for transport of goods
U.S. is major importer of energy resources

18. Climate & Vegetation

21. Shared Climate Zones
Northwestern Canada & Alaska = frigid winter temperatures
Canada/U.S. Border
U.S. has more climate zones = extends over larger north to south area
U.S. more mild = closer to mid-latitudes
Canada much colder = closer to high latitudes

22. Colder Climates Arctic coast of Alaska/Canada = tundra
Long/bitterly cold winters & short/chilly summers
Huge, treeless plain
Rest of Canada – subarctic climate
Cold winters, short & mild summers
Vast forest of needle-leafed evergreens
Permafrost = permanently frozen ground

23. Colder Climates
Rocky Mountains & Pacific Ranges = highland climate & vegetation
Colder, little vegetation at higher altitudes
Mountains = rainy west side, dry east side

24. Moderate Climates
Humid Continental = north central, northeastern U.S. & southern Canada
Cold winters, warm summers
Good Climate & soil = agriculturally productive (dairy, grain, livestock)
Deciduous & needle-leaf evergreen trees
Forests east of Mississippi, template grasslands to the west
Marine West Coast = northern California to Southern Alaska
Moderately warm summers
Long, mild, rainy, foggy winters
Deciduous trees, evergreens, giant California redwoods

25. Milder Climates Humid subtropical = southern U.S.
Hot, muggy summers
Mild & cool winters
Moist air from the Gulf of Mexico = rain during winter
Mild climate & adequate rainfall = agriculturally productive
Mediterranean Climate = central & southern coasts California
Dry, sunny & warm summers
Mild & somewhat rainy winters
Long growing season & irrigation = rich farming area for fruits & vegetables

26. Dry Climates
Semiarid Climate = Great Plains & dry northern parts of the Great Basin
Little rain = short grasses & Shrubs
Desert = southwest U.S.
Hot & Dry
Cacti, barren rock or sand
Ex: Mojave Desert

27. Tropical Climates Tropical climates = Hawaii & southern Florida
Lush rain forests (Hawaii)
Wet & Dry seasons (Florida)
Always warm (no less than 70 degrees)
Tall grasses & scattered trees
Everglades: huge swampland