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

2. 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

3. Landscape Influenced Development
Anglo America
US, Canada: former British colonies, most people speak English
Strong economic and political ties with one another
Mexico is part of Latin America NOT Anglo America
Vast Lands
Canada is the 2nd largest country in the world by area; US is the 3rd largest
Together they cover 1/8th of the earth’s land surface

4. Landscape Influenced Development
Abundant Resources
Landmass and natural resources attract immigrants to both countries
US and Canada have developed into global economic powers
The 2 resources that helped the US and Canada develop into Global Economic Powers:
Fertile soil, water, forest, minerals

5. Many and Varied Landforms
Major Landforms
All major landforms are found in the US 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

6. Many and Varied Landforms

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

8. Appalachian Mountains

9. Many and Varied Landforms
The Interior Lowlands
Glaciers leveled the land, left fertile soil
Interior Plains extend from Appalachian to Missouri River
Great Plains extend from Missouri to Rocky Mountains
Canadian Shield – vast, flat area around Hudson Bay

10. Great Plains Mostly treeless area 4,000 feet above sea level
Run through Southern Texas up through Southern Canada

11. Canadian Shield Rocky Flat Region Lies far north in Canada
Covers about 18 million square miles
Encircles Hudson Bay

13. Many and Varied Landforms
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 mean rugged, 12,000-foot, snow-covered peaks
Continental Divide – the line of highest point along the Rockies
Separates rivers that flow eastward from those that flow westward

16. Many and Varied Landforms
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

18. Many and Varied Landforms
The Islands
Canada’s large, northern islands: Ellesmere, Victoria, Baffin
US: Aleutians (Alaska), Hawaiian (politically, not geographically)

19. Resources Shape Ways of Life
Oceans and Waterways
US and Canada are bounded by:
ATLANTIC, PACIFIC, ARTIC OCEANS
GULF OF MEXICO
Countries have many large, inland rivers and lakes that provide:
Transportation, hydroelectric power, irrigation, fresh water, fisheries

21. Resources Shape Ways of Life
Oceans and Waterways
Great Lakes: HURON, ONTARIO, MICHIGAN, ERIE, AND SUPERIOR
Mississippi-Missouri-Ohio river system: continent’s longest, busiest river
Mackenzie River: longest in Canada, crosses Northwest Territories
Land and Forest
Fertile soil helps make North America world’s leading food exporter
Large forests yield lumber and other products
½ of Canada and 1/3 of US is covered by FOREST!

22. Resources Shape Ways of Life
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
US: biggest energy consumer; gets most of Canada’s energy exports
NATURAL RESOURCES FOUND:
Iron Ore, Nickel, Copper, Gold, Uranium, Silver, coal, natural gas, oil

23. Climate and Vegetation
US has more climate zones than Canada.
Most of the US is located in the mid-latitudes, where the climates are moderate.
Canada is colder because so much of it lies far north in the higher latitudes

24. Colder Climates Tundra Climate – Arctic coast of Alaska and Canada
Winters are long, bitterly cold
Summers are brief and chilly
Subarctic Climate
Very cold winters, short mild summers
Permafrost – permanently frozen ground

25. Colder Climate Highland Climate (Rocky Mountains and Pacific Ranges)
Temperature and vegetation vary with elevation and latitude
Colder temperatures and sparse vegetation

26. Moderate Climates Humid Continental Marine West Coast
North Central and Northeastern US and southern Canada near the U.S. border
Climate and soil make this area one of the world’s most productive agriculture (dairy products, grain and livestock)
Most of Canada’s population is concentrated here.
Marine West Coast
Northern California to Southern Alaska
Climate affected by Pacific Ocean currents
Prevailing westerlies – winds that blow from west to east in the middle of the latitudes
Summers are moderately warm, winters are long and mild, but rainy and foggy

27. Milder Climates Humid Subtropical Climate Mediterranean Climate
Most southern states
Hot and muggy, temps ranging from 75-90
Mild, cool winters
Long growing season, variety of crops – citrus fruit to peanuts
Mediterranean Climate
Central and southern coasts of California
Dry, sunny, warm summers
Mild, rainy winters
Temps are 50-80
Long growing season – fruits and vegetables

28. Dry Climates Semiarid Climate Desert Climate Great Plains
Dry weather, 15 inches of rain a year
Vegetation is mainly short grasses and shrubs
Desert Climate
Southwestern states
Hot and dry
Less than 10 inches of rain
Cactus plants

29. Tropical Climates Tropical Wet and Dry Tropical Climates
Everglades – huge swampland that covers 4,000 square miles
Tropical Climates
Only found in southern Florida and Hawaii
Lush rain forests
Temps stay around 70

30. Effects of Extreme Weather
Harsh and Deadly weather
Severe storms
Great Plains “Tornado Alley”
Hurricanes in the summer and fall
Heavy rainfall can cause flooding