1. BA 8/19
In a paragraph, what makes the U.S. one of the most powerful and richest nations in the world? Explain your answer.
**since you are writing a paragraph, you do NOT have to write the question***

2. Why “in the world” do we need to know this stuff??
And then there’s this:

3. Unit 2: Climate, Landforms & Bodies of Water in the United States
Chapter 7 & 8
SSWG8
The student will describe the interaction of physical and human systems that have shaped contemporary Canada and the United States.
a. Describe the location of major physical features and their impact on Canada and the United States.
b. Describe the major climates of Canada and the United States and how they affect Canada and the United States.
c. Explain the reasons for the population distribution in Canada and the United States.
d. Explain how the physical geography of Canada and the United States contributed to regional growth and development.

4. Climate The U.S. contains all the 4 major climates
High Latitude- Alaska
2. Middle Latitude- Most of country
3. Dry- Mojave Desert (CA)
4. Tropical- Hawaii & southern Florida

5. Landforms of the East Three major landforms in the east:
1. Coastal plain
2. Piedmont
3. Appalachian Mountains

6. 1. Coastal Plain
Stretches along the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico from New England to Mexico
Lies close to sea level

7. 2. Piedmont Piedmont- area at the bottom of the Appalachian mountains
Area west of coastal plain
Stretches from New Jersey to Alabama

8. Fall Line
The Fall Line- boundary between the Piedmont and the coastal plain
Area full of rapids and waterfalls
Small ships couldn’t pass it
Created boundary for early settlements

9. 3. Appalachian Mountains
Rise to the west and north of the Piedmont
Stretch from Alabama to SE Canada

10. Bodies of Water
Major rivers include the Mississippi River and Colorado River
Continental divide- divides North America’s river systems into those flowing eastward and westward
Located at the peak of the Rocky Mountains

11. Major Regions of the U.S.
The United States is divided into 4 regions: 1. Northeast 2. Midwest 3. South 4. West

12. Northeast

13. 1. Northeast Most densely populated area of the U.S.
About 1/5 of country’s population
Smallest of the regions
Political and financial center of U.S.
Has most amount of industry
Includes Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and Washington D.C.

14. Northeast continued
Most of area’s population is located in a megalopolis
Megalopolis: group of cities that have grown into one large, built up area
Ex: Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C.
Linked by highways, railroads, and airports

15. Midwest

16. 2. Midwest Country’s major farming region
Includes Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Missouri.
Area has many river systems and productive soils
Major cities linked by Great Lakes and Mississippi River
Major cities include Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit

17. Midwest continued Includes Corn Belt and Dairy Belt
1. Corn Belt- Nebraska to Ohio
Country’s corn producer
2. Dairy Belt- north of Corn Belt
Includes Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan
Makes country’s dairy products

18. South

19. 3. South Holds 30% of population
Most of any region
Area includes Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas

20. South continued Region is a major source of raw materials
Example: lumber, cotton, tobacco
Warm climate makes area popular tourist destination
Ex: Disney World, Busch Gardens, Sea World
Major cities include Dallas, Atlanta, Miami, and New Orleans

21. West

22. 4. West Largest and most sparsely populated region
25% of country’s population
Includes Great Plains and Rocky Mountains
Much of the area consists of dry plateaus, deserts, and high mountains

23. West continued West is part of Pacific Ring of Fire
Many active volcanoes and earthquake faults
Parts of California lie on the San Andreas Fault
Reason for earthquakes
Mount Rainier, Mount Hood, Mount Shasta and Mount St. Helens are all active volcanoes

25. West continued Western region broken into 2 parts:
1. Interior West
2. Pacific States
Interior West: North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Arizona
Pacific States: California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Hawaii

26. Interior west
Region known for raising livestock, wheat farming and mining
Copper: Arizona, New Mexico, Utah
Gold: Nevada
Major cities include Phoenix and Denver

27. Pacific States Area where most people live
California has largest population of any state in country
Computer technology greatly helped area
Silicon Valley in San Francisco
Major cities include Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and San Diego