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Published byCandace Richard Modified over 9 years ago
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Physical Geography of the United States and Canada
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Landforms and Resources Canada is the 2 nd largest country in the world Canada is the 2 nd largest country in the world The United States is the 3 rd largest country The United States is the 3 rd largest country
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Landforms and Resources Extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and from the Artic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico Extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and from the Artic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico
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Landforms and Resources Both countries rich in natural resources: Both countries rich in natural resources: Fertile soil Fertile soil Ample water supply Ample water supply Vast forests Vast forests Variety of minerals Variety of minerals
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Many and Varied Landforms The Eastern Lowlands The Eastern Lowlands Flat coastal plains that runs along the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico Flat coastal plains that runs along the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico Piedmont: low plateau between the Eastern Lowlands and the Appalachian mountains Piedmont: low plateau between the Eastern Lowlands and the Appalachian mountains Contains many fast-flowing rivers Contains many fast-flowing rivers
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Many and Varied Landforms Appalachian Mountains Appalachian Mountains West of the coastal plain West of the coastal plain 1,600 miles long from Newfoundland to Alabama 1,600 miles long from Newfoundland to Alabama Several mountain ranges Several mountain ranges Green and Catskill in the North Green and Catskill in the North Blue Ridge and Great Smoky in South Blue Ridge and Great Smoky in South
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Many and Varied Landforms The Interior Lowlands The Interior Lowlands Covers interior of North America Covers interior of North America Flattened by glaciers Flattened by glaciers Interior plains Interior plains Great Plains Great Plains Canadian Shield Canadian Shield
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Many and Varied Landforms Western Mountains, Plateaus, and Basins Western Mountains, Plateaus, and Basins Rocky Mountains Rocky Mountains Continental Divide Continental Divide Sierra Nevada Sierra Nevada Cascade Range Cascade Range North America’s highest peak = Mt. McKinley North America’s highest peak = Mt. McKinley
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Many and Varied Landforms The Islands The Islands Ellesmere, Victoria, Baffin Islands Ellesmere, Victoria, Baffin Islands Aleutian Islands Aleutian Islands Hawaiian Islands Hawaiian Islands
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Oceans and Waterways Great Lakes Great Lakes Mississippi River = longest in continent Mississippi River = longest in continent Mackenzie River = Canada’s longest river Mackenzie River = Canada’s longest river
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Land and Forests North America is the world’s leading food exporter North America is the world’s leading food exporter Much of this agricultural land is found in the plains region and in river valleys Much of this agricultural land is found in the plains region and in river valleys 1/2 of Canada and 1/3 of the U.S. is covered by forests 1/2 of Canada and 1/3 of the U.S. is covered by forests
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Minerals and Fossil Fuels Canada = iron ore, nickel, copper, gold, uranium Canada = iron ore, nickel, copper, gold, uranium Both countries = coal, natural gas, oil, energy producing fossil fuels Both countries = coal, natural gas, oil, energy producing fossil fuels
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Climate and Vegetation
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Shared Climates and Vegetation Colder Climates Colder Climates Artic coast of Alaska and Canada Artic coast of Alaska and Canada Winters = long and bitterly cold Winters = long and bitterly cold Summers = brief and chilly Summers = brief and chilly Rocky Mountains and Pacific Ranges = highland climate and vegetation Rocky Mountains and Pacific Ranges = highland climate and vegetation
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Shared Climates and Vegetation Moderate Climates Moderate Climates Humid continental Humid continental Pacific west coast Pacific west coast Prevailing Westerlies- winds that blow from west to east in the middle latitudes Prevailing Westerlies- winds that blow from west to east in the middle latitudes
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Differences in Climate and Vegetation Milder climates Milder climates Long growing season for variety of crops Long growing season for variety of crops Dry Climates Dry Climates Great Plains and northern part of Great Basin Great Plains and northern part of Great Basin
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Differences in Climate and Vegetation Tropical Climates Tropical Climates Hawaii and Southern Florida Hawaii and Southern Florida Florida Everglades Florida Everglades
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Human Environment Interaction
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Settlement and Agriculture Alter the Land First inhabitants were nomads; people who move from place to place First inhabitants were nomads; people who move from place to place Beringia: land bridge that once connected Siberia and Alaska Beringia: land bridge that once connected Siberia and Alaska
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Settlement Agriculture Alter the Land Early settlements became permanent about 3,000 years ago Early settlements became permanent about 3,000 years ago Agriculture Agriculture Changed the landscape to meet their needs Changed the landscape to meet their needs
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Building Cities Montreal, Quebec (1642): Canada’s 2 nd largest city and a major port Montreal, Quebec (1642): Canada’s 2 nd largest city and a major port Los Angeles: 2 nd most populous city in U.S. Los Angeles: 2 nd most populous city in U.S. Metropolitan area spreads over 4,060 square miles Metropolitan area spreads over 4,060 square miles
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Overcoming Distances Trails and Inland Waterways Trails and Inland Waterways St. Lawerence Seaway: N.A.’s most important deepwater ship route St. Lawerence Seaway: N.A.’s most important deepwater ship route Connects Great Lakes to Atlantic Connects Great Lakes to Atlantic Oregon and Santa Fe trails Oregon and Santa Fe trails
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Overcoming Distances Transcontinental Railroads Transcontinental Railroads 1 st one completed in U.S. in 1869 1 st one completed in U.S. in 1869 Trans-Canada railroad completed in 1885 Trans-Canada railroad completed in 1885
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Overcoming Distances National Highway Systems National Highway Systems Trans-Canada Highway Trans-Canada Highway U.S. interstate system is a network of more than 46,000 miles of highway U.S. interstate system is a network of more than 46,000 miles of highway
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