1. Geography of the United States Two major mountain ranges Appalachians Rockies Highest mountain in North America? Mount McKinley (Denali) in Alaska 20,320 feet Coastal ranges? Cascades Sierra Nevada Means “snowy mountains” Google Images Microsoft Clipart Gallery

2. Rain Shadow Coastal mountains keep moisture from reaching interior areas Highest peaks in U.S. mountain ranges: Mount Rainier (14,410 feet) in Cascade Range Mount Whitney (14,494 feet) in the Sierra Nevada Mount Mitchell (6,684 feet) in Appalachians Google Images Microsoft Clipart Gallery

3. The Mighty Mississippi Many tributaries: Missouri Ohio Platte Red Tennessee Arkansas 3 rd (or 4 th ) longest river in the world Behind Nile, Amazon (and Yangtze) Used for both irrigation and transportation Google Images Microsoft Clipart Gallery

4. Agriculture Different crops in different regions/climates: Corn Wheat Soybeans Cotton Tobacco Rice Fruits Farmers < 2 % of work force, but produce huge surpluses Livestock raising and dairy products are also important agricultural industries Google Images Microsoft Clipart Gallery

5. Industry US – world leader in technology & manufacturing Computers Iron & steel Military & transportation equipment Electronics Textiles Chemicals Paper & lumber Food products Vast natural resources Iron ore, coal, oil, natural gas and trees (nonrenewable?) Google Images Microsoft Clipart Gallery

6. Climates Most areas have humid continental climate Hot summers Cold winters Southeast = humid subtropical climate Milder winters Hot & humid summers Summer brings violent thunderstorms, hurricanes & tornadoes Google Images Microsoft Clipart Gallery

7. Pacific Northwest = marine west coast climate Mild temperatures Lots of rain Southern California = Mediterranean Dry, warm summers Mild, rainy winters Alaska = subarctic Cool summers Freezing winters Hawaii = tropical Heavy rainfall Warm temperatures Pacific breezes 70s all year Google Images Microsoft Clipart Gallery

8. US – 4 th largest country in the world in area Behind Russia, Canada, and China 3 rd largest in population More than 300 million people Behind China & India Five largest cities: New York Los Angeles Chicago Houston Philadelphia Google Images Microsoft Clipart Gallery