1. Mr. Burton Bell-Ringer: Identify three unique characteristics about the United States to everywhere else in the world.

2. Physical Features of the United States  Atlantic Coast  Appalachian Mountains  Interior Plains  Mississippi River Region  Great Lakes  Great Plains  Rocky Mountains  Continental Divide  Alaska and Hawaii

3. The climate of the United States is wetter in the East and South and drier in the West. East and South Northeast: Humid continental climate with snowy winters and warm, humid summers South: Humid subtropical climate with milder winters and warm, humid summers Florida: Warm all year Interior Plains Most of the region: A humid continental climate Great Plains: Hot and dry summers West West: Mostly dry Pacific Northwest coast: A wet, mild coastal climate Alaska: Sub-arctic and tundra climates Hawaii: A warm, tropical climate

4. The United States is rich in natural resources such as farmland, oil, forests, and minerals.  Alaska, California, or Louisiana: oil  The U.S. is a major oil producer but uses more oil than it produces.  Appalachians and Rockies: minerals including coal  Coal supplies the energy for more than half of the electricity produced in the U.S.  The U.S. has about 25 percent of the world’s coal reserves.  Forests: lumber  Farmlands: wheat, corn, soybeans, cotton, fruits, and vegetables