Chapter 5Physical Geography of the

United States and Canada: A Land of Contrasts

North America’s vast and varied landscape and abundant resources have

attracted immigrants and shaped the development of the United States and

Canada.

• Section 1: Landforms and Resources• Section 2: Climate and Vegetation• Section 3: Human-Environment Interaction

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.

Section 1: Landforms and Resources

Landscape Influenced DevelopmentAnglo America• U.S., Canada are both former British colonies, most people

speak English.• Strong economic and with one another along with sharing

physical geography.Vast Lands• Extend across North America from Atlantic on the east to

Pacific on the West, From the Arctic in the North to the Gulf of Mexico in the south.

• Canada second largest country in the world by area; U.S. third.• Together they cover one-eighth of the earth’s land surface

Landscape Influenced Development

Abundant Resources• Landmass and richness in natural resources

attract immigrants to both countries.• U.S. and Canada have developed into global

economic powers

Many and Varied Landforms

Major Landforms• All major landforms are found in U.S. and Canada• The two countries share mountain chains and interior plainsThe Eastern Lowlands• A flat coastal plain runs along the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of

Mexico. Excellent locations for harbors.• Atlantic Coastal Plain extends from Delaware down to Florida.• Gulf Coastal Plain goes from Florida, along Gulf of Mexico, to

Texas• Also in this area is the Piedmont—low plateau between coastal

plains and Appalachian Highlands

Many and Varied Landforms

The Appalachian Highlands• Appalachian Mountains run 1,600 miles from

Newfoundland to Alabama- include Green and Catskill mountains in the north- Blue Ridge and Great Smoky mountains in the south• More than 400 million years old• Erosion has created gentle slopes, peaks from 1,200–

2,400 feet• The Appalachian Trail is a scenic hiking path along the

chain

Many and Varied Landforms

The Interior Lowlands• Huge area of mainly level lands covering the

interior of North America.• Glaciers leveled the land and left fertile soil.• Interior Plains extend from Appalachians to

Missouri River• Great Plains extend from Missouri River to

Rocky Mountains• Canadian Shield—vast, flat area around

Hudson Bay

Many and Varied Landforms

The Western Mountains, Plateaus, and Basins• West of the plains are the massive, rugged Rocky Mountains.• Rocky Mountains run 3,000 miles from Alaska to New Mexico• Relatively young: 80 million years old• Less erosion means rugged, 12,000-foot, snow-covered peaks• Continental Divide—the line of highest points along the

Rockies- separates rivers that flow eastward from those that flow

westward

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 (low

desert)The Islands• Canada’s large, northern islands: Ellesmere, Victoria, Baffin are

huge, and only Greenland is bigger in North America.• U.S.: Aleutians (Alaska), Hawaiian (politically, not

geographically) Both created by volcanic activity.

Resources Shape Ways of Life

Oceans and Waterways• U.S. and Canada are bounded by:- Atlantic, Pacific, Arctic oceans- Gulf of Mexico• Countries have many large, inland rivers and

lakes that provide:- transportation, hydroelectric power, irrigation,

fresh water, fisheries

Resources Shape Ways of Life

Oceans and Waterways• 8 of the worlds largest lakes are found in this

region. Among these are the Great Lakes• Great Lakes: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie,

and Superior• Mississippi-Missouri-Ohio river system:

continent’s longest, busiest• Mackenzie River: longest in Canada, crosses

Northwest Territories

Resources Shape Ways of Life

Land and Forests• One of the richest natural resources in the US and Canada is the land.• Fertile soil helps make North America world’s leading food exporter.

Much of the agricultural land is found in the plains.• Large forests yield lumber and other products.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• U.S.: biggest energy consumer, it actually gets most of Canada’s

energy exports.

Section 2: Climate and Vegetation

• Almost every type of climate is found in the 50 United States because they extend over such a large area north to south.

• Canada’s cold climate is related to its location in the far northern latitudes.

Section 2: Climate and VegetationShared Climates and VegetationU.S and Canada Climates• U.S. has more climate zones than Canada• U.S.: moderate mid-latitudes, Canada: colder high latitudes• US and Canada share climate like the one along the border of Alaska

and Canada, and also the northern border of the US and Southern border of Canada.

Colder Climates• Arctic coast is tundra: huge, treeless plain with long, cold winters- some permafrost which means there is permanently frozen ground• Rockies and Pacific ranges are highland: colder, sparse vegetation-affect weather in lower areas: block Arctic air, trap Pacific moisture

which makes in rainy on the western side of the mountains and those on the east are very dry.

Shared Climates and Vegetation

Moderate Climates• North central, northeast U.S, southern Canada are humid

continental- cold winters; warm summers; heavy agriculture. Canadian

summers are short while US has longer summers. Mostly temperate grasslands to the west of Mississippi River and to the east are deciduous forests.

• Pacific coast has marine west coast climate- warm summers; long, mild, rainy winters; mixed vegetation- climate affected by ocean currents, coastal mountains, westerlies- prevailing westerlies —middle-latitude winds blowing west to

east

Differences in Climate and Vegetation

Milder Climates• Much of U.S. located south of 40 degrees N latitude- milder, dry, and tropical climates• Southern states are humid subtropical- hot summers; mild winters; long growing season for

variety of crops• Central, southern California coasts have Mediterranean

climate- dry, warm summers; mild, rainy winters; fruits,

vegetables grow well

Differences in Climate and Vegetation

Dry Climates• Great Plains, northern Great Basin semiarid: dry with short

grasses• Southwest is hot, dry desert, including Mojave and Sonoran

desertsTropical Climates• Hawaii is tropical wet: rain forests, temps around 70 degrees F- Mount Waialeale on Kauai Island is one of the wettest spots on

earth• South Florida is tropical wet and dry: warm with tall grasses- Everglades— swampland covering 4,000 square miles

Effects of Extreme Weather

Natural Hazards• Warm Gulf air clashes with cold Canadian air over the

Great Plains- creates thunderstorms, tornadoes, blizzards• Hurricanes sweep the Gulf and Atlantic coasts in

summer and fall• Heavy rains cause floods along big rivers like the

Mississippi• Heat, lack of rain bring droughts, dust storms, forest

fires

Section 3: Human-Environment Interaction

• Humans have dramatically changed the face of North America.

• European settlements in the United States and Canada expanded from east to west.

Section 3: Human-Environment Interaction

Settlement and Agriculture Alter the LandSettlement• Before humans, land changed due to natural forces: weather,

erosion• Human settlers adapted to, and changed, the environment• First North Americans were nomads, moving from place to

place- migrated from Asia over Beringia, a land bridge from Siberia

to Alaska- hunted, fished, and gathered plants; settled near rivers and

streams

Settlement and Agriculture Alter the Land

Agriculture• Agriculture replaced hunting and gathering

3,000 years ago• Settlements became permanent- cut down trees for houses, plow fields, dig

irrigation ditches- plant corn, beans, squash• Today U.S. and Canada are leading agriculture

exporters

Building Cities

Where Cities Grow• Water access a major factor in how towns begin, develop• Other factors: landscape, climate, weather, natural resourcesMontreal—Adapting to the Weather• Canada’s second-largest city; major port located on island in

Quebec- meeting of St. Lawrence and Ottawa rivers make it important

trade site• French build permanent settlement in 1642 at base of Mount

Royal• Cold winters force people to stay inside and build underground

areas

Building Cities

Los Angeles—Creating Urban Sprawl• Mild climate and the ocean bring thousands to area in

early 1900s- once-small Spanish settlement expanded into valleys and

foothills• Becomes U.S.’s second-largest city in 1980s- problems: air pollution, low water supply, earthquake area• Los Angeles has spread out over a large area- city proper: 469 square miles; metropolitan area: 4,060

square miles

Overcoming Distances

Since the area is so big, the people of the US and Canada had to find ways to overcome the distances, here they are:

Trails and Inland Waterways• First natives go east, south down Pacific coast; some remain

north• Europeans colonize the east coast then go inland, creating

trails- national and Wilderness roads, Oregon and Santa Fe trails- use Mississippi and Ohio rivers; build canals- Erie Canal—first navigable water link between Atlantic,

Great Lakes

Overcoming Distances

Trails and Inland Waterways• St. Lawrence Seaway—deepwater ship route

built by U.S. and Canada• Connects Great Lakes to Atlantic by way of St.

Lawrence River• Gated-off sections called locks raise and lower

the water and ships• Large ocean vessels can get to industrial and

agricultural heartland

Overcoming Distances

Transcontinental Railroads• Transcontinental—from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean• Builders of early-1800s railroads face many natural barriers- workers cut down forests, bridge streams, tunnel through

mountains• First U.S. transcontinental railroad: 1860; first Canadian: 1885• Move goods, people; promote economic development, national

unity• Today U.S. has world’s largest rail system; Canada, third largest

Overcoming Distances

National Highway Systems• Arrival of automobile spurs road building in early 20th

century• Today U.S. has 4 million miles of roads, Canada has 560,000

miles• Large Canadian highways connect major southern cities

from east to west- Trans-Canada Highway: 4,860 miles, Newfoundland to

British Columbia• U.S. interstate highway system: 46,000-mile network begun

in 1950s