North AmericaNorth America

66thth Grade Western Hemisphere Grade Western Hemisphere

Mr. HackneyMr. Hackney

Countries on the North American Countries on the North American ContinentContinent

• Canada, U.S., and Mexico are largest countries on continent.

• Caribbean islands are part of North America.

Isolated ContinentIsolated Continent

• North America is almost completely surrounded by water.

• 12,000-35,000 years ago, the earliest settlers arrived.

Crossing BarriersCrossing Barriers

• Settlers learned shipbuilding and navigation to get to North America.

• In the 1900s, the distance from other countries helped protect Canada and the U.S.

Regions of the U.S. & CanadaRegions of the U.S. & Canada

• Atlantic Coastal Plain– Area along Gulf of Mexico and east coast of

North America with rich farmland with swamps and wetlands.

• Appalachian Mountains– 400 million old mountain range. Forested and

mountains have been weathered down by erosion.

Atlantic Coastal PlainAtlantic Coastal Plain

Appalachian MountainsAppalachian Mountains

Regions of the U.S. and CanadaRegions of the U.S. and Canada

• Central Lowlands– Generally flat and has rich soil. Many farms

can be found here. West of Appalachian mountains.

• Great Plains– Grasslands and few trees. Farmers grow

crops and raise cattle.

Central LowlandsCentral Lowlands

Great PlainsGreat Plains

Regions of the U.S. and CanadaRegions of the U.S. and Canada

• Rocky Mountains and Coastal Ranges– Area of North America’s highest mountains.– Runs from Mexico to Alaska.

• Intermountain Region– Location between Rocky and coastal

mountain ranges. – Contains plateaus, basins, and deserts.– Cattle raised here.

Rocky Mountain and Coastal Rocky Mountain and Coastal RangesRanges

Intermountain RegionIntermountain Region

Regions of the U.S. and CanadaRegions of the U.S. and Canada

• Canadian Shield– Flat lands with hills and lakes. – Rich in minerals like gold, iron, copper,

uranium.– Not very good for farming.

Canadian ShieldCanadian Shield

Physical Processes That Shape Physical Processes That Shape North AmericaNorth America

• Glaciers– Were much larger in last ice age. – As they retreated north, they carved out the land.– When ice melted, all the large holes, and valleys filled

with water giving us lakes and rivers.

• Erosion– Constant wind and water wear down rock into

formations.– Grand Canyon is an example.

WaterwaysWaterways

• North America has extensive river system.– Longest rivers in the U.S. are the Mississippi

and the Missouri.– Longest river in Canada is the Mackenzie

River– River systems empty into oceans, lakes, and

seas.