physical geography of the united states and canada: a land of contrasts
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Physical Geography of the United States and Canada: A Land of Contrasts. North America’s vast land and varied landscape and abundant resources have attracted immigrants and shaped the development of the United States and Canada. Section 1 Landforms and Resources. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Physical Geography of the United States and Canada: A
Land of ContrastsNorth America’s vast land and varied
landscape and abundant resources have attracted immigrants and shaped the
development of the United States and Canada
Section 1Landforms and Resources
The United States and Canada have vast lands and abundant resources
These two countries share many of the same landforms
Landscape Influenced Development
Anglo America› US, Canada: former British colonies, most people
speak English› Strong economic and political ties with one
another› Mexico is part of Latin America NOT Anglo America
Vast Lands› Canada is the 2nd largest country in the world by
area; US is the 3rd largest› Together they cover 1/8th of the earth’s land
surface
Landscape Influenced Development
Abundant Resources› Landmass and natural resources attract
immigrants to both countries› US and Canada have developed into global
economic powers› The 2 resources that helped the US and
Canada develop into Global Economic Powers: Fertile soil, water, forest, minerals
Many and Varied Landforms Major Landforms
› All major landforms are found in the US and Canada› The two countries share mountain chains and
interior plains The Eastern Lowlands
› Atlantic Coastal Plain extends from Delaware down to Florida
› Gulf Coastal Plain goes from Florida, along Gulf of Mexico to Texas
› Piedmont – low plateau between coastal plains, Appalachian Highlands
Many and Varied Landforms
Many and Varied Landforms The Appalachian Highlands – Eastern
Mountain Chain› Appalachian Mountains run 1,600 miles from
Newfoundland to Alabama Include Green and Catskill mountains in the
north Blue Ridge and Great Smoky mountain in the
south› More than 400 million years old› Erosion has created gentle slopes, peaks
from 1,200 to 2,400 feet› The Appalachian Trail is a scenic hiking path
along the chain.
Appalachian Mountains
Many and Varied Landforms The Interior Lowlands
› Glaciers leveled the land, left fertile soil› Interior Plains extend from Appalachian to
Missouri River› Great Plains extend from Missouri to Rocky
Mountains› Canadian Shield – vast, flat area around
Hudson Bay
Great Plains Mostly treeless area 4,000 feet above sea level Run through Southern Texas up through
Southern Canada
Canadian Shield Rocky Flat Region Lies far north in Canada Covers about 18 million square miles Encircles Hudson Bay
Many and Varied Landforms The Western Mountains, Plateaus, and
Basins› Rocky Mountains run 3,000 miles from
Alaska to New Mexico› Relatively young: 80 million years old› Less erosion mean rugged, 12,000-foot,
snow-covered peaks› Continental Divide – the line of highest
point 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
Many and Varied Landforms The Islands
› Canada’s large, northern islands: Ellesmere, Victoria, Baffin
› US: Aleutians (Alaska), Hawaiian (politically, not geographically)
Resources Shape Ways of Life
Oceans and Waterways› US and Canada are bounded by:
ATLANTIC, PACIFIC, ARTIC 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› Great Lakes: HURON, ONTARIO, MICHIGAN, ERIE,
AND SUPERIOR› Mississippi-Missouri-Ohio river system: continent’s
longest, busiest river› Mackenzie River: longest in Canada, crosses
Northwest Territories Land and Forest
› Fertile soil helps make North America world’s leading food exporter
› Large forests yield lumber and other products› ½ of Canada and 1/3 of US is covered by FOREST!
Resources Shape Ways of Life
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
› US: biggest energy consumer; gets most of Canada’s energy exports
› NATURAL RESOURCES FOUND: Iron Ore, Nickel, Copper, Gold, Uranium, Silver,
coal, natural gas, oil
Climate and Vegetation US has more climate zones than
Canada. Most of the US is located in the mid-
latitudes, where the climates are moderate.
Canada is colder because so much of it lies far north in the higher latitudes
Colder Climates Tundra Climate – Arctic coast of Alaska
and Canada › Winters are long, bitterly cold› Summers are brief and chilly
Subarctic Climate› Very cold winters, short mild summers› Permafrost – permanently frozen ground
Colder Climate Highland Climate (Rocky Mountains
and Pacific Ranges)› Temperature and vegetation vary with
elevation and latitude› Colder temperatures and sparse
vegetation
Moderate Climates Humid Continental
› North Central and Northeastern US and southern Canada near the U.S. border
› Climate and soil make this area one of the world’s most productive agriculture (dairy products, grain and livestock)
› Most of Canada’s population is concentrated here. Marine West Coast
› Northern California to Southern Alaska› Climate affected by Pacific Ocean currents› Prevailing westerlies – winds that blow from west to east in
the middle of the latitudes› Summers are moderately warm, winters are long and mild,
but rainy and foggy
Milder Climates Humid Subtropical Climate
› Most southern states› Hot and muggy, temps ranging from 75-90› Mild, cool winters› Long growing season, variety of crops – citrus fruit to
peanuts Mediterranean Climate
› Central and southern coasts of California› Dry, sunny, warm summers› Mild, rainy winters› Temps are 50-80› Long growing season – fruits and vegetables
Dry Climates Semiarid Climate
› Great Plains› Dry weather, 15 inches of rain a year› Vegetation is mainly short grasses and
shrubs Desert Climate
› Southwestern states› Hot and dry› Less than 10 inches of rain› Cactus plants
Tropical Climates Tropical Wet and Dry
› Everglades – huge swampland that covers 4,000 square miles
Tropical ClimatesOnly found in southern Florida and Hawaii› Lush rain forests› Temps stay around 70
Effects of Extreme Weather Harsh and Deadly weather Severe storms Great Plains “Tornado Alley” Hurricanes in the summer and fall Heavy rainfall can cause flooding