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