Physical Geography of the United States and Canada:

1
Physical Geography of the United States and
Canada A Land of Contrasts
North Americas vast and varied landscape and
abundant resources have attracted immigrants and
shaped the development of the United States and
Canada.
The Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming was
formed by erosion. It was named a national
monument in 1906.
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Physical Geography Looking at the Earth
Landforms and Resources
SECTION 1
SECTION 2
Climate and Vegetation
Human-Environment Interaction
SECTION 3
Unit Atlas Political
Unit Atlas Physical
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The United States and Canada have vast lands
and abundant resources.
These two countries share many of the same
landforms.
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SECTION
Landforms and Resources
1
Landscape Influenced Development
Anglo America U.S., Canada former British
colonies, most people speak English Strong
economic and political ties with one another
Vast Lands Canada second largest country in
the world by area U.S. third Together they
cover one-eighth of the earths land surface
Continued . . .
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SECTION
1
continued Landscape Influenced Development
Abundant Resources Landmass and natural
resources attract immigrants to both countries
U.S. and Canada have developed into global
economic powers
Map
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SECTION
1
Many and Varied Landforms
Major Landforms All major landforms are found
in U.S. and Canada The two countries share
mountain chains and interior plains
Map
The Eastern Lowlands Atlantic Coastal Plain
extends from Delaware down to Florida Gulf
Coastal Plain goes from Florida, along Gulf of
Mexico, to Texas Piedmontlow plateau between
coastal plains, Appalachian Highlands
Continued . . .
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SECTION
1
continued 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 1,2002,400 feet The
Appalachian Trail is a scenic hiking path
along the chain
Image
Image
Continued . . .
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SECTION
1
continued Many and Varied Landforms
The Interior Lowlands Glaciers leveled the
land, left fertile soil Interior Plains extend
from Appalachians to Missouri River Great
Plains extend from Missouri River to Rocky
Mountains Canadian Shieldvast, flat area
around Hudson Bay
Image
Continued . . .
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SECTION
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continued 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 means rugged, 12,000-foot,
snow- covered peaks Continental Dividethe
line of highest points along the
Rockies - separates rivers that flow eastward
from those that flow westward
Image
Continued . . .
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SECTION
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continued Many and Varied Landforms
The Western Mountains, Plateaus, and Basins
Other Pacific mountain ranges Sierra Nevada,
Cascade Continents highest peak Mt. McKinley
in Alaska Major earthquake activity in Pacific
ranges Between ranges and Rockies cliffs,
canyons, basins (low desert)
Image
The Islands Canadas large, northern islands
Ellesmere, Victoria, Baffin U.S. Aleutians
(Alaska), Hawaiian (politically, not
geographically)
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SECTION
1
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
Image
Continued . . .
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SECTION
1
continued Resources Shape Ways of Life
Oceans and Waterways Great Lakes Huron,
Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior
Mississippi-Missouri-Ohio river system
continents longest, busiest Mackenzie River
longest in Canada, crosses Northwest Territories
Interactive
Continued . . .
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SECTION
1
continued Resources Shape Ways of Life
Land and Forests Fertile soil helps make North
America worlds leading food exporter 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 gets most of
Canadas energy exports
Interactive
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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.
Canadas cold climate is related to its
location in the far northern latitudes.
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SECTION
Climate and Vegetation
2
Shared Climates and Vegetation
U.S. and Canada Climates U.S. has more climate
zones than Canada U.S. moderate
mid-latitudes, Canada colder high latitudes
Map
Colder Climates Arctic coast is tundra huge,
treeless plain with long, cold winters - some
permafrostpermanently frozen ground Rockies
and Pacific ranges are highland colder, sparse
vegetation - affect weather in lower areas
block Arctic air, trap Pacific moisture
Continued . . .
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SECTION
2
continued Shared Climates and Vegetation
Moderate Climates North central, northeast
U.S, southern Canada are humid
continental - cold winters warm summers heavy
agriculture Pacific coast has marine west
coast climate - warm summers long, mild, rainy
winters mixed vegetation - climate
affected by ocean currents, coastal mountains,
westerlies - prevailing westerliesmiddle-latitu
de winds blowing west to east
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SECTION
2
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
Continued . . .
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SECTION
2
continued 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 deserts
Tropical 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 - Evergladesswam
pland covering 4,000 square miles
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SECTION
2
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
Map
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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.
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SECTION
Human-Environment Interaction
3
Settlement and Agriculture Alter the Land
Settlement 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
Continued . . .
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SECTION
3
continued 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
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SECTION
3
Building Cities
Where Cities Grow Water access a major factor
in how towns begin, develop Other factors
landscape, climate, weather, natural resources
MontrealAdapting to the Weather Canadas
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
Image
Continued . . .
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SECTION
3
continued Building Cities
Los AngelesCreating 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
Image
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SECTION
3
Overcoming Distances
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 Canalfirst navigable water link
between Atlantic, Great Lakes
Continued . . .
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SECTION
3
continued Overcoming Distances
Trails and Inland Waterways St. Lawrence
Seawaydeepwater 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
Map
Chart
Continued . . .
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SECTION
3
continued Overcoming Distances
Transcontinental Railroads Transcontinentalfro
m 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 worlds largest rail system
Canada, third largest
Continued . . .
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SECTION
3
continued Overcoming Distances
National Highway Systems Arrival of automobile
spurs roadbuilding 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
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