Physical Geography of the United States and Canada

Physical Geography of the United States and Canada: A Land of Contrasts North America’s vast land varied landscape and abundant resources have attracted immigrants and shaped the development of the United States and Canada

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

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 2 nd largest country in the world by area; US is the 3 rd largest › Together they cover 1/8 th 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, snowcovered 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. Mc. Kinley 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 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