Transcript Chapter 4 The United States and Canada Physical Geography
1. LOOK
CARDIO
AT PAGE 78.
BASED ON THE MAP, IN TERMS OF VEGETATION, NATURAL WHAT PART OF THE UNITED STATES HAS THE MOST IN COMMON CANADA?
WITH
Chapter 4: The United States and Canada: Physical Geography Section 1: Physical Features The United States and Canada share the North American continent. They also share landforms. In the West are the Rocky
Mountains, which extend through the United States and Canada. On the spine, or top, of the Rockies is the Continental Divide. All rivers to the east flow north, south, and east; all rivers to the west, flow west. In the East are the Appalachian Mountains. In between these mountain chains are plains, good areas for farming.
The United States and Canada share the Great Lakes—Huron, Ontario, Michigan,
Erie, and Superior. These are the world’s largest freshwater lakes, and they were formed by melting glaciers, huge, slow moving ice sheets.
In Canada, the St. Lawrence River connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. The St.
Lawrence
tributaries.
is an important transportation
corridor, because it enables ships to travel all the way from the Atlantic to the heart of the United States and Canada. The major American river is
the Mississippi. The smaller Ohio and Missouri rivers flow into the Mississippi and are called
Classroom Discussion Questions:
1. What Canada and the United States share?
physical features do 2. What are the major rivers in the United States and Canada?
Section 2: Humans and the Physical Environment Climate
—the average weather conditions of a place—is affected by latitude, mountains, and oceans. The climate of Canada is colder
than that of the United States because
Canada is farther from the Equator. The northernmost part of Canada is tundra—cold and dry and frozen for most of the year. Only moss, grass, and some wildflowers grow here.
.
Central Canada has the world’s largest
prairie, or grassland, which is good for farming and raising animals. Almost one-half of Canada is made up of forests.
The United States has more extremes of climate. Alaska is far north and very cold.
Hawaii and Florida are near the tropics, the area between 23 degrees north, and 23 degrees south latitudes; their climate is hot. The United States contains prairies, and almost one-third of the United States
with few plants
is forest land.
The Southwestern part of the United States includes deserts. These are semiarid areas
North American Vegetation Pyramid:
Desert: few plants Tundra: moss, grass, wildflowers Prairie: grass; bushes; crops such as corn and wheat Forest: many trees and plants Deserts have the least vegetation.
Forests have the most.
Deserts have the least vegetation. Forests have the most.
Classroom Discussion Questions:
1. What is climate and what affects it?
2. What are the major vegetation zones in North America?
Section 3: Geographic Factors and Natural Resources Natural resources
that occur in nature: soil, water,
minerals,
resources, and trees. All four of these resources are necessary for people.
The Midwestern and Southern parts of the United States have
rich soil that is good for farming.
It is called alluvial soil, which is the topsoil left by rivers after a flood.
and
and resources
energy
Only about 12% of Canada’s land is good for farming. This farmland is in the central prairie
and near the St. Lawrence River. The United States and Canada grow grains, fruits, and vegetables.
Water is needed for drinking, growing crops, powering industries, and transportation.
Dams along rivers generate
hydroelectricity, or power generated by moving water.
Energy sources include coal, petroleum, and natural gas.
Mineral resources in the United States and Canada include copper, gold, iron ore, lead, silver, zinc, and uranium.
The United States and Canada have vast forests. They produce enough lumber for their own needs and for export.
Uses of Natural Resources: SOIL Grow food Raise animals WATER
Irrigation Drinking
ENERGY
Electricity Light
MINERALS
Jewelry Utensils
TREES
Paper Furniture Washing Transportation Energy Recreation Heating/Cooling Transportation Hydroelectricity Pipes/Nails/ Machine parts Storage batteries Construction Lumber for Houses