Transcript Ch. 5-1 Physical Geography of U.S. and Canada Objective: Identify and compare

Ch. 5-1
Physical Geography of U.S.
and Canada
Objective: Identify and compare
major landforms and resources of
the US and Canada
Land Area
• 2nd-Canada
• 3rd-United States
• Together 1/8 of
land surface on
earth
Resources
• Abundant natural resources
• Fertile soil, ample supply of water, vast
forest, variety of minerals
Major Landforms
• Appalachian Mountains-large mtn. chain in
US/Can.
• Older than Rockies, more eroded, shorter
Mississippi River
• North America’s
longest/busiest
river system is the
Miss.-MissouriOhio
• 4th longest in world
• Major shipping
channel
Great Lakes
• Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior
• Huge, freshwater lakes on US/Can. border
Major Landforms (cont.)
• Great Plains-treeless area in central and
Northern US, contains rich farmland
• Canadian Shield-rocky, mainly flat area
circling Hudson Bay
Major Landforms (cont.)
• Rocky Mountains-massive, rugged mtns in
US/Can., 3000 miles long from Alaska to
NM.
Major Landforms (cont.)
• Continental Divideline of highest
points in Rockies
that marks
separation between
rivers flowing
eastward and
westward
Forests!
• 50% of Canada covered by forests
• 33% of US covered by forests
Resources
• US 2nd world’s biggest consumer of energy
resources
• Most of Canada’s energy exports go to US
Something to consider…