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The United States & Canada. Chapter 5. i . Historical overview. A. Scientists believe that people migrated to North America thousands of years ago from Asia B. Colonial Heritage 1. colony – territory separated from but subject to a ruling power
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The United States & Canada Chapter 5
i. Historical overview • A. Scientists believe that people migrated to North America thousands of years ago from Asia • B. Colonial Heritage • 1. colony – territory separated from but subject to a ruling power • 2. Spanish (Florida, Texas, southwest US); French (Quebec, Canada & Louisiana); English (13 colonies on the Atlantic coast) • 3. 13 colonies revolted and formed the United States of America (using the principles from the English government) • 4. After many wars, French Quebec came under English rule (although many Canadians still speak French)
C. Growth & Conflict • 1. the US & Canada both expanded westward to the Pacific Ocean • 2. both purchased pieces of land, fought wars for land, or took the land over from the Native Americans that lived there • D. New Technology • 1. Industrial Revolution – time period where the power shifted from human to machine • 2. throughout the 1800s both the US & Canada started using new technologies to produce great quantities of goods • 3. railroads and steamships helped move people and products
ii. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS • A. The US and Canada have high mountain chains in the west, plains in the center, and lower mountains in the east • B. Continental divide – a boundary that separates rivers flowing toward opposite sides of the continent (Rocky Mountains) • C. Great Lakes – 5 large bodies of water that were formed by glaciers more than 10,000 years ago (lie on the border of Canada & the US)
III. climates • A. The US & Canada are affected by latitude, elevation, & distance from oceans • B. Both nations have climate differences between the east and west, because the Rocky Mtns. block winds from the Pacific Ocean • C. Since Canada is farther north than the US, they have a generally colder climate
IV. ecosystems • A. In the US and Canada, you see the following ecosystems: • 1. arctic tundra • 2. coniferous & deciduous forests • 3. grasslands • 4. desert scrub • B. Some areas (Hawaii, northern Canada, Alaska) have much of their original vegetation, while many other places have been drastically altered and their environments limit the native species
V. People & culture • A. Population • 1. US = 275 million people • 2. Canada = 31 million people • B. In both countries, ¾ of people live in urban communities • C. Both countries have: • 1. high life expectancies • 2. high rates of literacy (extensive education systems)
vi. Economics, technology, & environment • A. People of both nations have a high standard of living (measurement based on available education, housing, health care, and nutrition) • B. Advanced technology – high-tech industries are an influential part of both countries’ economics • C. Electricity needs – both countries are continuing to develop new ways to produce energy due to their increasing populations