Physical Geography of the United States and Canada: A Land of Contrasts

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

2. Section 1Landforms and Resources • The United States and Canada have vast lands and abundant resources • These two countries share many of the same landforms

3. 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 2nd largest country in the world by area; US is the 3rd largest • Together they cover 1/8th of the earth’s land surface

4. 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

5. 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

6. Many and Varied Landforms

7. 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.

8. Appalachian Mountains

9. 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

10. Great Plains • Mostly treeless area • 4,000 feet above sea level • Run through Southern Texas up through Southern Canada

11. Canadian Shield • Rocky Flat Region • Lies far north in Canada • Covers about 18 million square miles • Encircles Hudson Bay

13. 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, snow-covered peaks • Continental Divide – the line of highest point along the Rockies • Separates rivers that flow eastward from those that flow westward

16. Many and Varied Landforms • The Western Mountains, Plateaus, and Basins • Other Pacific mountain ranges: Sierra Nevada, Cascade • Continent’s highest peak: Mt. McKinley in Alaska • Major earthquake activity in Pacific ranges • Between ranges and Rockies: cliffs, canyons basins

18. Many and Varied Landforms • The Islands • Canada’s large, northern islands: Ellesmere, Victoria, Baffin • US: Aleutians (Alaska), Hawaiian (politically, not geographically)

19. 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

21. 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 and 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!

22. 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

23. Climate and Vegetation • US has more climate zones than Canada. • Most of the US is located in the mid-latitudes, where the climates are moderate. • Canada is colder because so much of it lies far north in the higher latitudes

24. Colder Climates • Tundra Climate – Arctic coast of Alaska and Canada • Winters are long, bitterly cold • Summers are brief and chilly • Subarctic Climate • Very cold winters, short mild summers • Permafrost – permanently frozen ground

25. Colder Climate • Highland Climate (Rocky Mountains and Pacific Ranges) • Temperature and vegetation vary with elevation and latitude • Colder temperatures and sparse vegetation

26. Moderate Climates • Humid Continental • North Central and Northeastern US and southern Canada near the U.S. border • Climate and soil make this area one of the world’s most productive agriculture (dairy products, grain and livestock) • Most of Canada’s population is concentrated here. • Marine West Coast • Northern California to Southern Alaska • Climate affected by Pacific Ocean currents • Prevailing westerlies – winds that blow from west to east in the middle of the latitudes • Summers are moderately warm, winters are long and mild, but rainy and foggy

27. Milder Climates • Humid Subtropical Climate • Most southern states • Hot and muggy, temps ranging from 75-90 • Mild, cool winters • Long growing season, variety of crops – citrus fruit to peanuts • Mediterranean Climate • Central and southern coasts of California • Dry, sunny, warm summers • Mild, rainy winters • Temps are 50-80 • Long growing season – fruits and vegetables

28. Dry Climates • Semiarid Climate • Great Plains • Dry weather, 15 inches of rain a year • Vegetation is mainly short grasses and shrubs • Desert Climate • Southwestern states • Hot and dry • Less than 10 inches of rain • Cactus plants

29. Tropical Climates • Tropical Wet and Dry • Everglades – huge swampland that covers 4,000 square miles • Tropical Climates Only found in southern Florida and Hawaii • Lush rain forests • Temps stay around 70

30. Effects of Extreme Weather • Harsh and Deadly weather • Severe storms • Great Plains “Tornado Alley” • Hurricanes in the summer and fall • Heavy rainfall can cause flooding