Human Environment Interaction

Ch. 5.3

Adapting to our Surroundings

ChangeO Before humans, the only forces that

altered the landforms were natural. O When the first settlers arrived

thousands of years ago, everything changed.

SettlementO The first inhabitants were known as

nomads.O A nomad is a person who moves

from place to place. O Most archaeologists believe the first

settlers to America crossed over Beringia.

BeringiaO A land bridge connecting Siberia and

Alaska

Native AmericansO The first settlers on the Americas

O They adjusted to their surroundings

O They knew how to adapt to their environment in order to survive

AgricultureO Nomadic settlements became

permanent when agriculture began developing

O Hunting and gathering was no longer the primary means of providing nutrition

O People began changing the land to meet their needs

AgricultureO The first crops in America included

corn, beans, and squashO Today these are staples around the

world

CitiesO Cities developed over timeO Originally, it was crucial for early

settlement cities to be near a water source

O Today, we have many cities making great impacts in North America and around the world

MontrealO Canada’s second largest cityO The location, where the St. Lawrence

and Ottawa Rivers meet made it an ideal spot for early settlers

O To survive the severe winters, the people stayed primarily inside and underground

O Large areas of Montreal have been developed underground for this reason

Montreal

Los AngelesO Los Angeles is the second most

populated city in the USAO Rapid population of this ideal area

brought problemsO We have found a way to adapt to

problems like pollution, limited water supply, and construction threatened by earthquakes

Los Angeles

TransportationO Along with building cities, creating

new methods of transportation is a way humans have interacted with the environment

O Despite harsh conditions, European settlers crossed the huge distances to reach the west coast

O The Oregon Trail is just one of a variety of paths crossed to expand westward

Manifest DestinyO the widely held belief in the United

States that American settlers were destined to expand throughout the continent

TransportationO The first transcontinental railroad

was completed in 1869. O A trans-Canada railroad, from

Montreal to British Columbia was completed in 1885.

O These railways promoted economic development

O The USA has the world’s largest railway system

TransportationO After railroads, people began

building highwaysO The United States has about 4

million miles of roads