North AmericaPhysical Geography

Landforms

Coastal Plains

Gulf-Atlantic Coastal Plain: runs along the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico Atlantic: begins in northeastern United States and

extends southward into Florida Gulf of Mexico: extends along the Gulf of Mexico from

Florida into Texas

Flat

2,200 miles

Mostly wet region Includes rivers, swamps, marshes, deltas, and bayous

Appalachian Mountains

On East coast

One of two major mountain chains in the U.S. and Canada

Runs North to South

1,600 miles from Canada to Alabama

More than 400 million years old

Great Lakes

Located on border between U.S. and Canada

HOMES: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior.

One of the world’s major shipping routes

Mississippi River

Runs North to South from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico.

Branches off into major rivers: Ohio River and Missouri River

Largest river system in the U.S.

About 2,320 miles long

Great Plains

Large, treeless, flat area

West of the Mississippi River and East of the Rocky Mountains

Rocky Mountains

West of the Great Plains

Other major mountain system in the U.S. and Canada

Extends 3,000 miles from Alaska south to New Mexico

About 80 million years old

Peaks can be more than 12,000 feet high

Continental Divide

The line of highest points in the Rockies that marks the separation between rivers flowing eastward and westward.

There are 4 in North America

Colorado River

Southwestern United States

Carved the Grand Canyon

1,450 miles long

Grand Canyon

Located in Arizona

Carved by Colorado River

227 miles long

In some areas, 18 miles wide

6,000 feet deep

Major tourist attraction

Climate and Vegetation

Shared Climates

Regions: Sub Arctic, Marine West Coast, and Highland

Why is Canada’s climate colder than the United States’?

Different Climates

Tundra – arctic coast of Alaska and Canada Winters are long and cold Summers are short and chilly Treeless plain Permafrost – permanently frozen ground

Mountains and Highlands Climate is colder Rocky Mts. are in this area Area west of mountains are moist because they trap

moisture from Pacific Ocean Vegetation- forest

Different Climates Cont’d

Canada/U.S. Border Cold winters and warm summers Vegetation – forests and grasslands Good for farming and ranching Heavy Canadian population

Southern United States Summers – hot and humid Winters – mild and cool Moist air from Gulf of Mexico causes rain Rain is great for growing crops!

Different Climates Cont’d

Desert region Vegetation – short grass, cactus States with desert climate: New Mexico,

Arizona, California, and Nevada Mojave Desert located here

Tropical Region Wet climate with lush rainforests Usually warm with wet/dry seasons Vegetation – tall grasses and scattered trees States with tropical climate: Florida and Hawaii