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Geography Statistics of the U.S.
Population: 310,303,221 Area in square miles: 3,717,796 Length of coastline: 12,373 Length of Roads: 4.08 million miles Longest river: Mississippi River
(3,710 miles) Highest Mountain: Mt. McKinley
(20,320 ft.) Major Cities: Washington D.C. (the
capital), New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, Boston, Atlanta
Northeast Region
This area has a lot of people. There are a lot of big cities. It is the smallest region in land size. There are a lot of big businesses
located here. The biggest city in the country, New
York City, is located in this region. Other important cities include
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Boston, Massachusetts.
The South
It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.
The land is flat along the coast, but there are more hills and forests away from the coast.
The South used to be all about growing cotton, but is more diversified today.
Important Cities in the South include: Atlanta, Georgia; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Miami, Florida.
Midwest Region
This is a huge farming region because of the good soil.
Most of the grain produced in the U.S. comes from the Midwest.
Farmers also raise corn, soybeans, and pigs.
The biggest city in the Midwest is Chicago, Illinois.
Other major cities include: Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Kansas City, Missouri.
The West
This is the largest region in land size. It includes 3 of the four biggest
states in land size. This region includes the Rocky
Mountains which have peaks as high as 20,000 feet.
The biggest and driest deserts are also in the West.
Most of the population in the west live in California.
What are the main physical features of the United States?
Appalachian Mountains- In the Eastern United States from Maine to Alabama.
Rocky Mountains-In the Western United States from Alaska to New Mexico.
Cascade Mountains-Near the Pacific coast from Washington to Oregon.
Great Plains-Area of flat land or gentle rolling hills between the Appalachians and the Rockies.
Great Basin-A low area of land that is surrounded by the Rocky Mountains and the Cascade Range.
Topographic Map of the U.S.A.
AppalachianMountains
Great Plains
Great Basin
Rocky
Mounta
ins
Casca
de
Range
The Ice Age and Lakes North America has more lakes than any
other continent. During an ice age thousands of years ago,
huge glaciers covered most of the continent. As the glaciers moved, they dug deep
craters in the earth. When the ice melted, lakes formed in the
craters. The last ice age created the Great Lakes,
which hold the largest freshwater supply in the world.
Ice Age and the Mississippi River
When the glaciers melted, water ran off in large streams that became great rivers.
They formed the Mississippi River system. A river system is a group of rivers that are
joined together. The Mississippi River with its many tributaries, drains the middle of the U.S.A.
Two major tributaries to the Mississippi are the Missouri and Ohio Rivers.
The Mississippi River empties near New Orleans, Louisiana into the Gulf of Mexico and creates a delta.
How does water affect the U.S.?
Every state in the U.S. has lakes and rivers.
Often they supply cities with necessary water.
They are also used for recreation. Dams are built to store water and to
create hydroelectric power. Many of the goods from other
countries are shipped in ships across ocean.
Oceans are also a major source of oxygen and are responsible for our weather.
What influences climate?
Climate is the average of weather conditions over a period of time.
Earth is tilted as it rotates in space. The Earth’s position to the sun determines
climate. The tropics is the area between the Tropic of
Cancer and Capricorn. This area gets direct sunlight so it has
warmer climates than other areas on earth. Areas north and south of the tropics only get
indirect sunlight and have colder climates.
What influences climate?
Temperature and precipitation also influence the earth’s climate.
Precipitation means how much rain, snow, sleet, or hail falls from the sky.
Temperature is measuring how hot or cold a region is.
Being near water or locked in by land can influence climate too.
Water can keep an area cool in the summer and warmer in the winter.
What climates can be found in the U.S.A.?
The U.S. has many different climates. The Northeast and Midwest regions have a humid
continental climate. The great plains area has a steppe or semi-arid
climate with very hot summers and very cold winters.
The South has a subtropical climate with summers that are hot and humid, and mild winters.
Mountains have a big influence on climate in the west.
The higher up in the mountain, the cooler the temperature.
How does Geography affect people in the U.S.A.?
People adapt to their physical environment. People in Florida do not need to buy winter
coats. People in North Dakota do. The soil in the Northeast makes it very
hard to farm. The soil in the Midwest in ideal for farming. People along some coastlines are
fishermen for a living. Where trees grow they are cut down for
lumber to build houses, ships, etc.
Culture in the U.S.A.
Culture is a way of life for a group of people.
The U.S.A. blends many different cultures.
We call this multiculturalism. We have people from all over the
world who bring their different cultures.
To understand this just look at the food that we eat and the music we listen too.
Pizza, tacos, hamburgers, and egg rolls.
Jazz, Salsa, Rap, Hip-Hop
Religions in the U.S.A.
About 92% of Americans are Christians. Christianity includes the following
religions: I. Roman Catholic II. Protestant A. Lutheran, Methodist, Anglican,
Presbyterian B. Mormon (LDS) Judaism Islam (Muslims)
Languages in the U.S.A. Language is a big part of culture. The dominant language in the U.S.A. is
English. Spanish is second and increasing because
the majority of immigrants coming in are Spanish speakers.
Immigrants are people from other countries. Many immigrants adopt the English
language when they move here. Some do not, and they stick together to keep
their language and culture alive.
Where do people live in the U.S.A.?
Nearly 80% of people in the U.S.A. live in metropolitan areas.
Metropolitan areas include the city and the suburbs.
The 40 largest metropolitan areas in the U.S.A. all have over a million people.
When cities run into other cities with no break we call it a megalopolis.
Most major cities are near the ocean or important rivers.
Population trends for the U.S.A.
Our population is becoming much more diversified.
Many different people from different countries live in the U.S.A. today.
The population of the South and Southwest are growing faster than the rest of the country.
States in the Northeast and Midwest are losing population.
Natural Resources in the U.S.A. People in the U.S.A. live better than a
lot of other people in the world because of our natural resources.
Natural resources are materials that come from nature.
There are two very important resources.
The first is rich farmland. The second in water. We grow enough food to feed
ourselves and other nations as well.
Other natural resources
Forests-which can be renewable if managed carefully.
Forests provide material for homes and wood is used make paper as well.
Coal, natural gas, and oil are important. They are non-renewable, meaning that once
they are gone we will not have them anymore.
Coal is found in the Appalachian Mountains and in Utah.
Alaska, Texas, and Louisiana have lots of oil.
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