Chapter 19 section 1 A vast, scenic land

Chapter 19 section 1A vast, scenic landPg. 502-506

ContiguousJoined together inside a common boundary48 states in the contiguous United StatesAlaska and Hawaii are not in the contiguous states

U.S. is the 4th largest country in the worldRussia, Canada, and China are larger

5 main physical regionsCoastal PlainsAppalachian MountainsInterior PlainsMountains and BasinsPacific CoastCoastal PlainsIncludes the Atlantic coastal plain and Gulf coastal plain

Megalopolis- Cities and their suburbs form a huge settlementCities that form a megalopolis in the U.S.:

New York

Boston

Philadelphia

Baltimore

Washington D.C.

The biggest concentration of lights (from top to bottom) are the cities of Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington.MiamiHoustonDallasChicagoStill daylight in California.Puerto RicoAppalachian MountainsOn western edge of Atlantic coastal plainOldest mountains in U.S.Rounded peaks show age

Interior PlainsIncludes:Great lakes areaMississippi river areaGreat plains

Mountains and PlateausRocky mountains run from Alaska to MexicoContinental divide separates rivers that flow east and west

The Pacific CoastIncludes the Cascade mountain range and Sierra Nevada mountain range and fertile valleys.

Alaska and HawaiiBorders the arctic circle

Made from ocean volcanoesHas coral reefsSubmerged structures made from skeletons of small sea animals