Chapter 5

“A Land of Contrasts” United States and Canada

Ch. 5.1 “Land and Resources”

• U.S. and Canada occupy 4/5 of North America

• Culturally known as Anglo America

• Large land mass + abundance of resources = high probability of econ. success

Varied Landforms

• Eastern Lowlands (Coastal

Plain)

• Appalachian Mtns. (highlands)

• Interior Lowlands

1. Great Plains

2. Canadian Shield

• West

– 1. Rocky Mountains

– 2. Continental divide

– 3. Sierra Nevada & Cascades

• Islands

– 1. Canadian (Artic)

– 2. Aleutian (Alaska)

– 3. Hawaiian (Pacific)

Islands of Canada Rocky Mtns.

•Continental Divide: point where

rivers flow E and W.

Oceans

1. Pacific

2. Atlantic

• Arctic

• Gulf of Mexico

• Hudson Bay

Waterways

• The Great Lakes

• Mississippi River

• Mackenzie River:

Canada’s

longest river

Land and Forests

• U.S. is the world’s

largest food exporter

• Most Agricultural land

is found in plains and

river valleys

• Large forest areas

– ½ Canada

– 1/3 U.S.

Minerals and Fossil Fuels

• Both US and Canada have large supplies of

both

• This allowed both to industrialize rapidly

5.2 “Climate and Vegetation”

• U.S. has more climate zones than Canada

• Colder Climates

– Arctic Coasts of Alaska and Canada

• Permafrost – permanently frozen ground

• Moderate Climates

– N. Central and N. Eastern U.S. and S. Canada

– Prevailing Westerlies: NW U.S.- winds that blow

from West to East.

• Wet but mild winters

Great Plains

Effects of Extreme Weather

• Thunderstorms

• Tornados

• Blizzards

Cold air from

Canada

Warm air from

Gulf of Mexico

5.3 “Human Environment

Interaction”

Settlements Alter Land

• 1st Settlers

– Nomads: people who

move from place to

place

– Probably came from

Asia on land bridge

known as Beringia.

– Most settled near

coastline, rivers and

streams.

Agriculture Alters Land

• Settlements become

permanent after

agriculture becomes

primary source of

food.

– Both countries are

leading exporters of

agriculture

Building Cities

• Montreal

– Canada’s 2nd largest

city

– Major Port

– Below 32° 100 days

out of year

• As consequence many

retail centers

underground

Differences in Climate and

Vegetation

1. Milder Climates

• Southern States: mild temp + adequate rainfall = long growing season

2. Dry Climates

• Great Plains and Northern parts of Great Basin, less than 15 in. of rain per year

3. Tropical Climates

• Hawaii and Southern Florida • Everglades: swamp land that covers 4,000 sq.

mi.

• Los Angeles

– US 2nd largest city

– Rapid population leads

to problems

• Smog

• Inadequate H²O

supplies

Overcoming Distance • Land bridges

• Europeans settled on E. coast and cut paths (Oregon trail) to west.

Waterways • Erie Canal- Atlantic Ocean to Great Lakes

• St. Lawrence Seaway – N. Americas most important deepwater ship route

– Uses locks to move ships up & down 600 feet

Transcontinental Railroad

• Trains make crossing

continent easier

• 1st trans continental

RR completed in

1869

• Many natural barriers,

canyons, rivers,

mountains, had to be

overcome

National Highway System

• US

– 4,000,000 miles of

roads

• Canada

– 560,000

Check for Understanding

•31) The Minute Paper

• In one minute, describe the most

meaningful thing you have learned about

the U.S. and Canada.

• Write without stopping for one minute.