North America7th Grade UBD - Unit 7 – The Americas
Preview
North America- North America is the third largest
of the seven continents. It is bordered by the Atlantic
Ocean to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west.
Canada- Canada is the world's second-largest
country by total area, and its common border with
the United States is the world's longest land border.
United States- The United States of America, the
third largest country by size in the world, is a nation
of staggering natural, geological, and cultural
diversity.
Key Ideas- North America
North America has an almost endless range of
natural resources and is bonded by trade and
culture.
North Americans are the most mobile people in
the world.
North America is the third largest continent.
North America is the only continent that has
every kind of climate.
Key Term
North
America –
The world’s
third-largest
continent,
consisting of
Canada, the
United States,
Mexico, and
many islands.
Introduction
Although Columbus is
given much credit as
having discovered
Americas, there were
plenty of people already
living in North America
prior to the Europeans
having arrived.
In the 1600's the
Europeans quickly
colonized and took over
much of North America.
Defining North America
North America as a geographic name
means different things to different
people.
To physical geographers, North America
refers to the landmass that extends from
the shores of the Arctic Ocean to Panama.
To human geographers, North America
consists of Canada and the United States.
Defining the Realm
North America has an almost
endless range of natural
resources and is bonded by
trade and culture.
For the United States,
Canada is its leading export
market and its number one
source of imports.
Both the United States and
Canada have a developed
infrastructures that make
travel and trade easy.
Defining the Realm
Both countries rank among
the world’s most highly
urbanized.
About 80 percent of the
population is concentrated
in cities.
North Americans are the
most mobile people in the
world.
Moreover, each year nearly
one out of every six people
changes his or her
residence.
Questions
1. What groups of people inhabited North America
before Columbus “discovered” it?
2. What country is the leading export market for the
United States and its number one source of imports?
3. What kinds of climate does North America have?
Answers
1. What groups of people inhabited North America before
Columbus “discovered” it?
Many Native American tribes and the Aztec civilization inhabited
North America before Columbus “discovered” it.
2. What country is the leading export market for the United
States and its number one source of imports?
Canada is the leading export market for the United States and its
number one source of imports.
3. What kinds of climate does North America have?
North America has every type of climate.
Canada and AmericaVideo-Canada and America
Key Ideas- Canada
Today, Canada is a world leader in agricultural
production, telecommunications, and energy
technologies. The vast majority of Canada's
exports go to the United States.
Canada is the second largest oil reserve holder
after Saudi Arabia.
Canada is the leader in uranium mining and is
the world leader of Hydro Electricity.
Key Term
Ottawa–
Is the
capital of
Canada.
Canada's Geography
Canada is a vast and
rugged land.
It is the second
largest country in the
world, but it has only
one-half of one
percent of the world's
population.
Canada's Geography
Canada's far north lies in
the frozen grip of the Arctic,
where ice, snow, and
glaciers dominate the
landscape.
Few trees grow here, and
farming is not practical.
Native Canadians lived in
this region by hunting and
fishing.
Canada's Nature
Canada's remote north
and extensive forests
are home to wildlife.
The country's lakes
and rivers contain
about twenty percent
of all fresh water on
Earth.
Canada's Nature
Canadians work hard to
protect the native wildlife.
Canada has 41 national
parks and three marine
conservation areas.
Nevertheless, species like
wolves, lynx, and Atlantic
fish have been overhunted
and overfished.
Key Term
Mountie-
A member
of the
Royal
Canadian
Mounted
Police.
Key Term
Preservation
– Setting aside
areas of land
and protecting
them from
human
activities.
Niagara FallsVideo-Niagara Falls
Eyewitness To HistoryReading Activity- Eyewitness To History 20
Canada's History
In the 16th century, French and
British settlers arrived.
Land disputes between farmers
and fur traders led to four wars
between 1689 and 1763.
The final war, called the French
and Indian War, left the British in
control of Canada, but French
influence remains strong even
today.
Canada's History
In 1867, Ontario, Quebec,
Nova Scotia, and New
Brunswick combined to
form a country with its
own government,
parliament, and prime
minister.
In 1931, Canada became
an independent nation.
Canada’s Government and Economy
The British monarch is the
head of state of Canada.
The monarch is represented
by a governor-general, who
has very limited powers.
Laws are made by Canada's
elected federal
government, which includes
a parliament and a prime
minister.
Natural Resources in Canada
Canada has a small population of
only about 35 million.
The Canadian people are rich in
natural resources.
This abundance of natural
resources in Canada has allowed
it to prosper. Many other countries
do not have the same resources
for feeding their populations,
supporting industry, and meeting
their energy needs.
Canada’s Government and Economy
Today, Canada is a
world leader in
agricultural production,
telecommunications,
and energy
technologies.
The vast majority of
Canada's exports go to
the United States.
Questions
1. Canada is the second largest country
in the world, but it has only what
percent of the world's population?
2. Today, Canada is a world leader in
what types of industries?
Answers
1. Canada is the second largest country in the world, but
it has only what percent of the world's population?
Canada has one-half of one percent of the world's
population.
2. Today, Canada is a world leader in what types of
industries?
Canada is a world leader in agricultural production,
telecommunications, and energy technologies.
Key Ideas- The United States
The people of the United States are very diverse. People
come from many different cultures and backgrounds
and practice many different religions.
The American people are dedicated to the pursuit of
happiness and freedoms of speech and religion.
Advances in the past hundred years have established
America as a world leader economically, militarily, and
technologically.
Key Term
Washingto
n, D.C. -
The capital
of the United
States.
The United States Geography
The United States of America
is the world's third largest
country in size and nearly the
third largest in terms of
population.
Located in North America, the
country is bordered on the
west by the Pacific Ocean and
to the east by the Atlantic
Ocean.
Along the northern border is
Canada and the southern
border is Mexico.
The United States Nature
The wildlife in the United
States is as diverse as the
landscape.
Mammals such as bison once
roamed freely across the
plains, but now live only in
preserves.
There are over 20,000 flower
species and most came from
Europe.
The bald eagle is the national
bird and symbol of the United
States and is a protected
species.
The United States History
For centuries native
people lived across the
vast expanse that would
become the United
States. In the early 17th
century, settlers moved
from Europe to the New
World, established
colonies, and displaced
the native people.
The United States History
The settlers fought for their
independence from Britain in the
late 18th century and formed a
union of states based on a new
constitution.
The nation continued to expand
westward.
Since declaring independence
from Britain on July 4, 1776 the
United States has become a global
power.
The United States People and Culture
The U.S. population is dispersed
across most of the country
forming most of the country
concentrations along the
Atlantic and Pacific coasts.
The U.S. population is nearly
ten times larger than Canada’s.
In fact, the United States is the
world’s third most populated
country after China and India.
The United States People and Culture
Throughout its history,
the United States has
been a nation of
immigrants.
The population of the
United States is diverse
with people from all over
the world seeking refuge
and a better way of life.
American DiversityVideo- American Diversity
The United States Government and Economy
The federal government
makes laws that affect the
country as a whole.
The State government handle
matters that affect the state
like state highways and
funding for public schools.
Local governments provide
community services such as
fire and police protection.
The United States Government and Economy
The United States
has a Bill of Rights
that guarantees
fundamental
freedoms and
protections to
citizens.
Key Term
Bill of Rights-
The first ten
amendments of
the U.S.
Constitution,
containing a list of
individual rights
and liberties, such
as freedom of
speech, religion,
and the press.
The United States Government and Economy
Citizens over the age of 18
years vote to elect the
President and Vice President of
the United States every four
years.
The president lives in the White
House in Washington, D.C.
There are two houses of
Congress: the Senate and the
House of Representatives.
Key Term
Congress-
The legislative
branch of
government,
consisting of the
House of
Representatives
and Senate.
Primarily
responsible for
making laws.
The United States Government and Economy
There are 100 senators,
two from each state.
There are 435
representatives who must
be elected every two years.
The Supreme Court is
made up of nine justices
who are picked by the
president and must be
approved by Congress.
Key Term
The Supreme
Court - The
head judicial
branch of the
United States
government.
The decisions
of the Supreme
Court are
absolute and
final.
The United States Government and Economy
The first African American
president of the United
States was Barack
Obama. He was elected
President of the United
States in 2008.
Today, America is a world
leader economically,
militarily, and
technologically.
Key Term
North American
Free Trade
Agreement
(NAFTA)- A trade
agreement
between Canada,
the United States
and Mexico that
encourages free
trade between
these North
American
countries.
Questions
1. Advances in the past hundred years have established
America as a world leader in what areas?
2. The United States has a Bill of Rights that guarantees
what?
3. The first African American president of the United
States was Barack Obama. He was elected President of
the United States in what year?
Answers
1. Advances in the past hundred years have established America as a
world leader in what areas?
Advances in the past hundred years have established America as a world
leader economically, militarily, and technologically.
2. The United States has a Bill of Rights that guarantees what?
The United States has a Bill of Rights that guarantees fundamental
freedoms and protections to citizens.
3. The first African American president of the United States was
Barack Obama. He was elected President of the United States in
what year?
In 2008 Barack Obama was elected President of the United States.
Independent Activity
What has been the
“muddiest” point so
far in this lesson? That
is, what topic remains
the least clear to you?
(4 minutes)
Partner Activity
Work with a neighbor and compare your muddiest point with theirs. Compare what things are the same and what things are different? (3 minutes)