Unit 2Unit 2U.S. and CanadaU.S. and Canada

A Vast LandmassA Vast Landmass►Where am I

located?

Answer…►We are on the

Continent of North America.

What Hemisphere are we in?What Hemisphere are we in?

Northern & Western Northern & Western HemisphereHemisphere

►U.S.A and Canada take up 4/5th of the land.(meaning North America) Mexico takes up

last 1/5.► Rank in the World (Size of land)Canada—2nd

USA—3rd►Together, they fill one eighth of the land

surface of the earth.

Natural ResourcesNatural Resources► In addition to their huge

landmass, the United States and Canada are rich in natural resources. Both have fertile soils, ample supplies of water, vast forests, and large deposits of a variety of minerals. This geographic richness has for centuries attracted immigrants from around the world and has enabled both countries to develop into global economic powers.

►Agriculture—Big for both CountriesAgriculture—Big for both Countries USA—World Leader in Food ExporterUSA—World Leader in Food Exporter

►EnergyEnergy USA—World’s biggest consumer of EnergyUSA—World’s biggest consumer of Energy

The Eastern LowlandsThe Eastern Lowlands► A flat, coastal plain runs

along the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. One section, called the Atlantic Coastal Plain, begins as narrow lowland in the northeastern United States and widens as it extends southward into Florida. This area features many excellent harbors. A broader section of the plain—the Gulf Coastal Plain—stretches along the Gulf of Mexico from Florida into Texas. The Mississippi River empties into the Gulf from this region. Between these plains and the nearby Appalachian Highlands is a low plateau called the Piedmont. This area of rolling hills contains many fast-flowing rivers and streams.

Appalachian MountainsAppalachian Mountains► They are one of the two

major mountain chains in the United States and Canada. Both chains run north to south. The Appalachian Mountains extend some 1,600 miles from Newfoundland in Canada to Alabama. There are several mountain ranges in the Appalachian system. Among them are them Green and the Catskill mountains in the north and the Blue Ridge and the Great Smoky mountains in the south.

Appalachian MountainsAppalachian Mountains►The Appalachians are very old—more

than 400 million years old, they have been eroded by the elements. Many peaks are only between 1,200 and 2,400 feet high.

Interior LowlandsInterior Lowlands► The interior lowlands

are divided into three sub regions: the Interior Plains, the Great Plains, and the Canadian Shield.

► Great Plains, a largely treeless area. Central USA.

► Canadian Shield lies farther north. This rocky, mainly flat area covers nearly 2 million square miles around Hudson Bay.

Rocky MountainsRocky Mountains► The Rockies are a series of

ranges that extend about 3,000 miles from Alaska south to New Mexico.

► Relatively young—about 80 million years old—the Rockies have not been eroded like the Appalachians. Many of their jagged, snow-covered peaks are more than 12,000 feet high.

► Continental Divide-- line of highest points in the Rockies that marks the separation between rivers flowing eastward and westward.

► North America’s highest peak—Mt. McKinley—is in Alaska, towering 20,320 feet above sea level.

Other landformsOther landforms►Great Lakes—Huron, Ontario, Great Lakes—Huron, Ontario,

Michigan, Erie, Superior. (Connects Michigan, Erie, Superior. (Connects into into St. Lawrence RiverSt. Lawrence River))

►Mississippi River—USA longest RiverMississippi River—USA longest River►Mackenzie River—Canada’s longest Mackenzie River—Canada’s longest

RiverRiver►Everglades--SwamplandsEverglades--Swamplands

Natural ResourcesNatural Resources► The abundance of The abundance of

resources that these resources that these countries poses has countries poses has led to their led to their development as world development as world economic powers.economic powers.

► Resources include:Resources include: Vast Waterways: Vast Waterways:

oceans, lakes, riversoceans, lakes, rivers Forests Forests Fertile SoilFertile Soil MineralsMinerals Fossil FuelsFossil Fuels

Climate & VegetationClimate & Vegetation►Who is colder ? ? ?Who is colder ? ? ?Canada or the U.S.ACanada or the U.S.A

Answer…Answer…►Canada has a colder climate than the Canada has a colder climate than the

USA.USA.

Human-Environment Human-Environment InteractionInteraction

►First People to reach North America First People to reach North America were the Nomads. (Native Americans)were the Nomads. (Native Americans)

►Crossed ice/land bridge, Beringia, Crossed ice/land bridge, Beringia, located in Siberia/Alaskalocated in Siberia/Alaska

►St. Lawrence Seaway—Completed in St. Lawrence Seaway—Completed in 1950’s… Series of locks on the St. 1950’s… Series of locks on the St. Lawrence River.Lawrence River.

Cont.Cont.►Railroads… First Transcontinental Railroads… First Transcontinental

Railroad in the U.S.A. (1Railroad in the U.S.A. (1stst in the World) in the World) was in 1869….was in 1869…. Canada…(Monteral to British Columbia) was Canada…(Monteral to British Columbia) was

in 1885. 3in 1885. 3rdrd in the World. in the World.►Highways… Both have vast highway Highways… Both have vast highway

systems.systems.USA—4 million miles Canada—560,000 USA—4 million miles Canada—560,000

miles Chart on pg. 131miles Chart on pg. 131

► https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_E2CNZIlVIghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_E2CNZIlVIg► (50 States Song)(50 States Song)► https://www.youtube.com/watch?https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=WhDrGnjacvAv=WhDrGnjacvA► https://www.youtube.com/watch?https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=MSvJ9SN8THEv=MSvJ9SN8THE

► http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYLT7qwHo4kv=lYLT7qwHo4k