The United States and Canada have vast lands and abundant
resources These two countries share many of the same landforms
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Anglo America US, Canada: former British colonies, most people
speak English Strong economic and political ties with one another
Mexico is part of Latin America NOT Anglo America Vast Lands Canada
is the 2 nd largest country in the world by area; US is the 3 rd
largest Together they cover 1/8 th of the earths land surface
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Abundant Resources Landmass and natural resources attract
immigrants to both countries US and Canada have developed into
global economic powers The 2 resources that helped the US and
Canada develop into Global Economic Powers: Fertile soil, water,
forest, minerals
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Major Landforms All major landforms are found in the US and
Canada The two countries share mountain chains and interior plains
The Eastern Lowlands Atlantic Coastal Plain extends from Delaware
down to Florida Gulf Coastal Plain goes from Florida, along Gulf of
Mexico to Texas Piedmont low plateau between coastal plains,
Appalachian Highlands
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The Appalachian Highlands Eastern Mountain Chain Appalachian
Mountains run 1,600 miles from Newfoundland to Alabama Include
Green and Catskill mountains in the north Blue Ridge and Great
Smoky mountain in the south More than 400 million years old Erosion
has created gentle slopes, peaks from 1,200 to 2,400 feet The
Appalachian Trail is a scenic hiking path along the chain.
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The Interior Lowlands Glaciers leveled the land, left fertile
soil Interior Plains extend from Appalachian to Missouri River
Great Plains extend from Missouri to Rocky Mountains Canadian
Shield vast, flat area around Hudson Bay
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Mostly treeless area 4,000 feet above sea level Run through
Southern Texas up through Southern Canada
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Rocky Flat Region Lies far north in Canada Covers about 18
million square miles Encircles Hudson Bay
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The Western Mountains, Plateaus, and Basins Rocky Mountains run
3,000 miles from Alaska to New Mexico Relatively young: 80 million
years old Less erosion mean rugged, 12,000-foot, snow-covered peaks
Continental Divide the line of highest point along the Rockies
Separates rivers that flow eastward from those that flow
westward
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The Western Mountains, Plateaus, and Basins Other Pacific
mountain ranges: Sierra Nevada, Cascade Continents highest peak:
Mt. McKinley in Alaska Major earthquake activity in Pacific ranges
Between ranges and Rockies: cliffs, canyons basins
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The Islands Canadas large, northern islands: Ellesmere,
Victoria, Baffin US: Aleutians (Alaska), Hawaiian (politically, not
geographically)
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Oceans and Waterways US and Canada are bounded by: ATLANTIC,
PACIFIC, ARTIC OCEANS GULF OF MEXICO Countries have many large,
inland rivers and lakes that provide: Transportation, hydroelectric
power, irrigation, fresh water, fisheries
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Oceans and Waterways Great Lakes: HURON, ONTARIO, MICHIGAN,
ERIE, AND SUPERIOR Mississippi-Missouri-Ohio river system:
continents longest, busiest river Mackenzie River: longest in
Canada, crosses Northwest Territories Land and Forest Fertile soil
helps make North America worlds leading food exporter Large forests
yield lumber and other products of Canada and 1/3 of US is covered
by FOREST!
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Minerals and Fossil Fuels Mineral quantity and variety make
rapid industrialization possible Canadian Shield: iron ore, nickel,
copper, gold, uranium Appalachians, Great Plains: COAL Gulf of
Mexico: oil natural gas US: biggest energy consumer; gets most of
Canadas energy exports NATURAL RESOURCES FOUND: Iron Ore, Nickel,
Copper, Gold, Uranium, Silver, coal, natural gas, oil
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US has more climate zones than Canada. Most of the US is
located in the mid- latitudes, where the climates are moderate.
Canada is colder because so much of it lies far north in the higher
latitudes
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Tundra Climate Arctic coast of Alaska and Canada Winters are
long, bitterly cold Summers are brief and chilly Subarctic Climate
Very cold winters, short mild summers Permafrost permanently frozen
ground
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Highland Climate (Rocky Mountains and Pacific Ranges)
Temperature and vegetation vary with elevation and latitude Colder
temperatures and sparse vegetation
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Humid Continental North Central and Northeastern US and
southern Canada near the U.S. border Climate and soil make this
area one of the worlds most productive agriculture (dairy products,
grain and livestock) Most of Canadas population is concentrated
here. Marine West Coast Northern California to Southern Alaska
Climate affected by Pacific Ocean currents Prevailing westerlies
winds that blow from west to east in the middle of the latitudes
Summers are moderately warm, winters are long and mild, but rainy
and foggy
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Humid Subtropical Climate Most southern states Hot and muggy,
temps ranging from 75-90 Mild, cool winters Long growing season,
variety of crops citrus fruit to peanuts Mediterranean Climate
Central and southern coasts of California Dry, sunny, warm summers
Mild, rainy winters Temps are 50-80 Long growing season fruits and
vegetables
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Semiarid Climate Great Plains Dry weather, 15 inches of rain a
year Vegetation is mainly short grasses and shrubs Desert Climate
Southwestern states Hot and dry Less than 10 inches of rain Cactus
plants
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Tropical Wet and Dry Everglades huge swampland that covers
4,000 square miles Tropical Climates Only found in southern Florida
and Hawaii Lush rain forests Temps stay around 70
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Harsh and Deadly weather Severe storms Great Plains Tornado
Alley Hurricanes in the summer and fall Heavy rainfall can cause
flooding
