Unit 1: Geography ONLINE RESOURCES CLASS WEBSITE: HTTPS://MRYOUNGTMS.WEEBLY.COM/GEOGRAPHY.HTML QUIZLET GAMES: HTTPS://QUIZLET.COM/JOIN/MSFYY94T5 1 G e o g r a p h y
Continents and Oceans The Seven Continents A continent is one of Earth s seven major areas of land. From largest to smallest in land area, the continents are Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia. Europe is usually considered a separate continent, even though it shares a long border with Asia. Sometimes, Europe and Asia are grouped together as one continent called Eurasia. Geographers use an imaginary line called the equator to divide Earth into the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere. The equator is located halfway between the North Pole and the South Pole. Another imaginary line, the prime meridian, runs from the North Pole to the South Pole. The prime meridian is used to divide the Earth into the Western Hemisphere and the Eastern Hemisphere. The Five Oceans About three-fourths of Earth is covered by water. Most of Earth s water is in the five oceans. From the largest to the smallest, the five oceans are the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the Southern Ocean, and the Arctic Ocean. The Pacific Ocean is much bigger and deeper than the other oceans. It covers nearly one-third of Earth s surface. In fact, the Pacific Ocean is bigger that all seven continents put together. It is almost twice the size of the Atlantic Ocean. Like the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean is one of the world s busiest transportation routes. For years, ships had to go around South America to get from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. Since 1914, however, ships have been able to use the Panama Canal, which runs across the country of Panama in Central America. A canal is a human-made waterway dug across the land. The Indian Ocean is the third largest ocean. For many years, it has formed an important transportation route that links Africa, Asia, and Australia. Today ships from Europe and the American can reach the Indian Ocean through the Mediterranean Sea by using the Suez Canal in Egypt. The Arctic Ocean is the northernmost ocean. It is also the smallest and shallowest. The Arctic Ocean is surrounded by North America, Europe, and Asia. It is located opposite from the Southern Ocean. The Southern Ocean is the southernmost ocean. It surrounds Antarctica. The Southern and Arctic Oceans are both covered with huge areas of packed ice. Because of these icy conditions, they are the least travelled oceans. 2 G e o g r a p h y
Continents and Oceans Map Directions: 1. Label each continent. 2. Label each ocean. 3. Color the continents green or brown 4. Color the oceans blue 3 G e o g r a p h y
Looking at Geographic Features Geographers uses different types of maps to show different kinds of information. Two main categories of physical features found on maps are water-related and land-related. Water-Related Mapmakers add colors, markings, and symbols to show different geographic features. Water-related features are often shown in blue on maps. Important water related features include: Ocean a huge body of salty water Lakes bodies of water which are completely surrounded by land Rivers large streams of water that flow along a certain path Tributaries rivers or streams that flow into larger bodies of water Gulfs or bays areas of ocean or sea that are partially surrounded by land Land-Related Most land-related features on maps are usually shown by shades of green or brown. Green indicates areas where many grasses or trees grow, and brown indicates deserts or other dry areas. Areas covered by ice are often shown in white. Important land features include: Mountains large masses of land that rise above the surrounding land Hills area of land, usually rounded in shape, that is higher than the surrounding land but not as high as a mountain Plains large flat areas of land with very few trees Plateaus areas of flat land rising above the surrounding land Islands bodies of land which are completely surrounded by water Peninsulas pieces of land that are mostly surrounded by water or that extend into a body of water Impact on History Geographic features such as landforms, bodies of water, climate weather over time, and natural resources items in nature people use to meet their need have affected the locations of many cities and towns. In the past, most people settled in the plains or rolling hills where the soil was good for farming. Fewer people settled in desert or mountainous regions. Cities are often found near waterways or other transportation routes such as railroads or highways. Those transportation routes make it easier for people to travel and ship goods. In the past, most land in the United States was used for agriculture or farming. Most farming took place on the flat land near the Atlantic Coast, or in the middle of the United States on rolling hills. Here the land is usually fertile, good for farming, and there is enough water for crops to grow. Many people along waterways have worked in fishing and shipping businesses. For years, people have made their living by catching many kinds of saltwater fish and shellfish off the ocean coasts. Freshwater fishing has been an important business near the Great Lakes. The location of cities and towns, agricultural areas, and fishing industries all began and grew along trade routes in the United States. These trade routes allowed people to interact with each other and get the items the needed or wanted. 4 G e o g r a p h y
Geographic Features Illustrations Directions: 1. Write a definition next to each word. 2. Draw and color an illustration for each geographic feature. Lakes Hills Rivers Plains Tributaries Plateaus Gulfs or Bays Islands Mountains Peninsulas 5 G e o g r a p h y
Geographic Regions Map Directions: Use the maps on pages 14-21 of the textbook to correctly label each geographic region. Follow these steps: 1. Draw a compass rose in the square on the bottom left. 2. Color each square a different color 3. Color the map according to the key you created. Coastal Range Basin and Range Interior Lowlands Canadian Shield Rocky Mountains Great Plains Appalachian Mountains Coastal Plains 6 G e o g r a p h y
Geographic Regions Characteristics North America is a large continent with many different regions, or areas with distinctive characteristics that make them different from other areas. A geographic region is an area that has similar geographic features. Coastal Range The Coastal Range region is made up of rugged (jagged) mountain ranges that extend west of the Basin and Range region, from California to Canada. There are large valleys that lie east of these mountains. The soil in these valleys is fertile or good for farming. Basin and Range The Basin and Range region lies between the Coastal Range region to the west and the Rocky Mountain region to the east. This region is an area of varying elevations and isolated mountain ranges. The Great Basin is in the middle part of this region. A basin is a low, bowl shaped area with higher ground around it. It contains Death Valley, the lowest point in North America. Death Valley is also one of the hottest and driest places in the United States. Rocky Mountains The Rocky Mountain region is between the Basin and Range region to the west and the Interior Great Plains region to the east. They extend from New Mexico through Canada and into Alaska. The Rocky Mountains are much younger than the Appalachian Mountains. They have rugged, jagged peaks that have not been worn down. An imaginary line called the Continental Divide runs north and south along the peaks of the Rockies. The continental divide determines if rivers flow west to the Pacific Ocean or east to the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean. Great Plains The Great Plains regions lies between the Rocky Mountains region to the west and the Interior Lowlands region to the east. This area is known for large grasslands and wheat fields. The Great Plains is mostly flat and dry with few rivers and almost no trees. Although the land if mostly flat, its elevation or height gradually increases westward toward the Rocky Mountains. 7 G e o g r a p h y
Interior Lowlands The Interior Lowland region is between the Great Plains region to the west and the Appalachian Mountains region to the east. The land of the Interior Lowland region is mostly flat with some rolling hills. The region also has many river and broad or wide valleys. There are more trees in the eastern part of this region where rainfall is more plentiful. Farther west, the region is drier and mostly grassland. Canadian Shield The Canadian Shield region is a rocky, horseshoe-shaped region that wraps around the Hudson Bay in Canada. The region covers nearly half of Canada. The mountains of the Canadian Shield were eroded into low hills by slow moving sheets of ice called glaciers. In other places, glaciers carved out hundreds of lakes. Today, evergreen trees grow in the southern part of the Canadian Shield. The northern part of the Canadian Shield is a tundra, or a cold, dry treeless plain. Appalachian Mountains The Appalachian Mountain region is located between the Interior Lowland region to the west and the Coastal Plain region to the east. It extends from western Alabama to Canada. The region has tree-covered mountains. They are the oldest mountains in North America. Over time, their peaks have been worn down by wind, ice, and water. This gradual wearing away is called erosion. The rolling hills and valleys of the Piedmont area lie on the east side of the Appalachians. Piedmont means at the foot of the mountain. Coastal Plains The Coastal Plains region is located along the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. The land of this region is mostly low and flat and there are many pine forests. The coastline has many excellent harbors. A harbor is a protected area of water where ships can dock safely. Some of these harbors include New York Bay, Chesapeake Bay, Tampa Bay, and Mobile Bay. 8 G e o g r a p h y
Geographic Region Characteristics Flip Maps Directions: Use the notes from pages 7-8 to write the location and geographic features (characteristics) for each geographic region. 9 G e o g r a p h y
Important Bodies of Water to US History Map Directions: 1. Draw a compass rose in the square on the bottom right. 2. Label the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and Gulf of Mexico in the correct location on the map. 3. Write the following one next to each little square on the bottom left: Great Lakes, Mississippi River, Missouri River, Ohio River, St Lawrence River, Columbia River, Colorado River, and Rio Grande. 4. Color each little square a different color. 5. Color the Great Lakes the color you chose according to the key. 6. Trace each river the color you chose according to the key. 10 G e o g r a p h y
Important Bodies of Water to US History Atlantic Ocean The Atlantic Ocean separates North and South America from Europe and Africa. It has been used like a watery highway for explorers and early settlers. It was later used by immigrants from Europe as they traveled to the United States for a new life. Africans were also transported across the Atlantic Ocean as enslaved people on slave ships. Pacific Ocean The Pacific Ocean separates North and South America from Asia and Australia. It is the Earth s largest ocean. It was an early destination for explorers as they searched for a shorter and faster way to reach Southeast Asia. The Great Lakes The Great Lakes are located on the Northern border of the United States with Canada. There are five lakes that make up the Great Lakes: Lake Superior, Lake Huron, Lake Ontario, Lake Michigan, and Lake Erie. Many inland, away from the coast ports grew along the Great Lakes. A port is city or town where ships can load or unload cargo. Some of these cities include Chicago, Illinois, Detroit Michigan, and Cleveland Ohio. The Gulf of Mexico The Gulf of Mexico is located south of the United States between the Florida peninsula and Mexico. This body of water was used by explorers from Spain and other European countries to explore into Mexico and the Southwestern United States. The Mississippi River The Mississippi River flows south through the middle of the United States emptying into the Gulf of Mexico. It is the most famous river in the United States. The Mississippi River was used to transport farm and industrial products. Ships also use this river as a link to get to and from other parts of the world. The Missouri River The Missouri River flows southeast through the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains becoming a tributary of the Mississippi River. The Missouri River is the longest river in North America. Like the Mississippi River, the Missouri river was used to transport farm and industrial products. 11 G e o g r a p h y
The Ohio River The Ohio River flows southwest from Pennsylvania through Ohio also becoming a tributary of the Mississippi River. The Ohio River was the gateway to the west for early Americans when the western boundary of the United States was the Mississippi River after the Revolutionary War. The Saint Lawrence River The Saint Lawrence River is located in the northeast area of the United States. It flows northeast towards the Atlantic Ocean. This river forms part of the border between the United States and Canada. The Saint Lawrence River connects the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean. The Columbia River The Columbia River is located in the northwestern part of the United States. It flows west out of the Rocky Mountains and Basin and Range region to the Pacific Ocean. Lewis and Clark explored this river as they mapped the Louisiana Purchase when Thomas Jefferson was president of the United States. The Colorado River The Colorado River flows southwest towards the Pacific Ocean. The Grand Canyon was carved by the Colorado River. It was explored and mapped by the Spanish. The Rio Grande The Rio Grande is located on part of the southern border of the United States. A large number people in this area use this river for water. It forms a natural border between the United States and Mexico. Mississippi River in New Orleans, Louisiana 12 G e o g r a p h y
Important Bodies of Water to US History Chart Directions: Use the information on the pages 11-12 to complete the chart below. BODIES OF WATER NAME/NAMES IMPORTANCE TO UNITED STATES HISTORY MAJOR OCEANS GULF MAJOR RIVERS LAKES 13 G e o g r a p h y
Finding Location To help people find the absolute location of placed on globes and maps, mapmakers add lines that intersect or cross each other. These lines from a pattern of squares called a grid system. Latitude The lines that run east to west are called parallels of latitude. These imaginary lines are measured in degrees north and south of the equator. The equator is labeled 0ᵒ, or zero degrees. Parallels north of the equator are marked N for north. Parallels south of it are marked S for south. Parallels of latitude never touch or intersect with each other. Directions: Write the latitude for each letter on the map below. Don t for get to use ᵒ for degrees and N or S for north or south. A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. J. Place a mark on North America for the approximate location of Virginia. Write the latitude on the line. 14 G e o g r a p h y
Longitude The lines that run north and south are called meridians of longitude. These imaginary lines are measured in degrees east and west of the prime meridian. The prime meridian is labeled 0ᵒ, or zero degrees. Meridians west of the prime meridian are marked with a W for west. Meridians east of it are marked with an E for east. Meridian meet at the North and South Poles and are not equidistant from each other. Directions: Write the longitude for each letter on the map below. Don t for get to use ᵒ for degrees and W or E for north or south. Follow the curve of the line for an accurate measurement. A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. J. Place a mark on North America for the approximate location of Virginia. Write the longitude on the line. 15 G e o g r a p h y
Latitude and Longitude To describe a place s absolute location, give the parallel of latitude first and then the meridian of longitude. For example, the place at 60ᵒN, 120ᵒW is located where the lines of 60ᵒN and 120ᵒW intersect or meet in North America. Directions: Write the absolute location for each United States city below. Be sure to name the parallel of latitude first and the meridian of longitude second. Also, be certain to use the ᵒ symbol and the correct letter for N, E, S, W. 1. Portland, Oregon: 2. Phoenix, Arizona: 3. Denver, Colorado 4. Fargo, North Dakota 5. Houston, Texas 6. Niagara Falls, New York 7. Raleigh, North Carolina 8. Miami, Florida 9. Boston, Massachusetts 10. Yorktown, Virginia 16 G e o g r a p h y
Study Guide Geography Quiz 1 and Test Continents and Oceans Continents Oceans Africa Arctic Antarctica Atlantic Asia* Indian Australia Pacific Europe* Southern North America South America *Note: Europe and Asia are considered continents even though it is not entirely surrounded by water. The land mass is frequently called Eurasia. Arctic Ocean Atlantic Ocean Pacific Ocean Pacific Ocean Indian Ocean Southern Ocean Geographic Features Land-Related Mountains large masses of land that rise above the surrounding land Hills area of land, usually rounded in shape, that is higher than the surrounding land Plains large areas of flat land with very few trees Plateaus areas of flat land rising above the surrounding land Peninsulas - body of land surrounded by water on three sides Water Related Lakes body of water completely surrounded by land Rivers large streams of water that flow along a certain path Tributaries rivers or streams that flow into larger bodies of water Gulfs and bays areas of ocean or sea that are partially surrounded by land Oceans large body of salty water Islands bodies of land completely surrounded by water Geographic features have an impact on patterns of trade, the location of cities and towns, the ability to move west, and agricultural (farming) and fishing industries 17 G e o g r a p h y
Study Guide Geography Quiz 2 and Test Geographic Regions Region Name Location and Physical Characteristics 1. Coastal Range Located along the Pacific Coast, stretching from California to Canada Rugged mountains and fertile valleys 2. Basin and Range Located west of the Rocky Mountains and east of the Coastal Range Varying elevations containing isolated mountain ranges and Death Valley, the lowest point in North America 3. Rocky Mountains Located west of the Great Plains and east of the Basin and Range Rugged mountains stretching from Alaska almost to Mexico; high elevations Contains the Continental Divide, which determines the directional flow of rivers 4. Great Plains Located west of the Interior Lowlands and east of the Rocky Mountains Flat lands that gradually increase in elevation westward; grasslands 5. Interior Lowlands Located west of the Appalachian Mountains and east of the Great Plains Rolling flatlands with many rivers, broad river valleys, and grassy hills 6. Canadian Shield Wrapped around the Hudson Bay in a horseshoe shape Hills worn by erosion and hundreds of lakes carved by glaciers 7. Appalachian Mountains Located west of the Coastal Plain, extending from eastern Canada to western Alabama; includes the Piedmont Old, eroded mountains (oldest mountain range in North America) 8. Coastal Plains Located along the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico Broad lowlands providing many excellent harbors The numbers on the map below go with the numbers on the chart above. 6 1 3 2 4 5 7 8 18 G e o g r a p h y
Important Bodies of Water to United States History BODIES OF WATER NAME/NAMES IMPORTANCE TO UNITED STATES HISTORY MAJOR OCEANS GULF MAJOR RIVERS LAKES 1. Atlantic Served as the highway for explorers, early settlers, and later immigrants. 2. Pacific Early exploration destination. 3. Gulf of Mexico Provided the French and Spanish with exploration routes to Mexico and other parts of America 4. Columbia River Explored by Lewis and Clark 5. Colorado River Explored by the Spanish 6. Rio Grande Forms the border with Mexico 7. Missouri River Used to transport farm and industrial products and links to United States ports and other parts of the world 8. Mississippi River Used to transport farm and industrial products and links to United States ports and other parts of the world 9. Saint Lawrence River Forms part of the northeastern border with Canada and connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean 10. Ohio River gateway to the west for early settlers 11. Great Lakes Inland port cities grew where ships can load and unload cargo The numbers on the map below go with the numbers in the chart above. 4 7 8 11 9 2 5 8 10 1 6 3 19 G e o g r a p h y