Unit 1: Geography For additional information, refer to this website: http://mryoungtms.weebly.com/ 1 G e o g r a p h y
Continents and Oceans SOL USI. 2a Essential Understanding: Continents are large land masses surrounded by water. List the seven continents: List the five oceans: *Europe is considered a continent even though it is not entirely surrounded by water. The land mass is frequently called Eurasia. 2 G e o g r a p h y
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Geographic Features of the United States To better understand the geographical regions of North America, it is important to be able to recognize key geographic features when they appear on maps, diagrams, and in pictures and photographs. Both land and water features influenced the course of events in United States history. There are two categories of geographic features: water related and land related. Water Related Features 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 and bays areas of ocean or sea that are partially surrounded by land Land Related Features 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 These land and water features shaped and influenced the history of the United States in different ways. Trade routes were established along rivers and other waterways because that was the easiest way to transport products. Cities and towns quickly sprang up along these trade routes. As the westward movement progressed in the 1800s, settlers also followed waterways as they made their way across the frontier. Agricultural regions were developed as people found the land suitable for farming. Major fishing industries were made possible by the rivers and oceans located on both the eastern and western coasts. 4 G e o g r a p h y
Key Geographic Features Directions: Draw and color an illustration for each geographic feature. Lakes Hills Rivers Plains Tributaries Plateaus Gulfs and Bays Islands Mountains Peninsulas 5 G e o g r a p h y
Geographic Regions of North America 1. Rugged mountains along the Pacific Coast with valleys. 2. Located west of the Rocky Mountains and east of the Coastal Range Varying elevations containing mountains ranges and, the lowest point in North America. 3. Located west of the Great Plains and east of the Basin and Range mountains stretching from to Contains the which determines the directional flow of rivers 4. Located west of Interior Lowlands and east of the Rocky Mountains land that gradually increases in elevation westward; 5. Located west of the Appalachian Mountains and east of the Great Plains Rolling flatlands with many, valleys, and grassy hills. 6. Wrapped around Hudson Bay in a shape Hills worn by erosion and hundreds of lakes carved by 7. Located west of the Coastal Plain extending from eastern Canada to Western Alabama; includes the Piedmont., eroded (oldest mountain range in North America) 8. Located along the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico Broad lowland providing many excellent. 6 1 3 2 4 5 7 8 6 G e o g r a p h y
Geographic Regions Maps and Characteristics 7 G e o g r a p h y
Major Bodies of Water SOL USI. 2c Major bodies of water Oceans: Rivers: Lakes: Gulf: Trade, transportation, and settlement The location of the United States, with its and coasts, has provided access to other areas of the world. The served as the highway for explorers, early settlers, and later immigrants. The River was the gateway to the west. port cities grew along the. The and Rivers were used to transport farm and industrial products. They were links to ports and other parts of the world. The River was explored by Lewis and Clark. The River was explored by the. The forms the border with. The Ocean was an early exploration. The provided the and with exploration routes to Mexico and other parts of the world. The River forms part of the northeastern border with and connects the Great Lakes to the Ocean. 8 G e o g r a p h y
Important Bodies of Water Map Map Legend 9 G e o g r a p h y
Latitude Notes Equator imaginary line that divides the earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The distance north or south of the equator is called latitude. Lines of latitude are also called parallels (because they never meet) The equator is marked 0 There are 90 between the equator and the North Pole (Marked with an N for North) and 90 between the equator and the South Pole (Marked with an S for South) 10 G e o g r a p h y
Longitude Notes Prime Meridian- the imaginary line that divides the earth into the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. Distance east and west is called longitude. The lines of longitude are also called meridians of longitude, because the lines are not parallel; they will eventually meet at the poles. The prime meridian is marked at 0 of longitude. Going east the meridians are marked from 1 to 180 and going west the meridians are marked from 1 to 180. A degree of longitude west of the prime meridian has a W after it. A degree of longitude east of the prime meridian has an E after it. 11 G e o g r a p h y
Study Guide for Geography Quiz 1 Continents North America South America Africa Asia* Australia Antarctica Europe* Oceans Atlantic Ocean Pacific Ocean Arctic Ocean Indian Ocean Southern Ocean *Note: Europe and Asia are considered continents even though it is not entirely surrounded by water. The land mass is frequently called Eurasia. Key geographic features 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 Geographic features are related to patterns of trade the locations of cities and towns the westward (frontier) movement agricultural and fishing industries 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 Islands bodies of land completely surrounded by water 12 G e o g r a p h y
Study Guide for Geography Quiz #2 Geographic regions locations 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 Sierra Nevadas and the Cascades 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 (Highlands) 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 Plain Located along the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico Broad lowlands providing many excellent harbors 6 1 3 2 4 5 7 8 13 G e o g r a p h y
Major bodies of water Oceans: Atlantic, Pacific Rivers: Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Columbia, Colorado, Rio Grande, St. Lawrence River Lakes: Great Lakes Gulf: Gulf of Mexico Trade, transportation, exploration, and settlement The Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf coasts of the United States have provided access to other parts of the world. 1. The Atlantic Ocean served as the highway for explorers, early settlers, and later immigrants. 2. The Ohio River was the gateway to the west. 3. Inland port cities grew in the Midwest along the Great Lakes. 4. The Columbia River was explored by Lewis and Clark. 5. The Colorado River was explored by the Spanish. 6. The Rio Grande forms the border with Mexico. 7. The Pacific Ocean was an early exploration destination. 8. The Gulf of Mexico provided the French and Spanish with exploration routes to Mexico and other parts of America. 9. The St. Lawrence River forms part of the northeastern border with Canada and connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. 10. The Mississippi and 11. Missouri Rivers were used to transport farm and industrial products. They were links to United States ports and other parts of the world. 4 11 10 3 9 7 5 2 6 8 1 14 G e o g r a p h y
Study Guide for Geography Test Continents North America South America Africa Asia Australia Antarctica Europe* Oceans Atlantic Ocean Pacific Ocean Arctic Ocean Indian Ocean Southern Ocean *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 Indian Ocean Southern Ocean Geographic regions locations 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 Sierra Nevadas and the Cascades 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 15 G e o g r a p h y
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 (Highlands) 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 Plain Located along the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico Broad lowlands providing many excellent harbors 6 1 3 2 4 5 7 8 Geographic features are related to patterns of trade the locations of cities and towns the westward (frontier) movement agricultural and fishing industries Key geographic features 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 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 Islands bodies of land completely surrounded by water 16 G e o g r a p h y
Major bodies of water Oceans: Atlantic, Pacific Rivers: Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Columbia, Colorado, Rio Grande, St. Lawrence River Lakes: Great Lakes Gulf: Gulf of Mexico Trade, transportation, exploration, and settlement The Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf coasts of the United States have provided access to other parts of the world. 1. The Atlantic Ocean served as the highway for explorers, early settlers, and later immigrants. 2. The Ohio River was the gateway to the west. 3. Inland port cities grew in the Midwest along the Great Lakes. 4. The Columbia River was explored by Lewis and Clark. 5. The Colorado River was explored by the Spanish. 6. The Rio Grande forms the border with Mexico. 7. The Pacific Ocean was an early exploration destination. 8. The Gulf of Mexico provided the French and Spanish with exploration routes to Mexico and other parts of America. 9. The St. Lawrence River forms part of the northeastern border with Canada and connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. 10. The Mississippi and 11. Missouri Rivers were used to transport farm and industrial products. They were links to United States ports and other parts of the world 4 11 10 3 9 7 5 2 6 8 1 17 G e o g r a p h y
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