Unit 2 United States Physical Geography
Physical Geography U.S. extends from the Atlantic to Pacific U.S. is the 3rd largest country U.S. has fertile soils, vast forests, and variety of minerals All major types of landforms are found in the U.S.
Physical Geography Eastern lowlands Flat coastal plain that runs along Atlantic to the Gulf of Mexico Atlantic Coastal Plains and Gulf Coastal Plains Piedmont-Rolling hills with rivers and streams b/w these plains to the Appalachian Mountains
Physical Geography Appalachian Highlands West of coastal plains Appalachian Mts. located here Run north and south Extend 1600 miles from Newfoundland in Canada to Alabama Green and Catskill Ranges, Blue Ridge, and Smokey Mountains are apart of the Appalachians Appalachian Mts-400 Million years olderoded
Physical Geography Interior Lowlands Flattened by glaciers, lowlands, rolling hills 1000 s of lakes and rivers; fertile soil Interior Plains-spread from Appalachian Mts. to west of Mississippi River Great Plains-largely treeless area to the west
Physical Geography Rocky Mountains West of plains; extend from Alaska to New Mexico 80 million years old; many peaks greater than 12000 feet Continental Divide- line of the highest point in the Rockies Between the Rockies and Pacific are Sierra Nevada and the Cascades. They run parallel to the Pacific Coast from California to Alaska Mt. McKinley (North America s highest point) is in Alaska; 20320 feet In between are steep cliffs, deep canyons, and basins (lowland desert)
Physical Geography Islands Two island chains created by volcano activity are part of U.S. Aleutian Islands- off coast of Alaska Hawaiian Islands-lie in Central Pacific
Physical Geography U.S. surrounded by 2 oceans and gulf Great Lakes-Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior (HOMES) Busiest river system-mississippi-missouri-ohio; Mississippi runs from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico; Ohio and Missouri Rivers are its main tributaries
Physical Geography North America is the world s leading food exporter 1/3 of U.S. is covered by woodlands (more kinds of trees) Coal, natural gas, and oil found in U.S. Oil and natural gas found in Great Plains, Alaska, and Gulf of Mexico U.S. is the biggest consumer of energy resources; major importer
Unit 2: U.S. and Canada U.S. Climate/Vegetation
Cold Climates Colder Climates Arctic coast of Alaska has tundra climate and vegetation Winters-long and cold; summers-brief and chilly Huge, treeless plain Rest of Alaska has subarctic climate Very cold winters and short, mild summers Needleleaf evergreens and permafrost Rocky Mts and Pacific Ranges have highland climate and vegetation Vary with elevation and latitude Generally temperature is cold and vegetation sparse
Moderate Climates Moderate Climates North Central and Northeast U.S. have humid continental with cold winters and warm summers; one of the world s most productive agricultural areas In north there are mixed forests of deciduous and coniferous trees South part of zone (in the U.S.) summers are longer Pacific coast- North California and southern Alaska have a marine west coast climate Affected by Pacific currents, coastal mountains, and prevailing westerlies (winds that blow from west to east) Summers are moderately warm and winters are long and mild, rainy and foggy Vegetation- deciduous, coniferous, and giant Redwood
Mild Climates Milder climates Most southern states are humid subtropical Summers are hot and muggy; winters are mild and cool Broadleaf and needleleaf trees Central and southern coasts of California have Mediterranean climate with dry summers and mild and rainy winters Fruits and veggies are farmed
Dry Climate Dry climates Great Plains and northern part of Great Basin have semiarid Dry weather; short grasses and shrubs Southwest states are desert Hot and dry with less than 10 of rain per year Cactus Mojave and Sonoran
Tropical Climates Tropical climates Hawaii and Southern Florida Hawaii is tropical wet Florida is tropical wet/dry Tall grasses and scattered trees Everglades-huge swampland
Extreme Weather Extreme Weather effects Violent thunderstorms, hurricanes, droughts, floods, blizzards and tornadoes Tornado Alley- Great Plains Hurricanes Atlantic and Gulf coasts Flooding-Along Mississippi River