Title: Physical Features of the United States
1Physical Features of the United States
2Standards
- A. Describe the location of major physical
features and their impact on Canada and the U.S. - B. Describe the major climates of Canada and the
U.S. and how they affect those nations. - C. Explain the reasons for population
distribution in U.S. and Canada. - D. Explain how the physical geography of Canada
and the U.S. contributed to regional growth and
development. - E. Describe the ethnic and religious groups in
Canada and U.S. include major customs and
traditions. - F. Analyze how transportation and communications
improvements led to the growth of industry in the
U.S. and the consequences of such growth,
especially environmentally, for both Canada and
the U.S.
3What Information can you gather from a map?
4Performance Task 1
- You have been hired by the Chamber of Commerce of
a city in Canada. - You have one week to prepare a tri-fold brochure
to encourage business and tourism to the city. - You have six panels to promote your city. One
panel is the cover. Other five panels should
include interesting sites, major businesses and
products, colleges/education, government, and
transportation infrastructure.
5Cities for Performance Task
- Quebec
- Toronto
- Ottawa
- Halifax
- Winnipeg
- Calgary
- Vancouver
- Yellowknife
- Victoria
- Edmonton
- Iqaluit
- Thunder Bay
- Hamilton
- St. Johns
- Whitehorse
- Montreal
- Regina
- Hull
6Collaborative Pairs
Work with your collaborative partner. Make a
list of 10 important facts you already know about
the geography of the U.S.
7Essential Question
The United States has the highest gross national
product (GNP) in the world. GNP is the sum of
all economic activity in a country. What nation
is 2? What does being 1 mean about the role
the United States plays in the world economy?
8Where are some important physical features in the
United States?
- Physical features are natural landforms and
bodies of water on Earths surface. - Important land physical features in the United
States include - The Atlantic Coastal Plain
- The Great Plains
- The Continental Divide
- The Great Basin
- Death Valley
9The Atlantic Coastal Plain
- Lowland area borders the Atlantic Ocean in the
Eastern part of the United States. - Has many excellent harbors.
- Many people live in this region.
10The Great Plains
11The Great Plains
12The Great Plains
- The Interior plains are a flat area in the middle
of the United States. - The Great Plains are the western part of the
interior plains. - The Great Plains are east of the Rocky Mountains.
- The Great Plains consists of grasslands with no
trees.
13The Continental Divide
- High peeks of the rocky mountains form an
imaginary line called the backbone of North
America. - On the eastern side of the Continental Divide,
rivers flow toward the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf
of Mexico. - On the Western side of the Continental Divide,
rivers flow toward the Pacific Ocean.
14The Great Basin
15The Great Basin
- This area is west of the Rocky Mountains and east
of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountain ranges. - You will find isolated mountain ranges as well as
Death Valley the lowest point in North America!
16Death Valley
The Lowest Point in North America!!
17Where are some important physical features in the
United States?
- Physical features are natural landforms and
bodies of water on Earths surface. - Important bodies of water in the United States
include - The Gulf of Mexico
- The St. Lawrence River
- The Great Lakes
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19The Gulf of Mexico
- This body of water is between the eastern coast
of Mexico and the Western coast of Florida. - It has warmer water than the Atlantic Ocean.
20St. Lawrence River
21St. Lawrence River
- This important river flows through northeastern
Canada. - It is a major transportation route for large
ships bringing goods into Canada and the United
States.
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23The Great Lakes
- These five lakes are located in the northern part
of the United States between the U.S and Canada. - They are the largest freshwater lakes in the
world.
24Economic Systems Review
- Capitalism free enterprise
- Supply and demand determines prices
- Consumers are in control
- Laissez faire
- AKA Market
- Command
- Communism government controls and makes central
decisions - Socialism Government makes major decisions
25Mixed Economies
- Almost every economic system in the world is a
mixed economy with some capitalism and some
command or government control.
26Mixed Economies around the world
27Essential Question?
- Which economic system is the best?
- What is the ideal economic system?
- Should the government be involved in the economy?
28Political Systems Review
- Democracy people make all decisions
- Town Meetings
- Ancient Greece
- Republic People elect representatives
- United States
- Canada
29Federalism is a compromise!
- But, what is Federalism?
- Unitary Central government
- Confederation Local governments
Federalism is a compromise in the Constitution
which divides powers between the national and the
state governments.
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31Political Vocabulary
- Sovereignty who owns a nation
- Totalitarianism total govt control
- Dictatorship one person in control
- Monarchy inherited power king/queen
- Tyranny Takes over government
- Empire One nation/ruler controls other nations
- Constitution set of rules for the government
32Homework Chapter 3 section 2
- Read Chapter 3, Section 2 Page 100-105.
- Questions 1, 3, 4.
- Due on 1/21/14
33Important man-made features in New England
- There are many things in the United States that
have been created by man. - These man-made features include
- Cities
- Structures like a canal or a dam.
- Some major man-made features in the United States
include - New York City
- Boston
- Philadelphia
- Erie Canal
34New York City
35New York City
- The most populated city in the United States.
8.33 million people! 468 sq/m - Located in New York State.
- It is the world center of finance and business.
- It is located on a large harbor that helped it to
grow as a trade center.
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37Boston
38Boston
- This city is the capital of Massachusetts.
- It is located on a harbor at the mouth of the
Charles River. - It is the largest city in the New England region.
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40Philadelphia
41Philadelphia
- This is the largest city in Pennsylvania.
- It is known as the birthplace of a the nation.
- Both the Declaration of Independence and the
Constitution were written there. - The city of Brotherly Love.
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43Erie Canal
44The Erie Canal
- This man-made waterway links lake Erie with the
Hudson River in New York. - It was completed in 1825.
- It allows goods to be transported easily along
the Great Lakes and then further west. - It helped make New York City a major trade center.
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47Man Made FeaturesTrue or False?
- New York City is the largest city in the United
States. - New York City is not located on a harbor.
- Boston is the capital of Massachusetts.
- The largest city in the New England region is
Providence, Rhode Island. - Philadelphia is the capital of Pennsylvania.
- The Declaration of Independence was written in
Philadelphia.
48Climate of United States and Canada
49Temperatures in North America
50Precipitation in North America
51Questions
- What area of North America receives the most
rainfall? - How much rain does Atlanta receive each year?
- Where does rain come from???
- How do mountains impact the amount of rain an
area receives? - What happens when rain and cold meet?
52Review
53United States vs. Canada
- Lets compare the U.S. with Canada.
- How are the nations similar?
- How are the nations different?
- Work with your collaborative partner and list
three answer to each question.
54Comparing U.S. and Canada
- 315,000,000 people
- President
- 81 white, 13 black
- Largest GNP
- Congress
- Baseball/Football
- 3,794,000 square miles
- U.N. and NAFTA
- 35,000,000 people
- Prime Minister
- 83 white, 10 Asian
- 13 in GDP
- Parliament
- Hockey
- 3,855,000 square miles
- U.N., NAFTA and British Commonwealth
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56Homework 8-22
- Read pages 181 to 188
- Questions 3, and 6