Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.
-
Upload
miles-patterson -
Category
Documents
-
view
219 -
download
2
Transcript of Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.
![Page 1: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Chapter 6Regional Geography of North AmericaP 160-180
![Page 2: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Introduction
North America is made up of a variety of landscapes
Earth is 4.5 billion years old
Three layers: crust, mantle, and core
![Page 3: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Earth’s Layers The crust is a thin layer of rock about 5-35 km
thick Broken up into large and small pieces – plates Under the crust is the mantle which is molten
rock known as magma The centre of the earth is the core that is hot,
and dense, and solid in the centre Heat of the core is responsible for heating the
mantle Magma moves, causing the plates of the crust to
move or break
![Page 4: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Forming of Continents From 600 to 225
million years ago, the continents of North America, Africa, and Europe were joined
Tectonics created the Canadian Shield 2 billion years ago
![Page 5: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
Fold Mountains When two plates are
pushed together over millions of years, the rock layers crumple up and form fold mountains
e.g. Rocky Mountains and Appalachian Mountains
![Page 6: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Volcanic Mountains When the crust
breaks while it is folding, molten rock pushes through and creates volcanic mountains
E.g. Canadian Shield and Cascade Mountains
![Page 7: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Ice Ages Ice Ages eroded geographic features Prolonged period of cooling about 60
million years ago By 2.5 million years ago, glaciation of
the northern hemisphere widespread During last ice age (25 000-10 000
years ago), glaciers covered most of North America
Glaciers are literally rivers of ice
![Page 8: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Glaciers in North America
![Page 9: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Effects of Glaciation Melted water drained into earth’s oceans Some of the melted water was blocked by
debris the glaciers had scraped away Formed lakes Deposits of silt laid down flat, bare land
like the prairies Scraped the rocks bare, leaving very little
soil Canadian Shield Left mounds of debris hills
![Page 10: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
North American Settlers Before European settlement, North
America was filled with forests, swamps, and deserts
First Nations peoples did not really change the environment much
European settlers to North America felt that the environment should be modified to suit their needs
![Page 11: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
Some final definitions Topography: the shape of the land Climate: the prevailing conditions of
temperature and precipitations Vegetation: the plants that grow
naturally in an area
![Page 12: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
8 Geographic Regions of North America
Information taken from Heidi Robinson’s powerpoint on SlideShare
![Page 13: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
Appalachian Region
![Page 14: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Topography Travels from Newfoundland through,
Maritime provinces through, U.S. as far as Alabama and Georgia
Many different mountain ranges About 300,000,000 years old Lots of continual erosion Consists of fertile plateaus and river valleys Coal, oil and gas can be found in
sedimentary rock
![Page 15: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
Climate Heavily affected by ocean currents Grand Banks had lots of fish which was
the main attraction for European explorers and settlers
![Page 16: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Vegetation Mixed coniferous (evergreen) and
deciduous (shed leaves annually) trees
![Page 17: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
The Coastal Plains
![Page 18: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Topography Extends from Cape Cod along Atlantic
coast which includes, Florida then going westward and traveling along Gulf Of Mexico continuing to Mexico
Average elevation is below 200m above sea level
Mostly flat Swamps and marches that give
transportation routes and agricultural land
![Page 19: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
Climate North – cold and snowy winters/hot and
humid summers South – subtropical climate, mild to
warm winters Hurricanes – late summer to early
winter
![Page 20: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
Vegetation
Mainly sandy - some natural vegetation has adapted to this type of soil
Lush jungles (in Mexico) Originally pine forests
![Page 21: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
The Great Lakes – St. Lawrence Lowland
![Page 22: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
Topography includes triangle created by lakes Huron
, Ontario and Erie Smallest of all the geographic regions of
North America Several escarpments (Niagara Falls) Has two separate parts Rolling landscape Created by glaciation
![Page 23: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
Climate Humid continental climate Due to the Great Lakes Winter – cool to cold Summer – warm to hot
![Page 24: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
Vegetation Very fertile Maple, Beech, Hickory and Black Walnut
trees Mixed forests – deciduous and
coniferous
![Page 25: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
The Interior Plains
![Page 26: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
Topography Bordered on the east by the Canadian
Shield and on the west by the Rocky Mountains
Bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean and to the south by the Gulf of Mexico
Not entirely flat Gentile rolling hills and deep river
valleys 600-1500m above sea level on average Canada’s “Bread Basket of the World”
![Page 27: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
Climate Continental climate In the heart of the continent Away from the influence of oceans Climate of extremes Long hot summers Cold winters Little precipitation In the north the winters are colder and longer, in
the south the summers are warmer Arctic climate in the north with extremely long
winters and short summers
![Page 28: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
Vegetation Grasslands in this prairie area Boreal forest in the northern regions
with tundra towards the Arctic
![Page 29: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
The Canadian Shield
![Page 30: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
Topography More than 2 billion years old Great volcanic mountains that have been
levelled by erosion Geographic foundation of Canada Only in 2 of the US States Barren rock left by glaciation Chaotic pattern of rivers, lakes, swamps and
muskeg About 100-500m above sea level on average Most rivers flow towards Hudson or James Bay
![Page 31: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
Climate As you travel north the winters get
longer and colder, and the summers get shorter and cooler
![Page 32: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
Vegetation Boreal forest covers most of the area North of the tree line, no trees are able
to grow due to the very short growing season, little precipitation and permafrost
![Page 33: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
The Western Cordillera
![Page 34: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
Topography Along the west coast of North America Range after range of mountains New mountains not yet worn by erosion The Rocky Mountains form the
continental divide that determines the flow of most rivers
![Page 35: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
Climate Maritime climate West coast is moist and mild Winters usually above freezing with
cooler summers that the interior of the continent
Warm valleys Rain-shadow
![Page 36: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/36.jpg)
Vegetation Varied Forests and deserts Most of the earths forms of vegetation
can be found here
![Page 37: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/37.jpg)
The Intermountain Region
![Page 38: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/38.jpg)
Topography Located in U.S. and Canada which falls
between the Rocky Mountains, the Cascades and Sierra Nevada
Area of high plateaus Isolated mountains Streams and rivers never make it to the
ocean (not in all cases) Lots of cattle ranching
![Page 39: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/39.jpg)
Climate Affected by location and elevation Winters can be cool and wet or hot and
dry
![Page 40: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/40.jpg)
Vegetation Sparse grasslands to semi-desert or
desert plants Pine forests in the higher elevations
![Page 41: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/41.jpg)
The Arctic
![Page 42: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/42.jpg)
Topography Combination of lowlands and mountains Flat near the ocean Mountains in the far north Mostly covered by glaciers
![Page 43: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/43.jpg)
Climate Very severe Very far from the equator Winter lasts for 10 months at a time Summer is very short Actually a desert because of so little
precipitation Area is dominated by permafrost
![Page 44: Chapter 6 Regional Geography of North America P 160-180.](https://reader035.fdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062407/56649db95503460f94aa9d3f/html5/thumbnails/44.jpg)
Vegetation Very few life forms Trees cannot grow on the tundra Small shrubs, mosses and lichen can
grow