Geographic Features of the Geographic Features of the United StatesUnited States

Salt Dough MapsSalt Dough Maps

Major Landforms of the U.S.Major Landforms of the U.S.

The Interior PlainsThe Interior Plains

The interior of our country is dominated by 2 large plains. These are large flat areas that may contain rolling hills.

The vast treeless plain to the west is called The Great Plain.

To the east are the Central Plains.

Both have fertile soil. The Central Plains receive more precipitation than the Great Plains.

MountainsMountainsThe western part of our country is dominated by mountains.

The largest mountain range, The Rocky Mountains, stretch 3000 miles from Alaska to New Mexico.

The Cascade Mountains are in Northern California, Oregon, and Washington. The Sierra Nevada border the Great Basin to the south.

In the East, the Appalachian Mountains cross the nation from north to south. They stretch from Canada to Alabama.

Like the mighty Rockies to the West, these ancient, low mountains were a major obstacle to movement and settlement in the West

The Ouachita Mountains are also shown.

The Coastal The Coastal PlainPlain

The Coastal Plain stretches from New York to the Rio Grande in Texas. This fertile land, which gently slopes to the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico provides excellent farm land.

PlateausPlateaus A plateau is a large, nearly level area of land that has been lifted above the surrounding land on at least 3 sides.

Can you find the Colorado and Columbian Plateaus in the West and the Allegheny Plateau in the East?

This map also shows the Edwards and the Ozark Plateaus.

The 5 Great LakesThe 5 Great Lakes

The 5 Great Lakes hold 21% of the world’s surface fresh water. Many people use the acronym HOMES to remember their names.

H Huron

O Ontario

M Michigan

E Erie

S Superior

For the TestFor the Test•Be sure you are able to locate and name:

•The Rocky Mountains The Appalachian Mountains

•The Sierra Nevada Mountains The Cascade Mountains

•The Mississippi River Lake Superior Lake Michigan

•Lake Huron Lake Erie Lake Ontario

•The Great Plains The Central Plains The Coastal Plains

•The Colorado Plateau The Allegheny Plateau

•The Columbian Plateau

•The Atlantic Ocean The Pacific Ocean The Gulf of Mexico