Introducing Introducing The The

United StatesUnited StatesSocial Science Social Science

McFarlandMcFarland

Physical GeographyPhysical Geographyof the of the

United StatesUnited States

LandformsLandforms

Coastal PlainsCoastal Plains

The Coastal Plains extend from New The Coastal Plains extend from New York to the border with Mexico along York to the border with Mexico along the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.Mexico.

PiedmontPiedmont

The Piedmont is a rolling plateau The Piedmont is a rolling plateau region, inland from the Coastal Plain region, inland from the Coastal Plain that begins in New Jersey and that begins in New Jersey and stretches to Alabama.stretches to Alabama.

Appalachian MountainsAppalachian Mountains

The Appalachian Mountains extend The Appalachian Mountains extend from Maine to Alabama,from Maine to Alabama,

Interior PlainsInterior Plains

The Interior Plains are located The Interior Plains are located between the Appalachian Mountains between the Appalachian Mountains and the Rocky Mountains and extend and the Rocky Mountains and extend from Canada to Mexico.from Canada to Mexico.

Rocky MountainsRocky Mountains

The Rocky Mountains extend from The Rocky Mountains extend from Canada to New Mexico and from the Canada to New Mexico and from the Great Plains westward to the Great Plains westward to the Intermountain Region.Intermountain Region.

Intermountain RegionIntermountain Region

The Intermountain Region is between The Intermountain Region is between the Rocky Mountains on the east and the Rocky Mountains on the east and the Cascade and Sierra Nevada the Cascade and Sierra Nevada ranges on the west.ranges on the west.

Pacific Coast RegionPacific Coast Region

The Pacific Coast Region is The Pacific Coast Region is characterized by two major mountain characterized by two major mountain ranges and a series of valleys ranges and a series of valleys between the mountains.between the mountains.• The Sierra Nevada and Cascade ranges The Sierra Nevada and Cascade ranges

are on the eastern side.are on the eastern side.• Alaska and Hawaii are the two Alaska and Hawaii are the two

westernmost states.westernmost states.• Part of the Pacific “Ring of Fire” with Part of the Pacific “Ring of Fire” with

active volcanoes and earthquake faults.active volcanoes and earthquake faults.

ClimateClimate

The United States has 11 climate The United States has 11 climate types, the greatest variety of any types, the greatest variety of any nation in the world.nation in the world.

Human Geography of Human Geography of the United Statesthe United States

Early SettlementsEarly Settlements

Native Americans were the first Native Americans were the first inhabitants of North America.inhabitants of North America.

The Vikings were the first Europeans The Vikings were the first Europeans to arrive (1100A.D.).to arrive (1100A.D.).

The Spanish arrived about 500 years The Spanish arrived about 500 years ago.ago.

The French made claims to the The French made claims to the interior of North America.interior of North America.

Early SettlementsEarly Settlements(Cont.)(Cont.)

The British became a major influence in The British became a major influence in the nation’s early history establishing the the nation’s early history establishing the 13 colonies.13 colonies.

Millions of Africans were brought to the Millions of Africans were brought to the U.S. and sold as slaves.U.S. and sold as slaves.

After independence, many immigrants After independence, many immigrants came from Europe.came from Europe.

By the mid-1800’s, the U.S. stretched from By the mid-1800’s, the U.S. stretched from the Atlantic to the Pacific.the Atlantic to the Pacific.

Population DiversityPopulation Diversity

The U.S. ranks 3The U.S. ranks 3rdrd in world in world population, but comprises less than 5 population, but comprises less than 5 percent of the world’s population.percent of the world’s population.

The U.S. is predominantly Christian in The U.S. is predominantly Christian in religion.religion.

Population DiversityPopulation Diversity(Cont.)(Cont.)

European American – 75%European American – 75% African American – 12%African American – 12% Hispanic (Latino) – 9%Hispanic (Latino) – 9% Asian – 3%Asian – 3% Native American – 1%Native American – 1%

Population DistributionPopulation Distribution

Today, most of the population is Today, most of the population is along the East Coast and in along the East Coast and in California.California.

As the nation developed into a As the nation developed into a technological society, many people technological society, many people have moved to the Sunbelt states have moved to the Sunbelt states (California, Texas, Florida, Arizona).(California, Texas, Florida, Arizona).

The U.S. is highly urbanized.The U.S. is highly urbanized.