Ch. 1-7 Study Guide

Why is the US industry and agriculture prosperous?

The US industry and agriculture is so prosperous because it has many different

natural resources.

What likely drew immigrants to the United States?

Immigrants were likely drawn to the U.S. because of the rights and freedoms offered in

the Constitution.

Explain NAFTA.

It is a trade agreement between America, Canada, and Mexico.

Where is cultural diversity the highest in the U.S.?

Cultural diversity is the highest in America along the border with Mexico.

How did immigrants contribute to American society in the early 1900s?

Immigrants contribute to American society in the early 1900s by working in factories,

building railroads, and opening businesses.

Of all the natural resources in America, which one helped it to experience

economic growth?

The natural resource in America that has helped it to experience economic growth is

crops, like soybeans and corn.

Of all the regions in the U.S., which one is best for farming?

The best region in America for farming is found in the Great Plains.

Explain where the majority of Canada’s oil is found.

The majority of Canada’s oil is found in western Canada.

What is considered the heartland of Canada? Why is it?

The area around the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River is known as the heartland of Canada because it is

there that the majority o the people live and work.

Who has the greatest amount of executive power in Canadian government?

The Prime Minister has the greatest amount of executive power in Canadian government.

Who is Canada’s most important trading partner?

The United States is Canada’s greatest trading partner.

Of all Canada’s regions, which one has limited vegetation?

In Canada, it is the Tundra that

has limited vegetation

because of its freezing

temperatures.

How is Canada’s government like Great Britain?

Canada’s and Britain’s government is alike in that they are both a constitutional monarchy.

What are Canada’s two Parliament houses?

The House of Commons and the Senate are the two houses of Canadian Parliament.

What is Mexico’s major natural resource?

Petroleum is Mexico’s major natural resource.

Since only 20% of Mexico’s land is fit for farming, what is wrong with 80% of it?

80% of Mexico’s land is not fit for farming because of mountains, poor soils, and dry

climates.

In what way is Mexico’s Constitution different from the U.S. Constitution?

In Mexico’s Constitution, eligible voters are required by law to vote in elections.

Describe Mexico’s economy.

Mexico has one of the MOST productive economies in the world.

Describe the climate of northern Mexico.

Northern Mexico is very dry which makes it very difficult to grow crops.

Describe the climate in the lowlands of Central America and the Caribbean.

The tropical climate is a key to the economic activity in the lowlands because it allows the production of

cash crops, such as sugar and coffee.

Who did the European colonists in Central America get to do the labor required in

growing cash crops?

The European colonists in Central America imported enslaved Africans to grow the cash

crops.

Describe most governments in Central America?

Most governments in Central America are presidential democracies.

Which country in the region has the most stable democracy?

The country in the region with the most stable democracy is Costa Rica.

What environmental issue has cattle ranching caused in Central America?

Cattle ranching has caused erosion in Central America.

What effect has tourism had in Central America and the Caribbean?

Tourism has caused water shortages in Central America and the Caribbean.

What affect do hurricanes have on the people in Central American and the

Caribbean?

Hurricanes can destroy entire towns which has a devastating effect on the people in

Central America and the Caribbean.

What makes earthquakes so common in Central America and the Caribbean?

Because of the existing colliding plates underneath Central America and the

Caribbean, earthquakes are very common.

How has the free-trade agreement benefited Central America and the

Caribbean?

The free-trade agreement in Central America and the Caribbean has created jobs.

What might an ecotourist experience in Central America and the Caribbean?

An ecotourist might dine one local food and explore the region on foot.

What cultural heritage does Carnival mix together?

Carnival mixes African, Native American, and European religious traditions together in a

cultural celebration.

Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela has a very concentrated natural resource. What is it?

Oil is concentrated around Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela.

The Andes Mountains has three parallel ranges in the northern region of South

America. What are they called?

The three parallel ranges of the Andes in northern South America are called

Cordilleras.

What has made Venezuela one of the wealthiest countries in Caribbean South

America?

Its vast oil and natural gas reserves have made Venezuela one of the wealthiest countries in Caribbean South America.

What environmental issue has resulted in Venezuela because of its oil production?

Water pollution is an

environmental issue that has

resulted because of Venezuela’s oil production.

Where is the coldest, wettest climate found in a vertical climate zone?

The coldest, wettest climate in a vertical climate zone is found at the highest point.

What effects the climate in the Andes and the Pampas every few years?

El Nino is a phenomenon that has influenced the climate of the Andes and the Pampas

every few years.

What is the Altiplano?

The Altiplano is a high, flat area in the Andes filled

with natural resources.

Why do the Andes and the Pampas have a wide range of ecosystems?

The Andes and the Pampas have a wide range of

ecosystems because of the effects of the

altitude.

Why is the population density so unevenly distributed in the Andes and the Pampas?

The population of the Andes and the

Pampas is unevenly distributed because of the variety of the

climate and the landforms in the

region.

Which of the Caribbean South American countries are the people mostly descendants of Spain and Italy?

In Argentina, the people are mostly descendants of Spanish and Italian ancestry.

What is one of the ways that nations of South America are fighting poverty?

One way governments are fighting poverty in South America is by increasing investments in

education.

What is Sao Paulo known for in Brazil?

Sao Paulo is one of the

largest cities in Brazil.

What kind of economy did Portuguese set up in Brazil?

The Portuguese set up an export economy in Brazil.

What heritage is strong in along the northern coast of Brazil?

The African heritage remains strong along the northern coast of Brazil.

What does Brazil’s membership in MECOSUR mean?

Brazil’s membership in

MECOSUR means it is committed

to free trade with neighboring

countries.

How is Brazil’s economy described today?

Brazil’s economy is known as a market economy today.

How is Brazil’s political system different than the United States?

Unlike in the United States, in

Brazil you can vote at the age of

16.

What physical feature helps to drain South America?

The Amazon River helps to drain South America.

What major environmental issue is faced by the Brazilians today?

The major environmental issue faced by Brazilians today is air and water pollution.

What is the major way Brazilian government is defending the rain forest?

The major way the Brazilian government is defending the rain forest is by fining people

who develop on protected land.