The United StatesThe United States

Chapter 4 – Section 1 – pages Chapter 4 – Section 1 – pages 115-119115-119

The LandThe Land

48 contiguous states, with Alaska 48 contiguous states, with Alaska and Hawaii make up the 4and Hawaii make up the 4thth largest largest country in the world.country in the world.

5 main physical regions on the 5 main physical regions on the mainland. Alaska and Hawaii are mainland. Alaska and Hawaii are have unique characteristics.have unique characteristics.

Coastal PlainCoastal Plain

Atlantic Coastal Plain spans from MA to FL.Atlantic Coastal Plain spans from MA to FL. Gulf Coastal Plain is north of the Gulf od Gulf Coastal Plain is north of the Gulf od

Mexico.Mexico. Soil is thin and rocky in ACP, better in GCP.Soil is thin and rocky in ACP, better in GCP. Good harbors = big port cities.Good harbors = big port cities. Megalopolis is a large stretch of settled Megalopolis is a large stretch of settled

land. Suburbs and cities on the ACP make land. Suburbs and cities on the ACP make one.one.

The Appalachian MountainsThe Appalachian Mountains

22ndnd longest mountain range in the US. longest mountain range in the US. Run from Canada to Alabama down Run from Canada to Alabama down

the east coast.the east coast. Oldest mountains in the US.Oldest mountains in the US. The area east of the Appalachian The area east of the Appalachian

Mountains is called the Piedmont, Mountains is called the Piedmont, and it is good farming soil.and it is good farming soil.

The Interior PlainsThe Interior Plains Central LowlandsCentral Lowlands

• Fertile farms and important waterways.Fertile farms and important waterways. Mississippi RiverMississippi River

• Flows from Minnesota to the Gulf of MexicoFlows from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico• 2,340 miles long2,340 miles long

Great LakesGreat Lakes• Largest group of freshwater lakes in the world.Largest group of freshwater lakes in the world.• Formed by glaciers.Formed by glaciers.

Great PlainsGreat Plains• Rich grasslands that start west of the Mississippi River.Rich grasslands that start west of the Mississippi River.• Fertile farms and livestock grazing.Fertile farms and livestock grazing.

Mountains & BasinsMountains & Basins

Rocky MountainsRocky Mountains• Longest mountain range in North America.Longest mountain range in North America.• Starts in Alaska and ends in Mexico.Starts in Alaska and ends in Mexico.

Continental RidgeContinental Ridge• Separates rivers that flow west and east.Separates rivers that flow west and east.• Formed by plate tectonics.Formed by plate tectonics.

Plateaus (west of the Rockies)Plateaus (west of the Rockies)• ColumbiaColumbia• The Great Basin (Great Salt Lake)The Great Basin (Great Salt Lake)• ColoradoColorado

The Pacific CoastThe Pacific Coast

2 mountain ranges: The Cascade and 2 mountain ranges: The Cascade and Sierra Nevada.Sierra Nevada.

Cascade mountains range from WA Cascade mountains range from WA to CA, and were volcanic in nature.to CA, and were volcanic in nature.

Areas west of the Cascades and the Areas west of the Cascades and the Sierra Nevada are fertile farmlands.Sierra Nevada are fertile farmlands.

Alaska & HawaiiAlaska & Hawaii

AlaskaAlaska• The tallest mountain in the US is Mount The tallest mountain in the US is Mount

McKinley.McKinley.• Borders on the Artic Circle.Borders on the Artic Circle.• Most people live in the Yukon River Most people live in the Yukon River

Valley.Valley. HawaiiHawaii

• 8 main islands and 120 small islands.8 main islands and 120 small islands.• Coral reefs and underwater volcanoesCoral reefs and underwater volcanoes

ClimateClimate

Most of the US is in the middle Most of the US is in the middle latitude region, so there are a variety latitude region, so there are a variety of climates.of climates.

There are 7 main climate zones in There are 7 main climate zones in the contiguous US.the contiguous US.

Alaska and Hawaii have their own Alaska and Hawaii have their own distinctive climates.distinctive climates.

Mid-Latitude ClimatesMid-Latitude Climates Marine West CoastMarine West Coast

• Pacific CoastPacific Coast• Mild temperatures & rainyMild temperatures & rainy

MediterraneanMediterranean• Southern CaliforniaSouthern California• Dry warm wintersDry warm winters

Humid SubtropicalHumid Subtropical• Southern USSouthern US• Mild winters, hot summers, violent weatherMild winters, hot summers, violent weather

Humid ContinentalHumid Continental• Northern USNorthern US• Cold winters, hot summersCold winters, hot summers

Dry ClimatesDry Climates

The western US, along the Rocky The western US, along the Rocky Mountains and plateaus, is a steppe Mountains and plateaus, is a steppe climate.climate.

Pacific Mountain ranges block the moisture Pacific Mountain ranges block the moisture from the Pacific Ocean.from the Pacific Ocean.

Rocky Mountain keeps the hot dry air Rocky Mountain keeps the hot dry air trapped.trapped.

The southwest US is a desert climate with The southwest US is a desert climate with high daytime temperatures and less rain high daytime temperatures and less rain than the steppe climate to the north.than the steppe climate to the north.

High Latitude ClimatesHigh Latitude Climates

Most of Alaska is a sub-arctic climate.Most of Alaska is a sub-arctic climate. Cool summers and frigid winters.Cool summers and frigid winters. Sparse vegetation.Sparse vegetation. Heavy rainfall on coast, drier inland.Heavy rainfall on coast, drier inland.

Tropical ClimatesTropical Climates

Southern Florida and Hawaii are the Southern Florida and Hawaii are the only tropical climates in the US.only tropical climates in the US.

Heavy rainfall and humid Heavy rainfall and humid temperatures. temperatures.

Florida is warmer on average than Florida is warmer on average than Hawaii because of the Pacific Ocean.Hawaii because of the Pacific Ocean.