Utah’s GeographyThe study of the earth and its mountains, plateaus, valleys, deserts, rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Where in the world is Utah?

Where in the world is Utah?

41.2278° N, 111.9611° W

Physical Features and Natural Resources• Natural Resources – Plants, animals, minerals, and air

Types of Natural Resources• Renewable Resources – Resources that keep coming back and

can be used over and over again.• What are some of these resources?

• Non-renewable Resources – Resources that can never come back once used.

• What are some of these resources?

Utah’s Three Land Regions• Great Basin Region• Colorado Plateau Region • Rocky Mountain Region

Rocky Mountain Region• Smallest Region• Located in the Northeastern part of the state• Highest peak is Kings Peak at 13,528• Snow runoff forms rivers and streams• A lot of minerals and other natural resources

Great Basin Region• Wasatch Front, most of the population• Great Salt Lake• Flat, bowl shaped region• Farmland and cities

Colorado Plateau Region• Highlands, soft sedimentary rock• All of Utah’s National Parks• Zion National Park• Canyonlands Nation Park• Bryce Canyon National Park• Arches National Park• Capital Reef National Park

• Coal, oil, and natural gas can be found here

Utah’s Climate• Difference between weather and climate?• Climate is the five most important conditions of the air• Temperature, wind, sunshine, humidity, and precipitation

• Things that affect climate:• Latitude• Elevation• Distance from the ocean

• Utah has three distinct climate zones• Desert – 33%• Highland – 24 %• Steppe – 43%

• People would not be able to live in Utah without irrigation.

Utah’s flora and fauna• Some plants and animals are indigenous.• Sagebrush, grasses, dwarf oak, and willows as well as forests of

aspen and pine.• The type of plants change according to elevation.

• Bears, bobcats, elk, moose, mountain sheep, antelope, prairie dogs.

• Thousands of different birds species.• Some of these birds are migratory.

• Why protect wildlife? How?

The Great Salt Lake• Why is it salty?• Weber, Bear, and Jordan Rivers and other tributaries flow

directly into the lake.• There is no outlet for the lake.• Brine shrimp are an important resource to the Utah economy

and wildlife.