SECTION 1 From Coast to Coast

SECTION 2 A Rich Diversity in Climate and Resources

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The PhysicalGeography ofthe United Statesand Canada

The PhysicalGeography ofthe United Statesand Canada

Place The aurora borealis, or northernlights, is a natural phenomenon most commonly seen in the winter skies over Alaska and northern Canada.

Place • North America is a vast area with variedphysical features and climates. A mountain range runsparallel to each coastline. Grasslands cover much ofthe land between the mountain ranges. One of theworld’s longest rivers runs from north to souththrough the east central portion of the United States.Oceans and seas almost completely surround the continent. In northern Canada, the ground is alwaysfrozen. In the southeastern United States, plants growyear round.

What do you think?♦ How does the variety of types of land

benefit the people of North America?

♦ How are some places in NorthAmerica better to live in than others?

♦ Describe the landforms, climate, andvegetation where you live.

How do Canada and the U.S. benefitfrom the variety of natural features?How do Canada and the U.S. benefitfrom the variety of natural features?

>> What Do You Know?Before you read the chapter, reflect on what you already know aboutthe United States and Canada. On which continent will you find thesecountries? Remember what you have read, seen, or learned in otherclasses about their physical features and natural resources. They aretwo of the wealthiest and most powerful countries in the modernworld. What makes nations powerful in today’s world?

>> What Do You Want to Know?Decide what you want to know about the United States and Canada.In your notebook, record what you hope to learn from this chapter.

BEFORE YOU READ

READ AND TAKE NOTESReading Strategy: Drawing ConclusionsAs you read Chapter 3, think about how geo-graphic factors support the strong econo-mies of the United States and Canada. Usethis chart to show how natural featureshave assisted in creating a strong economy.Notice that several geographic features maycontribute to the same economic strength.

• Copy the chart into your notebook.• On the chart, read the characteristics of

the strong economies of the UnitedStates and Canada.

• As you read the chapter, identify thegeographic features that contribute to each group of economic strengths.Note them on the chart.

68 CHAPTER 3

Geographic Features

Contribute to

many crops grow well

productive farmland,agricultural exports

natural routes for travel to and trade with Canadaand the United States,easy-to-defend location,fishing industry,recreation and tourism

transportation by waterfor people and goodswithin North America,fishing industry, powersource, recreation

raw materials, sources of fuel and power fortransportation, industry,and new technologies

good trade andregulatory relationsbetween Canada andthe United States,tourism

Economic Strengths/Benefits

Region • Water resources, such as theMississippi River, contribute to the wealth of the United States and Canada and totheir positions of leadership in the world. �

Human-Environment Interaction • Rich soil and a moderate climate support a productive agricultural industry. �