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United States & Canada Unit 4 Test Review

By: Mr. Mora

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UNITED STATES

Regions

North America is broken up into regions. Popularly these are divided up into west, Midwest, south, and northeast.

Each regions have aspects about it that make it unique. Whether it be climate, culture or even the demographics of the area.

The Midwest Region• The Midwest is largely an

agricultural economic sector.

• Much of the area is flat in nature and results in good soil for farming.

• In some areas the growing season can be as long as 200 days.

• Known as our country’s breadbasket and leads the WORLD in growing of certain crops such as corn, and wheat.

The Wild West Region Physical Features

• Mountains dominate landscape of the west with Rocky Mountains being a big reason for this.

• Death Valley is found in the west and is considered the hottest place on earth.

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Rocky Mountain Weather• Due to extreme temperature variances, hikers,

hunters, etc. must be prepared for extreme weather and potentially dangerous animals such as, bear, cougars, wolves, etc.

• Extreme cold weather and snow are common on the mountains during the summer, especially higher elevations.

Climates of the United States

Mountains, Deserts, and Oceans all affect the climates of the United States

Belts Are Another Name for Region

Name the “belts!”

BIBLE BELT

SUN BELT

CORN BELT

RUST BELT

Mississippi River (watershed)

Tributaries (rivers) feed Into the larger MississippiRiver system.

Colonization

• The British became the main influence in the United States, and eventually established 13 colonies.

• The 1st Europeans to sail to Canada were the Vikings, but they built no colonies.

• By 1608, France had permanent settlements in Canada.

• By the early 1700s, Britain had established permanent settlements in Canada, too.

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Hawaii• What is unique about Hawaii is that is an archipelago of 8

principal islands (and numerous small islands), reefs and sand bars in the north Pacific Ocean.

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Cultural Changes in America

• American music, food, and traditions influenced by immigration and advances in communication technology

• Cultural diffusion Examples:– English language contains many words from other languages.– Some people in America play hockey, a Canadian sport.– Jazz started as a blend of the music of Africa and the

Caribbean.– The French Quarter in New Orleans show diffusion of French

culture.

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Location, Location, Location

• The Midwest is a prime location for manufacturing plants because they are:a) Close to raw materials (resources)b) Close to markets (i.e. Northeast, South, etc.)c) Transportation costs lower due to central

location and proximity to Great Lakes

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Rural & Urban Populations in the United States

• From the late 1800s until the early 1920s, there was a shift in population from rural to urban in the U.S.

• Due to advanced agricultural techniques, less workers were required to work on farms

• Hence, many rural workers were forced to look for jobs in urban areas

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Dust Bowl• Period of severe dust storms that greatly damaged the ecology and

agriculture of the US and Canadian prairies during the 1930s; • Severe drought and failure to apply dryland farming methods to prevent

wind erosion caused it.• Drought came in three waves, 1934, 1936, and 1939–40; some regions of

the high plains had drought conditions for as many as eight years.• Many people in Oklahoma, Texas, and Colorado affected by dust bowl

migrated to California to look for jobs and a new life.• This occurred during Great Depression…bad times in America

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U.S.A. Imports & ExportsWhat does the graph below show?

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Thematic MapWho would benefit from this information?

A. Fisherman B. Pilot C. Factory Builder/Contractor(Note: Think about who can use the information in Thematic maps)

Industries in the south

Oil is a big industry in the southern region and is a big way that USA makes money and adds to our economy.

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4 Natural Regions of Texas

Highest Elevations

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Native Americans in Texas• The Lipan Apache were native to the San Antonio, TX

area, and were responsible for building the missions found along the San Antonio River.

• The Comanche were excellent horsemen and fierce warriors.

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St. Lawrence Seaway

System of canals and locks that opened shipping lanes from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and ultimately the Atlantic Ocean.

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St. Lawrence Seaway, Cont.• A natural waterway that was modified by man with the creation of “locks.”

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CANADA

Proud to Be Canadians• Because of a harsh climate in the north, most

Canadian cities are located within 100-200 miles of the U.S. border and have friendly ties with the U.S.

• Canada has two official languages, English and French.

Regions of Canada• There are 5 different regions in

Canada that we will be discussing.

• The Atlantic Provinces• St Lawrence Provinces• Prairie Provinces• British Columbia• Northern Territories

1) Atlantic Provinces

2) St Lawrence Provinces

3) Prairie Provinces

4) British Columbia

5) Northern Territories

Atlantic and St. Lawrence Provinces• St. Lawrence Province is where the majority of

Canada’s population is found. It surrounds the great lakes.

• Quebec and Ontario are the heartland of the country and located in this province. Toronto is located in Ontario, and is the biggest city in all of Canada population wise.

• Quebec has close ties to the customs and culture of France.

Northern Territories • This is the northern 40% of Canada that is the

Yukon territory, Northwest territories, and Nunavut territory.

• Many of those living in the area have been native for centuries and are known as Inuits, and many live in the Nunavut Territory.

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The Canadian ShieldThe Canadian Shield is a broad region of Precambrian

rock (pictured in shades of red) that encircles the Hudson Bay. It spans Eastern, Northeastern, and East-central Canada and the Northern portion of the upper Midwestern United States.

Hudson Bay

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Major Climates of Canada

• Major types of climate are: Arctic, Sub-arctic, and Continental Boreal.

Government• The United States

is a democratic republic.

• Citizens vote for a president and congressional representatives that make the laws.

• Political divisions within the United States are called “states.”

• Canada is a constitutional monarchy because Queen Elizabeth is their symbolic leader.

• Citizens vote for a prime minister and parliamentary representatives that make the laws.

• Political divisions within Canada are called “provinces” and “territories.”

The Make Up and Culture of Canada

• The first people to live in Canada were the Inuit natives.

• Between 1689-1763 French and British would fight four wars in Canada over claim of land, in 1763 France lost all claim in Canada.

Canada Today

• The border with the USA is the biggest undefended border in all of the world it stretches more than 5,000 miles.

• USA buys about 85% of all Canadian exports and they buy about 25% of all of our exports.

• The leading export of the Prairie Provinces is petroleum, making Canada the 2nd leading exporter of this in the world.