Exploring Geography
North America
- Theworldatlas.net
Region Name: North America
Number of Countries: 2 – United States and Canada
Number of Countries: 2 – United States and Canada
Physical Features
Appalachian Mountains
The Appalachian Mountain Range is the oldest mountain range in North America. It is said that they are nearly 300 million years old. Their origination is blamed on a "collision and separation of the North American tectonic plates with North Africa."(Abhijit N. Mar 11, 2010) The Appalachian Mountains follow the east coast of North America and stretch nearly 1600 miles long from Canada to Alabama running north and south. The majority of the mountain range is over 100 miles wide, and in some areas it stretches nearly 300 miles wide. The Appalachians gracefully stretch through 14 of our beautiful states before they reach Canada. They are very heavily wooded, unlike the Rockies which have many "bare" spots, open fields and plains among them.
You may have heard of the Great Smokey Mountains, or Blue Ridge Mountains... these are specific areas named in the Appalachians along with the White Mountains, Black Mountains, Green Mountains, Allegheny Plateau and many more beautiful areas among them. The average height of an Appalachian Mountain is 3000 feet. The Appalachian Mountains house a beautiful hiking trail that begins in Maine and it winds through the mountains to Georgia. This trail, called "The Appalachian Trail" is 2175 miles long. The Appalachians have resources such as: coal, iron, petroleum, and natural gas within its soil.
The Appalachian Mountain Range is the oldest mountain range in North America. It is said that they are nearly 300 million years old. Their origination is blamed on a "collision and separation of the North American tectonic plates with North Africa."(Abhijit N. Mar 11, 2010) The Appalachian Mountains follow the east coast of North America and stretch nearly 1600 miles long from Canada to Alabama running north and south. The majority of the mountain range is over 100 miles wide, and in some areas it stretches nearly 300 miles wide. The Appalachians gracefully stretch through 14 of our beautiful states before they reach Canada. They are very heavily wooded, unlike the Rockies which have many "bare" spots, open fields and plains among them.
You may have heard of the Great Smokey Mountains, or Blue Ridge Mountains... these are specific areas named in the Appalachians along with the White Mountains, Black Mountains, Green Mountains, Allegheny Plateau and many more beautiful areas among them. The average height of an Appalachian Mountain is 3000 feet. The Appalachian Mountains house a beautiful hiking trail that begins in Maine and it winds through the mountains to Georgia. This trail, called "The Appalachian Trail" is 2175 miles long. The Appalachians have resources such as: coal, iron, petroleum, and natural gas within its soil.
-geography.howstuffworks.com
Continental Divide
The Continental Divide, also known as the "Great Divide" is a topographic divider which rides the upper crests of the majestic Rocky Mountains. Running North to South from Alaska to northwestern South America, it is the natural divider which separates the water that flows into the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, from the water that flows in to the Pacific Ocean. It also provides drainage for most of the western portion of North America. Although there are more "divides" in North America, the Great Divide gets its name due to its prominence. The Great Divide is much larger, much higher in elevation while it follows some of the highest peaks of both the American and Canadian Rocky Mountains.
The Continental Divide, also known as the "Great Divide" is a topographic divider which rides the upper crests of the majestic Rocky Mountains. Running North to South from Alaska to northwestern South America, it is the natural divider which separates the water that flows into the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, from the water that flows in to the Pacific Ocean. It also provides drainage for most of the western portion of North America. Although there are more "divides" in North America, the Great Divide gets its name due to its prominence. The Great Divide is much larger, much higher in elevation while it follows some of the highest peaks of both the American and Canadian Rocky Mountains.
Map includes the Great Divide along with the Northern, Eastern and St. Lawrence Seaway Divides. - greenvitals.net
The Great Plains
These plains stretch along the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains running north to south from northern Canada to southern Mexico. The Great Plains appear just as they sound, a big open space. They originally were millions of acres of open grassland; the few trees that were present were along small streams and rivers that cut through the breathtaking land. The fields were home to the Bison along with other wildlife including wild horses. The plains gave many resources to the Indians who followed these animals as they migrated through the country.
As time went on and the land began to be "worked" the grassland took on a new appearance. Plowed fields and small communities started to invade the "open space." This land was very valuable to the settlers, and it became the home of many.
The plains also have some variety among them Along with the lush grassland there are also canyons in the west, the Black Hills and Badlands located in the northern portion, the high plains that are located in Arkansas which continue into Texas and also the thick deciduous forests of the south.
These plains stretch along the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains running north to south from northern Canada to southern Mexico. The Great Plains appear just as they sound, a big open space. They originally were millions of acres of open grassland; the few trees that were present were along small streams and rivers that cut through the breathtaking land. The fields were home to the Bison along with other wildlife including wild horses. The plains gave many resources to the Indians who followed these animals as they migrated through the country.
As time went on and the land began to be "worked" the grassland took on a new appearance. Plowed fields and small communities started to invade the "open space." This land was very valuable to the settlers, and it became the home of many.
The plains also have some variety among them Along with the lush grassland there are also canyons in the west, the Black Hills and Badlands located in the northern portion, the high plains that are located in Arkansas which continue into Texas and also the thick deciduous forests of the south.
-solpass.org
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. It stretches from Itasca, Minnesota and flows south through or along 10 different states before pouring into the Gulf of Mexico in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Mississippi is responsible for draining water from 31 states. The watershed includes run off from the Rocky Mountains, the Great Plains and the Appalachian Mountains that eventually makes its way into the Mississippi River. For thousands of years the Indian tribes relied on the river for its resources as we still do today. The river was named misi-ziibi (an Ojibwa name meaning "great river".) The name remained with only little change, its spelling. The Mississippi is responsible for economic growth with its outstanding resource for transportation.
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. It stretches from Itasca, Minnesota and flows south through or along 10 different states before pouring into the Gulf of Mexico in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Mississippi is responsible for draining water from 31 states. The watershed includes run off from the Rocky Mountains, the Great Plains and the Appalachian Mountains that eventually makes its way into the Mississippi River. For thousands of years the Indian tribes relied on the river for its resources as we still do today. The river was named misi-ziibi (an Ojibwa name meaning "great river".) The name remained with only little change, its spelling. The Mississippi is responsible for economic growth with its outstanding resource for transportation.
The Mississippi Watershed - nps.gov
The Taiga
The Taiga stretches across most of the northern portion of North America. It covers Alaska, most of Canada, and the most northern regions of the United States. The Taiga is the largest Land Biome (Russian word for coniferous forest.) The Taiga includes 27% of the world's forest land. It is the home to many large animals like the moose, grizzly bears, reindeer, caribou, elk, etc. This is a migration place for many endangered animals and birds. The Biome is a safe place where these animals are able to be far away from civilization.
The Taiga stretches across most of the northern portion of North America. It covers Alaska, most of Canada, and the most northern regions of the United States. The Taiga is the largest Land Biome (Russian word for coniferous forest.) The Taiga includes 27% of the world's forest land. It is the home to many large animals like the moose, grizzly bears, reindeer, caribou, elk, etc. This is a migration place for many endangered animals and birds. The Biome is a safe place where these animals are able to be far away from civilization.
The Taiga - ths.sps.lane.edu
Climate
North America experiences all of the climate zones, except for the wet tropical climates. The northern portion of Canada and Alaska experience subartic and tundra climate while the Sahara Desert experiences the opposite, an extremely warm and dry climate.
North America can be divided into 8 different climate zones.
Alpine/mountain - Winters last longer (Oct - May) It is very cold, windy and they receive an abundance of snow. Summers are very short (June - Sept)
Coniferous forest - Also known as Taiga, experiences a cold dry and very snowy winters and warmer summers. You could say the Taiga only experiences 2 climates and the winters last much longer, the summers are much colder than they are in most sub-regions within the United States.
Deciduous forest - This area experiences four distinct seasons.
Desert - Very high temperatures with very little rainfall.
Grassland - This area experiences hot summers and cold winters, and receives above average rainfall.
Mediterranean - This climate experiences very warm to hot temperatures all year round with heavier rainfall in the autumn and winter months.
Rainforest - This climate is not very prominent in North America. But, where they get close to this climate they witness very high temps along with an extreme amount of rainfall.
Tundra (Permafrost) - Extreme cold. This area has had soil below freezing consistently for 2 or more years. The winters are VERY cold and the summers are cool to warm. This area receives little rainfall.
North America can be divided into 8 different climate zones.
Alpine/mountain - Winters last longer (Oct - May) It is very cold, windy and they receive an abundance of snow. Summers are very short (June - Sept)
Coniferous forest - Also known as Taiga, experiences a cold dry and very snowy winters and warmer summers. You could say the Taiga only experiences 2 climates and the winters last much longer, the summers are much colder than they are in most sub-regions within the United States.
Deciduous forest - This area experiences four distinct seasons.
Desert - Very high temperatures with very little rainfall.
Grassland - This area experiences hot summers and cold winters, and receives above average rainfall.
Mediterranean - This climate experiences very warm to hot temperatures all year round with heavier rainfall in the autumn and winter months.
Rainforest - This climate is not very prominent in North America. But, where they get close to this climate they witness very high temps along with an extreme amount of rainfall.
Tundra (Permafrost) - Extreme cold. This area has had soil below freezing consistently for 2 or more years. The winters are VERY cold and the summers are cool to warm. This area receives little rainfall.
- naturalhistoryonthenet.com
Resources
The Great Lakes
Stretching along the central and eastern portion of the United States and Canadian border, the Great Lakes are the largest freshwater reservoir in North America. Together, these five incredibly large lakes; Superior, Huron, Michigan, Erie and Ontario hold 21% of the world's surface fresh water.
The layout of the Great Lakes allows for many import hub locations in the central portion of North America. The water flows northeast beginning at the inner central portion of North America from Lake Superior which flows into Lake Michigan. The flowage continues through Lake Michigan to Huron, and then the flowage turns south for Lake Erie and Ontario (both known as the lower Great Lakes.) The water from Lake Ontario flows into the St. Lawrence River known as the "gateway" to the Atlantic Ocean. This channel allows for ship travel up the river and into the Great Lakes for goods. The channels are open for travel most of the year but, do close for a short period of time during the winter due to ice.
Stretching along the central and eastern portion of the United States and Canadian border, the Great Lakes are the largest freshwater reservoir in North America. Together, these five incredibly large lakes; Superior, Huron, Michigan, Erie and Ontario hold 21% of the world's surface fresh water.
The layout of the Great Lakes allows for many import hub locations in the central portion of North America. The water flows northeast beginning at the inner central portion of North America from Lake Superior which flows into Lake Michigan. The flowage continues through Lake Michigan to Huron, and then the flowage turns south for Lake Erie and Ontario (both known as the lower Great Lakes.) The water from Lake Ontario flows into the St. Lawrence River known as the "gateway" to the Atlantic Ocean. This channel allows for ship travel up the river and into the Great Lakes for goods. The channels are open for travel most of the year but, do close for a short period of time during the winter due to ice.
Great Lakes Port Map - fws.gov
North America Forests
Forests cover a third of the world’s surface. They supply us with the renewable raw materials needed to build and heat our homes along with many of the everyday necessities we need and use daily. These forests areas do not only just protect us as humans, but they protect and give shelter to animals and birds, rivers and streams, and the very land the trees originate from.
Trees are held responsible for supplying us with the oxygen necessary for our survival. They help clean up our air by taking out and storing the carbon from the carbon dioxide in the air. Forests along with water, rank among the most important resources needed for plant and animal survival and a clean environment.
Forests cover a third of the world’s surface. They supply us with the renewable raw materials needed to build and heat our homes along with many of the everyday necessities we need and use daily. These forests areas do not only just protect us as humans, but they protect and give shelter to animals and birds, rivers and streams, and the very land the trees originate from.
Trees are held responsible for supplying us with the oxygen necessary for our survival. They help clean up our air by taking out and storing the carbon from the carbon dioxide in the air. Forests along with water, rank among the most important resources needed for plant and animal survival and a clean environment.
North America Forest Cover - globalforestwatch.org
Environmental Issues
Air Pollution
Air Pollution is a major concern these days. Anything that is used and put into the atmosphere may be affecting it. With civilian and industrial areas growing so fast, the forests are not able to grow fast enough to keep up for replacement. The trees are responsible for removing the carbon from carbon dioxide (CO2,) this is becoming a problem. carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas and is very hazardous to our atmosphere. It is our leading pollutant and is blamed for warming the earth. Cars, planes, power plants, and the heating of our homes by burning natural gases are all contributors to the release of carbon dioxide. The heavier populated the area, the bigger the problem. Larger cities have thick smog in the air, and have "smog warnings," meaning they have to stay indoors and hold back on normal daily activities because the smog is too dangerous to be spending the day outdoors. Sulfur dioxide is also an air pollutant, and is mainly to blame for the thick smog and acid rain. Volcanoes used to be the culprit of sending this toxic chemical into the air, but now the blame is put on us. Acid rain causes serious harm to our trees, vegetation, fish and wildlife
Water Pollution
Waste from humans, animals, and farmland (crops) is carried through the watershed regions and is dumped into rivers, lakes and streams. The waste may be enough to pollute these resources that we need to maintain life. Bacteria and viruses can easily grow in the right conditions and potentially harm many people. This also includes drainage from industrial waste. There are many industries that build along the rivers because it is an asset to them, however, the downside to the environment is that it is next to impossible to keep the waste from these plants from getting into the waterway. Another major problem is that many cities have old and failing sewer systems and little to no budget to fix them.
The Effects of Air and Water Pollution - solcomhouse.com
Population Patterns
The Canadians, who make up nearly one tenth of the North America population, tend to live in the southeastern portion of Canada. A significantly larger majority of Americans in the United States reside in the Eastern portion of the country. In the west, most of the people reside in the major cities or the suburbs of those cities. The east is much more consistent in population than the west. The least amount of civilization is in Middle to Northern Canada, Alaska, along the Rocky Mountain range in both the United States and in Canada.
- treehugger.com
Role of Gender
After World War II, an increasing amount of families had two supporting incomes. Married couples moved away from home towns and began their new life on their own. Women started to seek work and the roles of the male and female in the household began to balance as time went on. By the 1970's, 70% of women worked out of the home. Juggling their jobs, with housework, and the children became too much for many and their husbands started to help out with the household responsibilities. These were known as "nuclear families." As time went on and the couple started to become more independent and self-supported, marriages started to fall apart. By 2003, the most common household in North America was that of a single adult, living with or without children (Pulispher & Pulisher, 2008, p.90).
Religion
Christianity is the dominant religion in North America, with Mormon and evangelical Christians as the fastest-growing Christian Groups. Citizens are free to choose their own religious beliefs in both Canada and the United States, therefore, most regions have a wide variety of places for worship. The southern portion of the United States ("bible belt") is much more conservative in their beliefs and it influences everyday living among their communities. In North America, Mormon and evangelical Christians have become the fastest-growing Christian Groups.
- sfmorrisnyc.wordpress.com
Transportation
We have come a long way from the early Model T's produced nearly a century ago. Not long after Ford's invention, we were building trucks and highways. Travel by road vs. rail became more economical. After World War II, the use of planes for business travel also helped boost the economy. Now air traffic is a normal way of life, in both our personal and business life. It is not unheard of for a person to be traveling for business; leaving one end of the country in the morning for a meeting at the other end of the country, and then home that same evening with his family.
Country of Focus
United States
The first American colonies seperated from ther mother country in 1776. After the "Treaty of Paris" in 1783, they became known as a new nation; 13 states made up the United States of America. During the 19th and 20th centuries, 37 new states had been added. The United States is located in the continent of North America, bordering both the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Pacific Ocean, between Canada and Mexico. The total land and water mass in the United states is 9,826,675 sq km, about half the size of Russia. The US is the third largest country in size; Russia is the largest, and Canada is the 2nd largest. Canada may have more land mass, but the United States has a much higher population; 313,232,044 (US), compared to Canada's 34,030,589 (July, 2011 est. www.cia.gov) The median age is higher in Canada at 41 yrs, compared to 36.9 for the United States. The life expectancy is also higher in Canada; 81.4 vs. 78.3 in the US. There are many different variations of natural disasters in the United States. Canada is safe from most of them. Tsunamis, volcanoes, and earthquake activity are prevalent on the west coast, along the Pacific Basin. Hurricane activity in the south, along the coasts of the Atlantic ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Tornados tear through the Midwest, and some portions of the Southeast. Disasters the regions do share are permafrost, which happens in the far north of Canada and Alaska and Volcanic activity in Hawaii, Alaska, and the northwest coast of Canada.
Air pollution causes acid rain in both the US and Canada, however, the US is the larger offender.
The first American colonies seperated from ther mother country in 1776. After the "Treaty of Paris" in 1783, they became known as a new nation; 13 states made up the United States of America. During the 19th and 20th centuries, 37 new states had been added. The United States is located in the continent of North America, bordering both the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Pacific Ocean, between Canada and Mexico. The total land and water mass in the United states is 9,826,675 sq km, about half the size of Russia. The US is the third largest country in size; Russia is the largest, and Canada is the 2nd largest. Canada may have more land mass, but the United States has a much higher population; 313,232,044 (US), compared to Canada's 34,030,589 (July, 2011 est. www.cia.gov) The median age is higher in Canada at 41 yrs, compared to 36.9 for the United States. The life expectancy is also higher in Canada; 81.4 vs. 78.3 in the US. There are many different variations of natural disasters in the United States. Canada is safe from most of them. Tsunamis, volcanoes, and earthquake activity are prevalent on the west coast, along the Pacific Basin. Hurricane activity in the south, along the coasts of the Atlantic ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Tornados tear through the Midwest, and some portions of the Southeast. Disasters the regions do share are permafrost, which happens in the far north of Canada and Alaska and Volcanic activity in Hawaii, Alaska, and the northwest coast of Canada.
Air pollution causes acid rain in both the US and Canada, however, the US is the larger offender.
Health Care Practices
Canada and the United States had very similar health care plans until the 1970's when Canada reformed their health care system. The U.S. spends almost twice of what Canada does each year per-capita. Health care costs in both countries are rising higher than inflation. The cost is causing employers to either lower their contribution towards employee benefit plans, or worse, they are dropping employer paid medical contribution all together. This is causing a dramatic rise in un-insured residents. The United States has some government paid insurances, (ie; Medicaid, Medicare, veterans and state children's coverage). However, those left uninsured are responsible for finding and paying for their own coverage.
