Module 4 Overview The America’s Realms and Regions This module will focus on the realms and regions of the Americas.  You will begin by learning about the topography of the Americas.  The historical geography of the Americas will be explained.  You will compare and contrast the political geography of the Americas with the rest of the world’s political systems.  In addition, the economical geography of the Americas will be reviewed along with the diverse religions.  Lastly, you will evaluate the cultural geography of the Americas in relation to the rest of the world. Learning Objectives Upon completion of this module, you should be able to: 2D identify the landform regions, climates, and major lakes and rivers of North America. 2E illustrate the basic historical geography of the settlement along with the economic and parallel urban geography of the U.S. and Canada for the past three centuries. 2F describe Canada’s provinces and territories, English-French cultural division, and the indigenous people’s movement. 2G describe Middle America’s major environmental features and dangers as well as the vertical organization of climates in highland zones. 2H discuss the basic human and physical geography of Mexico and its development opportunities in the NAFTA era. 2I describe the general layout of the Caribbean Islands. 3D examine the broad aspects of South America’s Historical Geography from the time of the Incas to the post colonial era. 5F evaluate the features that make the Core region of North America so prominent. 5G describe the growth of the Southeast and discuss the effect of Anglo, Hispanic and Native American cultures on the Southwest region. 5H identify reasons why the Western Frontier is the fastest growing region and discuss why the Northern Frontier is considered a true “frontier.” 6A interpret the realm’s cultural mosaic, agricultural and industrial activities, general patterns of urbanization, and challenges and opportunities. 6B evaluate the basic environmental, historical, cultural, political, economic, physical, and human geography of South America. Module 4 Reading Assignment de Blij, H. J., & Muller, P. O. (2012). Geography: Realms, regions, and concepts (15th ed.). New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons. Chapters3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A, and 5B. The America's Realms and Regions For this module, the Americas will be known as North America comprised of the countries of Canada and the United States, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America.  In the geography literature, Central and South America are often referred to as Latin America.  Sometimes Central America can be referred to as Middle America as well, and also includes Mexico.  Please be sure to view an animated video of the Geography of the Americas Animation. Topography of the Americas North America is surrounded by the Arctic Ocean to the extreme north, Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea to the south, and Pacific Ocean to the west.  The ...

1. Module 4 Overview
The America’s Realms and Regions
This module will focus on the realms and regions of the
Americas. You will begin by learning about the topography of
the Americas. The historical geography of the Americas will be
explained. You will compare and contrast the political
geography of the Americas with the rest of the world’s political
systems. In addition, the economical geography of the
Americas will be reviewed along with the diverse religions.
Lastly, you will evaluate the cultural geography of the Americas
in relation to the rest of the world.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this module, you should be able to:
2D
identify the landform regions, climates, and major lakes and
rivers of North America.
2E
illustrate the basic historical geography of the settlement along
with the economic and parallel urban geography of the U.S. and
Canada for the past three centuries.
2F
describe Canada’s provinces and territories, English-French
cultural division, and the indigenous people’s movement.
2G
describe Middle America’s major environmental features and
dangers as well as the vertical organization of climates in
highland zones.
2H
discuss the basic human and physical geography of Mexico and

2. its development opportunities in the NAFTA era.
2I
describe the general layout of the Caribbean Islands.
3D
examine the broad aspects of South America’s Historical
Geography from the time of the Incas to the post colonial era.
5F
evaluate the features that make the Core region of North
America so prominent.
5G
describe the growth of the Southeast and discuss the effect of
Anglo, Hispanic and Native American cultures on the Southwest
region.
5H
identify reasons why the Western Frontier is the fastest growing
region and discuss why the Northern Frontier is considered a
true “frontier.”
6A
interpret the realm’s cultural mosaic, agricultural and industrial
activities, general patterns of urbanization, and challenges and
opportunities.
6B
evaluate the basic environmental, historical, cultural, political,
economic, physical, and human geography of South America.
Module 4 Reading Assignment
de Blij, H. J., & Muller, P. O. (2012). Geography: Realms,
regions, and concepts (15th ed.). New Jersey: John Wiley &
Sons. Chapters3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A, and 5B.

3. The America's Realms and Regions
For this module, the Americas will be known as North America
comprised of the countries of Canada and the United States,
Central America, the Caribbean, and South America. In the
geography literature, Central and South America are often
referred to as Latin America. Sometimes Central America can
be referred to as Middle America as well, and also includes
Mexico. Please be sure to view an animated video of
the Geography of the Americas Animation.
Topography of the Americas
North America is surrounded by the Arctic Ocean to the extreme
north, Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Gulf of Mexico and
Caribbean Sea to the south, and Pacific Ocean to the west. The
isthmus of Mexico and Central America connect North and
South America. Central America is bordered by the Pacific
Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east. The Gulf
of Mexico is to the north and east.
North America is dominated by two major mountain ranges: the
Appalachians to the east and the Rockies to the west. Most of
the North American East Coast is dominated by relatively flat
coastal planes with the Green and White Mountains and
Adirondacks in New England. The Mississippi and Missouri
Rivers drain most of North America and empty into the Gulf of
Mexico. Large lakes dominate the upper Midwest and central
Canadian Shield. The Pacific Coast is comprised of a narrow
coastal plain with the mountain ranges of the Cascades and
Sierra Nevada’s. Several volcanoes are located in northern
California, Oregon, and Washington states, which are formed
from the Pacific Tectonic Plate being subducted under the North
American Plate. Most of Central America is made up of very
mountainous terrain with small areas of coastal plains by the
oceans and seas.
With the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Atlantic Ocean to the
east, and the Caribbean Sea to the north, South America is one
of the most diverse oceanic continents. Major geologic plate
boundaries have caused the formation of the Andes Mountains

4. in western South America and geologic activity in the Southern
Caribbean. The Amazon Basin dominates most of the northern
and central parts of Latin America. The Brazilian Highland
dominates most of the eastern regions, and the Guiana
Highlands are located in the northeastern region. One of the
most unique parts of Latin America is the Atacama Desert
located downwind of the Andes Mountains. It is one of the very
few deserts located right by a major ocean.
Climatically, the Caribbean is heavily impacted by hurricanes,
and most of South America is impacted with serve periods of
wet and dry periods due to the changing direction of the sun’s
angles. Also, every few years, a phenomenon known as El Nino
occurs along the northwest coast of South America where the
ocean currents and temperatures become warmer than normal,
which then impacts the local fish industry as well as the
climates all across North America. Please view the Physical
Geography of the Americas presentation for more information.
Finally, South America is largely dominated by very large and
long rivers with the Amazon being the largest in the world.
Historical Geography of the Americas
North America was first inhabited by the Native Americans,
who are thought to have migrated during the end of the last ice
age through the Bering Strait, which currently separates Alaska
from Russia. Later, Europeans migrated to the new world in the
late 1400s; however, there is some evidence of some earlier
colonization in northeastern and northwestern Canada.
In Central and South America, the very first civilizations were
the Aztecs, Incas, and the Mayans. Domestication played a
major role in this region’s history, and agriculture has played an
important role in this region’s history. Deforestation is a major
issue in this region still today, but a more green revolution is
starting to take shape. Like most continents, urbanization has
largely changed the region as well.
Political Geography of the Americas
North America is said to be the birthplace of true democracy.
The original 13 colonies later progressed to 50 states in the

5. United States. Canada was originally colonized by the French,
and later divided into individual large providences. Today in
Central and South America the region is mostly democratic, but
recently shifted from a more military and authoritarian
government. In the past, the region was dominated by colonial
legacy, socialist, single party, and multiparty political systems.
Politically, the Caribbean region has a long history of unrest,
but recently, overall conditions have improved with an increase
in tourism. For a good, updated map of the Political Geography
of the USA, please visit the Freedom's Lighthousewebsite.
Economical Geography of the Americas
Most of North America has become the birthplace of capitalism
as well. Central and South America mostly started with
socialism and communism, but are slowly changing to a more
capitalistic system. The export of crops and minerals has
allowed this region to compete globally. Manufacturing and
services are also on the rise in this region. Please watch
the North America - Economic Geography - Components of the
Spatial Economy presentation.
Religions of the Americas
North America is largely dominated by Christianity, more
specifically, Catholicism and Protestantism. However, North
America has recently become more diverse with the increase of
Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and non-belief (Atheism
and Agnosticism). Be sure to visit the Statistics on Religion in
America website to view some additional information on the
Major Religious Traditions in the USA.
Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion in Central and
South America.
Cultural Geography of the Americas
Most of the culture and language in North America have come
across from northern Europe. English is the dominant language
in most of North America, with some French in northeastern
Canada. In Central and South America, the majority of the
culture and language have come across from Spain and Portugal
with some native Mayan influence. This region has been

6. plagued with inequality toward women, but recently, conditions
and rights for women have slowly improved. There have also
been some racial problems in this region with lighter skinned,
less indigenous people being favored. Spanish is the dominant
language in this region.
Required Presentations:
Click on each of the following links in order to view the
presentations.
· Chapter 3A
· Chapter 3B
· Chapter 4A
· Chapter 4B
· Chapter 5A
· Chapter 5B
[INSERT TITLE HERE] 1
Running head: [INSERT TITLE HERE]
[INSERT TITLE HERE]
Student Name
Allied American University

7. Author Note
This paper was prepared for [INSERT COURSE NAME],
[INSERT COURSE ASSIGNMENT] taught by [INSERT
INSTRUCTOR’S NAME].
1. What climatic and geologic hazards threaten the Americas?
What have been some of the historical ones impacting this
whole region? How do you think any Global Warming or
Climate Change will impact this region?
PART I: MAP ACTIVITY
Use the maps below to identify all numbered areas.
Canada
Caribbean
North America
South America
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

8. 13.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.

9. 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
PART II: SHORT ESSAY
Please answer the following question in a 1-2 page short essay
using APA Format. Please be sure to use the course readings
and/or other outside documented research to support all of your
ideas, facts, and opinions.
Pick any individual country in The Americas, and then describe
and explain its individual physical, historical, economic,
political, cultural/human, and religious/spiritual geography.
How and why is it different than the countries it borders? What
future challenges do you see for this country? Have you ever
visited this country before? Would you like to if you have not?
Why or why not?

10. PART III: GEOGRAPHY JOURNAL
Task #1. Please utilize LIRN (you may visit the Academic
Resource Center for a guide on how to utilize LIRN
successfully) and search for one peer reviewed research article
that covers any of the following:
identify the landform regions, climates, and major lakes and
rivers of North America.
illustrate the basic historical geography of the settlement along
with the economic and parallel urban geography of the U.S. and
Canada for the past three centuries.
describe Canada’s provinces and territories, English-French
cultural division, and the indigenous people’s movement.
evaluate the features that make the Core region of North
America so prominent.
describe the growth of the Southeast and discuss the effect of
Anglo, Hispanic and Native American cultures on the Southwest
region.
identify reasons why the Western Frontier is the fastest growing
region and discuss why the Northern Frontier is considered a
true “frontier.”
describe Middle America’s major environmental features and
dangers as well as the vertical organization of climates in
highland zones.
discuss the basic human and physical geography of Mexico and
its development opportunities in the NAFTA era.
describe the general layout of the Caribbean Islands.
examine the broad aspects of South America’s Historical
Geography from the time of the Incas to the post colonial era.
interpret the realm’s cultural mosaic, agricultural and industrial
activities, general patterns of urbanization, and challenges and
opportunities.
evaluate the basic environmental, historical, cultural, political,
economic, physical, and human geography of South America.
Then write a 1-2 page review/reaction/reflection paper

11. describing that article using APA format (please visit the
Academic Resource Center for a concise guide on APA format).
Be sure to include the following:
Goals/Objectives: What is the purpose of the article? What
does it attempt to solve, determine, or demonstrate?Data: Which
data are assessed or analyzed to determine if the
goals/objectives are met?Methods: What specific methodology
is used to analyze the data in the context of the
goals?Analysis/Conclusion: What resulted from methods being
applied to the data? What do the author(s) conclude from the
analysis or how do they interpret the analysis/results?
Your critical review of the article must include the following:
Assessment: Were the goals and objectives clearly stated? Did
the goals match the methods and results? Was the article easy
to follow?Importance: What, in your view, is the importance of
this research? What impactdoesknowing this have on
geography?Improvement: What, if anything, could the author(s)
have done to improve the article?Reaction: What is your
opinion of the research conducted?
Task #2. For Modules 2-8, you will reflect on the specific
region and then will turn in your complete work (for Modules 2-
8) at the completion of Module 8. You will only turn in a rough
draft of your Task #2 work in this module’s homework
assignment.
Please write a 1-2 page reflection paper on how the physical,
economic, political, historical, and cultural/human geography of
the American region or realm would impact you if you lived
there. You can compile this as a document, PowerPoint
Presentation, or even create an online blog (please ask
instructor). You can also set this up as a diary with daily
entries. Be creative.