The Interior Plains region spans central Canada and the central United States between the Canadian Shield and Rocky Mountains. It has gently rolling hills and valleys cut by rivers. The climate varies from arctic in the far north to hot summers and cold winters with low precipitation in the central lowlands. Vegetation also varies significantly from tall prairies in the west to boreal forest in the north and deciduous trees in the central lowlands. Agriculture, particularly livestock and vegetable farming, is an important economic activity, but has also damaged soils through overgrazing and overuse.

1. The Interior Plains
8 Physical Regions of North America

2. Topography
● Gently rolling hills and river valleys
● Northern boundary is St. Lawrence river, Canadian
Shield and Great Lakes
● Runs between the Canadian Shield and Rocky
Mountains in Canada
● Divided into central lowland and great plains in USA

3. Climate
● North winters are longer and colder
● North summers are shorter and cooler
● Northern portion has arctic climate
● In the centre, hot summers, cold winters, low
precipitation.

4. Vegetation
● Very tall prairies west of Mississippi
● Central lowland originally filled with deciduous trees
● Northern portion is boreal forest
● Turns tundra as it nears Arctic Plains

5. Environmental Concerns
● Glaciers caused soil damage
● Agriculture damages soil surface
● Livestock (e.g.; cattle ranching) destroys soil

6. Economic Activity
● Agriculture- Livestock and Vegetables
● Livestock: Cattle, Pigs, Poultry etc.
● Vegetables: Barley, Oats, Flax etc.