The United States and Canada together occupy most of North America, with varied terrain ranging from coastal plains to tall mountain ranges. Both countries have abundant natural resources such as fertile soil, water, forests, and minerals. The geography has enabled the development of strong economies centered around agriculture, mining, and energy production.

1. Unit 2Unit 2
U.S. and CanadaU.S. and Canada

2. A Vast LandmassA Vast Landmass
►Where am I
located?
Answer…
►We are on the
Continent of North
America.

3. What Hemisphere are we in?What Hemisphere are we in?

4. Northern & Western HemisphereNorthern & Western Hemisphere

5. ►U.S.A and Canada take up 4/5th
of the land.
(meaning North America) Mexico takes up last
1/5.
► Rank in the World (Size of land)
Canada—2nd
USA—3rd
►Together, they fill one eighth of the land
surface of the earth.

6. Natural ResourcesNatural Resources
► In addition to their huge
landmass, the United States
and Canada are rich in
natural resources. Both
have fertile soils, ample
supplies of water, vast
forests, and large deposits
of a variety of minerals. This
geographic richness has for
centuries attracted
immigrants from around the
world and has enabled both
countries to develop into
global economic powers.

7. ►Agriculture—Big for both CountriesAgriculture—Big for both Countries
 USA—World Leader in Food ExporterUSA—World Leader in Food Exporter
►EnergyEnergy
 USA—World’s biggest consumer of EnergyUSA—World’s biggest consumer of Energy

9. The Eastern LowlandsThe Eastern Lowlands
► A flat, coastal plain runs along the
Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of
Mexico. One section, called the
Atlantic Coastal Plain, begins as
narrow lowland in the
northeastern United States and
widens as it extends southward
into Florida. This area features
many excellent harbors. A
broader section of the plain—the
Gulf Coastal Plain—stretches
along the Gulf of Mexico from
Florida into Texas. The
Mississippi River empties into the
Gulf from this region. Between
these plains and the nearby
Appalachian Highlands is a low
plateau called the Piedmont. This
area of rolling hills contains many
fast-flowing rivers and streams.

10. Appalachian MountainsAppalachian Mountains
► They are one of the two
major mountain chains in
the United States and
Canada. Both chains run
north to south. The
Appalachian Mountains
extend some 1,600 miles
from Newfoundland in
Canada to Alabama. There
are several mountain
ranges in the Appalachian
system. Among them are
them Green and the
Catskill mountains in the
north and the Blue Ridge
and the Great Smoky
mountains in the south.

11. Appalachian MountainsAppalachian Mountains
►The Appalachians are very old—more than
400 million years old, they have been
eroded by the elements. Many peaks are
only between 1,200 and 2,400 feet high.

12. Interior LowlandsInterior Lowlands
► The interior lowlands are
divided into three sub
regions: the Interior Plains,
the Great Plains, and the
Canadian Shield.
► Great Plains, a largely
treeless area. Central USA.
► Canadian Shield lies
farther north. This rocky,
mainly flat area covers
nearly 2 million square
miles around Hudson Bay.

13. Rocky MountainsRocky Mountains
► The Rockies are a series of
ranges that extend about
3,000 miles from Alaska south
to New Mexico.
► Relatively young—about 80
million years old—the Rockies
have not been eroded like the
Appalachians. Many of their
jagged, snow-covered peaks
are more than 12,000 feet
high.
► Continental Divide-- line of
highest points in the Rockies
that marks the separation
between rivers flowing
eastward and westward.
► North America’s highest peak
—Mt. McKinley—is in Alaska,
towering 20,320 feet above
sea level.

14. Other landformsOther landforms
►Great Lakes—Huron, Ontario, Michigan,Great Lakes—Huron, Ontario, Michigan,
Erie, Superior. (Connects intoErie, Superior. (Connects into St. LawrenceSt. Lawrence
RiverRiver))
►Mississippi River—USA longest RiverMississippi River—USA longest River
►Mackenzie River—Canada’s longest RiverMackenzie River—Canada’s longest River
►Everglades--SwamplandsEverglades--Swamplands

15. Natural ResourcesNatural Resources
► The abundance ofThe abundance of
resources that theseresources that these
countries poses has ledcountries poses has led
to their development asto their development as
world economicworld economic
powers.powers.
► Resources include:Resources include:
 Vast Waterways:Vast Waterways:
oceans, lakes, riversoceans, lakes, rivers
 ForestsForests
 Fertile SoilFertile Soil
 MineralsMinerals
 Fossil FuelsFossil Fuels

16. Climate & VegetationClimate & Vegetation
►Who is colder ? ? ?Who is colder ? ? ?
Canada or the U.S.ACanada or the U.S.A
Answer…Answer…
►Canada has a colder climate than the USA.Canada has a colder climate than the USA.

17. Human-Environment InteractionHuman-Environment Interaction
►First People to reach North America wereFirst People to reach North America were
the Nomads. (Native Americans)the Nomads. (Native Americans)
►Crossed ice/land bridge, Beringia, located inCrossed ice/land bridge, Beringia, located in
Siberia/AlaskaSiberia/Alaska
►St. Lawrence Seaway—Completed inSt. Lawrence Seaway—Completed in
1950’s… Series of locks on the St.1950’s… Series of locks on the St.
Lawrence River.Lawrence River.

18. Cont.Cont.
►Railroads… First Transcontinental RailroadRailroads… First Transcontinental Railroad
in the U.S.A. (1in the U.S.A. (1stst
in the World) was inin the World) was in
1869….1869….
 Canada…(Monteral to British Columbia) was inCanada…(Monteral to British Columbia) was in
1885. 31885. 3rdrd
in the World.in the World.
►Highways… Both have vast highwayHighways… Both have vast highway
systems.systems.
USA—4 million miles Canada—560,000USA—4 million miles Canada—560,000
miles Chart on pg. 131miles Chart on pg. 131

19. ► https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_E2CNZIlVIghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_E2CNZIlVIg
► (50 States Song)(50 States Song)
► https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhDrGnjacvAhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhDrGnjacvA
► https://www.youtube.com/watch?https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=MSvJ9SN8THEv=MSvJ9SN8THE
► http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYLT7qwHo4khttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYLT7qwHo4k