Geography

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Chapter 5
World Geography
Physical Geography
The Big Idea
The United States is a large country with diverse physical features, climates, and
resources.
Main Ideas
• Major physical features of the United States include mountains, rivers, and plains.
• The climate of the United States is wetter in the East and South and drier in the West.
• The United States is rich in natural resources such as farmland, oil, forests, and minerals.

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Atlantic Coastal Plain
• Flat, close to sea level
• Rises to a higher level called the Piedmont
Appalachian Mountains
• Main mountain range in the East
• Millions of years of erosion so that highest peak is about 6,700 feet
Main Idea 1: Major physical features of the United States include mountains, rivers,
and plains.
The United States is the third largest country. Physical features from east
to west include:
Interior Plains
• Filled with hills, lakes, and rivers

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Great Lakes
Physical Features {continued}
• The largest group of freshwater lakes in the world
• Important for trade between the United States and Canada
Mississippi
•North America’s longest and most important river
•Has many tributaries, or smaller streams or rivers that flow into a larger
stream or river
•E.g., the Missouri and Ohio rivers which help drain the entire Interior
Plains.
•These rivers deposit rich silt that creates the fertile farmlands of the
Interior Plains.
Great Plains
• At higher elevation has vast areas of grasslands

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Rocky Mountains
Physical Features West of the Rockies
Continental Divide
•A line of high peaks in the Rocky Mountains
•A continental divide is an area of high ground that divides the flow of
rivers towards opposite ends of a continent. Rivers to the east empty into
the Mississippi River and to the west into the Pacific Ocean.
Alaska and Hawaii
• Enormous rugged mountain ranges that rise above
14,000 feet
• At 20,320 feet, Alaska’s Mount McKinley is the highest mountain in North
America.
• Hawaii formed by volcanoes millions of years ago.
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East and South
•Northeast: Humid
continental climate with
snowy winters and warm,
humid summers
•South: Humid
subtropical climate with
milder winters and warm,
humid summers
•Florida: Warm all year
Interior Plains
•Most of the region:
A humid continental
climate
•Great Plains: Hot
and dry summers
Main Idea 2: The climate of the United States is wetter in the East and South and
drier in the West.
West
•West: Mostly dry
•Pacific Northwest
coast: A wet, mild
coastal climate
•Alaska: Sub-arctic and
tundra climates
•Hawaii: A warm,
tropical climate

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Main Idea 3: The United States is rich in natural resources such as farmland, oil,
forests, and minerals.
• Alaska, California, or Louisiana: oil
– The U.S. is a major oil producer but uses more oil than it
produces.
• Appalachians and Rockies: minerals including coal
–Coal supplies the energy for more than half of the
electricity produced in the U.S.
– The U.S. has about 25 percent of the world’s coal reserves.
• Forests: lumber
• Farmlands: wheat, corn, soybeans, cotton, fruits, and vegetables

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History and Culture
The Big Idea
Democratic ideas and immigration have shaped the history and culture of the United
States.
Main Ideas
• The United States is the world’s first modern democracy.
• The people and culture of the United States are very diverse.

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• Mid-1700s: The British Empire included more than a dozen colonies
along the Atlantic coast.
• July 1776: The colonial representatives adopted the Declaration of
Independence
• 1781: General George Washington's army defeated the British in
the Revolutionary War
• Britain recognized the independence of the U.S. and granted the
U.S. all its land east of the Mississippi River.
Main Idea 1: The United States is the world’s first modern democracy.
• 1500s: Europeans settlers established colonies, or territories
inhabited and controlled by people from a foreign land.

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• These first settlers who traveled west for land and plentiful resources
were called pioneers.
• Groups of families undertook the harsh trip along the 2,000-mile Oregon
Trail.
• Most industrial cities in Northeast and Midwest.
• The development of waterways and railroads helped industry and
expansion into interior.
Expansion and Industrial Growth

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• U.S. citizens have the right to vote from age 18.
• Citizens are encouraged to participate in their
government.
U.S. Government and Citizenship
• A limited, democratic government with an elected
president and Congress
• The Constitution defines the powers of the federal
government.
Rights and Responsibilities

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Main Idea 2: The people and culture of the United States are very diverse.
Native Americans
African Americans
Hispanic Americans
• For thousands of years, Native Americans were the only people
in the Americas.
• Today most live in the west, particularly in Arizona and New
Mexico.
• Many came from Mexico, Cuba, and other Latin
American countries.
• Most live in the southwestern states that border Mexico.
European Descendents • About 7 out of every 10 people
Asian Americans • Live mostly in California
• African Americans live in every region, but southern states and
many large cities have a higher percentage.

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Language and Religion
Religion
Language
• Most people are Christians. Some are Jewish or Muslim.
A small percentage is Hindu or Buddhist.
• Many religious holidays: Christmas, Easter, Hanukkah,
Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah, Ramadan and the feast
called ‘Id al-Fitr
• African Americans also celebrate Kwanzaa, a holiday that
is based on a traditional African festival.
• After English, Spanish is the most widely spoken
language.
• About 17 million Americans speak Spanish.
• Over 50 million are bilingual, or speak two languages.

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Food, Music, and Popular Culture
Popular Culture
Food and Music
• American culture, such as movies, television programs,
and sports, are popular abroad.
• Diverse ethnic foods like Mexican tacos, Italian pasta, or
Japanese sushi are now part of the American diet.
• Music from around the world have also influenced
American culture.
• American musical styles include blues, jazz, rock, and hip
hop.

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The United States Today
The Big Idea
The United States has four main regions and faces opportunities and challenges.
Main Ideas
• The United States has four regions—the Northeast, South, Midwest, and West.
• The United States has a strong economy and a powerful military but is facing the challenge
of world terrorism.

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The South
• Rich farmlands grow cotton,
tobacco, and citrus fruit.
• This region is becoming more
urban and industrialized.
–Atlanta metropolis has
grown from 1 million in
1960 to 4 million today.
Main Idea 1: The United States has four regions—the Northeast, South, Midwest,
and West.
The Northeast
• Industrial and financial centers
• Economy: banks, investment firms,
insurance companies, respected
universities
• Rich farmland, coal, steel
production, and fishing
• Most densely populated region in
the U.S. with 40 million people
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The West
• More than 10 percent of the
nation lives in California, where
farming, technology, and
entertainment are important
industries.
• Economy of other states:
ranching and growing wheat
• Mineral resources: coal, oil,
gold, silver, copper, and others
The Midwest and the West
The Midwest
• One of the most productive farming
regions in the world
• Crops: corn, wheat, and soybeans
• Dairy farms in Wisconsin, Michigan, and
Minnesota
• Major cities are located near the
Mississippi and Ohio Rivers and the
Great Lakes because products are easily
shipped to and from these centers.

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Main Idea 3: The United States has a strong economy and a powerful military but is
facing the challenge of world terrorism.
Military
Economy
• A powerful military to protect the U.S.
• Helps other countries defend themselves
• Largest economy in the world
• Many natural resources, modern technologies, and jobs
• Beneficial trade with Canada, Mexico, China, Japan, and
Europe
• 1992: The North American Free Trade Agreement, NAFTA,
has made trade easier with Mexico and Canada.