Geographic Factors and Natural Resources

Soil: Midwest and South have rich, dark soils called alluvial soils, the fertile topsoil left by rivers after a flood.

Water: Water is a vital resource for drinking, growing crops, industries, and transportation. Rivers serve as shipping routes.

Abundant Energy and Mineral Resources: The US is the second-largest producer of coal, petroleum, and natural gas in the world.

Trees: Forests produce lumber, wood pulp from paper and fine hardwoods for furniture.

Natural Resources of the United States

The modern oil industry began almost 150 years ago on a farm near titusville, Pennsylvania. On August 27th, 1859 a retired railroad conductor named Edwin L. Drake struck oil almost 70 ft underground. At first the oil fetched $20 a barrel. After Drake showed neighbors how to drill their own wells, however, oil prices plunged to 10 cents a barrel.

History

Canadas first European settlers earned their living as fur trappers, loggers, fishers, and farmers. Today less than 5 percent of Canada’s workers earn their living in these ways.

Farmland: 12 percent of Canada's land is suitable for farming. The St. Lawrence Lowlands are another major agricultural region and produce grains, milk, vegetables, and fruit.

Minerals and Energy Resources: About 85 percent of the nation’s iron ore comes from mines near the Quebec-Newfoundland border

Forest: Half of Canada’s land is covered in forests and it is a leading producer of timber products.

Natural Resources of Canada

Pg. 84 (Key Terms 1-5) Pg. 84 (Main Ideas 1-6) Pg. 85 (Map Activity 1-8)

Try and finish by the end of class. If not we will finish in class tomorrow.

In Class Assignment