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Unit 3: Geography of United States and CanadaThe North American continent includes:1. Canada2. United States3. Greenland4. Mexico5. Central American countries6. Caribbean IslandsNatural Processes Affect Physical Geography of the Earth:Landforms continually changeSometimes violently: volcano or earthquake.Sometimes slowly: erosion

GlaciersThousands of years ago glaciers covered much of North America.As they moved across the land, they smoothed out rough surfaces, carved depressions and deep trenches, and piled up rock and dirt.Once the ice was melted glaciers left new valleys, lakes, and hills.

ErosionThe Grand Canyon was partly affected by the result of millions of years of erosion by the Colorado River.

River SystemThe largest rivers in the United States are the Mississippi and Missouri rivers.The largest river in Canada is the Mackenzie River.

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7 Geographic Regions of the United States and CanadaAtlantic Coastal Plain Along the Gulf of Mexico and the east coast of North AmericaThis region has much rich farmland and some swamps and wetlands.

Appalachian MountainsThis mountain range is 400 million-years-old.These forest-covered mountains have weathered, or worn down, over time.

Central LowlandsWest of the Appalachians General flat.Soil is rich, with many farms

Great PlainsGrasslands and few treesFarmers grow crops and ranches raise cattle in some areas.

The Rocky Mountains and Coastal RangesNorth Americas highest mountain rangeThese high, rugged, and heavily forested mountain ranges run along the western part of the continent from Mexico to Alaska.

Intermountain RegionLocated between the Rocky Mountains and the western coastal mountains.Dry with plateaus, basins, and desertsThe Grand Canyon is found here.

Canadian ShieldMost of Greenland, curves around the Hudson Bay, and reaches into the United States along the Great Lakes.Central and Northwestern Part:Has flat plains with hills and lakesNortheast Part:High mountainsSouth Part:Covered with forestRich in minerals: iron, gold, copper, and uraniumMost is not farmable, and is sparsely populated

NAFTA North American Free Trade AgreementGoal= to eliminate trade barriers between U.S., CANADA and MEXICOEncourages free trade (exports/imports) between the three countriesVegetation Zones of North AmericaUsually colder in the north, and warmer in the south.Physical features like mountains and oceans can affect the climate.