CLIMATE AND VEGETATION

Chapter 5, Section 2

Colder Climates Arctic Coastline = tundra

Cold, treeless plain Long, super cold winters; summers brief and

chilly (high 40˚ F) Most of the rest of Canada and Alaska =

subarctic Very cold winters; mild summers Some areas have permafrost = permanently

frozen ground Rocky Mountain and Pacific Ranges =

highland– Temperature and vegetation vary based on

elevation

Moderate Climates

North Central and NE U.S. and Southern Canada = humid continental Cold winters; warm summers Productive agriculture region

Northern California to Southern Alaska = Marine West Coast Winters long and mild; summers moderately

warm

Milder Climates Most Southern states = humid

subtropical Summers hot and muggy; winters mild and

cool Moist air from GOM bring rain in winter

Long growing season for crops Central and Southern California =

Mediterranean Summers dry, sunny and warm; winters

mild and rainy

Dry Climates

Great Plains and Northern Great Basin = semiarid 15” of rain annually Only short grasses and shrubs grow

Southwestern states = desert Hot and dry; < 10” of rain annually

Tropical Climate Hawaii = Tropical Wet

Supports lush rainforests Temperature varies only a few degrees in

the 70s Rains almost every day

South Florida = Tropical Wet and Dry Nearly always warm with a wet and dry

season Everglades = swampland covering 4000

sq. miles

• The US has more climate zones than Canada. • Reason: US extends over such

a large area North to South.• Remember: Alaska &

Hawaii

HUMAN-ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION

Chapter 5, Section 3

First Settlers

First inhabitants were nomads who crossed over Beringia from Asia

Mostly hunters and gatherers that moved around the country

About 3000 years ago, people began relying more on agriculture for food, and created permanent settlements to live in

Building Cities

Where a city is built and develops depends on the physical setting Water Landscape Climate Weather Availability of natural resources

Trails and Inland Waterways

created trails that led inland as cities started moving away from the coast National and Wilderness roads Santa Fe and Oregon Trails

Used existing waterways and created connections St. Lawrence Seaway – connects

Great Lakes to St. Lawrence R. using a series of locks

Transcontinental Railroad

Began in the early 19th century (1800s) Had to work around natural barriers Completed in 1869 (US) and 1885

(Canada) Helped promote westward expansion

Highway System

Spurred by the development of the automobile in the early 1900s

US = 4 million miles of road 46,000 miles crisscross the country Runs north to south and east to west

Canada = 560,000 miles of road Mostly runs east to west