Physical Geography of US and Canada
What landforms are shared by the United States and Canada?
mountains, lowlands, plateaus, basins, valleys, plains
How did the first inhabitants come to North America? From where? Why?
walked across ice bridge, Asia, followed their food source
What was the Columbian Exchange?
movement of people, plants, animals and diseases between hemispheres
How did the French and Indian War change Canada?
British became dominant culture, the French became a minority
What happened on September 11, 2001, and who was responsible?
4 planes crashed into WTC, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania, 3000 killed in crash and collapse of towers
In which regions would you find dry climates?
in the North
List three ways that human settlement changed about 3,000 years ago.
farming, cutting down trees to build houses, plowed river valleys, irrigation
Why did the United States attract so many immigrants? (four reason)
food source, land, wealth (minerals), religious freedom, political freedom, job opportunities, peace
rugged unfarmable terrain and severe weather
What is urban sprawl? Infrastructure?
poorly planned spread and development of a city's population; the basic facilities, services, and machinery needed for a community to function
Why are the Great Lakes important to both the United States and Canada?
transportation,(shipping routes), hydroelectric energy, irrigation, fresh water, fish
What are four factors in determining the location of a city?
water, landscape, climate, weather, natural resources
What three factors contributed to the success of the American economy?
agricultural and industrial output, postindustrial economy, trading (multinational corporations)
Why are Ontario and Quebec called the heartland of Canada?
core of population, economics, and politics
What are three solutions for the problem of urban sprawl?
growth boundaries, sustainable communities, grassroots protesting
List and explain three types of climate regions.
mild (southern states), summer is hot and muggy, winter is mild and cool; dry (Great Plains, Southwest, northern parts), little rain and vegetation; tropical (Hawaii, Florida), lots of rain, vegetation, little difference in temperature
List three ways that Montreal and Los Angeles are different.
Montreal-below freezing ~100 days/year, appeal of rivers, developed underground, base of mountain
Los Angeles-mild year-round climate, valleys and foothills, fault lines. urban sprawl problems
Describe the economy of four US sub-regions.
Northeast-coastal and inland waters turned it into economic powerhouse (trade, commerce, industry) and rich in natural resources; Midwest-agricultural (feeds the country), central trade location (Chicago); South-cash crops, "rust belt" immigrants; West-varied based on landscape
List the four types of Canadian provinces and list one detail about each one.
Atlantic, Core, Prairie, Pacific; details will vary
What was the US reaction to 9/11? What did they achieve? Why was it popular or unpopular?
formed a coalition; invaded Afghanistan to attack terror cells (protected by Taliban); removed them from power; invaded Iraq-controversial because biological weapons were not proven
List five details about the prevailing westerlies.
winds that blow west to east, summers are moderately warm, winters are long and mild but rainy and foggy, mixed vegetation, middle of latitudes
List five ways that people and goods moved across the continent throughout North American history.
walking, carriages, by water (rivers and canals), railroad, highways
Explain the free enterprise system.
private individuals own most of the resources, technology, and businesses and can operate them for profit with little governmental control
How is Canada's federal government different from the United States?
parliamentary v. presidential system
What are three causes and effects of urban sprawl?
causes-better housing and schooling, desire for small town-like communities, open space
effects-pressure on infrastructure, air pollution, cost of living, depletion of resources