Geography of the Americas
What environmental change allowed early people to migrate to the Americas?
A worldwide ice age that lowered sea levels and exposed a land strip between Asia and North America
What significant agricultural development occurred in Mesoamerica?
The first farmers in the Americas domesticated plants.
What two continents make up the region known as the Americas?
North America and South America.
What civilization is considered the first urban civilization in Mesoamerica?
The Olmecs.
What role did the geography of the Americas play in early societies?
How might the first Americans have arrived in the region?
Some scientists believe they may have arrived by boat along the coasts.
What is Mesoamerica known for in terms of geography?
Steamy rain forests, volcanoes, fertile soil, and good farming conditions.
What type of lifestyle did the first people in the Americas lead?
They were hunter-gatherers, hunting large animals and gathering fruits, nuts, and wild grains.
When did the Olmecs settle in the lowlands along the Gulf of Mexico?
Around 1200 BC.
What were the main food sources for early hunter-gatherers in the Americas?
Large animals like bison and woolly mammoths, as well as gathered fruits, nuts, and wild grains.
What is the estimated time frame for the arrival of the first people in the Americas?
Between 10,000 and 14,000 years ago, with some sites dated to 20,000 years ago.
What climate is found in the northern part of North America?
Cold and icy climate.
What led some early peoples to settle down and form small settlements?
The availability of food resources like fishing and gathering.
What climate characterizes the region where the Olmecs settled?
Hot and humid climate.
What natural resources contributed to the Olmec civilization's agriculture?
Abundant rainfall and rich, fertile soil made it a perfect area for growing maize.
What major river drains the Amazon region in South America?
The Amazon River.
Which river runs through much of the central part of North America?
The Mississippi River and its tributaries.
What agricultural advancements occurred in Mesoamerica by 3500 BC?
People began growing maize, followed by beans and squash.
What were some activities that advanced societies in Mesoamerica began to focus on?
Building, trade, art, and organized religion.
What characterized the living arrangements of the Olmecs?
Most Olmecs lived in small villages, while some resided in larger towns that served as religious and government centers.
What mountain range runs along the western side of South America?
The Andes Mountains.
What are some major landforms found in North America?
High mountains like the Rocky and Appalachian Mountains, desert plateaus, grassy plains, and forests.
What impact did farming have on early societies in the Americas?
It allowed people to settle permanently and support larger populations.
What was a significant consequence of the development of farming in the Americas?
Settlements developed into towns and cities.
What architectural achievements are the Olmecs known for?
The Olmecs built the first pyramids in the Americas and created impressive sculptures, including huge stone heads.