Physical Features of North America
What Mountain Range extends from Western Canada through the Western US?
Rocky Mountains
Which climate zone is characterized as hot and wet year-round?
Tropical
Which SC river flows across the state toward the Atlantic Ocean?
Santee River
Which mountain range is located in northwestern SC and is part of the Appalachian Mountains?
Blue Ridge Mountains
What are narrow barrier islands along the coast of North Carolina that separate the Atlantic Ocean from sounds?
Outer Banks
Name the five Great Lakes.
Why do most Canadians live within 200 miles of the US-Canada border?
Warmer climate, better access to resources, jobs, and transportation
What river flows through central SC and helps form the Santee River?
Congaree River
What physical feature made east-west travel extremely difficult for early settlers?
Outer Banks
Which river connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean?
St. Lawrence River
How does climate shape the Rocky Mountains differently at high versus low elevations?
Cold climate at high elevations creates snow/ice and weathering; moderate climate at lower elevations allows forests to grow
Which river system flows through Alabama, Mississippi and Kentucky?
Tennessee River Valley
What resources attracted early settlers to the Blue Ridge Mountains despite difficult terrain?
Timber, mineral resources, cooler climate, fresh water
Why is erosion a constant problem for the Outer Banks?
Islands made of sand, constantly reshaped by wind, waves and storms
What is the large area of ancient rock surrounding Huron Bay called?
Canadian Shield
Compare the population density of Southern Ontario versus Northern Canada and explain why.
Southern Ontario has ~388 people/sq mi due to climate, resources and jobs; Northern Canada has ~2.5 people/sq mi due to harsh climate, permafrost and limited infrastructure
Name two rivers in the US where dams could generate electricity.
Tennessee, Congaree, Santee or Mississippi
How do the Blue Ridge Mountains create flood danger for communities downstream?
Heavy rainfall runs quickly down steep slopes
Why are permanent towns rare directly on the Outer Banks?
The area experiences lots of hurricanes, flooding and erosion and has limited access to fresh water
Explain how the Fall Line both helps AND blocks transportation.
Creates waterfalls which block upstream movement, but provides water power for mills at stopping points
How do physical features determine where people settle?
Near water for transportation/fresh water; plains for agriculture; mountains for mineral resources; climate influences crops and adaptations
How did the Santee and Congaree rivers support the colonial rice economy?
Provided flat coastal plain for growing rice; tidal flooding was beneficial for crops; provided easy transportation to Charleston
What are the Great Plains and how do they support human activity?
What is the boundary between harder rocks of the Piedmont region and softer sediments of the Coastal Plain?
the Fall Line