Physical and Human
Geography of the United
States and Canada
An Atlas
Section 1: Landforms and Resources

Landscape Influenced Development:
The United States & Canada is known as
Anglo America because both countries
were colonies of Great Britain & most
people speak English. The two countries
are bound together by physical geography
& cultural heritage, but also strong
economic & political ties.
 Vast
lands:
Canada is
second in size &
the U.S. is third.
Russia is ranked
as the largest.
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
Abundant
Resources: both
have natural
resources, fertile soils,
water, vast forests,
and large deposits of
different minerals.
Resources attracted
immigrants & it has
enabled them to
become economic
powers.
Many and Varied Landforms

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The Eastern
Lowlands: flat
coastal plain.
One section is called
the Atlantic Coastal
Plain & runs to the
Gulf Coastal.
The Appalachian
Highlands: its extend
1,600 miles from
Newfoundland in
Canada to Alabama.
400 million years old.

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Interior Lowlands:
this area was flattened
by huge glaciers
thousands of years
ago. It includes rolling
hills, lakes, rivers, &
most fertile soil.
Divided into 3
subregion: interior
plains, Great Plains, &
Canadian Shield.


Western Mountains:
massive rugged Rocky
Mountains. It extend
3,000 miles, from
Alaska to New Mexico.
80 millions years old.
Continental Divide is
the line of highest
points in the Rockies
that marks the
separation between
rivers flowing
eastward & westward.
 The
Islands:
 Canada’s are
Ellesmere,
Victoria, &
Baffin.
 United States:
Hawaiian
islands.
Resources Shape Ways of Life:

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Oceans & Waterways: Canada & the U.S. have
ample of water resources. Three oceans: Atlantic,
Pacific, & Arctic.
Great lakes: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, &
Superior.
Rivers: Mississippi-Missouri-Ohio & the Rio
Grande. Canada’s is the Mackenzie River.
Land & Forests: both countries are large &
contain some of the most fertile soils in the
world. North America is the world’s leading food
exporter. They also have huge forest, ½ of
Canada is covered by woodland, the U.S. is 1/3.
Both countries are major producers of lumber &
forest products.
Minerals and Fossil Fuels


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The U.S. & Canada have large quantities &
different kinds of minerals & fossils fuels.
This resources gave them the means to
industrialize rapidly.
In the Canadian Shield: iron ore, nickel, copper,
gold, & uranium.
Western Mts: gold, silver, copper, & uranium.
Both have substantial deposits of coal, natural
gas, and oil, & well developed network to move
this fossil fuels.
The U.S. is the world’s biggest consumer of
energy resources. It is a major importer of this
fuels. Most of Canada’s energy exports go to the
U.S.
Fossil Fuels Deposits
Climate and Vegetation
Section 2
Climate & vegetation: Part A

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Colder Climates:
1. Arctic coastlines of
Alaska and Canada;
huge, treeless plain;
also the Rocky Mts. &
Pacific ranges.
2. Tundra/long, bitter
cold winters, brief
summers in Arctic
areas; varying
temperatures in mts.
3. Permafrost,
permanently frozen
ground along Arctic
coastlines.

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Moderate Climates:
4. North Central &
Northeastern U.S. &
much of southern
Canada; also Pacific
Coast.
5. Humid continental
climate with short
summers in the upper
part of the north central
zone; marine west coast
in the Pacific coast.
6. Prevailing westerlies
affect the Pacific coast
climate.
Part B: U.S. Climate Zones

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Milder Climates: Southern states—humid
subtropical climate with hot summers & mild,
cool winters: central & southern coast of
California—Mediterranean climate with dry,
sunny, warm summers & mild winters
Dry Climates: Great Plains and dry northern
parts of the Great Basin—Semiarid climate with
dry weather; southwestern states—desert
climate.
Tropical Climates: Hawaii—wet climates that
support rain forests; Florida—wet & dry seasons
Vegetation
Vegetation and Soil Type
Human-Environment Interaction
in Canada & The U.S.
Section 3
A Human Perspective

The sun-baked American Southwest was a
harsh environment for its early inhabitants,
the ancestors of today’s Pueblo peoples. But
these early settlers, made good use of
available resources. From the land, they
took clay and stone building materials. They
built multi-room, apartment-like dwellings
in cliffs. This gave protection against
daytime heat, nighttime cold, and human
and animal enemies. From plants and
animals, the early settlers got food and
clothing. They survived because they
adapted to their environment.
Regions
Settlement & Agriculture Alter the Land
 Settlement:
First inhabitants
nomads, probably migrated from
Asia over Beringia
 Agriculture: Made settlements
permanent; remains an
important activity in both the
United States and Canada.
Population
Density
Hispanic Adults 18 or Older
Air Pollution
Building Cities
Montreal: is Canada’s 2nd largest city & a
major port. It has adapted to the cold by
building underground areas.
 Los Angeles: mild climate drew
thousands and urban sprawl began, as
well as problems like air pollution,
inadequate water, and construction on
land where earthquakes are likely to
occur.

The Welland Canal is a strategic link between Lake Ontario and Lake
Erie. To accommodate as much traffic as possible the lock system was
divided in two at several places, as on this photo. Photo: St. Lawrence
Seaway Authority.
Overcoming Distances

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Trails & waterways: Trials for
transportation/movement included the early
National & Wilderness roads, & Oregon & Santa
Fe trails. Canals included the Erie, as well as the
U.S. and Canada’s most important deepwater
ship route, the St. Lawrence Seaway.
Transcontinental railroads: In both the U.S. &
Canada, rail lines across the country permanently
changed the landscape, promoted economic
development, & helped create national unity.
National highway systems: Extensive highway
systems in both the U.S. & Canada accommodate
& promote heavy reliance on the automobile.
Railroads
Proposed Highways (NAFTA)
U.S. Interstate Highways
Canadian Major Highways
A LITTLE BIT OF HUMOR
PRACTICE MAPS