Geo to History Info: Geography determines climate and weather patterns. People in hot
climates have a different culture, dress, food, lifestyle than those in cold climates. People
adapt to the environment they are in. Eskimos eat more fatty foods to keep warm, for
example.
Geographical barriers keep peoples isolated. People living in inaccessible mountain
regions tend to remain unchanged throughout the centuries.
Geographical resources determine the type of subsistence, dwellings, tools, etc. People
who live along rivers will use fish for food.
Rivers are a means of different cultures interacting with one another.
People living in coastal areas tend to build boats and engage in maritime trade
Geography forms the basis in many cases for political barriers between countries, for
example. (Like the Pyrenees that form the boundary between France and Spain.)
History has an affect on culture because history involves the wars, treaties, trading,
intermarriage, assimilation, religions and associations of different peoples.
History records the influence of Westernization or other similar processes such as
modernization, Americanization, and others.
How The States Got Their Shape Day 1
1. What natural element is predominating feature for state boundaries?
2. In a short paragraph explain why Michigan and Ohio hate each other. What have
they been fighting over?
3. Which state borders 4 of the 5 Great Lakes?
4. What did 9/11 cause to happen to Derby Line, Vermont and Stanstead Quebec?
5. Why was Vermont’s Fort Montgomery called “Fort Blunder”?
6. Which President on Mount Rushmore was not a land surveyor?
7. What was the state of Franklin? What famous Alamo fighter was born in Franklin?
8. What land purchase doubled the size of the United States for a mere 15 million
dollars?
9. What did the Mississippi River do to the Illinois capital of Kaskaskia ?
10. What is the Mason Dixon Line?
How The States Got Their Shape Day 2
1. What is the significance of the line drawn at the 36’30 parallel?
2. How did West Virginia become a state?
3. What mineral created the boundaries for California and Colorado?
4. Why is the Durango-Silverton line called the “Narrow Gauge” railroad?
5. Why did Kansas, Nebraska and Washington forfeit part of their lands?
6. What four states meet at the Four Corners Monument?
7. Explain why the states out West are more like Jefferson envisioned,
rectangular in shape
8. Is the Earth really round? Why or Why not?
9. What is Boston Corner?
10. What is the oldest capital city in North America
11. Historically, which countries had control of the lands of New Mexico?
12. What does Louisiana and New Mexico have in common when it comes to its
borders?
13. How did Ellis Island become part of both New York and New Jersey?
TOD: Why is the shape or geographic boundaries of a state important?