Body of Water
Where is it located?
-
Atlantic
Ocean
-
Pacific Ocean
-
Gulf of
Mexico
-
Great Lakes
Located along the east
coast of the United
States
Separates the US from
Europe and Africa
Why is it important?
-
Served as a highway for early explorers, early settlers and later
immigrants
-
Served as a destination for early explorers
Located south east of
the United States
Wedged between
Florida and Texas
-
One of the largest bodies of water in the world
Was used by the Spanish and French explorers as a water route to
Mexico and other parts of America
Five huge lakes on the
northeast border of the
US and Canada
-
Inland port cities grew in the Midwest along each of the Great Lakes
Located along the west
coast of the United
States
Separates the US from
Asia
Body of Water
Where is it located?
Why is it important?
Mississippi
River
-
Located in the mid-east
of the U.S. (feeds into
the Gulf of Mexico)
-
Used to transport farm and industrial products
A link to ports and other parts of the world
The most famous river in the U.S.
Ohio River
-
Located in the mid-east
of the U.S. (feeds into
the Mississippi from the
east)
-
Was the gateway to the west
Crosses or forms the borders of 6 states (Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio,
Pennsylvania and West Virginia
St. Lawrence
River
-
Located in the northeast
between the US and
Canada (feeds into the
Great Lakes)
-
Connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean
Forms part of the northeastern border with Canada
Missouri River
-
Located in mid-west to
mid-east US (feeds into
Mississippi from the
west)
-
The longest river in North America – about 200 miles longer than the
Mississippi
Used to transport farm and industrial items and as a link to other ports
Colorado River
-
Located in the mid-west
and starts in the Rockies
(feeds into Gulf of CA)
-
Carved the Grand Canyon millions of years ago
Was explored and mapped by the Spanish
Columbia
River
-
Located in the northwest
(feeds into Pacific)
-
Explored by the legendary explorers Lewis & Clark
Fourth longest river in the U.S.
Rio Grande
River
-
Located in the middle
south between Mexico
and the US (feeds into
Gulf of Mexico)
-
Forms a natural border between the U.S. and Mexico
Provides water for much of the southwest