History Alive!
Chapter One: Geography of the
United States
In this chapter we will learn:
• how to read a globe
• how to use latitude and longitude
•14 important geographic terms
•15 physical features
History Alive!
Chapter One: Geography of the
United States
Before we begin the chapter,
We will do our best to identify
Where on the globe we can find
the United States.
Then we will try to identify
all 50 states.
1.2 Understanding the Globe
• Earth is a huge sphere, like a ball. Most maps
show the earth’s surface as flat. A globe is a sphere.
Because of this, it provides an accurate map of our
planet.
• Compass: An instrument for finding directions.
• Cardinal Points: the four main
points on a compass – north, east,
south, and west.
• Intermediate Points: points in
between cardinal points –
northeast, northwest, northwest,
southeast, and southwest.
1.2 Understanding the Globe
• Equator: An imaginary line circles Earth halfway between
the north and south pole and divides the Earth into two half
spheres, called hemispheres.
•Prime Meridian: Another imaginary line that cuts the
Earth in half from the North Pole to the South Pole.
Western
Eastern
Equator
Prime
Meridian
1.2 Understanding the Globe
• Over 70% of our planet is covered in water, mainly
oceans.
• Oceans are the largest bodies of water. There four
oceans. From largest to smallest, they are
– Pacific Ocean
– Atlantic Ocean
– Indian Ocean
– Arctic Ocean
1.2 Understanding the Globe
• Oceans surround large landmasses called continents
• The seven continents on Earth, from largest to
smallest, are Asia, Africa, North America, South
America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia.
1.3
Understanding Latitude and Longitude
• latitude and longitude – types of measurement that
can pinpoint any spot on Earth
• Latitude lines – run west to east (p.14)
– Always have the same distance in between them.
– Are measured starting at the equator.
– Equator – 0 ° latitude
– North Pole - 90° latitude
– South Pole - 90° latitude
1.3
Understanding Latitude and
Longitude
• Longitude lines – lines that run from the North Pole
to the South Pole.
– Not always the same distance apart
– Starting place for measuring them is the Prime
Meridian
– Prime Meridian is at 0 degrees longitude
1.3
Understanding Latitude and
Longitude
• To note a place on Earth, first name its
latitude, then its longitude.
• For example, one location on Earth’s
surface is at 30 degrees N, 90 degrees W.
Can you find this location on the map on
page 15?
1.4 Understanding Geographic
Terms for Water and Landforms
• Geographic terms, or names, for water:
– Sea: A body of salt water that is smaller than an
ocean.
The Dead Sea
1.4 Understanding Geographic
Terms for Water and Landforms
• Geographic terms, or names, for water:
– Gulf: A sea or ocean that cuts into a landmass.
1.4 Understanding Geographic
Terms for Water and Landforms
• Geographic terms, or names, for water:
– Bay: Similar to a gulf, but usually smaller and has
a wide opening to the sea.
1.4 Understanding Geographic
Terms for Water and Landforms
• Geographic terms, or names, for water:
– Lake: A body of fresh water that is surrounded by
land.
Possum Kingdom Lake
1.4 Understanding Geographic
Terms for Water and Landforms
• Water also flows in the form of rivers. (page 16)
– Source: Where the river begins
– Mouth: Where the river empties into a larger
body of water
– Tributary: A smaller stream that feed into a
river.
1.4 Understanding Geographic
Terms for Water and Landforms
• Landforms: masses of land, such as continents,
islands, and peninsulas.
– Mountain: usually have steep sides and rise at least 2000
feet above sea level.
– Mountain range: a row of connected mountains
– Plains: land that is mostly flat, with few trees.
1.4 Understanding Geographic
Terms for Water and Landforms
• Geographic Terms for Landforms:
– Peninsula: land that is surrounded by water on
three sides
– Cape: an extension of land jutting out into the
water that is usually smaller or thinner than a
peninsula.
1.4 Understanding Geographic
Terms for Water and Landforms
• Geographic Terms for Landforms:
– Island: Land that is completely surrounded by
water
– Valley: The low area between ranges of
mountains or hills
– Delta: formed when soil is deposited at the
mouth of a river.
1.5
Physical Features of the United
States: Oceans
• The U.S is located on the continent of N. America.
• It’s the world’s third largest country.
• Bordered by the:
– Pacific Ocean on the west.
– Atlantic Ocean on the east
– Gulf of Mexico on the Southeast
1.5
Physical Features of the United
States: Mountains
• The Rockies are the largest mountain in North
America. They run north to south from Alaska to
New Mexico.
• The Appalacians are the second largest mountain
range.
• The Sierra Nevada mountain range is in the western
portion of the U.S.
1.5
Physical Features of the United
States: Plains
• While observing Earth from space, you
would see areas covered by huge plains.
• Great Plains
• Gulf Coastal Plains
1.5
Physical Features of the United
States: Rivers
• One of the most striking features of the US is the
system of rivers of lakes
• These have provided routes for ships and power for
industry, which have helped the US become a wealthy
nation.
• The largest river in the US is the Mississippi River.
In this chapter, we learned about:
• The geography of the United States
• How a globe shows the shape of the Earth, as
well as physical features
• How points of the compass show directions.
• Latitude and longitude lines
• Useful geographic terms