The Five
regions of
the USA.
Naming the states and
capitals by region
The United States
of America
What is a Region?
•Regions are places that have
similar characteristics that
make them different from
surrounding areas
How are the Regions Grouped?
• The regions of the United States
are grouped by history, traditions,
economy, climate, and geography.
• Each region is different from one
another. The states in the five
regions are all in the same area of
the United States.
Compass Rose
•A compass rose helps us give a
name to the regions
What are the 5 Regions?
The United States is divided into five
regions. These regions are the:
• Northeast
• Southeast
•Midwest
•Southwest
•West
• Let’s label, color and paste our region map
of the United States of America to our
notebook
The United States is a system
that can be broken into 5
major parts or regions.
1. Northeast- Alicia Flores(1), Wendy
(2), Andrea Pena (3), Paul B. (4)
2. Midwest- Jose Lucero (1), Clarissa
Cortez(2), Daisy Torres(3), Jacky
Garcia (4).
3. West-Ciara(1), Magaly (2), Miguel(3),
Alexis(4)
4. Southwest-Emiliano(1), Romero (2),
Carolina(3), Marian(4)
5. Southeast- Tomas (1,4), Hailey(2,4),
Tori Hndz(3,4)
Let’s start with a blank map of
the
North America.
• Student will pair up and fill in as many
physical characteristics as they can on
the map.
• Include major rivers, mountains, plains,
vegetation, and climate characteristic
Coastal Plain- Located along the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico Broad lowlands
providing many excellent harbors
Appalachian Highlands Located west of the Coastal Plain, extending from eastern
Canada to western Alabama; includes the Piedmont Old, eroded mountains (oldest
mountain range in North America)
Canadian Shield Wrapped around the Hudson Bay in a horseshoe shape Hills worn
by erosion and hundreds of lakes carved by glaciers
Interior Lowlands Located west of the Appalachian Mountains and east of the Great
Plains. Rolling flatlands with many rivers, broad river valleys, and grassy hills
Great Plains Located west of the Interior Lowlands and east of the Rocky Mountains
Flat lands that gradually increase in elevation westward; grasslands
Rocky Mountains Located west of the Great Plains and east of the Basin and Range
Rugged mountains stretching from Alaska almost to Mexico; high elevations Contains
the Continental Divide, which determines the directional flow of rivers
Basin and Range Located west of the Rocky Mountains and east of the Sierra
Nevadas and the Cascades. Varying elevations containing isolated mountain ranges
and Death Valley, the lowest point in North America
Coastal Range Located along the Pacific Coast, stretching from California to Canada
Rugged mountains and fertile valleys
Northeast Region
Northeastern States
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Connecticut http://www.state.ct.us/
Delaware http://www.delaware.gov
Maine http://janus.state.me.us
Maryland http://www.state.md.us/
Massachusetts http://www.state.ma.us/
New Hampshire
http://www.state.nh.us
New Jersey
http://www.state.nj.us/
New York
http://www.state.ny.us/
Pennsylvania
http://www.state.pa.us/
Rhode Island
http://www.state.ri.us/
Vermont
http://www.state.vt.us
The Northeast
 The Northeast can be subdivided into two smaller
regions: 1) New England, and 2) Mid-Atlantic
States.
2010, TESCCC
World Geography,
Physical Geography of Northeast
©2009, TESCCC
• Northern Appalachian mountains
run through most of the
northeastern states, causing little
farmland, except in valley areas.
• Coastal plain is narrow, with an area
between the mountains and coast
called the fall line.
• Deep bays exist, allowing for port
towns.
• Jagged, rocky coastline in northern
areas.
Climate and Vegetation of Northeast: Humid
Continental
 No Dry Season- this area receives
precipitation throughout the year.
 Cold, snowy winters and hot summers.
 Moderate growing season that
decreases as you go north.
 Vegetation is mixed forests with
deciduous and coniferous trees.
2008, TESCCC
World Geography,
Historical Geography of the Northeast
• The Northeast has the longest
history of European settlement .
• Historically, the Northeast has been
the gateway to immigrants.
• Established itself as the financial
and manufacturing hub early in the
industrial revolution.
©2009, TESCCC
Population Geography of the Northeast
 Population is concentrated in the
Megalopolis that runs from Boston to
Washington (AKA Boswash).
 This is the most densely populated
region in the United States.
©2009, TESCCC
Economic Geography of the Northeast
©2009 TESCCC
• The New England states have a long
history of maritime industry, although
forestry exists inland with little
farming.
• The Mid-Atlantic states dominate the
financial sector of the U.S.,
advertising, manufacturing.
• This region is the home to most
major corporations in the United
States.
Land Use in the Northeast
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Dairy Farming (think Vermont…)
Farming
Timber
Maritime Activity
Some mining
• Note: As you go north, the growing
season shortens, which limits farming.
In part of the Northeast, timber is a
primary economic activity.
©2009, TESCCC
Economic Geography
• Northeast is the heart of the manufacturing
core, but lately has been termed the RUST
BELT. This extends into the Midwest.
• Why do you think it’s called the Rust belt?
Where have industries relocated? Why?
©2010, TESCCC
Cultural Geography of Northeast: Mid-Atlantic
• South of New England, the Mid-Atlantic states
enjoy warmer weather and a longer growing
season.
• The economy has more farming activity and
has less maritime activity, although major
shipping waterways are present.
• Major cities are located on these major
waterways: New York is on the Hudson R.,
Philly is on the Delaware, and Baltimore is
located on Chesapeake Bay.
©2010, TESCCC
More on the Mid-Atlantic States
 This area is a transition zone between the
Northeast (New England in particular) and
the South, especially the states of Virginia
and W. Virginia.
 Heritage is also centered on colonial times
and the American Revolution, although
less so than in New England.
 Home to Washington D.C., the political
center of the U.S.
©2010, TESCCC
Midwest Region
Midwestern Region States
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Illinois
http://www.state.il.us/
Indiana
http://www.state.in.us/
Iowa
http://www.state.ia.us/
Kansas
http://www.accesskansas/
Michigan
http://www.michigan.gov/
Minnesota
http://www.state.mn.us/
Missouri
http://www.state.mo.us/
Nebraska
http://www.state.ne.us/
North Dakota
http://discovernd.com/
Ohio
http://www.state.oh.us/
South Dakota
http://www.state.sd.us/
Wisconsin
http://www.wisconsin.gov/
Physical Geography of Midwest
Flat landscape, with river basins.
Distinctive Great Lakes, which provide for shipping.
Climate of the Midwest:
Humid Continental
• No Dry Season- this area receives
precipitation throughout the year.
• Cold, snowy winters and hot summers.
• Moderate growing season that decreases as
you go north.
• Vegetation is mixed forests with deciduous
and coniferous trees.
©2009, TESCCC
Historical Geography of the
Midwest
• The Mid-west was considered the “Western
Frontier”, hence the name.
• Historically known as the breadbasket of the
U.S., as this is also an agricultural region.
• Also known as a manufacturing, blue-collar
hub of the U.S.
©2009, TESCCC
The Midwest as a Cultural
Crossroads
• Immigrant groups:
• Scots Presbyterians settled in
Pennsylvania.
• Dutch Amish and Quakers settled in Ohio
and Indiana.
• German Lutherans settled in Ohio,
Wisconsin, Illinois and Eastern Missouri.
• Swedes and Norwegians settled in
Wisconsin and Minnesota.
• Polish, Hungarians, German Catholics, and
Jews settled in Midwestern cities.
©2009, TESCCC
Population
• Large cities include
Chicago and Detroit
• The region is evenly
distributed.
• Population is dense along
the Great Lakes.
©2009, TESCCC
Economic Geography
• Dairy Farming in Wisconsin and
Minnesota
• Fruit Orchards in Michigan
• Corn in Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa
• Manufacturing in urban cities along
Great Lakes, like Pittsburgh,
Cleveland, Detroit and Chicago
(Steel Towns).
©2009, TESCCC
Breadbasket of the USA
 Corn is most notably grown, but
soybeans, wheat, and fruits
orchards are also commonly found
throughout the Midwest.
 Dairy products are famous in which
state in the Midwest?
©2010, TESCCC
Cultural Geography
• Home to various immigrant groups, which
causes ethnic, racial, and religious diversity in
the cities.
• Cuisine reflects the cultural and physical
diversity: Chicago style pizza, Polish bakeries,
Wisconsin cheese, and Michigan’s apple cider
mills and fruit orchards.
©2010, TESCCC
Great Plains Region
• Strip of States through the center of the
country
• Includes: Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota,
and North Dakota
• Transition States: Oklahoma, Panhandle of
Texas, Eastern Colorado, Wyoming and
Montana
©2010, TESCCC
Physical Geography of
the Great Plains
•The Great Plains are also called the High
Plains, as the elevation increases gradually
as you go west.
•Generally flat with some rolling hills
•Major River Basins: Red R., Arkansas
River, Platte River, and the Missouri River
©2010, TESCCC
Climate of the Great Plains
• Generally the Great Plains is Steppe
climate (Grasslands). Some of the eastern
areas have Humid Continental climate.
• This area receives little rainfall (less than
18 in. a year on average).
• Cold winters, especially in the northern
areas
©2010, TESCCC
Historical Geography of the Great
Plains
• Before Americans settled the
frontier, the Great Plains was home
to several indigenous cultures, most
notably the Sioux, the Cheyenne,
and the Arapaho.
• During the 19th century, the Great
Plains became the staging point of
war between the native people and
the American settlers.
©2009, TESCCC
More on Historical Geography
• The Great Plains was also used for cattle
grazing and cattle drives.
• Many of the cities in this area were founded
as railroad hubs for cattle.
©2009, TESCCC
Homestead Act of 1862
• This act provided each settler with
160 acres of land, as long as he
cultivated the land.
• This caused a rush of settlers to the
Great Plains region in the 1800s.
• Ironically, the Great Plains has lost
a third of its population since 1920.
Kansas has 6,000 ghost towns.
©2009, TESCCC
Southeast Region
Southeast Region States
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Alabama
http://www.state.al.us/
Arkansas
http://www.state.ar.us/
Florida
http://www.state.fl.us/
Georgia
http://www.state.ga.us/
Kentucky
http://www.state.ky.us/
Louisiana
http://www.state.la.us/
Mississippi
http://www.state.mi.us/
North Carolina
http://www.state.nc.us/
South Carolina
http://www.state.sc.us/
Tennessee
http://www.state.tn.us/
Virginia
http://www.state.va.us/
West Virginia
http://www.state.wv.us/
Resources and
Products of the
Southeast
• Land for farming is a valuable
resource. Farming has been an
important industry ever since the first
settlers came to the Southeast.
• Today, major crops of the region are
cotton, corn, peanuts, rice, oranges,
and soybeans.
• Citrus fruits such as oranges, limes,
lemons, and grapefruits grow well in
Florida.
Resources and
Products of the
Southeast
• Coal is a black fossil fuel that is a
nonrenewable resource. A fossil fuel is
a fuel that is formed in the earth from
the remains of plants and animals. Coal
is found in some parts of Appalachia
including parts of Kentucky and West
Virginia.
• Trees are another important resource
of the southeast. Some farmers in the
southeast grow and harvest trees, just
like other crops. Trees are harvested
from the pine forests of the coastal
plains and parts of Appalachia. The
trees are used for lumber or to make
furniture. Some trees are made into
pulp, a combination of ground up wood
chips, water, and chemicals. Pulp is
used in the production of paper.
Southeast
Facts and Information
• The magnolia is a type of flowering
tree that grows wild in the southeast.
• Georgia farmers grow 38% of the
nations peanuts.
• Manatees live along the coast of
Florida. They are also called “sea
cows.” Adult manatees are about 10
feet long and weigh 800 to 1,200
pounds.
• Many people visit Charleston, South
Carolina to see the city’s historic
buildings.
• Space Shuttle missions lift off from the
John F. Kennedy Space Center in
Florida.
Southeast
Everglades National Park
• Quiz Southeast Cities
http://www.sfsocialstudies.com/g4/n
a/u3/index.html
• Out of The Ashes Article
http://www.sfsocialstudies.com/g4/n
a/u3/article.html
Southwest Region
Southwest Region States
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New Mexico http://www.state.nm.us/
Arizona
http://www.state.az.us/
Texas
http://www.state.tx.us/
Oklahoma
http://www.state.ok.us/
Resources and
Products of the
Southwest
• The oil industry is important to the
economy of the southwest. Oil is a
natural resource, and it is
nonrenewable. A nonrenewable
resource is one that cannot be replaced
by nature.
• Oil comes out of the ground in the form
of a thick black liquid called crude oil. A
gusher is an oil well that produces a
large amount of oil.
• Technology is another important part
of the Southwestern economy. Arizona
factories manufacture electronic
equipment, aircraft, space vehicles,
and missiles.
• Companies in New Mexico make
computer chips and computers.
• Texas industries make computers,
radios, calculators, and electronic
equipment.
Southwest
Facts and Information
• Yellow blossoms of the prickly pear
cactus can be seen throughout the
Southwest.
• This bowl was made by the Anasazi, a
group of Native American who lived in
Arizona and New Mexico long ago.
• The roadrunner, the state bird of New
Mexico, prefers running to flying. It can
run as fast as 17 miles per hour.
• Astronauts are trained at Johnson
Space Center in Houston ,Texas, for
the work they will do in space.
• The lighthouse is one of the rock
formations in Palo Duro Canyon In
Texas.
• A boy below rides a sheep at an
Oklahoma rodeo event.
Desert Animals of the
Southwest
West Region
Western Region States
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Alaska
http://www.state.ak.us/
California
http://www.state.ca.us/
Colorado
http://www.colorado.gov/
Hawaii
http://www.state.hi.us/
Idaho
http://www.acessidaho.gov/
Montana
http://www.state.mt.us/
Nevada
http://silver.state.nv.us/
Utah
http://www.utah.gov/
Washington
http://access.state.wa.us/
Wyoming
http://www.state.wy.us/
Resources and
Products of the
West
• Apples are one of the many agricultural
products of the West. The eastern part
of Washington is famous for the many
types of apples that are grown there.
Cherries, pears, and potatoes are also
grown in Washington.
• The biggest producer of potatoes in the
United States is Idaho.
• California produces a wide variety of
fruits, nuts, and vegetables. Among the
fruits grown there are grapes,
strawberries, peaches, plums, and
melons.
• Some Alaskan crops are barley, oats,
hay, and potatoes.
• Hawaii’s tropical climate is good for
growing sugarcane and pineapples.
Other Hawaiian crops are macadamia
nuts and coffee.
Resources and
Products of the
West
• In some western states, livestock are
the main source of income from
agriculture. Livestock are animals that
are raised on farms and ranches.
Cattle, sheep, and pigs are examples of
livestock. Montana, Idaho, Colorado,
Alaska, Washington, Wyoming, and
Utah all include beef cattle as one of
their main sources of income. Milk is
produced in states around the region
as well.
• Many states grow flowers, plants, and
bushes to be sold in plant and flower
shops.
• The West is also known for its wealth
of mineral resources. Alaska and
California produce oil. Coal, gold, and
lead are three minerals mined in
Colorado. Gold, silver, and copper,
among other minerals, are mined in
Nevada and Utah.
Resources and
Products of the
West
• The fishing industry is very important
to the economy of some Western
states. In Alaska the yearly fish catch
is valued at more than a billion dollars.
Workers catch cod, flounder, salmon,
and halibut, among other types of fish.
• Shellfish, such as crab and shrimp, are
also important to Alaska’s economy.
• Hawaii also has a large fishing
industry. Swordfish and tuna are
caught off the coast of Hawaii.
West
Facts and Information
• Sea otters live in the Pacific Ocean off
the Northwest coast of the United
States. Sea otters eat and sleep while
floating on their backs.
• Most of the pineapples that are grown
in the United States are grown in
Hawaii.
• The Hoover Dam was built on the
Colorado River on the boarder of
Nevada and Arizona. Workers used
more than 5 million barrels of concrete
to build the dam.
• The Golden Gate bridge links San
Francisco to Marin County, California. It
is one of the longest suspension
bridges in the world.
• Redwood trees grow in California.
Redwoods are the tallest trees in the
United States. They can grow to a
height of 350 feet and live to be 2,000
years old.
The 5 Regions Divided Further
Review:
The United States is a SYSTEM
that can be broken into 5
major parts or regions.
• Northeast Region
• Midwest Region
• Southeast Region
• Southwest Region
• West Region
Quiz Time!
Blank US map to fill in with states and capitals
North American Waterways
Columbi
a River Missou
Great Lakes
ri River
OHIO
Colorad
RIVE
o River Rio
Grande
R
River
Mississipp
i River
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