Gr6 SS Learn 2.2 Physical Geography of North America

Geography of North America

Geographic Features

Landforms and bodies of water are crucial to the geography of North America as they shape the continent’s ecosystems, climate, and human activity. Features like mountains, rivers, lakes, and oceans provide resources, transportation routes, and habitats, influencing settlement, trade, and economic development.

River Systems

Map Legend

Landform

Body of Water

Geographic Region

Geographic Region

Atlantic Coastal Plain

The Atlantic Coastal Plain stretches along the eastern coast of the United States and Canada. Here’s why it’s important:

• Its flat, fertile land and mild climate make it ideal for farming, supporting crops like cotton, tobacco, and vegetables.

• The plain is rich in resources like seafood, timber, and coastal energy sources, including oil and natural gas.
• Its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean allows for major ports and trade routes, connecting North America to global markets.
• The region includes wetlands, estuaries, and beaches that support diverse ecosystems and protect against coastal erosion.

Landform

The Central Mexican Plateau

The Central Mexican Plateau is a vast, elevated region in the heart of Mexico, surrounded by two major mountain ranges: the Sierra Madre Occidental to the west and the Sierra Madre Oriental to the east. It sits between 3,000 and 7,000 feet (900 to 2,100 meters) above sea level, making it much higher than the coastal regions. The southern part of the plateau, known as the Valley of Mexico, is home to Mexico City, the country’s capital and one of the largest cities in the world. The climate and landscape of the plateau vary depending on location. The northern part is dry and desert-like, with little rainfall and vast grasslands, while the southern portion has a milder climate with more rain, making it ideal for farming. The region plays a crucial role in Mexico’s economy, as it provides fertile land for growing crops like corn, beans, and wheat. Additionally, the Mexican Plateau has a rich history, as it was home to ancient civilizations like the Aztecs, who built great cities in the area. Today, it remains the most populated region in Mexico, serving as the country’s cultural and economic center.

Geographic Region and landform

Appalachian Mountains

The Appalachian Mountain region stretches along the eastern part of North America, covering parts of both the United States and Canada. Here’s why it’s important:

• The region is rich in coal, natural gas, timber, and minerals, supporting industries like mining and forestry.

• The range has shaped the history and culture of the eastern U.S. and Canada, serving as a barrier to early westward expansion and influencing settlement patterns.
• The region is popular for outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and skiing, with attractions like the Appalachian Trail and national parks.
• The mountains act as a watershed for many rivers and influence weather patterns in the surrounding areas.

Geographic Region

Basin and Range

The Basin and Range region is located in the western United States, east of the Coastal Range and west of the Rocky Mountains. Here’s why it’s important:

• Known for its rugged terrain of alternating mountain ranges and valleys.

• The region is rich in minerals, such as gold, silver, and copper, which have supported mining industries for centuries.
• It includes major deserts like the Great Basin Desert, home to specialized plants and animals that thrive in arid conditions.
• While water is scarce, it is vital to the surrounding areas for agriculture, cities, and ecosystems.

Body of water

The Atlantic Ocean

The Atlantic Ocean was the gateway for European explorers and settlers, playing a major role in the early history of both nations. Here’s why it’s important today:

• The Atlantic connects North America to Europe, Africa, and South America, making it a key route for international trade and shipping.
• Its waters provide a rich source of seafood, supporting important fishing industries in both countries.
• The Atlantic has valuable resources like oil and natural gas, particularly off the coasts of Canada and the U.S.
• Coastal areas along the Atlantic, like Florida, New England, and Nova Scotia, attract millions of visitors for beaches, boating, and whale watching.
• The ocean impacts weather patterns, including hurricanes, and helps regulate temperatures in coastal regions.

Landform

Yucatán Peninsula

The Yucatán Peninsula is a large, flat region in southeastern Mexico, extending into the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Unlike mountainous areas, the Yucatán is mostly low-lying limestone, which has been shaped over millions of years by erosion. Because of its limestone foundation, the region has no major rivers, but instead features cenotes — natural sinkholes filled with freshwater. These cenotes were essential to the ancient Maya civilization, which once thrived in the area. The peninsula has a warm, tropical climate with dense jungles, making it home to diverse wildlife, including jaguars, monkeys, and exotic birds. Today, the Yucatán Peninsula is known for its stunning beaches, ancient Mayan ruins like Chichén Itzá, and popular tourist destinations such as Cancún and Tulum. Its unique geology, rich history, and beautiful landscapes make it one of the most fascinating regions in Mexico.

Body of water

The Great Lakes

The Great Lakes are a group of five massive freshwater lakes in North America — Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario — and they are one of the most important geographic features of the continent. Here’s why they’re important:

• They contain about 20% of the world’s freshwater, providing drinking water for millions of people.
• The lakes connect to the Atlantic Ocean through the St. Lawrence River, forming a major shipping route for goods like grain, steel, and automobiles.
• The region is rich in minerals, forests, and fertile land, supporting industries like farming and manufacturing.
• The lakes attract millions of visitors for activities like fishing, boating, and hiking, contributing to the economy.
• They were crucial for trade and settlement in early U.S. and Canadian history.

Body of water

The Gulf of Mexico (America)

The Gulf of Mexico (America) is a large body of water bordered by the United States, Mexico, and Cuba, and it’s one of the most important geographic features in North America. Here’s why it’s important:

• The Gulf is rich in oil and natural gas, making it a key area for energy production. It’s also full of fish and seafood, supporting a large fishing industry.
• Its location connects major rivers like the Mississippi to the ocean, making it a vital route for shipping and trade.
• The Gulf’s warm waters, beautiful beaches, and coral reefs attract millions of visitors every year, boosting the economy.
• The Gulf supports a diverse ecosystem, with sea turtles, dolphins, and many types of fish and birds depending on it for survival.
• It plays a big role in the climate of the southern U.S., including being a source of energy for hurricanes.

Body of water

The Pacific Ocean

The Pacific played a key role in exploration, settlement, and events like the Gold Rush and World War II. Here’s why it’s important today:

• The Pacific connects North America to Asia and other Pacific nations, making it a vital route for international trade, especially through major ports like Los Angeles, Seattle, and Vancouver.
• It provides seafood, oil, natural gas, and minerals, supporting important industries.
• Coastal areas like California, Hawaii, British Columbia, and Alaska attract millions of visitors for beaches, surfing, and whale watching.
• The Pacific affects weather patterns like El Niño and helps regulate temperatures in coastal areas, making them milder.
• It supports a rich variety of marine life, including salmon, whales, and sea otters, which are crucial to North America’s environmental health.

Geographic Region

Interior Lowlands

The Interior Lowlands region is located in the central part of North America, between the Appalachian Mountains to the east and the Great Plains to the west. Here’s why it’s important:

• The fertile soils and flat terrain make it a productive farming area, growing crops like corn, wheat, and soybeans.

• The region is rich in resources like oil, natural gas, coal, and minerals, which are vital for energy and industry.
• The area features prairies, forests, and wetlands that support diverse plant and animal life.
• The Mississippi, Missouri, and Great Lakes water systems flow through the region, providing transportation, irrigation, and drinking water.

Landform

Deserts of North America

North America is home to four major deserts: the Chihuahuan, Sonoran, Mojave, and Great Basin. Together, they stretch across the southwestern United States and parts of Mexico, forming one of the most unique ecosystems on the continent. Here’s why they are important:

• Though each desert is different in size and features, they are all connected and spread across Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and northern Mexico.
• They receive very little rain. These deserts get less than 10 inches (25 cm) of rainfall each year. That means only hardy plants and animals can survive the dry conditions.
• Despite the harsh climate, desert plants like cactus, yucca, sagebrush, creosote bush, and agave thrive here. These plants offer food and shelter for animals such as jackrabbits, coyotes, bighorn sheep, rattlesnakes, pocket mice, and roadrunners.
• The climate in each desert depends on its location and elevation. Deserts that are farther south and lower in elevation tend to be hotter, while those farther north or higher up are cooler with different plant life.

River Systems

Rivers are an important source of fresh water. Farmers use rivers to irrigate crops. Rivers provide important transportation routes for goods and people. Rivers can also be used to produce hydroelectricity, which is electricity that is produced by the energy of running water. The Missouri River is the longest river in North America. It is 2,500 miles long. The Missouri River and the Ohio River are tributaries of the mighty Mississippi River. That means that they flow into the Mississippi. Together, these three rivers make up the third-largest river system in the world. The Rio Grande River forms most of the border between Texas and Mexico. In Canada, the St. Lawrence River connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. It is an important waterway for transporting goods.

Image Caption: There are hundreds of rivers in North America.This map shows twelve of the major rivers in North America.

Landform

The Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is one of the most iconic natural landmarks in the United States, stretching 277 miles through northern Arizona. Known for its immense size and breathtaking beauty, it plays a crucial role in shaping the region’s environment, economy, and culture. Here’s why it is important:

• Drawing millions of visitors annually, it fuels Arizona’s economy with hiking, rafting, and sightseeing opportunities, particularly at Grand Canyon National Park.
• The Grand Canyon is sacred to indigenous tribes like the Hopi, Navajo, and Havasupai, who have called the area home for centuries.
• The canyon supports a range of habitats, from desert landscapes at the bottom to forests along the rim, with species like condors, bighorn sheep, and coyotes.
• The Colorado River, which carved the canyon, continues to flow through it, providing water and recreation opportunities to millions.

Learn about the regions of Canada including: the Arctic Lowlands, Interior Plains, Canadian Shield, Western Cordillera, Appalachian Mountains, Hudson Bay Lowlands, and the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Lowlands.

Body of water

The Hudson Bay

Hudson Bay is a large body of water in northeastern Canada and is one of the most important geographic features of the country. Here’s why it’s important:

• It’s one of the largest bays in the world, covering a huge area and connecting Canada’s land to the Arctic Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean.
• The Hudson Bay region has many valuable resources like fish, minerals, and energy sources, which are important for Canada’s economy.
• The bay affects the weather in nearby areas, making winters colder and summers cooler in the surrounding regions.
• Historically, it was used as a major route for ships during the fur trade, and it’s still important for shipping goods in the north today.
• The bay supports many animals, like polar bears, seals, and beluga whales, making it a vital part of Canada’s ecosystem.

Landform

Arctic Archipelago

The Arctic Archipelago is a vast group of islands in the far northern region of Canada. It includes hundreds of islands — large ones like Baffin Island, Ellesmere Island, and Victoria Island, as well as many smaller ones — spread across the Arctic Ocean. Together, they form one of the coldest and most remote regions in North America. Here’s why it’s important:

• The Arctic Archipelago lies within the Arctic Circle, where winters are long and dark and summers are short and cool. Much of the land is covered by ice, glaciers, and frozen ground.
• Despite the cold, hardy plants like mosses and lichens grow in summer, providing food for animals such as polar bears, Arctic foxes, and caribou. The islands are rich in resources and home to Indigenous communities who have adapted to life in the Arctic for thousands of years.
• This region demonstrates how geography, climate, and life are closely connected. It is also an important area for scientific research and the study of climate change.

Landform

Sierra Madre Mountains

The Sierra Madre Mountains are a vast and rugged mountain system that stretches across Mexico and Central America. This range is divided into three major sections: the Sierra Madre Occidental in the west, the Sierra Madre Oriental in the east, and the Sierra Madre del Sur in the south. These mountains were formed millions of years ago due to tectonic plate movements and volcanic activity, creating steep cliffs, deep canyons, and towering peaks. The Copper Canyon in the Sierra Madre Occidental is even larger and deeper than the Grand Canyon! The mountains have a diverse climate depending on elevation, with cool forests in the higher regions and warmer valleys below. The Sierra Madre is home to many unique plants and animals, including pine and oak forests, jaguars, and rare bird species. Throughout history, these mountains have influenced human settlement, providing natural barriers and rich lands for farming and mining. Today, they remain an essential part of Mexico’s geography, culture, and economy.

Landform

Denali (Mt. McKinley)

Denali, also known as Mount McKinley, is North America’s highest peak, standing at 20,310 feet in Alaska. It is a symbol of natural grandeur and plays a vital role in the region's environment, economy, and culture. Here’s why Denali is important:

• Denali dominates the Alaskan landscape, drawing geologists and climbers fascinated by its sheer size and challenging terrain.
• The surrounding Denali National Park is home to wolves, grizzly bears, caribou, and other species, supporting a thriving ecosystem.
• The mountain holds deep spiritual importance for the Indigenous Koyukon Athabaskan people, who view it as sacred.
• Denali attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually for hiking, mountaineering, and wildlife viewing, fueling Alaska’s tourism industry.
• Its massive elevation impacts regional weather, creating unique microclimates.

Geographic Region and Landform

Rocky Mountains

The Rocky Mountain region is located in the western part of North America, stretching from Canada to Mexico. Here’s why it’s important:

• Rich in minerals, coal, oil, and natural gas, supporting mining and energy industries, along with vast forests for timber.

• Snowmelt from the mountains feeds major rivers like the Colorado, Missouri, and Columbia, providing water for agriculture, cities, and hydroelectric power.
• The Rockies are a popular destination for skiing, hiking, and national parks like Yellowstone, Banff, and Rocky Mountain National Park.
• The mountains shape regional weather patterns, creating rain shadows and influencing temperatures and precipitation.

Body of water

The Mississippi River

The Mississippi River is one of the most important geographic features in the United States. It connects much of the country and is essential to its economy, environment, and history. Here’s why it’s important:

• It’s the second-longest river in North America and flows through or borders 10 states, stretching from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico.
• The river has been a major route for moving goods, people, and supplies for centuries. Even today, it’s essential for shipping crops, like corn and soybeans, and other products.
• It provides water for drinking, farming, and industry in many areas along its path.
• The Mississippi supports a rich ecosystem with fish, birds, and other animals, making it a critical natural resource.
• It has played a key role in United States history, especially in exploration, trade, and settlement.

Geographic Region

Great Plains

The Great Plains region is a vast area of flat and gently rolling land in the central part of the United States and Canada. Here’s why it’s important:

• One of the most productive farming regions, growing crops like wheat, corn, and soybeans and supporting livestock grazing.

• The region is rich in oil, natural gas, and minerals, contributing significantly to energy production and industry.
• The Great Plains' open landscape impacts weather patterns, and its grasslands help store carbon and regulate ecosystems.

Geographic Region

Coastal Range

The Coastal Range region is located along the Pacific coast of North America. Here’s why it’s important:

• The region is rich in timber, minerals, and fish, supporting industries like logging, mining, and fishing.

• Fertile valleys, like California's Central Valley, are ideal for growing crops such as fruits, vegetables, and grapes.
• Its scenic beauty, including rugged coastlines, mountains, and national parks, attracts millions of visitors for activities like hiking, skiing, and surfing.
• The mountains affect local weather patterns, creating rain shadows and contributing to the region's mild coastal climate.