1. Natural Regions of Pennsylvania
Chapter 2
Natural Regions of Pennsylvania

2. Vocabulary for Ch.2
Atlantic Coastal Plain – natural region located in southeastern PA, and is strip of low narrow land
Region – a large area in which places have something in common
Transportation – a way to move people and goods
Suburb – small community near a large city
Merchant – someone who buys and sells goods for a profit
Port – a harbor or place where ships can load and unload cargo

3. The Atlantic Coastal Plain Region
The Atlantic Coastal Plain occupies a narrow strip of low land in southeastern Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s Atlantic Coastal Plain is part of the Delaware River Valley
People settled along the Delaware River because it provided a means of transportation

4. Atlantic Coastal Plain Region
Philadelphia is a major city in this region, and is the state’s largest city.
Because of its location, Philadelphia is a major port for ships to carry products throughout the world.
Today Philadelphia is a center of industry, business, and culture.

5. The Piedmont Region The word piedmont means “foot of mountain”
The Piedmont Region is borded by the fall line in the east and the Appalachian Mountains in the west
The Piedmont is a plateau with gently rolling hills and valleys
The Piedmont’s soil is among the richest in the world and makes the region ideal for farming

6. Piedmont Region
The heart of Pennsylvania’s farming industry lies in this region
Some of the farmers in the Piedmont region are Amish
The Amish are religious people who do not use modern conveniences
Lancaster is one of the most popular towns in the Piedmont region

7. Ridge and Valley Region
The Ridge and Valley Region is located north west of the Piedmont Region
This region has a series of ridges and valleys; including the Great Valley
The Great Valley runs the entire length of the Pennsylvania Ridge and Valley Region
The Great Valley is an area of rich farmland
The Allegheny Mountains, which are part of the Appalachian Mountains, are located on the western border of this region

8. Ridge and Valley Coal Mining is a major industry in this region
Fruit and vegetable farming is important in this region
Harrisburg is the state capital, and is located in this region
The Pocono Mountains are located in this region
This region’s many state parks and forests offer visitors many forms of recreation such as fishing, picnicking, and boating

9. The Allegheny Plateau
The Allegheny Plateau is the largest region in Pennsylvania
It covers most of northern and western Pennsylvania
This region contains mountains, hills, and valleys
Glaciers and streams helped carve out the different landforms in this region
The mountaintops of the Allegheny Plateau are about the same height; which means that the region was once a plateau

10. The Allegheny Plateau
Two famous landmarks are located in the Allegheny Plateau, Mt. Davis and Fallingwater
Mt. Davis is Pennsylvania’s highest mountain peak
Fallingwater is a famous house that sits atop a waterfall; designed by Frank Lloyd Wright
There are many state parks and forests that provide forms of recreation; including hiking, camping, and waterfalls

11. The Allegheny Plateau
Coal is among the Allegheny Plateau’s most valuable resources
Pittsburg is a major city in this region
Pittsburg was settled where the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers meet to form the Ohio River
Pittsburg is a center of transportation, industry, and culture
Pittsburg is PA’s second largest city

12. Erie Lowland Region The Erie Lowland Region is PA’s smallest region
It is an area of low, flat land near Lake Erie
The flat land in this region is ideal for building highways and railroads; which makes it a center of transportation
Erie is a good location for a port, and has grown to the third largest city in Pennsylvania
Farming, industry, transportation and recreation are all important in this region
This region is popular with visitors because of all the wild life, water activities, and history