Regions of the United States and Canada

Regional Division World regions are sub-divided internally to help study and understand the way they work Regions are divided up by proximity, climate, economy, agriculture, and cultural concentration. Types of Region Formal Functional Perceptual

Sub-regions of the United States West Midwest Northeast Southeast Southwest

Sub-regions of Canada Northern Canada Prairies Mountains and the West Central Canada/ Canadian Shield East Coast Northern Canada Prairies

Belt Regions Often times the regions are referred to as ‘Belt Regions’ since they follow lines of latitude Belt regions are mostly perceptual and functional

Sun Belt Southern, hot weather states that stretch from coast to coast. Falls between the 37th and 38th parallels. Most of economy is based off of agriculture that requires dry land or tourism.

Bible Belt Southeastern and mid-western states where strict religious beliefs are followed Christianity

Grain Belt/ America’s Breadbasket Produces much of the world's grain and soybeans. Grain Belt/ America’s Breadbasket A family of four could live for 10 years off the bread produced by one acre of wheat. In 1997, Kansas's wheat farmers produced enough wheat to make 36.5 billion loaves of bread.

Corn Belt Majority of the nation’s corn produced here. Corn used for Corn and popcorn Sweeteners Ethanol gas Corn Belt

Cotton Belt The Cotton Belt, reaching from Virginia to the midwest. Cotton crops are also found in California Texas is the top cotton-producing state, harvesting about one-third of the crop each year

Rust Belt The Rust Belt, also known as the Manufacturing Belt has an economy based largely on heavy industry, manufacturing, and associated industries.

Other Belt Regions Frost Belt- area that is extremely cold and prone to frost Stroke Belt- higher incidence of strokes Salt Belt- produces salt in mass quantities

Other Belt Regions Tornado Alley- area of high risk for tornadoes Silicon Valley- industrial region of Southern California, foundation point of many tech companies Mormon Corridor- more people practicing the teachings of the Church of Latter Day Saints

Bilingual Belt Area of Canada where most people speak both English and French

Canadian Shield Large geographic shield of land Continental plate

French Canada The part of Canada that still aligns with France Originally founded as French colonies Struggles with their identity Continuously trying to separate from British Canada

Activity Be sure you have all of the regions filled out. Regions Map Color the different directional regions of the US and Canada and label them. On the back, list three characteristics of each region. Belt Regions Map Color the different belt regions of the US and Canada and label them.

Regions Map Color the different directional regions of the US and Canada and label them. On the back, list three characteristics of each region. Belt Regions Map Color the different belt regions of the US and Canada and label them. On the back, write one sentence explaining the reason they are this ‘belt’

Regions Map Color the different directional regions of the US and Canada and label them. Then, list three characteristics of each region.

Belt Regions Map Color the different belt regions of the US and Canada and make a key representing each belt. Then write a sentence summarizing why they are referred to as this specific belt.

Where in the World?

Where in the World? Parliament Hill Ottawa, Ontario, Canada British Originally built to house the British Parliament in Canada. After Canada gained its independence the British let Canada claim it for its own use (since technically its still part of Canada). This particular building was erected in 1876.

Talk About It Read the quote below, then think about everything you know about the population density and history of the United States. Although mountains may guide migrations, the plains are the regions where people dwell in greatest numbers. Ellsworth Huntington (Geography Professor at Yale University) In two complete sentences detail whether you think Ellsworth is correct in terms of population today.

Think About it Look at this ‘Belt’ Region map. Choose three regions that are on this map and explain why you think they are considered important to the United States in terms of culture and economy. You may not do Bible, Corn, Rust, or Megalopolis 