Regions of the United States Understanding how and why our land is divided up into regions
What are regions? a region is a group of places that have something in common a region is an area with common features that set it apart from other areas
Why do we have regions? The Earth is so large, geographers break it up into regions to study. All regions consist of common physical and human characteristics Understanding regions helps us understand why certain things happen where they do
Review: Physical Characteristics What is a physical characteristic? features that occur naturally on Earth Examples: mountains, valleys, oceans, lakes
Review: Human Characteristics What is a human characteristic? features that describe people or things that people build Example: religion, jobs, roads, homes, cities, etc.
Think-Pair-Share-Compare Think to yourself for a minute: if our classroom was divided up into regions, what regions would there be? Why? Pair with another classmate to discuss and compare your ideas. Come up with an answer together. Share with the class what regions you think our class should be divided into Compare our answers. Why were some alike and some different?
US Physical Map Source: mypages.valdosta.edu
US Climate Map Source: grayduckgarlic.com
US Precipitation Map Source: bumperscollege.uark.edu
US Population Density Map Source: learnnc.org
US Economics Map Source: gurufocus.com
US Time Zone Map Source: imagekb.com
US Political Affiliation Map Source: theguardian.com
US Baseball Map Source: harvardsportsanalysis.wordpress.com
Activity 1: In groups of 3, use the blank US map provided to you to divide the United States into regions. You can use any of the maps I have shown you to help you, or come up with ideas of your own. Label each region and explain why you have chosen to divide the country in this way. Once your map is completed, get together with another group and compare your maps. What is similar? What is different? Whose map is a more effective and useful division of the country? Present your maps to the class, explaining your choices.
US Regions Map
Northeast Region Physical Characteristics Human Characteristics Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont Physical Characteristics Human Characteristics bordered by Atlantic Ocean tall grasses four distinct seasons plentiful forests America's first colonies seafood industry historic places-tourism contains nation's capital Washington DC farming-apples, cherries, peaches, cranberries
Southeast Region Physical Characteristics Human Characteristics Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia Physical Characteristics Human Characteristics low mountains and rolling hills majority of Appalachian Mountains lots of trees and variety of plants little snow in Florida and Louisiana bordered by Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico tourism to big cities (Orlando, Atlanta, New Orleans, Nashville, Louisville, etc. many cash crops grown- tobacco, sugar, cotton, soybeans, fruit, nuts lots of music originated here
Midwest Region Physical Characteristics Human Characteristics Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin Physical Characteristics Human Characteristics Very flat land-Great Plains four distinct seasons tornados common grasslands with few trees mostly ranches and farmland known as "Bread Basket of the World" because of all the wheat grown here known as "Cornbelt" because of all the corn grown here
West Region Physical Characteristics Human Characteristics California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming Physical Characteristics Human Characteristics bordered by Pacific Ocean rocky shorelines many forests Rocky Mountains Great Basin-desert area (largest desert in US) large cities: Seattle, Las Vegas, LA, Denver, etc. fishing a big sport outdoor sports-skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, surfing Yellowstone National Park
Southwest Region Physical Characteristics Human Characteristics Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Texas Physical Characteristics Human Characteristics high mountains, flat plains, low deserts arid and dry few lakes and rivers sun shines hot all year Grand Canyon sagebrush and cactus large cities-Phoenix, Dallas, Santa Fe, etc. tourism-Grand Canyon rich copper and oil resources/mining is a major occupation cattle ranching and farming fastest growing region in the U.S.
Activity 2: Using the flipbook you just made and the sheet provided, compare and evaluate the five regions of the United States
World Physical Map Source: freeworldmaps.net
World Climate Map Source: testpakstars.com
World Population Map Source: en.Wikipedia.org
World Precipitation Map Source: climate-charts.com
Each State’s Economy Compared with other Countries Source: slate.com
Brainstorm: How will you use this information in your life?