United States and Canada Climate and Resources Chapter 3 Section 2

Climate and Vegetation Weather – the state of the atmosphere near Earth at a given time and place. Precipitation – moisture such as rain or snow. Climate – typical weather in a region over a long period of time. Vegetation – trees, shrubs, grasses, and other plants that grow Economy – way that business owners use resources to provide goods and services that people want.

Vegetation zones Polar & Tundra Forest Rainforest Grassland Desert

Polar and Tundra ▫Northern Canada and Alaska have cool summers and very cold winters. ▫Only above 32º F for 2 months ▫Ground is frozen most of the year ▫Precipitation ranges from 4-20 inches a year.

Forests ▫Conifer forests (Evergreen) and broadleaf trees cover Canada, northwest, northeast, and southeast United States. ▫Precipitation ranges from inches a year ▫Temperatures vary from mild to cold in different areas.

Rain Forest Along the Pacific Coast precipitation can reach 167 inches a year. Rainforests with trees 300 feet tall grow here. Ground has bushes, small trees, and other plants Temperature is moderate even in the north, seldom falling below 32ºF in the winter.

Grasslands The center of North America Prairie in the Mississippi Valley may get 30+ inches of precipitation each year. Grasses are tall and thick Further west there is less rainfall People grow grain and raise cattle in these areas.

Desert American Southwest gets less than 10 inches of precipitation each year. Plants have to withstand harsh sun, high temperatures and little rain.

Natural Wealth Land and Power Resources ▫Farmland of the midwestern USA and Canada have rich soil. ▫Forests in western Canada and northwestern, northeastern, and southeaster USA. ▫Oil fields in Alberta, Texas, California, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Alaska, Gulf of Mexico (BP spill) ▫Coal in Canada’s western provinces, Appalachian Mountains, Illinois, Wyoming and … INDIANA! Water Resources ▫Settlers followed and settled along the river routes. ▫Fresh water and good soil to raise crops and animals ▫Rivers still used to ship natural resources such as timber and coal (St. Lawrence River) ▫Fishing ▫Rivers give water supply, power, and recreational activities.

Neighbors and Leaders More than 200 million people cross the US and Canada border every year. Trade exceeds $1 billion a DAY! Work together on: ▫National security ▫National defense ▫Environment ▫Air traffic ▫fishing

President John F. Kennedy “Geography has made us neighbors, history has made us friends, economics has made us partners, and necessity has made us allies.