What is now the Northeast Region of the United States was settled by Europeans many years ago. The land that they arrived on was rich in natural resources and had very beautiful scenery. The immigrants who arrived in the Northeast Region found a wonderful place to begin a new life. The Northeast represents strength and new beginnings. The Northeast Region

Land and Water in the Northeast The Northeast Region has many areas of incredible scenery and natural formations. The Chesapeake Bay and other bays in the region provide seafood for many people.

Land and Water in the Northeast Niagara Falls is found on the border of Canada and the United States between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Many 1,000’s of years ago, glaciers covered the area that is now known as the Northeast Region. When these glaciers melted, they carved out the Great Lakes and the Niagara Gorge. A gorge is a deep, narrow valley that is usually associated with a river or stream. At Niagara Falls, the Niagara River plunges into the Niagara Gorge creating Niagara Falls. The Niagara Falls are visited by millions of tourists each year.

Uses of Niagara Falls Niagara Falls generate a lot of money for the area in the form of tourism. People have found a way to use the power of the water to create electricity. The electricity produced by the power of water is called HydroElectricity. Niagara Falls is the largest producer of electricity in New York.

The Mountains of the Northeast The Appalachian Mountain Range is made of several other ranges. The Green Mountains The White Mountains The Catskill Mountains The Poconos Mountains The Adirondack Mountains The Appalachian Mountains are the oldest mountain range in North America. The mountain range begins in Canada and extends south to Alabama

The Coastline of the Northeast The coastline of the Northeast Region ranges from sandy beaches to rocky cliffs.

Resources of the Northeast The climate and geography of the Northeast Region make it excellent for growing grapes and cranberries. A lot of maple trees grow in the Northeast. The sap from these trees is harvested to make maple syrup. Minerals are an important resource to this area. Minerals such as granite and marble are minerals that are mined here. Chesapeake Bay got its name from the Native American word for “Great Shell Fish Bay”. It is very rich in fish and shellfish allowing the fishermen to make a living.

The Land of New Beginnings Many important things in our nations history occurred in the Northeast Region. One of the 1 st English colonies in North America began at Plymouth, Massachusetts. Nine of the thirteen original American Colonies were based in the Northeast The first shots of the American Revolution were fired in Lexington, Massachusetts. Colonial leaders met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to write and sign the Declaration of Independence which was dated July 4, The writing of the Constitution of the United States The start of many new lives as immigrants arrived in the United States The start of the Abolitionist Movement The start of the Women’s Rights Movement

A Land of Promise During the 1800s and early 1900s, huge numbers of people immigrated to the United States from different parts of Europe. Today immigrants continue to arrive in the U.S. form all parts of the world. People came to the U.S. looking for jobs, to own land, or to escape war or other hardships of their home land. All were hoping to find a better life.

Ellis Island Most European immigrants came into the U.S. through the port of New York. The U.S. opened an immigration station on Ellis Island in New York Harbor. Inspectors checked the immigrants’ papers and health. The Ellis Island station was closed in 1954.

Places of Interest in the Northeast The Statue of Liberty was given as a gift to the United States from France in The Boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey is 60 feet wide and runs along the Atlantic Coast for 6.5 miles. There are many different hotels, shops, restaurants, and theaters in this area. Niagara Falls

Today Because trade was important, businesses and cities grew near places where transportation by water was easy. Northeastern cities have many important historical places to visit. The cities of the Northeast have become major centers of business that are important to the region’s economy.

Think About It! What do you think might happen to New York’s power supply if the Niagara River were to dry up? How does the availability of fish and shellfish affect many of the families of the bay area? How many of the original thirteen colonies were located in the Northeast?