 The U.S. is the 3 rd largest country in the world behind Russia and Canada.  All but 2 states make up the main part of the country.  Alaska and Hawaii

 East coast ◦ Atlantic Coastal Plain- low area, which is flat and close to sea level. ◦ When you head west the land rises to the region called the Piedmont  Appalachian Mountains ◦ Mountains in the East ◦ Very very old ◦ Highest mountain is 6,700 ft

 West of the Appalachians  Filled with hills, lakes, and rivers  Great Lakes- largest group of freshwater lakes in the world. Important trade route to Canada.  Mississippi River-west of the great lakes. America’s longest and most important river. ◦ Missouri and Ohio rivers are huge tributaries.

 Rocky Mountains  Continental Divide- divides the flow of rivers in the US.  Cascade Range  Sierra Nevada  Mount St. Helens- active volcano.  Mount McKinley in Alaska is the highest mountain in North America. 20,320 ft

 The US has a greater variety of climates than any other country.  East and South ◦ 3 different zones(humid continental, humid subtropical, tropical savanna  Interior Plains ◦ Humid continental  West ◦ Dry ◦ Northwest coast- mild coastal climate. ◦ Alaska- subarctic and tundra. ◦ Hawaii- tropical

 US has lots of natural resources.  Fertile soil in the interior plains  Oil (Alaska, California, Louisianna) we import over ½ the oil we need  Coal- makesmore than ½ of electricity in the us. 25% of the world’s coal is in the US  Forests  Farmland

 Native Americans lived in the United States long before Christopher Columbus sailed here in  Europeans began settling North America and setting up colonies in the 1500s.  By the mid 1700s there where 13 colonies.

 New York and Boston became major seaports.  Many people lived on Plantations. ◦ Tobacco, rice, and cotton were produced ◦ Thousands of African slaves were brought and forced to work.

 The American fought and defeated the British in the Revolutionary War. ( The Battle of Yorktown) ◦  July 1776 the colonies signed the “Declaration of Independence” ◦ Stated that “all men are created equal” and have the right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”  Not everyone was considered equal  The United States was granted independence and all land east of the Mississippi River. “But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”

 Moved west for Land and Resources. ◦ 1840s the discovery of gold in California.

 The US became a major producer of steel, oil, and cloth products.  The US economy became very strong and attracted many immigrants to the States.

 7 out of 10 Americans are descended from European immigrants.  The US is home to many cultures and ethnic groups.  Some include: ◦ Native Americans- western US ◦ African Americans- southern states ◦ Hispanic Americans- southwestern US (states that border Mexico) ◦ Asian Americans- California

 2 major Wars (World War I & World War II)  Cold War (with Russia) ◦ Lasted Until 1992  1950s Korean War  1960s & 70s Vietnam War  Early 90s Persian Gulf War  War on Iraq (War on Terrorist)

 Democracy  Based on the Constitution.  President & Congress  Most of the government is in the hands of the state and local governments.