1. Intro to the United States and Canada

2. Historical Overview Thousands of years ago, people (Native Americans) migrated to North America from Asia. In the 1500s, Europeans and Africans had begun to arrive.

3. Colonial Heritage Spanish settled in Florida, Texas and the present-day southwestern United States. French founded the colony of Quebec. English settlers established 13 colonies on the Atlantic Coast.

4. Growth Canada and US -> Westward Expansion. – 1803, as far West as the Rocky Mountains. – 1845, Texas annexed causing a war with Mexico. – California and Southwest area ceded to USA. – 1840s, acquired Oregon Territory from British.

5. Conflict 1860s, Civil War. – Regional differences and disagreements over slavery caused war. – North won, Reconstruction Era began period of recovery.

6. New Technology Industrial Revolution – Introduced power driven machinery. – Large amount of good produced. – Jobs – Urbanization – Railroads and steamships – More farming = more crops

7. REVOLUTION : the usually violent attempt by many people to end the rule of one government and start a new one : a sudden, extreme, or complete change in the way people live, work, etc. : the action of moving around something in a path that is similar to a circle

8. U.S. and Canada’s Global Powers 1900s, US and Canada assumed leading roles in the world. Allies in both World Wars. Continued opposition to oppression in various parts of the world. Economies remain vibrant, abundant resources and technology.

9. US and Canada Physical Characteristics Share a number of physical features. – High mountain chains in the west. – Plains in the central area. – Lower mountains in the East. Rocky Mountains form the continental divide. – Separates rivers flowing toward opposite sides of a continent. – Separates drainage basins and tributaries.

11. Great Lakes Five (5) Great Lakes border Canada and US. – Formed by Glaciers more than 10,000 years ago. – Glaciated areas are characterized by striations.

12. Valleys and Canyons Erosion shapes landforms across the continent. – Appalachian Mountains worn down by rain, ice and wind.

13. Climates of US and Canada Latitude, elevation and distance from oceans affect climates in the US and Canada. – Canada lies farther north = Colder Climate. – Both nations have climate differences from E to W. – Eastern slopes of Rockies and plains lie in a rain shadow.

14. Ecosystems Variety in US and Canada. – Arctic Tundra – Several types of forests. – Grasslands – Desert Scrub. ** People have changed environment dramatically in most places, limiting range of native plant and animal life.

15. People and Culture of US and Canada Population numbers differ greatly. – US has 275 million people. – Canada has 31 million people. People are very similar. – 3/4s of people in both countries live in urban areas. – Both nations have long life expectancies. – Extensive education systems contribute to high rates of literacy.

16. New York from West New York

17. Economies, Technology and Environment Both share a wide variety of resources and economic activities. High standard of living. Advanced Tech. Need of electricity Recycling

18. Database: Comparing Energy resources Easy access to Energy Two of the world’s largest energy consumers and producers. Fossil fuels are the primary sources of energy in the United States. – Also use Hydroelectricity, solar power and wind power. – Nuclear energy produces 18 percent of energy in the US. – 25% of all known coal in the world is found in the US.