1. Introducing The United States Social Science McFarland

2. Physical Geography of the United States Landforms

3. Coastal Plains The Coastal Plains extend from New York to the border with Mexico along the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. The Coastal Plains extend from New York to the border with Mexico along the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.

5. Piedmont The Piedmont is a rolling plateau region, inland from the Coastal Plain that begins in New Jersey and stretches to Alabama. The Piedmont is a rolling plateau region, inland from the Coastal Plain that begins in New Jersey and stretches to Alabama.

7. Appalachian Mountains The Appalachian Mountains extend from Maine to Alabama, The Appalachian Mountains extend from Maine to Alabama,

9. Interior Plains The Interior Plains are located between the Appalachian Mountains and the Rocky Mountains and extend from Canada to Mexico. The Interior Plains are located between the Appalachian Mountains and the Rocky Mountains and extend from Canada to Mexico.

11. Rocky Mountains The Rocky Mountains extend from Canada to New Mexico and from the Great Plains westward to the Intermountain Region. The Rocky Mountains extend from Canada to New Mexico and from the Great Plains westward to the Intermountain Region.

13. Intermountain Region The Intermountain Region is between the Rocky Mountains on the east and the Cascade and Sierra Nevada ranges on the west. The Intermountain Region is between the Rocky Mountains on the east and the Cascade and Sierra Nevada ranges on the west.

15. Pacific Coast Region The Pacific Coast Region is characterized by two major mountain ranges and a series of valleys between the mountains. The Pacific Coast Region is characterized by two major mountain ranges and a series of valleys between the mountains. The Sierra Nevada and Cascade ranges are on the eastern side.The Sierra Nevada and Cascade ranges are on the eastern side. Alaska and Hawaii are the two westernmost states.Alaska and Hawaii are the two westernmost states. Part of the Pacific “Ring of Fire” with active volcanoes and earthquake faults.Part of the Pacific “Ring of Fire” with active volcanoes and earthquake faults.

17. Climate The United States has 11 climate types, the greatest variety of any nation in the world. The United States has 11 climate types, the greatest variety of any nation in the world.

19. Human Geography of the United States

20. Early Settlements Native Americans were the first inhabitants of North America. Native Americans were the first inhabitants of North America. The Vikings were the first Europeans to arrive (1100A.D.). The Vikings were the first Europeans to arrive (1100A.D.). The Spanish arrived about 500 years ago. The Spanish arrived about 500 years ago. The French made claims to the interior of North America. The French made claims to the interior of North America.

21. Early Settlements (Cont.) The British became a major influence in the nation’s early history establishing the 13 colonies. The British became a major influence in the nation’s early history establishing the 13 colonies. Millions of Africans were brought to the U.S. and sold as slaves. Millions of Africans were brought to the U.S. and sold as slaves. After independence, many immigrants came from Europe. After independence, many immigrants came from Europe. By the mid-1800’s, the U.S. stretched from the Atlantic to the Pacific. By the mid-1800’s, the U.S. stretched from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

22. Population Diversity The U.S. ranks 3 rd in world population, but comprises less than 5 percent of the world’s population. The U.S. ranks 3 rd in world population, but comprises less than 5 percent of the world’s population. The U.S. is predominantly Christian in religion. The U.S. is predominantly Christian in religion.

23. Population Diversity (Cont.) European American – 75% European American – 75% African American – 12% African American – 12% Hispanic (Latino) – 9% Hispanic (Latino) – 9% Asian – 3% Asian – 3% Native American – 1% Native American – 1%

24. Population Distribution Today, most of the population is along the East Coast and in California. Today, most of the population is along the East Coast and in California. As the nation developed into a technological society, many people have moved to the Sunbelt states (California, Texas, Florida, Arizona). As the nation developed into a technological society, many people have moved to the Sunbelt states (California, Texas, Florida, Arizona). The U.S. is highly urbanized. The U.S. is highly urbanized.