1. REGIONS IN NORTH AMERICA

2. A region is an area in which natural or human features are similar
A region is an area in which natural or human features are similar. Landforms, such as mountains or plains, are a natural feature. Landforms and climate are often related. For example, because mountains rise high above sea level, they have a cool climate.
Economic activity is a human feature. For example, an area where many people make their living by farming is an economic region.
Other human features are population and culture. For example, the region of Northeastern Ohio is home to many African Americans. Many of their families moved from the South during the Great Migration of the twentieth century. They share a common background and culture.

3. Plains and Plateaus
The Great Plains cover the middle of the
United States and Canada. This flat region
is called as “the Breadbasket.” Wheat, corn,
and other grain crops are grown there.
In the center of Mexico is a similar region
known as the Central Plateau where many
crops are grown in the rich soil.
Coastal Plains
The eastern part of Canada has low hills
and coastal plains. These coastal plains
run along the Atlantic coast in the United
States. Coastal plains surround the Gulf
of Mexico. They run along the Yucatan
Peninsula in eastern Mexico. A thin coastal
plain borders the Pacific Ocean in the
United States and Mexico.

4. GREAT PLAINS
Atlantic Coastal Plain

5. Mountains
The Great Plains lie to the east of the Rocky Mountains. The Rocky Mountains run from the north through Canada and the United States south into Mexico.
In Mexico, the Rockies split to form the Sierra Madre ranges. These ranges surround the Central Plateau where most of the population lives.
The west coast of Canada is dominated by the Coast Mountains. They rise abruptly from the sea. Nearby is Mount Logan, the second-highest mountain on the North
American continent.

6. Sierra Madre Mountains
Rocky Mountains
Sierra Madre Mountains
Western Mountains in Canada

8. Climate
The climate of a region is described by two
factors—precipitation and temperature.
The Great Plains has extremes of hot and
cold and a wide range of rainfall. The
Central Plateau of Mexico has a milder
climate, but rainfall also varies.
Precipitation
Why does rainfall vary so much across the
Great Plains and Central Plateau? Areas just to the east of a mountain range tend to be very dry. This is because of the effect
mountains have on precipitation.
When warm air hits the mountains, it rises and cools. A great deal of rain and snow falls in the mountains. Therefore, the plains that lie just to the east of the Rocky Mountains are very dry. The areas that lie just to the east of the Sierra Madres are also very dry.

9. CLIMATE MAP OF NORTH AMERICA

10. United States Precipitation Map

11. Temperature
Temperature also varies along the coastal
plains. The rays of the sun hit directly on
Earth’s middle section. The sun’s rays that
reach the areas of Earth closer to the North
and South Poles hit at an angle. This is why
areas near the equator tend to be warmer
than areas nearer the poles.
Temperature also depends on elevation,
or how high above sea level you are. For
example, along the coast of the Baja
Peninsula of Mexico the weather is usually
very warm. The winters can be severe in
Mexico’s mountainous areas. Temperatures
can plunge below freezing.
Ocean currents also affect temperature.
Does all of Canada have a cold climate? No,
some regions are mild. For example, parts of
the Pacific region in Canada are warmed by
ocean currents. 15

12. Resources Affect People
Natural resources in an area affect how
people live and work. A natural resource is
something found in nature that is useful to
people. There are five main types of natural
resources—minerals, fossil fuels, soil and
water, vegetation, and fish and wildlife.
Some natural resources are nonrenewable.
Once they are used up, they cannot be easily
replaced. Iron and copper are two
nonrenewable resources found in North
America. These two minerals are used in
buildings, automobiles, and many other
products. Fossil fuels are burned to produce
energy. Natural gas and oil heat our homes.
Coal is burned to produce electricity. When
these run out, they cannot be easily replaced.

14. Water is a very important natural
resource. Clean drinking water is essential
to our health. Soil is another important
resource. All plants need fertile soil to grow.
For example, the Ohio River Valley is a
region with rich soil and good water. The
Ohio River Valley includes the area around
all the streams and smaller rivers that flow
into the Ohio River.
The vegetation in an area can also define
a region. For example, in forest regions,
deciduous trees and evergreens grow. In the Canadian tundra, only small plants grow. The tundra is a region that is bitterly cold much of the time. In desert regions, cactus thrive because they are able to store water during long dry periods.
Canadian Tundra

15. Economic Regions A region’s economy often depends on the
natural resources available in the area. For
example, in the Pacific Northwest, many
people work in forestry. They harvest trees
to produce lumber for homes and to make
paper products.
Along the ocean coasts of North
America, fishing is a major occupation.
Farming is a major occupation in the
Great Plains. Economic regions can cross
the borders of states and countries.
Large reserves of oil and natural gas are
found in North America. Minerals, such as
gold and silver, are found there, too.
Rich farmlands in the Great Plains
produce large amounts of grain such as
wheat. These crops are shipped worldwide.
Ranching is also important in the prairies
of North America.

16. In southern North America, Mexico has
many natural resources. It is one of the
largest producers of oil in the world. This
industry employs many people. It has rich
soil, which is perfect for farming. Mexico
also has large ranches where horses and
livestock are raised.
The waters surrounding Mexico are
teeming with fish. Fishermen catch large
quantities of tuna and other fish. Mexicans
also make their living in manufacturing.
Large factories produce cars, chemicals,
clothing, and cement.
Another major industry is tourism.
People come from many countries to enjoy
Mexico’s beautiful beaches, fishing, and
historic areas.

17. Culture is the customs, languages, and
Cultural Regions
Culture is the customs, languages, and
beliefs people share. Religion, food, and music are also part of culture. Cultural regions can cross the borders of a state or country.
One cultural region in North America is
called Anglo-America. Here, English is the most common language. Another cultural region is called Latin America. Most people speak Spanish in Latin America.
French
English
Spanish

18. The Spanish arrived in Mexico in the
Language # of Speakers
Nahuatl ,376,076
Yucatec Maya ,000
Mixtec ,216
Zapotec ,901
Tzeltal Maya ,030
The Spanish arrived in Mexico in the
1500s. They brought their culture with them. Today, most Mexicans still speak Spanish. They practice many Spanish customs.
Some native culture does remain, however. For example, 120,000 Purepecha-Tarascan Indians live in one of the Sierra Madre mountain ranges. They speak their own language. Also living in these mountains are the Huichol Indians. They are known for colorful paintings and handmade beads. Other native Mexicans blend their own ancient cultures with modern ways.

19. Canada has several different cultural
groups. Many French speakers live in the province of Quebec. Some wanted to have a separate country. A vote was held, and the people of Quebec chose not to separate.
The Inuit people are native to northern
Canada. They also wanted to preserve and promote their culture. On April 1, 1999 Nunavut became a separate Canadian territory. Two native languages, French, and English are spoken there.

20. The landforms, climate, and resources of a region affect the way people live on the land. Why are cities often built near rivers and oceans? If you live near rivers and the ocean, you can easily ship your goods.
Why is there so much farming on the
Great Plains and Central Plateau of Mexico? It is because the climate, soil, and available water are right for successful farming.
Why is the mining industry so important
in Minnesota and Canada? It is because the natural resources are located there.

21. As we use the land, we are provided with benefits
As we use the land, we are provided with benefits. However, we can also create problems. For example, fertilizers and irrigation help the land produce more food. But misuse of chemicals and overuse of water resources can spoil the land.
The Saint Lawrence Seaway project is
another example. The Saint Lawrence River was changed in the 1950s. Canals were built and a large lake was created so that large vessels could travel from the Atlantic Ocean all the way through the Great Lakes to Lake Superior.

22. Both Canada and the United States
benefitted. For example, natural resources
mined in Quebec and Minnesota could be
shipped to the Atlantic more easily.
However, some people lost their land
when the new lake was formed. Ships
carried animals that never had lived in the
Great Lakes before. Invasive species such as the sea lamprey from the Atlantic Ocean
have damaged the native wildlife. The zebra mussel is another invasive species causing problems. It came all the way from the Caspian Sea in Russia.
As humans interact they also change
their physical environment. People shape
the land and the land shapes the people.