2. Arctic Climate and Environment Temperatures are below freezing for eight or nine months of the year There is almost NO rainfall The ground stays frozen all year There are very few trees, and almost no plants

4. Pacific Northwest Climate and Environment Wet, cool climate ~ Winters are cold, summers are mild. LOTS of plants and trees ~ Some of the largest trees in the U.S. grow here.

6. Columbia Plateau Environment and Climate The Columbia Plateau is a flat area BETWEEN two mountain ranges. Hot summers / cold winters. Snow in the winter. Not a lot of rainfall (much drier than near the coast). Some areas are very dry and desert like.

8. Great Plains Climate and Environment Hot summers and cold winters. Extreme weather like blizzards, floods, and tornadoes are common. Not a lot of rain. Prairie grasses and shrubs, but few trees or forests. Mostly flat with rolling hills.

10. Desert Southwest Climate and Environment Low, flat deserts and high plateaus Very hot and dry ~ little rainfall Small animals, few plants and trees

12. Everglades ~ Southeastern Climate and Environment Hot and humid summers ~ tropical Winters are very short and mild (no snow) Lots of rain ~ swamp / wetland environment