Geography of the Americas

1
Geography of the Americas
Geography of the Americas
2
Section 3
Landscape of the Americas
3

• Identifying Physical Regions
• The physical characteristics of a places are
  known as landforms
• Central America is an isthmus it connects two
  larger land masses with a narrow strip of land.

4

• Landforms
• Topography physical features of the earths
  surface
• Elevation height of land above sea
• Relief overall differences in height

5
(No Transcript)
6

• Mountains and Hills
• Rocky Mountains Alaska to Mexico
• Andes Mountains
• South America
• Highest point in Western Hemisphere Mount
  Aconcagua (22,834 ft.)
• Was home of the Inca
• Foothills
• At base of mountain
• Good for farming. why?

7

• Plains and Plateaus
• Plains broad areas of land usually close to sea
  level
• Plateaus high, flat landforms, sometimes
  several thousand feet high
• Mesas small, steep-sided plateaus

8

• Bodies of Water
• 70 of the earth is covered in water

• Oceans and Seas
• Oceans Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, and Arctic
• Seas smaller and usually landlocked
• Affect migration, weather, climates, and living
  conditions. How?

Interesting Fact If all the world's water were
fit into a gallon jug, the fresh water available
for us to use would equal only about one
tablespoon.
9

• Lakes and Rivers
• Supply freshwater, energy, and transportation
  routes
• Tributaries smaller rivers and streams that
  branch from a river
• Great Lakes
• Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior,
  Champlain
• March 7, 1998 Champlain becomes a Great Lake

10

• Assignment Complete the Region Worksheet