Physical Geography of the U.S.

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Physical Geography of the U.S. Canada

• Chapter 5 Section 1

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• - U.S. Canada cover 7 million sq. miles
• - 12 of Earth

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Western Features

• Pacific Ranges
• Formed by colliding plates (Pacific N.A.)
• Sierra Nevada, Cascade Range, Alaska Range, and
  Coast Mountains (in Canada)

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Mt. McKinley (Alaska Range) tallest peak in
N.A. at 20,320 feet
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Western Features

• Great California Valley
• alluvial valley
• out produces any other region in fruit
  vegetable production

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In Between Landforms

• Dry basins and plateaus fill area between Pacific
  Ranges and Rockies Why?
• rain shadow effect from Pacific Ranges

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In Between Landforms

• Great Basin Region area of low land surrounded
  by mts.
• Great Basin, Mojave, Sonoran, Chihuahuan
  Deserts

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In Between Landforms

• Death Valley
• hottest lowest (282 ft. below sea level) place
• in N. Am.
• dancing rocks phenomenon

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In Between Landforms

• Columbia Plateau-
• Created by lava seeping thru cracks
• Flood basalt
• Eventually part of crust sank into space left by
  lava

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In Between Landforms

• Colorado Plateau-
• Created by tectonics and erosion (Colo. River)
• Grand Canyon _at_ southern end
• Walls as steep as 6,000 ft

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Hoover Dam

• Built on Colorado River b/w Arizona and Nevada
  (1931-1935)
• What is purpose of building dam?
• to provide irrigation, flood control, and
  hydroelectric-power