World Geography - Unit 1

Rocky Mountains

• Goes from New Mexico to British Colombia in Canada

• Young mountain range = big mountains

• It affects the climate in the United States by redirecting the jet streams that go through the atmosphere

• Slowed western expansion in the USA (people don’t cross)

• Number 1 influence in settlement patterns in the west

What is the relationship between the Mississippi river system and the population?

It caused the population to grow in the interior of the usa

How does the Canadian shield effect settlement in the northeast?

The rocky ground is bad for farming which keeps people from settling west and the rough terrain inhibits dense population

Interior of North America

• Dominated by a continental climate (hot summers & cold winters)

• Has 4 distinct seasons

Appalachian Mountains

• On east coast, goes from Georgia to Maine

• Oldest mountains in the world (smaller than the Rockies)

• Affected the expansion of colonists to the west

• Slows western migration due to high elevation and high ridges

What does the Mississippi river system provide?

• Gives resources to the U.S.

• Allowed people to travel north and south

• Linked farm regions to global trade

• Fertile river valleys

• Makes up the border of 8-12 states

Andes Mountains

• Located on the west coast of south America (Chile & Peru)

• Longest mountain range in the world

• Has resources and provides fresh water for millions of people (rare ecosystem)

• Was home to the Incas

Amazon Basin

A lot of jungle and very few people (Amazon rain forest)

Atacama Desert

• Located in the southern part of south america

• Driest place on earth

• Lots of mineral resources

• Dry because of the rain shadow effect

The Pampas

• Area in Argentina where cattle is the primary business

• Supply beef cattle which is the most valuable export commodity

• “breadbasket” of south america

How do the Andes influence settlement?

There is rough terrain which means no urban development

Amazon Basin climate

• Tropical climate

• Lungs of the world

• The trees in the rain forest give about 20 million tons of water into the atmosphere everyday

Rain Shadow

The Andes create a rain shadow which creates the Atacama Desert which is why it is so dry

The Alps

• Gives Europe drinking water, irrigation, and hydroelectric power

• Covers northern Italy, Austria, and Switzerland

• Primary mountain range in Europe

• Natural barrier that limits the spread of population

Ural Mountains

• Mountain range that separates Europe and Asia and European Russia and Asian Russia

• Europe-east, Asia-west

• Key mountains

• European Russia and Siberia

Pyrenees Mountains

• Separates Spain and France

• Provides a natural defense and plays a big part in history

• Limits movement between the two countries

How do mountain ranges affect settlement patterns?

Creates physical barriers that isolate communities and restrict movement

The Sahel

• Semi desert area south of the Sahara

• Supports settlement

• Faces semi dry conditions

• Between desert and rain forest

Nile River Valley

• Longest river in the world

• Egypt

• Fertile soil;water

• Goes to Mediterranean sea

• Yearly flooding = great soil for growing crops

Himalayan Mountains

Impact the settlement in south and southeast Asia in a big way (physical barrier)

The Ganges, Indus, Hung He, & Yangtze Rivers support what?

Dense population in Asia

Australia & New Zealand are also known as what?

“Oceania”

Danube River

• Second largest river in Europe

• Dumps into the black sea

• Creates a lot of European borders

• Goes through major European capitals

• Lots of agricultural and urban development

• Supports trade and settlement

Atlantic coastal plains

Lots of natural resources = people settle there

Canada settlement

People choose not to live in the north because of harsh, cold climate

Central America

• Dense rain forest and poor soil = bad farming

• Between Mexico and South America

• Mainly tropical climate

• Panama goes through it

Sahara

Dominates all of North Africa and inhibits settlement due to its aridity

Rhine River

• Major river in Europe

• Supports trade and dense settlement

Kalahari Desert

• Desert in South Africa

• Its name means “the great thirst”