CST: Human-Environment Interaction

physical geography and climate of North America

• mountain ranges in east and west

• fertile soil in the middle

• lake and waterways

• shaped by glaciers

• experiences continental climate (four seasons), tropical climate, and arctic climate

physical geography and climate of South America

• high mountains

• wide plains

• high-altitude plateaus

• unused natural resources due to political, geographic, and economic issues

• mainly tropical climate, with some vertical climates

physical geography and climate of Europe

• mountain ranges in the east and south

• plains in the north

• moderate climate in the wester

• Mediterranean climat in the south

• natural resources and waterways

physical geography and climate of Russia

• wide variety of climate regions like plains, plateaus, mountains, tundras, taigas, and steppes

• harsh climate with frozen rivers and permafrost

physical geography and climate of North Africa, Southwest/Central Asia

• earthwquakes are common

• oil

• pattern of drought and fertility

• arid environment has led to man-made irrigation systems

physical geography and climate of southern Africa

• plateaus, mountain ranges, rift valleys

• lakes, rivers, and waterfalls

• tropical climate

• minerals, gems, and water

physical geography and climate of south Asia

• longest alluvial plain

  • caused by shifting flood plains of major rivers over time

• three major river systems

  • Ganges, Indus, Brahmaputra

• minerals such as iron ore

• mountains, plains, plateaus, islands

• tropical, highlands, desert climates

• monsoon winds that cause a long, rainy season

geography and climate of east Asia

• ocean used for sustenence

• plentiful mineral resources but not evenly distributed

• long coastlines with sparse farmlands

• ocean currents cause milder climates on coasts

• monsons provide rainfall

• typhoons, earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis

geography and climate of southeast Asia

• largely on the equator

• mainly island nations

• Ring of Fire

  • mountains where the tectonic plates are extremely active, leading to a lot of volcanic activity, earthquakes, and tsunamis

• rivers and abundant natural resources like gems, fossil fuels, and minerals

• wet (monsoons) and dry seasons

• tropical rainforest climates

geography and climate of Australia, Oceania,and Antarctica

• Australia

  • deserts, mountains, and lowlands

  • economy driven by agriculture and minerals

• Oceania

  • over 10,000 islands

  • tropical climate with wet and dry seasons

• New Zealand

  • rich forests, mountains, moderate temperatures

• Antarctica

  • covered in ice

  • supports some wildlife such as penguins, but is mainly used for scientific information