North America Geography Notes (Bullet-Point Summary)

Countries in North America

This transcript lists key political divisions (countries and Canadian provinces/territories) alongside major cities/capitals and significant physical geography features of North America.
Capitals/Cities section includes national capitals or major metropolitan centers across the region: Ottawa (Canada), Washington, D.C. (United States), and Mexico City is represented as Mexico, D.F. (Distrito Federal).
Geography section highlights major water bodies (oceans, bays, seas, and rivers), mountain ranges, and peninsulas that influence climate, settlement, trade, and transport.
Major inland waterways and lakes (e.g., Mississippi River, Great Lakes) are critical for commerce and regional development.
Mountain ranges (Appalachian and Rocky Mountains) have shaped settlement patterns, transportation routes, and ecological zones.
Peninsulas (Baja California, Yucatán) and bays/straits (Gulf of Mexico, Straits of Florida, Baffin Bay) define maritime boundaries and influence economic activity such as shipping, fishing, and tourism.
The list reflects a blend of political geography (countries and Canadian subdivisions) and physical geography (bodies of water, mountains, peninsulas) typical of introductory North American geography units.

Political vs. physical geography: separation of political entities (countries, provinces) from natural features (oceans, rivers, mountains).
Spatial organization: distribution of major cities near bodies of water and fertile regions; rivers and lakes facilitating trade and settlement.
Regional integration: proximity of countries and shared water systems (Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic/Pacific access) enabling cross-border commerce.
Real-world relevance: understanding these features aids in topics like climate zones, natural resources, transportation planning, and environmental considerations.