United States & Canada

1. Major Regions of the U.S. and Canada

A. Canada’s Major Regions

1. Atlantic Provinces

2. Core Provinces

3. Prairie Provinces

4. Pacific Provinces & Territories

5. Northern Territories

B. U.S. Major Regions

1. Northeast

2. Midwest

3. South

4. West

2. Major Cities

A. U.S. Major Cities

• Washington, D.C.

• Chicago

• New York City

• Los Angeles

• Houston

B. Canada’s Major Cities

• Toronto

• Montreal

• Ottawa

• Quebec City

• Vancouver

3. Physical Geography

A. Major Rivers

• Mississippi River (USA)

• Colorado River (USA)

• Rio Grande River (USA)

• MacKenzie River (Canada)

• St. Lawrence River (U.S./Canada)

B. Other Water Features

• Great Lakes

• Hudson Bay

• Niagara Falls

• Gulf of Mexico

• Atlantic, Pacific, Arctic Oceans

C. Landforms

• Appalachian Mountains – Old, eroded mountains from Canada to Alabama (~1,500 miles).

• Rocky Mountains – Young, peaked mountains stretching from Canada to New Mexico (~3,000 miles).

• Great Plains – Large, flat land across central North America.

• Pacific Coastal Ranges – Along the West Coast.

• Canadian Shield – Rocky, mineral-rich region in Canada.

• Basin and Range – A mix of basins, plateaus, and mountains in the southwestern U.S.

D. Climate Regions

• Tundra (Alaska) to Tropical (Hawaii).

• Rain Shadow Effect – Dry areas on the leeward side of mountains, seen in the Rockies.

E. Continental Divide

• Separates North America’s river drainage systems.

4. Natural Disasters

• Earthquakes – Common in California.

• Tornadoes – Frequent in the central U.S. (Tornado Alley).

• Hurricanes – Affect the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.

5. Functions of Cities & Towns

• Security & Defense

• Religious & Trade Centers

• Manufacturing & Service Hubs

• Government Administration

A. Important Site & Situation Factors

• Harbor sites: New York City

• Fall line sites: Richmond, VA

• Confluence sites: Pittsburgh, PA

• Narrow river sites: Québec City

• Supply stations: Hawaii

6. Urban Growth & Its Challenges

A. Positive Effects of Cities

• Transportation & communication hubs

• Economic growth & job opportunities

• Cultural diversity & artistic innovation

• Higher education & corporate centers

B. Problems of Urban Growth

• Traffic congestion

• Income inequality (rich vs. poor areas)

• Environmental issues (pollution, urban sprawl)

• Strain on infrastructure (housing, schools, healthcare)

7. Cultural Characteristics

• European Colonization (English, French, Spanish).

• Multiculturalism – Immigration led to diverse societies.

• Urbanization – Most people live in cities.

• Bilingual Canada – English & French (Quebec = French-speaking).

• Cultural Regions:

  • Great Plains/Wheat Belt – Major agricultural area.

  • Sun Belt – Warm climate, fast-growing economy.

  • Rust Belt – Once an industrial center, now declining.

8. Economic & Political Characteristics

A. Economic Indicators

• Developed Economies – High GDP, education, and infrastructure.

• Major Exports – Food, technology, natural resources.

• Multinational Corporations – Apple, Coca-Cola, FedEx, Nintendo.

B. Trade & Globalization

• Former NAFTA Members (Now USMCA) – U.S., Canada, Mexico.

• Comparative Advantage – Producing goods efficiently at a lower cost.

• Global Influence – U.S. culture spreads through media & brands (McDonald's, Hollywood).

9. Political Divisions & Cooperation

A. Reasons for Political Divisions

• Desire for local government

• Economic differences

• Cultural & linguistic differences

B. Reasons for Cooperation

• Disaster relief

• Economic partnerships

• Cultural & environmental collaborations

C. Major Political Organizations

10. Study Tips

Know the major regions, cities, and physical features.
Understand economic differences between developed & developing nations.
Be familiar with key trade agreements and political alliances.
Review environmental challenges (pollution, resource depletion).
Use case studies (e.g., Rust Belt decline, NAFTA trade impact).