Scanned Document 11-03-25 at 4.47.46 pm

Overview

• Focus on Geographical Enquiry and Critical Thinking regarding the geographical features of the USA.

Representation of the American Flag

• The American flag symbolizes the USA.

• Washington, D.C. is the capital city.

• Recommended to locate the capital on a globe or map.

Geographical Area of the USA

• The USA is often ranked as larger than China in total area due to inclusion of coastal and territorial waters.

• Confusion persists about size ranking due to China's coastal and territorial waters being unspecified.

• Investigate the extent of areas excluded from China's total geographical area calculations.

Geographic Position

• The USA is the fourth largest country globally.

• It spans a significant portion of North America, located between Canada and Mexico.

  • North: land boundary with Canada (St Lawrence Seaway & Great Lakes).

  • South: land boundary and Rio Grande with Mexico.

• Combined, North America and South America are called the New World, only discovered about 500 years ago.

Extent of USA

• Longitudinal range: 67°W to 124°W.

• Latitudinal range: 25°N to 48°N (includes Alaska and Hawaii).

• The USA's coastline is highly indented, facilitating many natural harbors.

Physical Geography

Key Physical Features

• The physical features of the USA can be divided into:

  • Western Highlands

  • Eastern Highlands (Appalachians)

  • Central Lowlands

  • Eastern Coastal Plain (Atlantic Coastal Plain)

Western Highlands

• Consist of young fold mountains like the Rockies, Himalayas, and Andes.

• Characterized by parallel mountain ranges enclosing vast plateaus and basins.

• Cover almost half of the total area of the USA.

• Snow-covered mountains are included in this region.

• The Rocky Mountains are the most rugged and highest.

• Includes plateaus like Columbia and Colorado, featuring deep gorges, notably the Grand Canyon.

Mountain Ranges

Major Ranges and Elevations

Central Lowlands

• Located between the Appalachian Highlands and Western Highlands.

• Features gradual slopes and rich alluvial soil for agriculture, primarily prairies.

• Major rivers include Mississippi and tributaries like Missouri and Ohio.

• Includes several areas categorized as Gulf Plain and Atlantic Coastal Plain.

Major Rivers and Trade

• The Mississippi River system is crucial for draining the Central Lowlands and Gulf Plain into the Gulf of Mexico.

• Various tributaries flow into the Mississippi from New England and the Rockies and Appalachians.

• Great Lakes: Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, Ontario—the USA shares these with Canada, constituting one-fifth of the world’s freshwater.

• Discussed the St Lawrence Seaway, enhancing trade routes.

Deserts in the USA

• The USA hosts four major deserts:

  • Great Basin: A cold temperate desert at a high altitude.

  • Mojave Desert: Subtropical desert located in south-eastern California.

  • Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts: Cover parts of southern California and western Arizona.

Climate Diversity

• The climate varies widely across the USA due to geographic and topographic factors:

  • Alaskan Polar: Cold and dry with tundra vegetation.

  • Temperate Zones: Ranges from sub-tropical in Florida to cold polar zones in Alaska.

  • Mountain Climate: Orogenic uplift influences weather patterns significantly.

Summary of Ecological Features

• Wildlife: Rich biodiversity exists due to varied climates and habitats. Specific regions exhibit characteristic animal and plant life:

  • Tundra: Caribou, Arctic hare, and polar bears.

  • Temperate forests: Elk, moose, deer.

  • Deserts: Cacti, unique adapted plants.

• Endangered Species Act of 1973 aimed to protect certain wildlife and their habitats.

• A network of national parks is established to conserve biodiversity and promote tourism.