The Five regions of the USA.Naming the states and capitals by region

The United States of America

What is a Region?

• Regions are places that have similar characteristics that make them different from surrounding areas

How are the Regions Grouped?

• The regions of the United States are grouped by history, traditions, economy, climate, and geography.

• Each region is different from one another.  The states in the five regions are all in the same area of the United States.

Compass Rose• A compass rose helps us give a

name to the regions

What are the 5 Regions?

The United States is divided into five regions.  These regions are the:

• Northeast• Southeast •Midwest •Southwest •West 

• Let’s label, color and paste our region map of the United States of America to our notebook

The United States is a system that can be broken into 5 major parts or regions.

1. Northeast- Alicia Flores(1), Wendy (2), Andrea Pena (3), Paul B. (4)

2. Midwest- Jose Lucero (1), Clarissa Cortez(2), Daisy Torres(3), Jacky Garcia (4).

3. West-Ciara(1), Magaly (2), Miguel(3), Alexis(4)

4. Southwest-Emiliano(1), Romero (2), Carolina(3), Marian(4)

5. Southeast- Tomas (1,4), Hailey(2,4), Tori Hndz(3,4)

Let’s start with a blank map of the

North America.

• Student will pair up and fill in as many physical characteristics as they can on the map.• Include major rivers, mountains, plains,

vegetation, and climate characteristic

Coastal Plain- Located along the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico Broad lowlands providing many excellent harbors

Appalachian Highlands Located west of the Coastal Plain, extending from eastern Canada to western Alabama; includes the Piedmont Old, eroded mountains (oldest mountain range in North America)

Canadian Shield Wrapped around the Hudson Bay in a horseshoe shape Hills worn by erosion and hundreds of lakes carved by glaciers

Interior Lowlands Located west of the Appalachian Mountains and east of the Great Plains. Rolling flatlands with many rivers, broad river valleys, and grassy hills

Great Plains Located west of the Interior Lowlands and east of the Rocky Mountains Flat lands that gradually increase in elevation westward; grasslands

Rocky Mountains Located west of the Great Plains and east of the Basin and Range Rugged mountains stretching from Alaska almost to Mexico; high elevations Contains the Continental Divide, which determines the directional flow of rivers

Basin and Range Located west of the Rocky Mountains and east of the Sierra Nevadas and the Cascades. Varying elevations containing isolated mountain ranges and Death Valley, the lowest point in North America

Coastal Range Located along the Pacific Coast, stretching from California to Canada Rugged mountains and fertile valleys

Northeast Region

Northeastern States

• Connecticut http://www.state.ct.us/• Delaware http://www.delaware.gov• Maine http://janus.state.me.us• Maryland http://www.state.md.us/• Massachusetts http://www.state.ma.us/• New Hampshire http://www.state.nh.us• New Jersey http://www.state.nj.us/• New York http://www.state.ny.us/• Pennsylvania http://www.state.pa.us/• Rhode Island http://www.state.ri.us/• Vermont http://www.state.vt.us

2010, TESCCC

World Geography, Unit 3, Lesson 1

The Northeast

The Northeast can be subdivided into two smaller regions: 1) New England, and 2) Mid-Atlantic States.

©2009, TESCCC

Physical Geography of Northeast

• Northern Appalachian mountains run through most of the northeastern states, causing little farmland, except in valley areas.

• Coastal plain is narrow, with an area between the mountains and coast called the fall line.

• Deep bays exist, allowing for port towns.

• Jagged, rocky coastline in northern areas.

2008, TESCCC

World Geography, Unit 3, Lesson 1

Climate and Vegetation of Northeast: Humid Continental

No Dry Season- this area receives precipitation throughout the year.

Cold, snowy winters and hot summers. Moderate growing season that

decreases as you go north. Vegetation is mixed forests with

deciduous and coniferous trees.

©2009, TESCCC

Historical Geography of the Northeast

• The Northeast has the longest history of European settlement .

• Historically, the Northeast has been the gateway to immigrants.

• Established itself as the financial and manufacturing hub early in the industrial revolution.

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Population Geography of the Northeast

Population is concentrated in the Megalopolis that runs from Boston to Washington (AKA Boswash).

This is the most densely populated region in the United States.

©2009 TESCCC

Economic Geography of the Northeast

• The New England states have a long history of maritime industry, although forestry exists inland with little farming.

• The Mid-Atlantic states dominate the financial sector of the U.S., advertising, manufacturing.

• This region is the home to most major corporations in the United States.

©2009, TESCCC

Land Use in the Northeast

• Dairy Farming (think Vermont…) • Farming• Timber• Maritime Activity• Some mining

• Note: As you go north, the growing season shortens, which limits farming. In part of the Northeast, timber is a primary economic activity.

©2010, TESCCC

Economic Geography• Northeast is the heart of the manufacturing

core, but lately has been termed the RUST BELT. This extends into the Midwest.

• Why do you think it’s called the Rust belt? Where have industries relocated? Why?

©2010, TESCCC

Cultural Geography of Northeast: Mid-Atlantic

• South of New England, the Mid-Atlantic states enjoy warmer weather and a longer growing season.

• The economy has more farming activity and has less maritime activity, although major shipping waterways are present.

• Major cities are located on these major waterways: New York is on the Hudson R., Philly is on the Delaware, and Baltimore is located on Chesapeake Bay.

©2010, TESCCC

More on the Mid-Atlantic States

This area is a transition zone between the Northeast (New England in particular) and the South, especially the states of Virginia and W. Virginia.

Heritage is also centered on colonial times and the American Revolution, although less so than in New England.

Home to Washington D.C., the political center of the U.S.

Midwest Region

Midwestern Region States• Illinois http://www.state.il.us/• Indiana http://www.state.in.us/• Iowa http://www.state.ia.us/• Kansas http://www.accesskansas/• Michigan http://www.michigan.gov/• Minnesota http://www.state.mn.us/• Missouri http://www.state.mo.us/• Nebraska http://www.state.ne.us/• North Dakota http://discovernd.com/• Ohio http://www.state.oh.us/• South Dakota http://www.state.sd.us/• Wisconsin http://www.wisconsin.gov/

Physical Geography of Midwest

Flat landscape, with river basins.

Distinctive Great Lakes, which provide for shipping.

©2009, TESCCC

Climate of the Midwest: Humid Continental

• No Dry Season- this area receives precipitation throughout the year.

• Cold, snowy winters and hot summers. • Moderate growing season that decreases as

you go north.• Vegetation is mixed forests with deciduous

and coniferous trees.

©2009, TESCCC

Historical Geography of the Midwest

• The Mid-west was considered the “Western Frontier”, hence the name.

• Historically known as the breadbasket of the U.S., as this is also an agricultural region.

• Also known as a manufacturing, blue-collar hub of the U.S.

©2009, TESCCC

The Midwest as a Cultural Crossroads

• Immigrant groups:• Scots Presbyterians settled in

Pennsylvania.• Dutch Amish and Quakers settled in Ohio

and Indiana.• German Lutherans settled in Ohio,

Wisconsin, Illinois and Eastern Missouri.• Swedes and Norwegians settled in

Wisconsin and Minnesota.• Polish, Hungarians, German Catholics, and

Jews settled in Midwestern cities.

©2009, TESCCC

Population• Large cities include

Chicago and Detroit• The region is evenly

distributed.• Population is dense along

the Great Lakes.

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Economic Geography

• Dairy Farming in Wisconsin and Minnesota

• Fruit Orchards in Michigan• Corn in Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa• Manufacturing in urban cities along

Great Lakes, like Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Detroit and Chicago (Steel Towns).

©2010, TESCCC

Breadbasket of the USA Corn is most notably grown, but

soybeans, wheat, and fruits orchards are also commonly found throughout the Midwest.

Dairy products are famous in which state in the Midwest?

©2010, TESCCC

Cultural Geography• Home to various immigrant groups, which

causes ethnic, racial, and religious diversity in the cities.

• Cuisine reflects the cultural and physical diversity: Chicago style pizza, Polish bakeries, Wisconsin cheese, and Michigan’s apple cider mills and fruit orchards.

©2010, TESCCC

Great Plains Region

• Strip of States through the center of the country

• Includes: Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota

• Transition States: Oklahoma, Panhandle of Texas, Eastern Colorado, Wyoming and Montana

©2010, TESCCC

Physical Geography of the Great Plains

• The Great Plains are also called the High Plains, as the elevation increases gradually as you go west.

• Generally flat with some rolling hills

• Major River Basins: Red R., Arkansas River, Platte River, and the Missouri River

©2010, TESCCC

Climate of the Great Plains

• Generally the Great Plains is Steppe climate (Grasslands). Some of the eastern areas have Humid Continental climate.

• This area receives little rainfall (less than 18 in. a year on average).

• Cold winters, especially in the northern areas

©2009, TESCCC

Historical Geography of the Great Plains

• Before Americans settled the frontier, the Great Plains was home to several indigenous cultures, most notably the Sioux, the Cheyenne, and the Arapaho.

• During the 19th century, the Great Plains became the staging point of war between the native people and the American settlers.

©2009, TESCCC

More on Historical Geography

• The Great Plains was also used for cattle grazing and cattle drives.

• Many of the cities in this area were founded as railroad hubs for cattle.

©2009, TESCCC

Homestead Act of 1862

• This act provided each settler with 160 acres of land, as long as he cultivated the land.

• This caused a rush of settlers to the Great Plains region in the 1800s.

• Ironically, the Great Plains has lost a third of its population since 1920. Kansas has 6,000 ghost towns.

Southeast Region

Southeast Region States• Alabama http://www.state.al.us/• Arkansas http://www.state.ar.us/• Florida http://www.state.fl.us/• Georgia http://www.state.ga.us/• Kentucky http://www.state.ky.us/• Louisiana http://www.state.la.us/• Mississippi http://www.state.mi.us/• North Carolina http://www.state.nc.us/• South Carolina http://www.state.sc.us/• Tennessee http://www.state.tn.us/• Virginia http://www.state.va.us/• West Virginia http://www.state.wv.us/

Resources and Products of the Southeast

• Land for farming is a valuable resource. Farming has been an important industry ever since the first settlers came to the Southeast.

• Today, major crops of the region are cotton, corn, peanuts, rice, oranges, and soybeans.

• Citrus fruits such as oranges, limes, lemons, and grapefruits grow well in Florida.

Resources and Products of the Southeast

• Coal is a black fossil fuel that is a nonrenewable resource. A fossil fuel is a fuel that is formed in the earth from the remains of plants and animals. Coal is found in some parts of Appalachia including parts of Kentucky and West Virginia.

• Trees are another important resource of the southeast. Some farmers in the southeast grow and harvest trees, just like other crops. Trees are harvested from the pine forests of the coastal plains and parts of Appalachia. The trees are used for lumber or to make furniture. Some trees are made into pulp, a combination of ground up wood chips, water, and chemicals. Pulp is used in the production of paper.

Southeast Facts and Information

• The magnolia is a type of flowering tree that grows wild in the southeast.

• Georgia farmers grow 38% of the nations peanuts.

• Manatees live along the coast of Florida. They are also called “sea cows.” Adult manatees are about 10 feet long and weigh 800 to 1,200 pounds.

• Many people visit Charleston, South Carolina to see the city’s historic buildings.

• Space Shuttle missions lift off from the John F. Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Southeast

Everglades National Park • Quiz Southeast Citieshttp://www.sfsocialstudies.com/g4/na/u3/index.html• Out of The Ashes Articlehttp://www.sfsocialstudies.com/g4/na/u3/article.html

Southwest Region

Southwest Region States

• New Mexico http://www.state.nm.us/• Arizona http://www.state.az.us/• Texas http://www.state.tx.us/• Oklahoma http://www.state.ok.us/

Resources and Products of the Southwest

• The oil industry is important to the economy of the southwest. Oil is a natural resource, and it is nonrenewable. A nonrenewable resource is one that cannot be replaced by nature.

• Oil comes out of the ground in the form of a thick black liquid called crude oil. A gusher is an oil well that produces a large amount of oil.

• Technology is another important part of the Southwestern economy. Arizona factories manufacture electronic equipment, aircraft, space vehicles, and missiles.

• Companies in New Mexico make computer chips and computers.

• Texas industries make computers, radios, calculators, and electronic equipment.

SouthwestFacts and Information

• Yellow blossoms of the prickly pear cactus can be seen throughout the Southwest.

• This bowl was made by the Anasazi, a group of Native American who lived in Arizona and New Mexico long ago.

• The roadrunner, the state bird of New Mexico, prefers running to flying. It can run as fast as 17 miles per hour.

• Astronauts are trained at Johnson Space Center in Houston ,Texas, for the work they will do in space.

• The lighthouse is one of the rock formations in Palo Duro Canyon In Texas.

• A boy below rides a sheep at an Oklahoma rodeo event.

Desert Animals of the Southwest

West Region

Western Region States

• Alaska http://www.state.ak.us/• California http://www.state.ca.us/• Colorado http://www.colorado.gov/• Hawaii http://www.state.hi.us/• Idaho http://www.acessidaho.gov/• Montana http://www.state.mt.us/• Nevada http://silver.state.nv.us/• Utah http://www.utah.gov/• Washington http://access.state.wa.us/• Wyoming http://www.state.wy.us/

Resources and Products of the West

• Apples are one of the many agricultural products of the West. The eastern part of Washington is famous for the many types of apples that are grown there. Cherries, pears, and potatoes are also grown in Washington.

• The biggest producer of potatoes in the United States is Idaho.

• California produces a wide variety of fruits, nuts, and vegetables. Among the fruits grown there are grapes, strawberries, peaches, plums, and melons.

• Some Alaskan crops are barley, oats, hay, and potatoes.

• Hawaii’s tropical climate is good for growing sugarcane and pineapples. Other Hawaiian crops are macadamia nuts and coffee.

Resources and Products of the West

• In some western states, livestock are the main source of income from agriculture. Livestock are animals that are raised on farms and ranches. Cattle, sheep, and pigs are examples of livestock. Montana, Idaho, Colorado, Alaska, Washington, Wyoming, and Utah all include beef cattle as one of their main sources of income. Milk is produced in states around the region as well.

• Many states grow flowers, plants, and bushes to be sold in plant and flower shops.

• The West is also known for its wealth of mineral resources. Alaska and California produce oil. Coal, gold, and lead are three minerals mined in Colorado. Gold, silver, and copper, among other minerals, are mined in Nevada and Utah.

Resources and Products of the West

• The fishing industry is very important to the economy of some Western states. In Alaska the yearly fish catch is valued at more than a billion dollars. Workers catch cod, flounder, salmon, and halibut, among other types of fish.

• Shellfish, such as crab and shrimp, are also important to Alaska’s economy.

• Hawaii also has a large fishing industry. Swordfish and tuna are caught off the coast of Hawaii.

WestFacts and Information

• Sea otters live in the Pacific Ocean off the Northwest coast of the United States. Sea otters eat and sleep while floating on their backs.

• Most of the pineapples that are grown in the United States are grown in Hawaii.

• The Hoover Dam was built on the Colorado River on the boarder of Nevada and Arizona. Workers used more than 5 million barrels of concrete to build the dam.

• The Golden Gate bridge links San Francisco to Marin County, California. It is one of the longest suspension bridges in the world.

• Redwood trees grow in California. Redwoods are the tallest trees in the United States. They can grow to a height of 350 feet and live to be 2,000 years old.

The 5 Regions Divided Further

Review:The United States is a SYSTEM that can be broken into 5 major parts or regions.

• Northeast Region• Midwest Region• Southeast Region• Southwest Region• West Region

Quiz Time! Blank US map to fill in with states and capitals

North American Waterways

OHIO RIVER

Missouri River

Rio Grande River

Colorado River

Mississippi River

Great LakesColumbia River

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