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Chapter 19: The United States

Chapter 19: The United States. Section 1 A Vast, Scenic Land. Main Idea. The United States has a great variety of Landforms and Climates. The Land. The US Stretches 2,870 Miles 48 states are contiguous Contiguous: Joined together inside a common boundary

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Chapter 19: The United States

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  1. Chapter 19: The United States Section 1 A Vast, Scenic Land

  2. Main Idea • The United States has a great variety of Landforms and Climates

  3. The Land • The US Stretches 2,870 Miles • 48 states are contiguous • Contiguous: Joined together inside a common boundary • States touch the Atlantic, Pacific, & Gulf of Mexico • 2 States are separate: Alaska and Hawaii

  4. From Sea to Shining Sea • The United States is ranked the 4th largest Country (Russia, Canada, China are larger) • 5 physical regions: Coastal Plain, Appalachian Mountains, Interior Plains, Rocky Mountains, Basins, Pacific Coast

  5. Pacific Coast Interior Plain Coastal Plain

  6. Coastal Plains • Runs along the eastern and southeastern coasts • Eastern Lowlands are called Atlantic Coastal Plain • Lowlands in Southeast are the Gulf Of Mexico • Areas in the Gulf have large deposits of Oil and Natural Gas

  7. Appalachian Mountains • They are the oldest Mountains on the Continent • Age of mountains are determined by the round peaks and the erosion that has developed over time • The highest peak is Mount Mitchell in North Carolina: It reaches 6,684 feet

  8. The Interior Plains • Region has 2 parts • Central Lowlands (east of Mississippi): This area is full of grassy hills, flatlands and forests. It contains fertile soil and major waterways • The Great Lakes are in this part. They were formed by glaciers

  9. Interior Plains • West of the Mississippi River is the Great Plains • It consists of farm fields and grassy pastures • It once provided the grazing area for millions of Buffalo and living area for Native Americans • Today it is used mainly for farming

  10. Homework • How many miles does the United States Stretch • What three countries are larger than the United States • What are the oldest Mountains in the United States • How are the age of Mountains determined • What are the two parts of the Interior Plains

  11. Mountains and Plateaus • Rocky Mountains begin in Alaska and end in Mexico • Along the mountains is a ridge called the Continental Divide • The Continental Divide separates rivers that flow east (Towards the Pacific) and rivers that flow west (Towards the Mississippi River)

  12. Mountains and Plateaus • Between the Rockies and the Pacific Coast are Plateaus, Canyons, and deserts • Plateaus: Flat land that rise above the land around them • Canyon: a deep valley with steep sides • Most famous is the Grand Canyon in Arizona

  13. Pacific Coast • Two mountain ranges are located here • Cascade and Sierra Nevada Mountain Ranges • West of the Pacific is the Willamette Valley in Oregon, and the Central Valley in California • Both of these are Fertile areas for fruits and vegetables

  14. Alaska • Mountains form a semicircle in Alaska • Mount McKinley: Tallest mountain range in North America, stands 20,320 feet high • Alaska borders the Arctic Circle

  15. Hawaii • 8 Large islands, and 120 smaller islands make up Hawaii in the Pacific • The Islands were made by volcanoes • Some islands have Coral reefs surrounding the islands • Coral Reefs are formed by skeletons of small animals and other remains

  16. A variety of Climates • The US has a variety of climates depending on the region • Most of the US lies in the middle latitude region. This is a mild climate • The further north you travel the colder the climate gets • The further south, the warmer the climate gets

  17. A variety of Climates • It is important to remember that the climate changes with elevation • The higher the elevation, the colder • The low valleys and deserts are warm year round • Alaska is similar to Canada and Siberia (Russia) • Hawaii and Florida have tropical climates

  18. Homework • Where do the Rocky Mountains begin and end? • Illustrate (Draw) a Plateaus and a canyon, what is the difference between the two? • What is the tallest mountain ranges in North America • How was Hawaii created? • Climate changes with the change in ____________

  19. Chapter 19: Section 2An Economic Leader

  20. Main Idea • The Powerful United States economy runs on abundant resources and the hard work of Americans

  21. Economy • The United States has a Free Enterprise System • A system that allows individuals the right to run businesses to make a profit without the government being involved • You are free to produce what you wish, and make all the profit

  22. The World’s Economic Leader • The US has rich resources, and strong labor force • This has created the world’s larges economy in terms of how much money is made from the sale of goods and service • Bigger than the next two combined (China and Japan) • US: 15.7 Trillion • China: 8.3 Trillion • Japan: 6 Trillion

  23. The World’s Economy • US farms produce ½ of the world’s corn, and 1/10th of worlds wheat • Produce 20% of beef, pork, and lamb • While the US produces more food than any other nation, agriculture is only a small part of the American Economy (2%) • Service Industry: 75% • Manufacturing: 22% • Agriculture: 2 % • Mining: 1%

  24. The World’s Economy • The US has 1/5th of the world’s coal and Copper • 1/10th of the world’s petroleum comes from the US • Largest part of US economy is Service Industry • Banking, finance, entertainment, tourism, online and computer services

  25. 21th Century Challenges • Many challenges are faced by Americans today • Cleaning Pollution • Burning of Fossil Fuels: Coal, Oil & Natural Gas • Huge amounts of trash in Landfills • Lack of recycling

  26. Quality Schools • New technology has been the strength of the US economy • The Quality schools in the US has lead to the production of the new technology

  27. Health Care • Some of the best health care is provided in the US. The US leads in medical breakthroughs world wide • However, the rising price of medical care affects the number of people who can be treated

  28. Health Care • Many people do not have health insurance because they lack the money, or because their employers do not provide it • Many believe the US should provide a National Health Care • This is where the government provides medical coverage • Those who oppose this idea point out that in Canada people cannot choose their medical providers in some instances

  29. World Trade • The US leads the world in the value of imports and exports • American leaders wish to have Free Trade • To remove tariffs to promote more trade • This is why NAFTA was created

  30. Chapter 19: Section 3The americans

  31. Main Idea • The United States has attracted people from all over the world who have created a land of many cultures

  32. America • Why have people from across the world settled in the United States? • Freedom • Economic Opportunity • Future for them and their children

  33. Rich History • In the 15th and 16th centuries Europeans started to explore the Americas • The raw materials, forests animals, and rich soil led to the set up Colonies

  34. Rich History • The French Established around the Great Lakes • Spanish established in Florida and Georgia & From Texas to California • British and Northern Europeans settled around the Atlantic Coast

  35. Branches of Government • Executive Branch: Makes sure laws are carried out • President • Legislative Branch: Makes Laws • Congress (House of Representatives & Senate) • Judicial Branch: Makes decisions about the Law (Court System) • Supreme Court

  36. A Federal Republic • By the mid 1700’s the people living in the colonies believed the British politics infringed on their rights • 1775, 13 colonies rebelled • July 4, 1776: Declared Independence (Creating the United States of America) • 1788: Created Constitution

  37. A Federal Republic • US is a Republic • Government with no king • Head of government is President • Power belongs to citizens who vote • Representative Democracy • Voters elect Representatives who make laws to help the people • Federal Republic • Government divided between national and state governments

  38. The Constitution • Constitutions are documents that identify the rights and responsibilities • Why The Constitution is successful, it can be changed with Amending (Way to change the constitution) • Amending is important because the US can make laws for the changing world • Examples, 13th Amendment: Abolishment of Slavery

  39. A Period of Growth • 1800-1900, the US grew from 13 states to 45 states • Oklahoma, New Mexico, & Arizona were the last Continental States to be added • Alaska & Hawaii were added in 1959 (Last two states added)

  40. A Period of Growth • 1861 Several States withdrew from the National Government over issues of Slavery and States’ Rights. • This is what caused the US Civil War • North: Against Slavery, won the war • South: For Slavery, Lost the war

  41. World Leader • 1900’s: US became one of the leading economies in the world • Production automobiles, available electricity and improved technology • WWI & WWII the US became a super power and started to influence other nations by helping their governments become democracies, and free economies

  42. One out of Many • About 315 Million People live in the US • Text book says 285 Million (we’ve grown 30 million in 7-8 years) • 3rd Highest Population • Behind China and India • Average Life expectancy of Americans is 76 Years

  43. One out of Many • ¾ of Americans come from European Ethnic Groups • African Americans make up 12% (around 1/8) of population • Hispanics are the fastest growing ethnic group • Smallest Group are Native Americans in Alaska (Eskimos)

  44. Language • English is the national Language • However, the country is constantly debating on how immigrant children should be taught in school • Should they only teach English, or should they Teach their native language to help their transition

  45. Religion • The US has freedom of Religion • Congress shall make no laws respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise • Government cannot tell you what religion to follow, and cannot stop you from practicing any type of religion

  46. Mobility • Americans have been mobile through out history • Originally, the nation was Rural (Country) • Now the nation is majority Urban, with growing Suburbs • Since 1970, The Southwest has been the fastest growing area (Called the Sunbelt)

  47. Security • Since the terrorists attacks on 9-11-2001, the nation has increased security measures • Homeland Security Act: Established the Department of Homeland Security • The Department helps protect the nation from terrorists attacks

  48. American Culture • American Literature has 2 themes • Focus on the Rich Diversity in the US • Focus on the Landscape and history of the US and its regions • Mark Twain: Adventures of Huckleberry Finn describes the life along the Mississippi River

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