The Americas

Physical and Human Geography

North and South America

• Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the east, and the Pacific Ocean on the west.

• Bordered by the Arctic Ocean on the North and the Southern Ocean to the south.

• Located entirely in the Western Hemisphere.

Major Rivers/Water Systems

• The Great Lakes/St Lawrence River.

• The Mississippi River system and its major tributaries (The Missouri and the Ohio) .

• The Amazon River Basin.

Mountain Ranges• The Rockies

• The Appalachians

• The Sierra Madres

• The Andes

TEST PREP QUESTION: Name and provide the location of the major

mountain ranges and water systems of North and South America.

Use geographic terminology (“east of...” “north of...” “along the Pacific Coast of...”)

Regions of the United States

Major US Regions

• Northeast

• Southeast

• Midwest

• Great Plains

• Rocky Mountain

• Southwest

• Pacific Coast

TEST PREP QUESTIONS: Name and provide the location of the Seven

major US regions. (Again, use geographic terminology)

Be prepared to name at least three states in each region. Be prepared to name one state that can really be considered part of 3 different regions.

The United States of America

The USA

• Established in 1776, Current Constitution adopted in 1789.

• Consists of 50 states and 5 overseas territories.

• Federal Constitutional Democratic Republic

Americans

• Population: 314 million

• Race: 72% Caucasian, 13% African-American, 5% Asian, 3% multi-racial, 1% Native American, 6% comprised of various other races.

• Ethnicity: 16% Hispanic/Latino (all races)

Americans• Religion:

Americans

TEST PREP QUESTION: What can the diversity of the United States

today tell us about the history of the United States?