World Geography / Unit 5: North America
5.1 Physical Features of North America
Notes
North America stretches from the Arctic Ocean to the tropics. The United States and Canada share its middle and northern parts.
- The Rocky Mountains run along the west; the older, lower Appalachian Mountains run along the east. The Coastal Ranges and Sierra Nevada lie nearer the Pacific.
- The Great Plains are broad grasslands in the center. The Canadian Shield is an ancient rocky region around Hudson Bay.
- The Mississippi River (with the Missouri) drains the central United States into the Gulf of Mexico. The St. Lawrence River links the Great Lakes to the Atlantic.
- The Great Lakes (Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, Ontario) are the largest group of fresh-water lakes in the world.
- Denali in Alaska is the highest peak in North America. The Colorado River carved the Grand Canyon.
Practice
Which mountain range runs along the eastern United States and is older and lower than the Rockies?
The Appalachians are old, worn-down mountains.
Which river system drains much of the central United States into the Gulf of Mexico?
The Mississippi and its tributaries drain the central basin.
Which feature is an ancient region of exposed rock around Hudson Bay in Canada?
The Canadian Shield is among the oldest rock formations on Earth.
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