Characteristics of the U.S. Regions
Regions and Landforms
The United States was divided into five regions to help us better understand our country. The states were grouped into regions that share similar characteristics. However, there are some areas in each region that different from each other because our country is made up of many different landforms, a natural feature on our Earth's surface. For example, in the West we see mountains, fertile valleys, shining lakes, and islands.
There are many different types of landforms. Mountains are very high landforms. Plains are large areas of flat land that are covered with grass. Deserts get very little rain. Canyons are deep valleys with steep rocky walls. Plateaus are large, flat raised areas of land.
Northeast Region:
Southeast Region:
Midwest Region
Southwest Region
West Region
There are many different types of landforms. Mountains are very high landforms. Plains are large areas of flat land that are covered with grass. Deserts get very little rain. Canyons are deep valleys with steep rocky walls. Plateaus are large, flat raised areas of land.
Northeast Region:
- Contains part of the oldest mountain range in our country, The Appalachian Mountains
- The Appalachian Mountains run from Georgia through Maine and further north into Canada.
- Along the coast the Northeast is more hilly and rocky.
- Further west, you can find better farmland.
Southeast Region:
- The Appalachian Mountains begin to flatten towards the east and form into the Atlantic Coastal Plain.
- To the west, there are plains leading into the Gulf of Mexico from Louisiana and Mississippi.
- You can also find the Mississippi Rivers and Red Rivers flowing through the region.
- Great farmland in Arkansas and Louisiana
- Mammoth Cave system in Kentucky- the WORLD's largest!
Midwest Region
- Large areas covered with forests
- Flat, grassy plains
- Some rolling hills, Ex. Smoky Hills in Kansas
- Big rivers- Mississippi, Ohio, and Missouri
- Great Lakes- Lake Erie, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, Lake Superior (large bodies of salt water)
Southwest Region
- 4 states
- Beautiful deserts and canyons
- Home of the Grand Canyon!
- Part of the Rocky Mountains run through the Southwest region
West Region
- Full of all different types of landforms!
- Highest landform- Mt. Mckinley in Alaska
- Lowest landform- Death Valley in California
- Coastal Mountains border the Pacific coast
- Beaches along the Pacific coast
- Fertile, green valleys in Oregon and California
- Western Oregon and Washington have lots of forests
- Includes Alaska and Hawaii
Climate
Weather- condition of the air at a certain time and place
Climate- weather of a place averaged over a long period of time
Precipitation- amount of rain or snow that falls
Temperature- how warm or cold and place is
Types of Climates
Tropical Climate
Polar Climates
Temperate Climates
Climate- weather of a place averaged over a long period of time
Precipitation- amount of rain or snow that falls
Temperature- how warm or cold and place is
Types of Climates
Tropical Climate
- Very warm all year round
- Near the equator
- Sun rays hit the Earth most directly here
- Located in the Southern tip of Florida and Hawaii
- Subtropical climates are not as warm
Polar Climates
- Areas around the North and South Poles
- Coldest climate
- Located in Alaska (most parts are subarctic because they are closer to the North Pole)
- Most parts of Alaska are covered with snow year round. Some parts have a very short summer.
Temperate Climates
- Between tropical and subarctic climates
- Moderate in temperature
- Not too hot or too cold
Regional Resources
Each region of the United States has natural resources, which can be turned into raw materials that can be used to make other products.
Businesses and industries that grow in each region depend on the resources that are available to them.
Renewable resources can be replaced and nonrenewable resources cannot. Both can be protected, renewed, and and recycled.
People who provide products and services are called human resources.
Businesses and industries that grow in each region depend on the resources that are available to them.
Renewable resources can be replaced and nonrenewable resources cannot. Both can be protected, renewed, and and recycled.
People who provide products and services are called human resources.