NA - North America Module Overview
North America
Introduction
We will begin our study of regions of the world with North America. Although North America is home to several countries, we will explore Canada and the United States together in this unit because they share both similar physical geographies and early histories. Mexico, which is in North America, will be studied in a later unit with the countries south of it.
Essential Questions
- How do natural geographic features influence political boundaries?
- How did colonization impact these countries?
- How does climate impact human habitation?
- How do the physical and human characteristics of places influence human cultures and the identities of people?
- What stage of economic development are these countries currently in?
- What role does geography play in economic development?
Key Terms
Terms for Review:
- Agriculture - is the method of growing crops or trees or raising livestock that provides food and some raw materials.
- Climate - a region's weather conditions over an extended period of time.
- Demography - is the study of how human populations change over time and space.
- Irrigation - a way to bring water to crops.
- Geography - the study of the Earth and the humans that inhabit it.
- Natural resources - elements of the Earth that are of use to people.
New Terms:
- Continental divide - along the ridge of the Rocky Mountains, the flow of rivers is divided with rivers either flowing east or west.
- Tributary - a stream or river that flows into a larger river.
- Gulf - a portion of an ocean or sea partly enclosed by land.
- Sea - a body of salt water.
- Shield - a large mineral rich area composed of bare rock.
- Basin - a region surrounded by higher land.
- Natural borders - natural borders include rivers, lakes, and mountains.
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