Download Geography of the Americas

Geography of
the Americas
Section 3
Landscape
of the
Americas
I.
Identifying Physical Regions
A.
B.
The physical characteristics of a places are
known as landforms
Central America is an isthmus – it connects
two larger land masses with a narrow strip of
land.
II. Landforms
A. Topography – physical features of the
earth’s surface
1. Elevation – height of land above sea
2. Relief – overall differences in height
B. Mountains and Hills
1. Rocky Mountains – Alaska to
Mexico
2. Andes Mountains
a. South America
b. Highest point in Western Hemisphere –
Mount Aconcagua (22,834 ft.)
c. Was home of the Inca
3. Foothills
a. At base of mountain
b. Good for farming. why?
C. Plains and Plateaus
1. Plains – broad areas of land usually
close to sea level
2. Plateaus – high, flat landforms,
sometimes several thousand feet
high
3. Mesas – small, steep-sided plateaus
III. Bodies of Water
A. 70% of the earth is covered in water
B. Oceans and Seas
1. Oceans – Atlantic, Pacific, Indian,
and Arctic
2. Seas – smaller and usually
landlocked
Interesting
Fact: migration, weather,
3. Affect
climates,
living
conditions.
If all the world's
waterand
were
fit into
a gallon
jug, the fresh
water available for us to use
How?
would equal only about one tablespoon.
C. Lakes and Rivers
1. Supply freshwater, energy, and
transportation routes
2. Tributaries – smaller rivers and
streams that branch from a river
3. Great Lakes
a. Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie,
Superior, Champlain
b. March 7, 1998 Champlain
becomes a Great Lake
Assignment: Complete the Region
Worksheet