Download Define all of these vocabulary words! Continental Divide – point in

Unit 2: United States and Canada
Study Guide
Define all of these vocabulary words!
1. Continental Divide – point in the Rockies where the rivers start to flow in
opposite directions
2. Nomads – people who roam from place to place
3. Permafrost – permanently frozen ground
4. Megalopolis – an area where several large cities have grown together
5. Locks – sections of waterways with gates that lower or raise water levels
6. Province – a political unit, like a state
7. First Nations – Canada’s native people
8. Metropolitan area – an area with a large city and its suburbs
9. Confederation – a political union with a weak central government
10. Métis – People of mixed French and Native ancestry
11. What is the importance of the St. Lawrence Seaway? (What two bodies of water does it
connect?)
a. It connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes
12. Why is the United States considered the most powerful, diverse, and technologically advanced
country in the world? (Think about how our resources affect our economic strength.)
a. Natural resources and a skilled workforce
13. More than 80% of all Canadians live on 10% of the land. How close are the Canadian population
centers to the U.S. border?
a. Within 100 miles NORTH of the U.S. border
14. Why is the Mississippi River an important waterway?
a. Provided Farmers and merchants direct access to the Gulf of Mexico
15. Which region of the United States is most likely to produce citrus fruits (oranges)?
a. Southeast
16. What type of climate region covers most of the southern United States? (Hot and muggy!)
a. Humid continental
17. What type of climate do Hawaii and Florida have?
a. Tropical wet/dry
18. The Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Ranges have what type of climate?
a. highland
19. The north central and northeastern US and Southern Canada are some of the world’s most
productive agricultural areas and have what type of climate?
a. Humid continental
20. What type of climate receives less than ten inches of rain per year?
a. desert
21. How did human factors contribute to the environmental devastation caused by the Dust Bowl
in the Great Plains? (What did humans to do cause the Dust Bowl?)
a. Farmers cut down forests and grasslands to plant crops
22. How do the harbors of the Eastern Lowlands help the United States?
a. Allow for trade
23. The Canadian Shield and the Great Plains helped the United States and Canada economically
because the lands in those areas are perfect for __farming________.
24. Why have both Canada and the United States become global economic powers?
a. Rich in resources and fertile soils, plenty of water, forests, & minerals, vast lands
25. The two core provinces of Canada are __Ontairo_______ and _____Quebec________.
26. How does an area’s landscape, climate, and available natural resources affect the cities that are
formed there?
a. The cities depend on all of these things to develop.
27. How have the vast amounts of minerals and resources allowed the United States and Canada to
industrialize?
a. Both have all materials needed to successfully industrialize.
28. How did the Mississippi River contribute to the growth of New Orleans, Louisiana?
a. The use of the river allowed the market in New Orleans to expand and profit the area
economically.
29. During the 16th and 17th centuries, ____French____ explorers came to Canada, and founded the
province of Quebec.
30. The French and Indian War was fought mainly over what territory?
a. Ohio River Valley Territory
31. The settlement of Canada resulted in the creation of a bilingual country, where the majority of
Canadians speak English, and the citizens of Quebec speak _French________.
32. List all of the Atlantic Provinces of Canada.
a. Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island
33. What event caused Americans to fear that the Soviets had achieved superior forms of
technology during the Cold War?
a. The launch of Sputnik – the Russians beat us into space!
34. What was the major goal of the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s?
a. End segregation based on race
35. According to the U.N. Security Council, how many votes are needed to legally attack another
country?
a. 5
36. What act was passed by President Bill Clinton to stimulate economic trade and growth between
the United States, Canada, and Mexico?
a. NAFTA
37. On September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked planes and flew them into what U.S. buildings?
a. World Trade Center and Pentagon
38. Why did the United States invade Afghanistan in 2001?
a. The Taliban government of Afghanistan was helping and hiding the terrorists behind
9/11.
39. Why did President Bush authorize Operation Iraqi freedom? (What did we suspect Saddam
Hussein was hiding?)
a. The U.S. was looking for Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs)
40. What is the purpose of the Department of Homeland Security?
a. To enact new safety precautions in the U.S.
41. What type of government does Canada have? Explain how it is set up?
a. Parliamentary
42. The Canadian government is known as a ______Confederacy_____, an association of states or
provinces with a weak central government.
43. Who is the current Prime Minister of Canada?
a. Stephen Harper
44. Which territories are in the Canadian Bread Basket?
a. Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta
45. Canada is the world’s leading exporter of _lumber__.
46. Most of Canada’s population lives within _100_ miles of the U.S. border.
47. How many amendments are there total to the U.S. Constitution?
a. 27
48. Who is the figurehead of Canada’s government?
a. British monarch – Queen Elizabeth II