Geography of America

Geography of America

Location and Size

• Located in the Western Hemisphere
• Comprises 50 states, a federal district, and several territories
• Total area: approximately 3.8 million square miles (9.8 million km²)
• Second-largest country in the Americas by total area, after Canada

Mountains and Coastlines

• Major mountain ranges:
  • Rocky Mountains (west)
  • Appalachian Mountains (east)
  • Sierra Nevada (west coast)
• Coastlines:
  • Pacific Ocean (west)
  • Atlantic Ocean (east)
  • Gulf of Mexico (southeast)
  • Arctic Ocean (northwest)

Climate and Regions

• Varies greatly due to size and geographical diversity
• Climate zones:
  • Tropical (Hawaii, Florida)
  • Desert (southwest)
  • Temperate (east coast, Midwest)
  • Continental (Great Plains)
  • Arctic (Alaska)
• Regions:
  • New England (northeast)
  • Midwest (central)
  • South (southeast)
  • West Coast (California, Oregon, Washington)

Rivers and Lakes

• Major rivers:
  • Mississippi River (longest)
  • Colorado River (southwest)
  • Rio Grande (southwest)
• Great Lakes (northeast):
  • Lake Superior
  • Lake Michigan
  • Lake Huron
  • Lake Erie
  • Lake Ontario

Geography of America

Location and Size

• America is located in the Western Hemisphere
• Comprises 50 states, a federal district, and several territories
• Total area is approximately 3.8 million square miles (9.8 million km²)
• Second-largest country in the Americas by total area, after Canada

Mountains and Coastlines

• The Rocky Mountains are located in the west
• The Appalachian Mountains are located in the east
• The Sierra Nevada mountain range is located on the west coast
• America's coastlines border the Pacific Ocean to the west
• America's coastlines border the Atlantic Ocean to the east
• America's coastlines border the Gulf of Mexico to the southeast
• America's coastlines border the Arctic Ocean to the northwest

Climate and Regions

• America's climate varies greatly due to its size and geographical diversity
• America has tropical climate zones, such as in Hawaii and Florida
• America has desert climate zones, such as in the southwest
• America has temperate climate zones, such as on the east coast and in the Midwest
• America has continental climate zones, such as in the Great Plains
• America has arctic climate zones, such as in Alaska
• New England is a region located in the northeast
• The Midwest is a region located in the central United States
• The South is a region located in the southeast
• The West Coast is a region located on the west coast, including California, Oregon, and Washington

Rivers and Lakes

• The Mississippi River is the longest river in America
• The Colorado River is a major river located in the southwest
• The Rio Grande is a major river located in the southwest
• The Great Lakes are located in the northeast and consist of five lakes
• Lake Superior is one of the Great Lakes
• Lake Michigan is one of the Great Lakes
• Lake Huron is one of the Great Lakes
• Lake Erie is one of the Great Lakes
• Lake Ontario is one of the Great Lakes