United States Geography Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is the Continental Divide?

A state park in California

A mountain range in Alaska

The border between Canada and the USA

The dividing point between rivers flowing east and those flowing west (correct)

What is the Great Plains?

A flat or gently-rolling region in the western United States.

Alaska and Hawaii are contagious with the other 48 states.

False

What are the chief bodies of water that border the western region of the United States?

The Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Pacific Northwest known for?

Temperate rain forests. Signup and view all the answers

What are some natural resources found in the western United States?

Land, petroleum, natural gas, coal, timber, minerals, renewable energy sources. Signup and view all the answers

Who were the first people to live in the west?

Native Americans Signup and view all the answers

Who were the first Europeans to arrive in the western United States?

The Spanish. Signup and view all the answers

What happened after the purchase of the Louisiana Territory in 1803?

The land between the Mississippi River and the Rockies belonged to the United States. Signup and view all the answers

Manifest Destiny was the belief that the United States had no right to expand across North America.

False Signup and view all the answers

When were railroads built to connect the east and west of the United States?

In the late 1800s. Signup and view all the answers

What attracted many to migrate to the western United States?

The discovery of gold and silver. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Great Plains used for by settlers?

People built farms and ranches and grazed herds of domestic farm animals. Signup and view all the answers

Native Americans were allowed to keep their land after white settlers arrived.

False Signup and view all the answers

How did Americans in the west make a living?

Farming, ranching, mining, fishing, and cutting trees for lumber. Signup and view all the answers

Most cities in the western United States depend heavily on public transportation.

False Signup and view all the answers

Which cities are among the fastest growing in the interior of the western United States?

Denver, Phoenix, and Las Vegas. Signup and view all the answers

What puts a strain on natural resources in cities west of the Mississippi?

Increasing population Signup and view all the answers

What is NAFTA?

A trade agreement between the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Signup and view all the answers

Why is agriculture an important activity in the western United States?

It is a key economic activity. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Geography and Natural Features

The Continental Divide separates rivers that flow east from those that flow west in the Rocky Mountains.
The Great Plains is characterized by flat or gently-rolling terrain historically covered in grasses, now dominated by farms and ranches.
Major bodies of water in the region include the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.
The Pacific Northwest features temperate rainforests, while much of the region experiences drier climates.

Natural Resources and Economy

The western United States is rich in natural resources including land, petroleum, natural gas, coal, timber, and minerals.
Renewable energy sources such as hydroelectric power, wind, and solar energy are also prevalent.
Agriculture plays a crucial role in the economy, with many farms and ranches established on the Great Plains.

Historical Context

Native American tribes were the original inhabitants of the western United States, each with distinct cultures.
The Spanish were the first European settlers in the area, influencing the history and culture.
The United States acquired the Louisiana Territory in 1803, expanding its land westward between the Mississippi River and the Rockies.
The concept of Manifest Destiny emerged in the 1830s, promoting the belief that the U.S. had the right to expand across North America.

Migration and Development

The discovery of gold and silver motivated many to migrate to the west.
In the late 1800s, railroads were built to connect the eastern and western parts of the country.
As white settlers expanded, Native Americans were forcibly removed from their lands and placed on reservations.

Urbanization and Infrastructure

Many cities in the western United States are characterized by urban sprawl and a reliance on automobiles for transportation due to limited public transport.
Rapid population growth in cities like Denver, Phoenix, and Las Vegas is notable in the region's interior.
This population increase puts additional pressure on natural resources, particularly water availability.

Trade Agreements and Economic Impact

NAFTA, a significant trade agreement involving the United States, Canada, and Mexico, was implemented in the early 1900s, affecting economic interactions across the borders.

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Description

Explore key geographical terms related to the United States west of the Mississippi River with these flashcards. Each term is defined to help you understand the unique features and landscapes of this vast region.