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The Eastern Mountains: Geography, Resources, and Historical Significance

The Appalachian Mountains, the oldest in North America, were formed 300 million years ago and their eroded peaks now reach 5,000-6,000 feet. Stretching from Quebec to central Alabama, these mountains played a crucial role in agricultural development in valleys like the Piedmont and Lowlands. Key cities such as Philadelphia and Washington D.C. originated here. The region boasts significant resources like timber, coal, and petroleum. The magnificent Niagara Falls, a major hydroelectric power source, and the Great Lakes are vital waterways supporting commerce and tourism in North America.

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The Eastern Mountains: Geography, Resources, and Historical Significance

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  1. Part III

  2. Eastern Mountains • Appalachians: formed 300 million yrs ago • Oldest mts; eroded to 5,000-6,000 ft • Eastern NA plate collided with African plate • From Quebec to central Alabama • Valleys great for agriculture

  3. Piedmont & Lowlands • Piedmont: E of Appalachians • Plateau region that drops (Fall line) into the coastal lowlands • Many 1st cities originated here: Philadelphia, Richmond, Baltimore, D.C…. WHY? • Rapids/waterfalls = hydroelectric power and blocked from moving inland

  4. Lowlands • Atlantic Plain- Carolinas, narrower as move North • Gulf Coastal Plain- west toward TX

  5. Water • US/Canada wealthy b/c of abundant water- power, transportation

  6. Water • Mississippi: 2,350 miles • Starts as stream in Minnesota • Gets to width of 1 ½ miles & empties into Gulf of MX • Affects all/part of 31 states and 2 provinces • One of world’s busiest waterways

  7. Water • Niagara Falls: • Tourist attraction, and major source of hydroelectric power • Form border of Ontario and NY • St. Lawrence River: one of Can. most impt. Rivers • From Great Lakes to Atlantic, forms country border

  8. Water • Glacial Lakes • Great Bear Lake & Great Slave Lake formed by glacial dams • Great Lakes (Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior) formed by glacial gouges • St. Lawrence Seaway- series of canals & rivers • Helped build industry in NE

  9. Islands • NYC’s Manhattan Island: impt. economic center • Hawaii: volcanic island state, big tourism • Newfoundland, P.E.I., Vancouver I.: Canada’s most impt. • Greenland: world’s largest island, Denmark territory (Alaska + TX)

  10. Resources • Fuels • petroleum & nat. gas: TX and Alaska, & Alberta lead • Coal: Appalachians, Wyoming, & British Columbia • Minerals • Gold, silver, copper: Rockies • Iron & nickel: Canadian Shield

  11. Resources • Timber • Today cover <50% of Canada & 1/3 of US • Conservation of forests and animals is high priority • Fishing • Grand Banks (Can.), Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf of MX • Cod fishing banned in Grand Banks in ’92 due to overfishing

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