Note

https://youtu.be/doqlR4eqNtM

 

Objective               :     To explain the physical features and social activities of North America and compare them with Nepal.

  

Introduction:

North America is entirely situated in the North-Western hemisphere. Its native people are Red Indians, Eskimos and Inuit who migrated from Asia. After Christopher Columbus discovered America in 1492, people from Europe and Africa came and settled down here. So, North America is the land of great diversity of culture. It is called the “New Land” because of the technology developed here, development of places, high standard of people’s living, enough skilled human power and proper mobilization of resources. Physically, this continent can be divided into 3 major divisions:

 

  1. The Western Cordilleras (The Western Mountain System):

The western Mountain System extends from Alaska in the north to the Panama Canal in the south. The mountain system is a great chain of mountains and is called the cordilleras. These mountains were originated at about the same time as the Himalayas and Alps so, they consist the young fold mountains. Mt. McKinley (6194m) in Alaskan Range is the highest peak in North America. Special features like extremely hot Death Valley (86m below the sea level) and Grand Canyon made by Colorado River (1800m deep river gorge) are situated in this physical region.

  

The western mountain system has mainly mountain type of climate which is generally cold due to the altitude. The vegetation found in this region is of coniferous and Tundra type. Due to the availability of coniferous wood, many people have adopted lumbering as the main occupation. Besides this, the people have adopted tourism, animal husbandry as well as agriculture in the foothills of the mountain ranges.

 

  1. The Central Plains:

The Central Plains extend from Hudson Bay in the north to the Gulf of Mexico in the south. The plains surrounding the Gulf of Mexico is known as Great Mississippi Plains. This plain is drained by the river Mississippi and its tributaries and the soil is very fertile. The other plain surrounding the Hudson Bay is known as the Canadian Shield.

 

The climate of this region is temperate continental. The soil is very rich in this region. The extended grassland of North America called Prairies is mostly found in this region. The production is very good due to fertile soil in the region. Wheat production is wide famous in the region. Besides agriculture, people have adopted animal husbandry and industries as main occupation.

  1. The Eastern Highlands:

The Eastern Highlands extend from Newfoundland Island in the north to Appalachian mountain range and Alabama in the south. These mountains are lower than western mountains. These mountains consist of very old rocks from the time of the origin of the earth so; they are called old fold mountains. This region consists of 3 major highlands. They are: High plateau of Greenland, Laurentian Plateau and Appalachian Highlands.

The climate of this region is temperate type which helps to grow mixed vegetation of coniferous, deciduous and tropical evergreen forest. Agriculture, animal husbandry, industries, tourism and forestry are the main occupation in this physical region.