Geography(美国地理).doc

Geography（美国地理）I. Location and Size1. What is the full name of the United States?United States of America. Often we call it the United States, the U.S., U.S.A., or America.2. What is the geographical location of the US?2.1 The continental United StatesThe continental United States lies in central North America with Canada to its north, Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico to its south, the Atlantic Ocean to its east and the Pacific Ocean to its west.2.2 The 2 newest states Alaska and Hawaii are separated from continental United States:Alaska borders on northwestern Canada, andHawaii lies in the central Pacific.3. What are the advantages of the location of the US?The US has an ideal location for its development.3.1 Its Atlantic coast faces the developed countries of Western Europe, and its Pacific coast and Hawaii give the nation an approach to the Far East and Australasia（澳大拉西亚，一般指澳大利亚、新西兰及附近南太平洋诸岛，有时也泛指大洋洲Oceania和太平洋岛屿）3.2 In the past the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans served as natural barriers between the US and the rest of the world. This allowed the US to grow and become strong with little outside interference. And today the development of means of communication and transportation makes the US well connected to the rest of the world.4. What is the size of the US?4.1 What is the size of the US?The US has a land area of 9.3 million square kilometers. It stretches 2,575 kilometres from north to south and 4,500 kilometres from east to west.4.2 How large is the US compared with the other countries?It is the 4th largest country in the world in size after Russia, Canada and China.4.3 How many states are there in the US?The US is a federal republic with many states. All together there are 50 states in the US.4.4 Which are the 2 newest states in US (the 49th and 50th states)?For a long time there were 48 states, then in 1959 Alaska and Hawaii became the 49th and 50th states.4.5 What do you know about the largest and smallest states in the US?Of all the states Alaska is the largest in area and Rhode Island the smallest.But on the mainland Texas is the largest state of the country. Texas alone is larger than France and Alaska is twice as big as Texas.II. Topography-The Face of the Land1. MountainsThere are 2 major mountains in the US: The Appalachian Mountains and the Rocky Mountains.1.1 The Appalachian Mountains1.1.1 The Appalachian Mountains run slightly from the northeast to southwest.1.1.2 The Appalachians are old (have been worn out over millions of years) and low (the highest peak is only a little over 2,000 metres).1.1.3 The Appalachians are noted for virgin forests and mines.1.1.4 The mountains served as a natural barrier for westward movement during the early settlement.1.2 The Rocky Mountains1.2.1 The Rocky Mountains run slightly from the northwest to southeast.1.2.2 The Rockies are younger (are considered as young as Chinas Himalayas) and high (with the higher peak Elbert of about 4,500 metres)1.2.3 The Rockies serves as the backbone of the North American continent and is known as the Continental Divide.1.2.4 The Mountains are famous for lots of natural national parks, such as the Yellow Stone Park.2. Rivers and Lakes2.1RiversThe rivers in the country are mainly lying between the Appalachian and Rocky Mountains.2.1.1 The Mississippi2.1.1.1 The Mississippi is 3,782 kilometres long.2.1.1.2 The Mississippi and its tributaries drain one of the richest farm areas in the world.2.1.1.3 They form a 19,000-kilometre system of waterways and serve as important means of transportation.2.1.1.4 The Mississippi has been called “father of waters” and the “old man river”.2.1.2 The Missouri2.1.2.1 The Missouri is over 6,000 kilometres and is one of the longest rivers in the world.2.1.2.2 It runs 3,725 kilometres before it joins the Mississippi.2.1.3 The Ohio2.1.3.1 It is about 1,500 kilometres long.2.1.3.2 It has been called the American Ruhr (after the Ruhr River鲁尔河in Germany), famous for its rich valuable deposits.2.1.3.3 The area is well known for its steel industry.2.1.4 On the Pacific side there are 2 great rivers: the Colorado in the south, and the Columbia rises in Canada.2.1.5 The Hudson2.2 Lakes2.2.1 The most important lakes in the US are the Great Lakes, which include2.2.1.1 Lake Superior苏必利尔湖：the largest fresh water lake in the world.2.2.1.2 Lake Michigan密歇根湖：the only one entirely in the US2.2.1.3 Lake Huron休伦湖2.2.1.4 Lake Erie伊利湖2.2.1.5 Lake Ontario安大略湖They are all located between Canada and the US except Lake Michigan.2.2.2 What are the benefits of the lakes, rivers and seacoasts of the US?The Lakes and rivers form a complete system of waterways which provides cheap transportation for materials. Many swift rivers provide good sources of hydroelectric power. The long and irregular seacoasts provide many excellent harbours.III. Climate1. What is the general climatic feature of the US?1.1 The US is located in the middle latitudes north of the equator.1.2 Owing to its location in the northern temperate zone, generally speaking the large part of US enjoys continental climate.2. What are the different types of climate in the US?2.1 Why are the climate varied in the US?There are different types of climate in the US owing to its large size and varied landforms.2.2 What are the different types of climate in different regions?2.2.1 Continental climateA humid continental climate in the northeastern part of the country (New England).Summer is long and hot, while winter is cold. Plenty of rainfall and a long growing season.2.2.2 Humid subtropical climateIn the South-eastern United States you can find a humid subtropical climate. The summers are hot and winters mild.2.2.3 Humid continental and humid subtropical climateThis could be found in the central part of the US. You can also find the continental steppe climate of the Great Plains and the continental desert climate of the intermountain region.2.2.4 Maritime climateThe Pacific Northwest is favored with a maritime climate.The southern part of the Pacific coast in California has a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and moist winters.IV. Geographical RegionsFrom the east to the west the United States can be divided into 7 geographic regions.They are New England, the Middle Atlantic states, the Midwest, the South, the Great Plains, the American West (or Rockies and Intermountain region), the Pacific Coast and the New States.1. New England1.1 New England is made up of 6 states of the Northeast. They are Maine缅因州, New Hampshire新罕布什尔, Vermont佛蒙特, Massachusetts摩萨诸塞, Rhode Island罗得岛, and Connecticut康涅狄格.1.2 Dairying is the most important farm activity.Much of the land is mountainous or hilly, and the soil is generally thin and rock. Because of its stony soil it is not noted for its agriculture.1.3 The birthplace of America1.3.1 It was the earliest place to be settled by the early settlers from England.1.3.2 It was the chief center of the American War of Independence of 1776.1.3.3 It was also the nations first industrial area1.4 New England is also well known for its position in education.Many famous universities and colleges such Yale, Harvard, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are located here.1.5 New Englanders were originally known as Yankees北方佬, which came to stand for all Americans.2. The Middle Atlantic states2.1 The Middle Atlantic states are New, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Marylan, and West Virginia.2.2 It is a highly industrialized area and the nerve center of the country.2.3 The nations capital city Washington D.C. locates here.2.4 The area is famous for its financial, manufacturing.3. The Midwest3.1 it includes 12 states.3.2 The states lie in the northern part of the United States. In the early days the Appalachian Mountains were difficult to cross. Later when the explorers did cross them, they called the area the West. So this northern part came to be called the Midwest.3.3 It is a major manufacturing region and the nations leading center of heavy industry.4. The American South4.1 it includes 13 states.4.2 Because of the abundant rainfall and fertile soil of the Mississippi Lowland, agriculture was for long the chief occupation of the south.4.3 Most of the South is in a humid subtropical climate. The climate has also made parts of the South leading vacation resorts. This is particular in Florida (the sun belt).4.4 The South is rich in mineral resources. It is one of the ri