Geography

= How has geography influenced the development of the nation? =

﻿by: Melissa Kilcourse
Natural Resources: Water, soil, and forests are renewable resources and over time they will replace themselves. Non-renewable resources will NOT replace themselves over time such as fossil fuels (oil, coal, natural gas) and metals. Once these are gone, they are gone forever. Human resources are resources that are created by humans and if the right materials are there to continue to make them then it will happen. Another factor that comes in while making human resources is the education level of the person and whether it is skilled or unskilled labor. Capital resources are used to make more, such as money or tools.

Major landforms and rivers: The Mississippi River that runs from Minnesota into the gulf influenced the development of the nation because many people used it to travel when there was no other route of transportation. While America was developing, people grew crops near the river so the soil was more fertile. This increased food production since a surplus was being made. A major mountain range is the Rocky Mountains which is located in Western North America and is known as The Western Mountains and Great Basin.

Climate: Much of North America is dry and goes threw four seasons. While the nation was developing this was a factor because it decided how far the people were going to travel depending on the temperature. After they learned the cycle of the four seasons it was easier to predict when the easiest time to travel was.

High Plateaus: A group of high plateaus begin between two ranges and Andes. This is filled with hills, valleys, plains, deserts, a few large rivers and little rain in high desert regions.

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