Natural Regions of North America Flashcards

Grade 4 · Social Studies · Flashcards

Key terms and concepts about North America's natural regions.

Flashcards

Natural region: An area grouped by shared landforms, climate, and plant life
Great Plains: Vast flat grassland in the center of North America; ideal for farming
Rocky Mountains: Major mountain range running north to south through western North America
Rain shadow: Dry area on the leeward (downwind) side of a mountain range
Atlantic Coastal Plain: Low, flat land along the eastern U.S. coast; home to major ports
Appalachian Mountains: Ancient, worn-down mountain range in eastern North America
Great Lakes: Five large freshwater lakes in the north-central part of North America
Pacific Coast region: Western coast of North America; rugged cliffs, forests, and fishing
Tundra: Flat, treeless Arctic region in far northern North America; frozen most of the year
Landform: A natural feature of the earth's surface, like a mountain, valley, or plain
Bison: Large grazing animal that once roamed the Great Plains in massive herds
Gulf Coastal Plain: Low, flat land along the Gulf of Mexico coast; warm and humid climate
Interior Plains: Broad, relatively flat region in the middle of the continent between the Appalachians and Rockies
Canadian Shield: Ancient rocky region surrounding Hudson Bay; rich in minerals and forests