US and Canada Landforms

This lesson introduces the US and Canada unit by going over the significant landforms and waterways of the United States. Beginning at the Atlantic Coast, Mr. Rueschhoff walks viewers across the continent. Landforms discussed are: Atlantic Coastal Plain, Gulf Coastal Plain, Piedmont, Appalachian Mountains, Inner Plains, Canadian Shield, Inner Highlands, Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, Great Basin, Death Valley, Sierra Nevada Mountains, Cascades, and the Coast Range of the Pacific Mountain System. Waterways discussed are the St. Lawrence, Hudson, Ohio, Mississippi, Missouri, and Rio Grande Rivers. Hudson Bay, Great Lakes, Niagara Falls, and the Great Salt Lake are discussed as well. Beyond pointing out the features of the US and Canada, Mr. Rueschhoff explains how the St. Lawrence, Hudson, and Mississippi Rivers combined with the Great Lakes and Welland, Erie and Illinois & Michigan Canals to accelerate settlement and trade into the interior of the country. While helpful to all viewers, this lesson is specifically designed to answer Texas Education Knowledge and Skills standards of the World Geography studies course.