N O T E B O O K
Mapping Lab:
Canada and the United States
M A K I N G A M E N TA L M A P
1. Draw an outline map of Canada and the United States on the next page. Then draw and label
these features where you think they are located:
• the Arctic Circle
• two large bodies of water that are not oceans
• a mountain range
• a large river
• the political boundaries of the two countries in the region
• political boundaries for any states, provinces, or territories you think you know
2. Revise this mental map at the end of the Mapping Lab. Follow these steps to analyze your
mental map:
• Use one color to highlight or circle at least three details that were correct or fairly
accurate.
• Use another to highlight or circle at least three details that were inaccurate. Correct those
items.
• Use a third to add at least three new items.
• At least one item should represent information about physical geography, and at least one
should represent information about human geography.
© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute Canada and the United States 1
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Canada and the United States
2 Canada and the United States © Teachers’ Curriculum Institute
N O T E B O O K
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
1. Read the Introduction to Physical Geography of the region.
Write some questions you have about physical geography of this region. As you read through
the sections on the physical geography, come back here to add more questions.
2. Read the sections on physical geography. After you read each section:
• find the matching thematic map in the table.
• write two or more sentences in the reading with information represented in the map.
Section Map Two or more sentences graphically represented on the map
Physical
Physical
Geography
Features
Map
Climate Climate Map
Vegetation
Vegetation
Map
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HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
1. Read the Introduction to Human Geography of the region.
Write some questions you have about human geography of this region. As you read through
the sections on the human geography, come back here to add more questions.
2. Read the sections on human geography. After you read each section:
• find the matching thematic map or graphic in the table.
• write two or more sentences in the reading with information represented in the map.
Section Map/Graphic Two or more sentences graphically represented on the map
History Timeline
Population
Population
Density Map
Economic Economic
Activity Activity Map
4 Canada and the United States © Teachers’ Curriculum Institute
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GEOGRAPHY CHALLENGE 1
Part A: Locate Physical Features of Canada and the United States
Use the coordinates to locate and label each feature. Make sure it is clear where each feature is.
1. Rocky Mountains (45°N, 110°W) 6. Canadian Shield (55°N, 90°W)
2. Arctic Ocean (80°N, 140°W) 7. Great Plains (45°N, 105°W)
3. Appalachian Mountains (40°N, 77°W) 8. Atlantic Ocean (35°N, 70°W)
4. Pacific Ocean (40°N, 130°W) 9. Mississippi River (35°N, 90°W)
rcle
70ºN
Arctic Ci
70ºN
80ºN
80ºN
Arctic Ci
5. Colorado River (35°N, 115°W) 10. Great Basin (38°N, 115°W)
rc
170ºE 10ºW
le
60ºN
20ºW
180º
30ºW
N
60º
170ºW
40ºW
160ºW
50
ºN
50ºW
ºN
50
150ºW
40
ºN
60ºW
ºN
40
140ºW
30º
N
N
30º
N
Tro W
pic
of C
anc E cer
er Can
S pi c of
Tro
20º
N
20ºN
70ºW
0 500 1,000 miles
70ºW
0 500 1,000 kilometers
10ºN Lambert Azimuthal Equal-Area projection
130ºW 120ºW 110ºW 100ºW 90ºW 80ºW 10ºN
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Part B: Locate States, Provinces, and Territories in Canada and the United States
Use the coordinates to locate and label each place. Make sure it is clear where each place is.
1. Michigan (45°N, 85°W) 6. Ontario (50°N, 85°W)
2. British Columbia (55°N, 125°W) 7. California (35°N, 120°W)
3. New York (43°N, 75°W) 8. Nunavut (65°N, 100°W)
4. Montana (47°N, 110°W) 9. Prince Edward Island (46°N, 63°W)
5. Oregon (45°N, 120°W) 10. Alberta (55°N, 115°W)
rcle
Arctic Ci
70ºN
70ºN
80ºN
80ºN
Arctic Ci
rc
10ºW
le
170ºE
60ºN
ARCTIC OC E A N
20ºW
180º
30ºW
N
60º
170ºW
40ºW
160ºW Yukon
Territory
Northwest Territories
Newfoundland
50 and Labrador
ºN
50ºW
ºN
50
150ºW
CANADA
Manitoba Quebec
Saskatchewan
New
Brunswick
40 Washington Vermont Maine
ºN 60ºW
North Minnesota Nova Scotia
Dakota 0ºN
New Hampshire 4
Wisconsin
Idaho South Rhode Island
Dakota
Wyoming Connecticut
140ºW Pennsylvania New Jersey
P A C I F I C Iowa Ohio
Nebraska Delaware
Indiana
Nevada U N I T E D S T A T E S Illinois West
Virginia
Maryland
O C E A N Utah
Colorado Virginia Washington, D.C.
Kansas Kentucky
Missouri North
30º Carolina
N
Tennessee South N
Oklahoma Carolina 30º
New Arkansas Alabama
Mexico
Mississippi AT L A N T I C
N Texas
Louisiana OCEAN
Tro W
pic
of C E r
anc nce
er f Ca
S p ic o
Tro
20º
N
N
20º
70ºW
0 500 1,000 miles
70ºW
0 500 1,000 kilometers
10º Lambert Azimuthal Equal-Area projection
N
130ºW 120ºW 110ºW 100ºW 90ºW 80ºW 10ºN
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N O T E B O O K
GEOGRAPHY CHALLENGE 2
Use the thematic maps to answer the questions. For each question,
• write your answer.
• record the thematic maps you used.
Question Answer Maps Used
1. What is the largest area in
Canada and the United States
that is densely populated (over
250 people per square mile)?
What are four cities in that area?
2. In which state in the United
States can you find all of the
following climates: arid, semiarid,
Mediterranean, highlands, and
marine west coast?
3. Which resource is most abundant
in Texas, Alaska, and Alberta?
Which state or province appears
to have the most of that
resource?
4. Which four territories and states
have both a subarctic and a
tundra climate and include land
that is both north and south of
the Arctic Circle?
5. What is the most common type of
vegetation in the central area of
southern Canada and the United
States? Which country has more
land with that type of vegetation?
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Question Answer Maps Used
6. What types of land use occur
along both the Pacific Coast and
the Atlantic Coast of Canada and
the United States?
7. Which five lakes together make
up the largest body of fresh water
in Canada and the United States?
8. California is the most populated
state in this region. Nunavut
is the least populated. How do
climate and economic activity
help explain why this is the case?
9. Name three states, provinces,
or territories that produce
more hydroelectric power than
other places in the region.
What physical feature in these
places might help explain why
hydroelectric power is a resource
there?
10. A farmer grows sugarcane, a crop
that does well only in a humid
subtropical climate with other
tropical grassland vegetation.
In his free time, he loves to
go sailing on the ocean year-
round. His farm is near a densely
populated city that lies on a
very large river. Where does the
farmer live? Why do you think so?
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GEOGRAPHY CHALLENGE 3
1. Mark locations A, B, and C on the map.
• Location A (40° north, 74° west)
• Location B (76° north, 80° west)
• Location C (60° north, 147° west)
rcle
70ºN
Arctic Ci
70ºN
80ºN
80ºN
Arctic Ci
rc
170ºE 10ºW
le
60ºN
20ºW
180º
30ºW
N
60º
170ºW
40ºW
160ºW
50
ºN
50ºW
ºN
50
150ºW
40
ºN
60ºW
ºN
40
140ºW
30º
N
N
30º
N
Tro W
pic
of C E er
anc anc
er of C
S pic
Tro
20º
N
20ºN
70ºW
0 500 1,000 miles
70ºW
0 500 1,000 kilometers
10ºN Lambert Azimuthal Equal-Area projection
130ºW 120ºW 110ºW 100ºW 90ºW 80ºW 10ºN
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N O T E B O O K
2. Use the thematic maps to write as much information as possible about the three locations.
Thematic Location A Location B Location C
Map (40° north, 74° west) (76° north, 80° west) (60° north, 147° west)
Physical
Features
Climate
Zones
Vegetation
Zones
Population
Density
Economic
Activity
10 Canada and the United States © Teachers’ Curriculum Institute
