Territory– 9.4 million km

Population- 263.2 million people (1995)

Capital— Washington

Geographical position, general overview

USA- the most economically developed country in the West. In terms of area, the United States surpasses all of Europe, but is inferior to Russia. The country is made up of 50 states and the District of Columbia. 48 states are located in the southern half of the North American continent and are washed by the waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The state of Alaska occupies the northwestern part of the continent, bordering Canada in the east. The Hawaiian Islands are a separate state in one of the archipelagos of the Pacific Ocean.

The US access to the Atlantic and Pacific oceans promotes, on the one hand, transport and economic ties with many countries, and, on the other hand, isolates the country from the hotbeds of wars and tensions in Europe and Asia.

The development of the territory of the United States took place from the 16th century, when the first English, Dutch, Swedish colonies (on the Atlantic coast) and Spanish ones on the Pacific coast were founded here. Initially, the United States included 13 British colonies. AT

In 1776 their independence was proclaimed and their separation from England took place. The United States took its modern shape in 1959, when the states of Alaska and Hawaii, which were previously colonies, officially became part of them.

The United States is currently a federal republic.

The head of state is the president. Legislative power is vested in Congress. The country has a constitution adopted in 1787.

Natural conditions and resources of the United States

A significant part of the country's territory, according to natural conditions, is favorable for life and economic activity. The United States is distinguished by its diversity and richness of natural resources. The territory of the country is divided into a mountainous and predominantly arid western part and a flat, fairly humid, eastern part.

The United States stands out for its rich and diverse mineral resources. The fuel and energy resources are especially large. There are also large reserves of ores of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, mining and chemical raw materials.

Coal-bearing areas occupy 1/10 of the country's territory. Coal reserves - 1.6 trillion. The US is rich in oil and natural gas. In terms of their production, the United States ranks second in the world. The largest oil and gas reserves are located in Alaska, in the south of the country and on the Pacific coast.

The main resources of iron ore are located in the area of ​​Lake Superior; significant resources of molybdenum, tungsten, precious metals in the deposits of mountainous states. In terms of lead reserves, the United States is among the world leaders. Lead-zinc ores are concentrated in the states of Idaho, Utah, Montana, Missouri.

Despite the presence of a rich mineral resource base, the United States is still forced to import nickel, manganese, cobalt, bauxite, tin, and potassium salts.

The climate in the United States is varied. Most of the territory lies in the temperate and subtropical climate zone, only the south of Florida is in the tropical climate. Alaska is located in the subarctic and temperate zones, and Hawaii is in the marine tropical zone. The continentality of the climate increases in the central and western regions. In general, climatic conditions allow growing in the United States a diverse composition of both temperate and subtropical crops and promote pastoralism.

Abundant and diverse water resources are distributed territorially very unevenly: 60% of the flow falls on the east of the country. The largest lake system in the world, the Great Lakes, is located here.

The main river system of the country is the Mississippi and its tributaries. Its left tributaries have significant water resources, while the right ones are used for irrigation.

US population

By population US occupied 3rd in the world. The population of the country is up to 270 million people.

Immigration has played a huge role in shaping the US population. Until the end of the last century, these were mainly immigrants from Western Europe, later from the agrarian countries of Eastern Europe. In recent years, immigrants from America and Asia have dominated among immigrants.

Average annual - 16%, - 9%. Life expectancy is 73 years for men and 80 years for women.

In the modern population of the United States (over 100 ethnic groups in general), three main ethnic groups are distinguished - US Americans, immigrant groups and aboriginal groups. In general, in the United States, European Americans make up 80% of the population, blacks - 12%.

Various ethnic groups do not have specific territories to live in, however, certain parts of the country are distinguished by an increased proportion of representatives of certain groups, for example, Mexicans in the southwestern states, etc.

In terms of average population density, the United States lags behind many economically developed countries (28 people per 1 km). But the distribution of the population across the territory

very uneven: almost 70% of the inhabitants live in an area that occupies 12% of the area. The differences between the coastal (lakeside) and mountain states are especially great: from 350 to 2-3 people per 1 km2. Most populated states - California

(31.2 million people, 1993), New York (18.2 million), Texas (18.0 million), Florida

(13.7 million). The leading of the three main economic regions of the USA is the Industrial North (almost 1/2 of the population).

The USA is one of the most urbanized countries in the world (75% are city dwellers). There are about 10 thousand cities in the USA, 8 of them are millionaire cities. As in all economically developed countries, suburbanization is widespread in the United States.

The rural population of the United States lives mainly on separately located farms, but living conditions there are almost the same as in urban areas.

US economy

The United States has a powerful economic, scientific, technical and military potential. In many ways, the country determines the politics of the modern world.

The modern GNP of the country is unparalleled. The US is the world's largest producer of industrial and agricultural products. In terms of oil, natural gas, coal and steel production, the country is among the top three world leaders, and in terms of electricity production, the level of development of the chemical industry, the smelting of non-ferrous metals, the production of cars and aircraft, the level of development of electronics, electrical engineering and the aerospace industry is the leader.

The branches of international specialization of the United States are electrical and electronic, aerospace, military, nuclear industry, etc.

The share of the mining industry, ferrous metallurgy, textile and clothing industries has significantly decreased in the country's economy. The share of the chemical industry, mechanical engineering and metalworking increased.

In general, under the influence of scientific and technological revolution in the sectoral structure of GNP, the share of material production decreases and the non-production sphere increases.

Energy

The basis of the US energy industry is its good supply of energy resources - coal, oil, natural gas. In addition, oil and gas are partially imported. In terms of the total capacity of power plants and the production of electricity (3215 billion kW / h, 1990), the United States ranks first in the world. The structure of electricity generation is dominated by its production at thermal power plants operating on coal, gas, fuel oil - 70%, the rest is produced by hydroelectric power plants and nuclear power plants.

Ferrous metallurgy

As in other economically developed countries, the share of this basic industry is declining both in terms of the number of employees and in terms of output.

The United States is trying to restore the competitiveness of the industry by intensifying production, reducing its energy and material consumption. In connection with the reorientation of the industry to imported high-quality iron ore, along with the old centers and regions of metallurgy (for example, in the Great Lakes region), the Atlantic Metallurgical Region (Baltimore, Mauriceville) arose and is developing.

The industry is developing along the path of creating new consumer-oriented mini-factories.

Non-ferrous metallurgy

Non-ferrous metallurgy relies on a powerful energy, both domestic and imported, raw material base. The main areas for the location of enterprises are the Mountain States, where most of the deposits are located, the Pacific Northwest, and the Atlantic region.

Mechanical engineering and metalworking

Mechanical engineering and metalworking is the largest branch of American industry. It employs 40% of the population and produces 40% of the manufacturing industry. US engineering is heavily monopolized.

The most important industry is the automotive industry, with 75% of the country's needs for cars provided by the corporations General Motors, Ford Motor and Chrysler. Automotive is common in 20 states, but the main area is the Lake District, especially the state of Michigan.

The aviation industry is often referred to as the aerospace industry. The largest monopolies are Boeing, United Technologies, McDonell Douglas. There are centers in many states, but the Pacific states and, above all, Los Angeles and Seattle stand out in particular.

US shipbuilding is much inferior in importance to other branches of engineering, it cannot compete with other countries of the world. The main enterprises are concentrated in the northeast.

The electrical engineering and electronics industry produces products for both industrial and domestic purposes. In the field of household products, the United States is experiencing strong competition from foreign (especially Japanese) firms.

In mechanical engineering, the process of cooperation between industry and science was very clearly manifested, scientific and industrial territorial complexes arose, for example, "Silicon Valley" in California.

Chemical industry

The United States is one of the world leaders in terms of production of chemical products. Despite the fact that the industry is represented in dozens of centers, its increased concentration in certain areas is also very typical. The main areas of the chemical industry are the states of the North, where chemistry is associated with metallurgy, the automotive industry, the textile industry, and agriculture (New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan).

The main region of the US petrochemistry has developed within the oil and gas basin of the Gulf of Mexico.

Textile industry

Recently, there has been a "migration" of this industry from the North Atlantic states to the South Atlantic, closer to areas of cheaper labor, areas of production of cotton and synthetic fiber, and markets.

food industry

The US food industry is on a par with large industries and surpasses the textile, clothing, and footwear industries. It relies on developed agriculture. The main food industries are located in the north (meat canning plants), west (milk processing), California and Florida (fruit and vegetable canning).

In the United States, several important areas of concentration of the manufacturing industry have developed: the "Industrial Belt" in the north (specializes in metallurgy, engineering, chemical and other industries), the Gulf coast region of Mexico (petrochemistry, oil refining, mechanical engineering, food, clothing and etc.), in the valley of the river. Tennessee (energy-intensive industries of chemistry, metallurgy, and the military industry have been developed), in the Mountain States (mainly non-ferrous metallurgy enterprises are represented), in the Pacific states (aero-rocket and radio-electronic enterprises, petrochemicals, etc.)

Agriculture

Despite the fact that only 3% of the population is employed in this sector and its share in the country's GDP is about 2%, agriculture is a very important industry for the United States. In terms of agricultural production, the United States is vastly superior to any other country in the world. The United States was the first to move to agribusiness. Labor productivity in the agro-industrial complex is growing even faster than in industry. Diversified agriculture provides not only the needs of the country, but also provides significant products for export.

The basis for highly developed agriculture was large land and climatic resources. Cultivated land, meadows, pastures occupy almost 1/2 of the main territory of the United States.

The crop production profile in the USA is primarily determined by grain crops (2/3 of all areas). The main food crop is wheat, but much more fodder crops are harvested. An important role is played by oilseeds, fibrous, sugar-bearing crops, fruits and vegetables.

Livestock in the United States primarily determines the breeding of dairy and beef cattle, as well as poultry farming.

On the territory of the United States, a kind of specialized agricultural regions have developed - wheat, corn and soy, dairy farming, and cotton. However, on the site of the former "cotton" region, new livestock and crop growing regions have emerged, where cotton growing is developed along with grain farming and animal husbandry, vegetable growing and fruit growing.

Transport

Transportation in the United States ranks first in the world in most indicators. The network of communications makes up about 1/3 of the global network. The United States accounts for about 40% of the transport capacity and about 30% of the transport capacity of the capitalist world.

The great importance of transport in the United States is determined by the vastness of the country's territory, the peculiarities of settlement and the suburbanization process, as well as the mutual location of the main areas of production and consumption, etc.

Almost the same value in terms of freight turnover is currently played by all the main types of transport in the United States (railway - 27%, road - 24%, water - 27%, pipeline - 21%). Moreover, the share of automobile, pipeline, as well as air modes of transport is growing.

The backbone of the US transport network is formed by transcontinental highways stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean and from the Canadian to the Mexican border. It seems to be superimposed on a network of inland waterways. At the intersection of land and water highways and air lines, large transport hubs were formed.

Foreign economic relations of the USA

The US plays a very prominent role in world trade. But, although the country surpasses all other economically developed countries in terms of foreign trade turnover, the dependence of the US economy on foreign trade is less than in Europe.

The share of exports in the US GDP is about 10%, and in European countries - 20-30%. The US has a huge domestic market. The export of the economy is great in the coastal and border states of the United States. In US foreign trade, the role of neighbors is great: Canada, Mexico, and Japan (they account for 40% of foreign trade turnover).

On average, about 15% of US industrial output is exported. Export plays an important role in agricultural production.

Internal differences

At the macro level since the 1980s. American statistics began to distinguish four macroregions, differing in historical and cultural characteristics and in the nature of modern socio-economic development.

1. Northeast. This is the smallest of the macro-districts, but its favorable economic and geographical position, richness in coal, features of colonization turned it into a "workshop of the nation", although its significance in the second half of the 20th century decreases somewhat.
2. Midwest. This is an area of ​​large-scale industry and agriculture, rich in coal, iron ore and having exceptionally favorable agro-climatic conditions. It gives about 1/2 of agricultural production.
3. South. For a long time it developed slowly, which was facilitated by the slave-owning plantation economy and the agrarian-raw material profile of the economy. But now the region has taken first place in the country in the production of coal, oil, natural gas, phosphorites, and in the production of fabrics. But the level of development of the individual states of the South is not the same.
4. The West is the youngest and most dynamic macro-district of the United States, the largest. The contrasts within it are especially pronounced. The West includes Alaska - the main resource area for new development, Hawaii - the islands of pineapples and tourism. The Far West is the prairies of the Great Plains, the land of ranches and cowboys. The Mountain West is the land of the Rocky Mountains and deserts, the Pacific West, which includes the "golden state" of California.

The United States of America is the largest country in North America. The name of the country speaks for itself, in it the administrative units are the states united in the state. The US geography is unique due to its location between two oceans. Let's take a closer look at this country.

Location

The USA is located in the central mainland of North America. Includes 48 states located directly on the continent, and two - outside it.

These are Alaska, located in the very north of the mainland and not having a border with the main state, and Hawaii - islands located in the Pacific Ocean.

The United States also owns some separate territories located in the Caribbean, such as Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands. As well as islands located in the Pacific Ocean, in the Alaska region. Separately, it must be said that the central federal district of Columbia does not belong to any state.

Due to this vast location, the geography of the United States and its climatic zones are very diverse.

Physiography

There are several, or rather, 5 natural zones on the territory of the country, which are radically different from each other. The geography of the United States briefly shows how different the landscape of just one country can be. The main part of the state is divided into 4 regions: Northeast, Midwest, South and West.

So, the eastern part of the country, off the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, is covered with the Appalachian Mountains. There are many bays convenient for ships to enter, the coast with its lowlands attracted the attention of the first settlers from Europe. Later, the first large cities in America arose there.

The physical geography of the United States, especially in the central part of the country, attracts the attention of tourists with the beauty of the valleys, which were formed due to the lowering of the relief. There are also many large rivers, lakes, swamps and waterfalls of extraordinary beauty.

Further, in the west, the landscape of the area is replete with vast plains covered with steppe vegetation, called prairies. This area is well suited for agriculture. Humidity and abundance of precipitation favor the cultivation of corn and wheat here.

The Cordilleras are quite high mountains. There are many natural parks in this part of the country. It is replete with canyons, which are visited by many tourists every year. The mountains come close to the shores of the Pacific Ocean. A small stretch of coast attracts with its subtropical climate and magnificent beaches.

The northern part of the USA, the state of Alaska, is located above the Arctic Circle. A large part of the peninsula is occupied by the mountain ranges of the northern Cordillera. Due to the severe cold, it is very difficult to explore Alaska.

For a more detailed description of the United States by geography, see below.

Appalachian region

Let's take a closer look at the states located in the east of the country. These include those located in the northeastern region. It is interesting that it was they who accepted the first settlers. There are 10 states in total. Chief among them - Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey - the most densely populated in America. I must say that it is here that the largest number of emigrants live, of which the US population consists. The geography and climatic conditions in this region are similar to those of Europe.

Due to the not very mild climate, although the Atlantic Ocean partially softens it, the mountains have quite long and cold winters. Therefore, in this part of the country, industry is more developed than agriculture. In addition, there are many minerals in the mountainous area. It was here that coal was discovered and its extraction was organized. Throughout the country, mineral developments have led to the fact that the economy began to develop rapidly. At the moment, the economic geography of the United States is vast and includes four regions developing in different directions.

The Appalachian Mountains stretch for 1900 km along the entire coast of the Atlantic Ocean from Maine to the south of the country. The highest in the system, Mount Mitchell, is just over 2,000 meters. Several rivers originate in the mountains: the Hudson, which divided the Appalachians into northern and southern ones, and the Roanoke, which divided the southern Blue Ridge in half. Despite the presence of rivers and forests, the soil in this area is very acidic, which requires constant alkalization and fertilization.

Atlantic lowlands

This is a lowland that borders the Atlantic coast from the state of New York to the state of Florida located in the south. The region has a mild subtropical climate. The geography of the United States makes an unforgettable impression on travelers, and the Atlantic lowlands are one of the main reasons for this. It is divided into several parts.

The northern part from the states of New York to Virginia is characterized by an uneven coastline with large peninsulas separated by the Long Island Sounds and the bays of New York, Delaware, Albemarle and Pamlico. All these areas are favorable for shipping. It is this part of the plain that includes wetlands with beaches. New York State is home to the most beautiful waterfall in the world, the Niagara Falls.

Center and South

The central part of the lowlands is found in the states of North and South Carolina and Georgia. Its landscape is very hilly. There are fewer bays in this place, and their dimensions are insignificant. The ocean-facing islands have stunning sandy beaches.

The southern part is located in the state of Florida, located on the peninsula of the same name. There are low hills and large swamps. In the south of Florida is the Everglades swampy area, it is here that cypress trees from the distant past and steppes with tall grass remain. This rare section of the subtropics is mostly part of the national park of the same name.

It is not for nothing that in reference books the description of the country of the United States - geography, climate, economy, tourism - begins with the state of Florida.

Mexican lowland

The Mexican lowland is located in the south from the state of Alabama to the state of New Mexico. Its border is the Ri Grande. It also goes deep into the continent almost to the southern part of Illinois and is divided into three parts: eastern, Mississippi and western. On the coast there are large port cities: Houston and Veracruz.

In the eastern part of the lowland, low hills and lowlands alternate, elongated parallel to the southern tip of the Appalachians. Interestingly, there are no waterfalls in the Fall Line Hills, which is farthest from the coastline. This characteristic of the United States is unique in geography, since the main part of the mountain ranges is replete with many cascades of water. The western part of the plain is similar in structure to the eastern one, so we will not dwell on its description. But the part adjacent to the Mississippi is very interesting.

The plain is 80 to 160 km wide, framed by ledges, the height of which reaches 60 meters. A powerful water artery slowly flows through a vast valley with a slight slope. Numerous sections indicate how the position of the riverbed changed. In the floodplain area there are fertile alluvial soils. In addition, there are significant deposits of gas and oil. In this area, US geography, economy and industrial activity are of considerable interest.

great plains

This is a plateau to the east of the well-known Rocky Mountains. The height of the plateau is 700-1800 meters above sea level. The states of New Mexico, Nebraska, Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas, North and South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana are located.

All rivers flow along the general slope of the surface in an easterly direction and are related to the Mississippi and Missouri river basins. The Missouri Plateau is distinguished on one side by a flat, and on the other, by a hilly surface, cut through by countless deep river valleys. It is interesting that the bottoms of the valleys are much wider than the rivers themselves, and are limited by steep cliffs rising up to 30 meters.

The plateau is highly divided, in some places the network of valleys is too frequent to be used for farming. In the north are badlands, or, as they are also called, "bad lands", with little or no soil cover. To the south - in the state of Nebraska - the Sand Hills. On the territory of the state of Kansas - the relatively low mountains of the Smoky Hills and Flint Hills, as well as the high Red Hills. The high valleys are practically unsuitable for agriculture, but here wheat grows excellently and there is an abundance of pasture for cattle.

Rocky Mountains

The Cordillera mountain system stretches across the western part of the United States, which stretches from north to southeast with parallel ridges and plateaus, depressions and valleys separating them. The longest mountain range that I would like to mention is the Rocky Mountains. They are smaller in area than the Appalachians, but abound in higher elevations, more rugged terrain, colorful landscapes, and complex geological structure.

Colorado

The plan-description of the US country in geography in all textbooks includes the natural features of the state. These include the Southern Rocky Mountains, located in the state of Colorado. They consist of several significant ranges and large basins. One of the highest mountains, Elbert, reaches 4399 meters. The most beautiful, often snow-covered peaks, raised 900 meters above the upper edge of the forest, form a vivid panorama of the highlands. Large ones originate on lush forest slopes - Colorado, Arkansas, Rio Grande.

Along the western edge of the Middle Rocky Mountains is a seismically active zone. There are earthquakes from time to time. It is in this area that the world-famous Yellowstone Park is located.

cascade mountains

Located mainly in and Washington, to some extent are of volcanic origin. Lava creates an undulating surface strewn with volcanic craters. The largest of them rise above the forest border, which is located at an altitude of up to 2700 meters.

The highest peak of the Cascades, Rainier, is distinguished by the regularity of its conical shape and is covered with glaciers. This is where Mount Rainier National Park is located.

The geography of the United States briefly shows what elevation differences - from small in the east of the country to more than 4000 meters in the west - can be on one mainland. This leads to a huge number of natural disasters on both sides of the continent.

California

Near the Cascade Mountains, another one is located - the Sierra Nevada. They are found mainly in California. It is interesting that this colossal ridge, stretching for 640 km, is composed mainly of granite. Its eastern edge drops sharply into the Great Basin, while its western slope slopes relatively gently towards the Central California Valley. At the same time, the southern part is the highest and is known as the High Sierras. In this place, seven snow-covered peaks exceed 4250 meters. And Mount Whitney with a height of 4418 meters - the highest point in the United States - is located just 160 km from Death Valley.

The steep eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada mountains is an arid zone, and the flora there is very poor. There are only a few rivers on this slope. But the gentle western slope is cut by countless deep valleys. Some of them are beautiful canyons, such as the famous Yosemite Valley on the Merced River in Yosemite National Park and the large canyons of the Kings River in Kings Canyon National Park. A significant part of the slope is shrouded in forests, and it is here that giant sequoias grow.

Alaska

A significant part of the state is riddled with mountains, stretching from west to east. The northern part is a flat Arctic lowland. It is bordered in the south by the Brooks Range, which includes the De Long, Endicott, Philip Smith and British mountains. In the center of the state is the Yukon Plateau with the river of the same name flowing. The Aleutian Range curves in a semicircle near the Susitna River valley and passes into the Alaska Range, thus creating the Alaska Peninsula and the adjacent Aleutian Islands. It is on the Alaska Range that the highest point in the United States is located - Mount McKinley with a height of 6193 meters.

Alaska is the largest US state by area and the smallest by population. According to the latest data, it is inhabited by 736,732 people. There are active volcanoes in Alaska. The Valley of Ten Thousand Houses arose precisely because of the volcanic eruption in 1912. Most of the population of the peninsula are natives of America, as well as Eskimos, Aleuts and Indians.

In the United States, the geography of the states, which differ so sharply from each other, attracts the attention of many tourists. Having traveled the territory of the whole country, one can get great pleasure from the views of majestic mountains, excellent canyons and mighty rivers.

The United States of America, or US for short, is the largest country in North America. The state ranks 4th in terms of area in the world and 3rd in terms of population. Five dozen states, one federal district and some island territories are subordinate.

Geographic characteristics

The total territory of the USA is over 9.5 million km2. From the northern borders, the state is adjacent to Canada. The south side has a border with Mexico. The United States also has a maritime border with the Russian Federation in the Bering Strait. The United States owns some islands in the Caribbean and the Pacific. Also under the control of the state are territories with different state statuses, for example, Puerto Rico.

The total population of the United States is currently about 325 million people. The first tribes migrated to Alaska from Siberia about 10,000 years ago. The current population is the descendants of European and African settlers of the 17th-20th centuries.

Nature

The natural features of the United States of America have a significant impact on the social and economic situation of the state. The long formation of the relief over many millennia has left a mark on the modern history of the United States.

The mountains

The main part of the country has a flat relief, with the exception of the Appalachian Mountains and the Cordillera mountain system. The Cordillera system includes a huge plateau that occupies the entire western territory from Alaska to California and New Mexico. The length of the mountain range is more than 1.5 thousand km. Part of the cascade mountains has volcanoes of different activity and is a seismic hazard. The tops of the mountains are covered with glaciers, and many rivers originate on their slopes. The inner belt of the Cordillera is also characterized by dry lakes with a thick layer of salt. The Cordilleras, in general, occupy a third of the territory of the United States, and the rest of the mountains are the Appalachians and ancient weathered plateaus.

The Appalachians stretch from northeast to southwest and consist of two large plateaus: Cumberland in the south and Allegan in the north. The length of the mountain system is 2600 km. In the northwest of the mainland, Alaska was formed from branches of the Cordillera. It should also be noted the Hawaiian archipelago with a large number of underground and surface volcanoes...

canyons

Canyons are sheer mountain dips formed as a result of soil erosion, the movement of entire rock layers and tectonic activity. The largest and most famous canyons are located in the USA. In particular, the Grand Canyon, formed several million years ago along the bed of the Colorado River in Arizona. The depth of this canyon is almost 2000 meters, the width is 30 km, and the length is almost 450 km. The first erosional processes in this area began 17 million years ago. They continue to be active and the depth of the Grand Canyon is constantly growing. Also in Arizona is Oak Creek Canyon, which appeared 10 million years ago. Its depth does not exceed 600 meters, and its length is 20 km. The third most popular can be called the Arizona Canyon de Shay, located in the conservation area of ​​​​the reservation of the Navajo Indian tribe. Actually, this canyon is completely controlled by the Indians and is visited only with their participation. There are unique canyons in the states of Utah, Nevada, New Mexico...

Plains

The foothills of the Cordillera plateau are the Great Plains. Their height varies from 500 to 1500 meters. The plateau is a divided network of valleys, some of which are very dense and not suitable for economic activity. In the northern part there are so-called bad lands without soil cover. The southern area of ​​the plains includes the Edwards Plateau and the Llano Estacado...

Rivers

The main flow of rivers in the United States occurs in the basins of the Arctic, Pacific and Atlantic oceans. The regime of the rivers themselves is not stable, especially in the continental part. Most of the rivers located in the United States are subject to industrial impact. For example, the Susquehanna in New York or Roanoke in Virginia.

The main water flow in the United States is the longest river in America - the Mississippi. The basin of this reservoir is located, in particular, on the territory of Canada, and originates in Nicolette Creek. The length of the Mississippi is more than 3.5 thousand km. An important water stream is the Missouri River, a tributary of the Mississippi, originating in the Rocky Mountains. Also, the Columbia River runs through the states, which has a mountain current and is fed by glaciers. The Colorado River flows to the southwest...

lakes

The largest lake reservoirs in America include the Great Lakes, interconnected by straits and rivers. Their total area is 245,000 km2. The average depth of the lakes exceeds that of the North Sea. The system includes 5 large freshwater lakes and many small ones. Separately, it should be noted lakes Superior, Huron, Michigan, Erie and Ontario. In the Great Lakes region, shipping, tourism activities to visit small islands and Niagara Falls are actively developing. Also worth noting is a large lake in the Western Hemisphere in Utah. This Great Salt Lake does not have a runoff and changes its area in accordance with the level of precipitation. Large lakes are located in the states of Alaska, California, Oregon, Nevada ...

Oceans and seas surrounding the USA

The land territory of the country is washed in the west by the Pacific Ocean, in the east by the Atlantic, and in the north by the Arctic Ocean. The Pacific Ocean in the United States includes the large Columbia, Willamette, Colorado, Yukon, Cuscoquim, and San Francisco Bay rivers.

The Arctic Ocean basin includes rivers in Minnesota and North Dakota, as well as bodies of water in northern Alaska, such as Colville and Noatak. As for the Atlantic Ocean, the main part of the river flow belongs to its basin, namely the Gulf of Mexico: Mississippi, Missouri, Arkansas, Ohio, Rio Grande, Trinity.

Regarding marine waters, it should be said that the United States is washed by the Bering, Sargasso and Caribbean seas ...

Forests

Forest vegetation takes up approximately 70% of the total area of ​​the country. Closer to Alaska, where the tundra ends, there are forests of the taiga type, most of which have not only not been developed, but also not studied. The Cordillera mountain system has coniferous forests, and the Appalachian mountains have broadleaf forests.

At the end of the 19th century, a system of national forests was created in the United States, where resources are used for recreational and industrial purposes. The commercial use of such forests is not only permitted, but encouraged...

Plants and animals of the USA

The presence of several natural zones with different weather conditions determines the existence of a rich world of flora and fauna in the United States. Here you can find ecosystems typical for the tundra, taiga, desert, mixed and tropical forests. The most popular trees are pine, cedar, oak, larch, birch, spruce. Magnolias, rubber plants, cacti and succulents grow in arid areas. On the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, palm and citrus orchards are massively found.

The fauna of the United States practically duplicates the biological diversity of species in Eurasia. In the tundra you can meet deer, hares, wolves, lemmings, and in the taiga - elks, bears, badgers and raccoons. Alligators, opossums and turtles live in mixed forests, and bison, horses, scorpions and snakes live in the plains and steppes...

USA climate

In the United States, there are areas with a wide variety of climatic characteristics. The main part of the country lies in the subtropical zone. Toward the north, a temperate climate, and further - the polar regions. The southern coast is represented by a tropical and Mediterranean climate. On the territory of the Great Plains, the climate is closer to the desert. In general, the climate can change throughout one belt due to the transformation of the relief, human activities and the location of the ocean. The favorable climate of the main part of the United States contributed to the rapid settlement of the country and its development.

The lack of climatic features of the United States is a large number of natural disasters. Hurricanes, droughts, tornadoes, floods and tsunamis are not uncommon here...

Resources

Due to the diversity of natural resources and the active growth of industrial production, the US economy has a high level of GDP and decent social indicators.

US natural resources

The most common mineral resources of the United States include gold, mercury, iron and manganese ore, coal, copper, and silver. There are also deposits of zinc, lead, tungsten, titanium, uranium, etc. The most important source of America's natural resources is an extensive network of rivers and lakes, as well as the Cordillera, the Great Plains, canyons and lowlands. The abundance of vegetation contributes to the development of the wood processing industry...

US Industry and Agriculture

The industrial production of the United States includes different branches of production in accordance with the territorial division. It is industry that provides at least 20% of GDP in this country. The light industry is represented in the North Atlantic states, the chemical industry is represented in Texas and Louisiana. It also develops the extraction and processing of petroleum products. The national industry of the United States can be considered mechanical engineering, which includes the automotive industry, shipbuilding, as well as the nuclear, aviation and rocket and space sectors.

A certain share of GDP is also provided by the development of agriculture in the United States. Thus, the export market of fruits, corn and soybeans is developing in the country. The agricultural processes of the United States are distinguished by their orientation towards commodity capitalist relations, as well as by the narrow specialization of each of the regions ...

culture

Peoples in the USA

The cultural traditions of the United States have long developed under the influence of ethnic and racial traditions of the population. Native Hawaiians, American Indians, African descendants and immigrants from Europe played a huge role here. Movies and TV, music such as jazz and blues, as well as numerous religious holidays, literature, culinary and family values ​​can be considered fundamental symbols of world American culture ...

South America: geographical location. Two continents - South and North America - form a single part of the world under the common name America. These continents are interconnected by the Isthmus of Panama, through which in 1920 the navigable Panama Canal was dug, connecting the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. South America is located in the Western Hemisphere and is washed by the waters of the Pacific (in the west) and Atlantic (in the north and east) oceans. Mainland area approx. 18 million sq. km. In its shape, South America is similar to a triangle, tapering to the south. The length of South America from north to south along 70 degrees W. — 7350 km, and from west to east along the 10th degree north latitude. — 4655 km.

Extreme points of South America:

• Northern - Cape Galinas 12°25′ N, 71°39′ W
• Western - Cape Parinas 4°40′ S, 81°20′ W
• Eastern - Cape Cabo Branco 7°10′ S, 34°47′ W
• South - Cape Froward 53°54′ S, 71°18′ W

In the east, the mainland is washed by the waters Pacific Ocean, in the north and west - Atlantic. The coastline is very poorly indented. Only in the southeast there are several not very large bays: La Plata, San Matias, San Jorge and Baia Grande. To the north is the only Caribbean Sea.

Relief and geological structure.

The relief of South America is represented by plains and plateaus in the east and mountain ranges in the west of the mainland. The relief of the eastern part is based on the ancient South American platform. Large low-lying plains formed on it - the Amazonian, Orinokskaya, La Platskaya, composed of strata of marine and continental sediments. The Brazilian and Guiana highlands, 500 to 2500 m high, are confined to the shields (raised sections of the platform).

In the west of the mainland, the Andes, or Andean Cordillera, stretch for 9000 km from north to south, separating the rest of the continent from the Pacific Ocean. This is a folded region of Alpine age; is a continuation of the North American Cordillera and consists of parallel ranges. Between the ridges are the Central Andean highlands and plateaus. The mountain-building processes in the Andes have not ended, so earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are frequent here.

The largest peaks : Aconcagua – 6960m(Argentina), Ojos del Salado- 6880m (Chile), Tupungato- 6800m (Argentina-Chile), Huascaran - 6768m (Peru), Ankouma - 6550m (Bolivia), Illimani - 6402m (Bolivia).
The largest volcanoes : Lullaillaco – 6723m(Argentina-Chile), Sajama- 6520m (Bolivia), Koropuna- 6425m (Peru), San Pedro - 5974m (Chile).

Climate.

The geographic location and configuration of the mainland determine how much heat it receives throughout the year. South America - the wettest continent on the ground. A lot of moisture is brought from the Atlantic Ocean trade winds. The Andes block the way for air masses from the Pacific Ocean.

South America is located in equatorial, subequatorial, tropical, subtropical and moderate climatic zones.

Most of the Amazonian lowland and the northeast coast of the mainland are located in equatorial belt. The air temperature during the year is +25-28 °C. The amount of precipitation is from 1500 to 3500 mm, in the foothills of the Andes - up to 7000 mm.

subequatorial belt The northern and southern hemispheres are connected on the east coast, fringing the equatorial climatic zone. There is a seasonality in the distribution of precipitation. A large number of them - 2000 mm - falls in the summer. The rainy season in the Northern Hemisphere is from May to December, in the Southern Hemisphere from December to May. Air temperature +25 °С. Winter comes with the advent of tropical continental air. Precipitation is practically non-existent; air temperature +20 °C.

Tropical climate zone.

Located only in the Southern Hemisphere. Air temperature +20 °С. It is divided into two types of climate. Humid tropical climate formed in the east and southeast of the Brazilian Highlands under the influence of trade winds that bring moisture. Precipitation is less than in the subequatorial zone. To the west, precipitation decreases and forms dry tropical climate. The cold Peruvian current has a great influence here. There is an inversion of temperatures: the air is saturated with moisture, but it is very cold, as a result of which precipitation does not fall. Here is the coastal desert Atacama.

subtropical belt located south of 30º S. sh., within its limits three types of climate are formed. On the west coast subtropical mediterranean climate with dry, cool summers (+20°С) and humid warm winters (+10°С, cloudy rainy weather prevails). As we move deeper into the mainland, the climate becomes continental subtropical. Precipitation falls only 500 mm. Formed on the east coast subtropical humid climate: summer temperature in January +25 °С, and winter temperature in July +10 °С, precipitation falls up to 2000 mm per year.

temperate climate zone located south of 40º S. Formed on the west coast maritime temperate type climate: warm humid winter (+5 °С), humid cool summer (+15 °С); precipitation - up to 2000 mm and more. In the eastern part of the belt - temperate continental type climate: winter is colder (0 °С), summer is warm (+20 °С). Precipitation - 300 mm.

formed in the Andes mountain type climate. Here, climatic zones replace each other according to the law of vertical zonality. At the foot of the mountains, the climate does not differ from the surrounding areas. As you rise, the temperature and precipitation change.

Land waters.

South America is rich in inland waters. Most of the rivers are fed by rain, some get water from the melting of snow and ice in the mountains. The largest river Earth Amazon(6400 km). The area of ​​its river basin is 7 million km2- This is almost 40% of the mainland. Being in a zone of high humidity, the river is full of water all year round. The river floods twice a year: in May during rains in the Southern Hemisphere and in October-November in the Northern Hemisphere.

Unlike the Amazon River Orinoco(2730 km) and Paraná(4380 km) have a pronounced seasonal runoff. The flood period on the rivers falls on the summer wet season. Flowing down from the Andes rivers in the upper reaches form waterfalls. On one of the tributaries of the Orinoco is the highest waterfall in the world - Angel (1054 m); On one of the tributaries of the Parana is the Iguazu Falls.