Landforms

__Hawaii__ - Formed by lava flows Highest peak: Mauna Kea – an active volcano

__Rocky Mountains__- In Mexico they are called Sierra Madre The rugged peaks are so high they are often covered by snow. Peaks not covered by snow are covered by grasses and moss Below the peaks, conifers grow Deciduous trees grow on the lowest regions of these mountains.

__Pacific Coast__ - High mountain ranges: W. of the mountains there are long narrow valleys All of the valleys are productive farm areas

__Highlands__ - Sometimes called the Ozark Mountains Gently rolling terrain Under the plateau there are many caves

__Gulf Coastal Plain__ - In S. Louisiana, the Mississippi River empties into the Gulf of Mexico and this created a huge delta Many bayous

__Intermontane Plateaus and Basins__ - Contains the Great Basin Also contains the Colorado Plateau Within the plateaus is the Grand Canyon which was made by the Colorado River Much of this area is dry because the Pacific Coast Mountains in the west block the rain The only deserts in the United States are in this region

__Interior Plains and Highlands__ - Some areas of productive farmland

__Plains__ - Western region known as Great Plains Dry grassland, almost treeless Eastern region known as Central Plains Flat, some hills More rain and forest than in the West

__Coastal Plains__ - Formed by soil that rivers deposited when they emptied into the ocean

__Canadian Shield__ - North of Interior Plains and Highlands Adirondack Mountains a part of this region Once mountainous, glaciers eroded the mountains leaving low hills and plains. Poor soil – not suitable for farming

__Appalachian Highlands__ - Covered by forests Also contains plateaus, valleys and mountains In the West is the Appalachian Plateau In the East are narrow valleys This region contains the Great Valley East of the valleys lie the Appalachian Mountains Contains the Piedmont Plateau

__Highlands__ - Mesabi range of hills Many lakes among the hills Contains rocky plateaus covered with conifers

__Atlantic Coastal Plain__ - In northern area – irregular coastline with many natural harbors like the Chesapeake Bay Conifers and deciduous trees grow here In the south, there are sandy beaches and barrier islands.