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08. North America

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Answer in one line

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Last edited 42 days ago by Learn LoopHQ.

Chapter: 08. North America

Answer in One Line

How did North America get its name?
North America was named after the Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci, who reached the continent in 1507 CE.
What separates North America from Asia in the north-west?
The Bering Strait separates North America from Asia in the north-west.
Which two countries occupy more than three-fourths of North America’s area?
The United States of America and Canada occupy more than three-fourths of North America’s area.
What are the collective name for the tropical islands of the Caribbean Sea?
The tropical islands of the Caribbean Sea are collectively called the West Indies.
What is the unique characteristic of the rocks found in the Canadian or Laurentian Shield?
The Canadian or Laurentian Shield is composed of some of the oldest known hard rocks on Earth, rich in various minerals.
How were the many freshwater lakes in the Canadian Shield region formed?
The freshwater lakes in the Canadian Shield region were formed when meltwater from glaciers filled the deep hollows and depressions scraped out by moving ice during the Ice Age.
What does the Spanish word ‘Cordillera’ mean and why was it given to the Western Mountain System?
‘Cordillera’ is a Spanish word meaning “a rope or chain,” and it was given to the Western Mountain System because its parallel ranges resemble twisted cords.
Why is the Western Mountain System prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity?
The Western Mountain System is prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity because it lies very close to the Pacific Coast, forming part of the active Pacific Ring of Fire.
Name the highest peak in North America and its original mountain range.
The highest peak in North America is Mt Denali (formerly Mt McKinley), located in the Alaska Range.
What is the difference between a gorge and a canyon?
A gorge is a deep, narrow valley with a river running along its bottom, often smaller but steeper and narrower than a canyon.
How does the Fall Line in the Eastern Highlands contribute to energy production?
The Fall Line, marked by a series of waterfalls, is utilized to generate hydroelectric power in the Eastern Highlands.
What is the largest river system in North America?
The Mississippi-Missouri river system is the largest river system in North America.
In the context of the USA, what does the term “melting pot” signify?
In the context of the USA, “melting pot” signifies that the country is home to diverse groups and cultures from various parts of the world, who come for education and employment opportunities.
What is the primary purpose of lumbering as an economic activity?
The primary purpose of lumbering as an economic activity is the cutting down of trees and their subsequent processing to manufacture products like paper, newsprint, and synthetic fibres.
What type of trees are commonly found in the coniferous or taiga forests of Canada?
Softwood trees such as spruce, jack pine, hemlock, cedar, and poplar are commonly found in the coniferous or taiga forests of Canada.
How has the use of technology changed the life of lumberjacks today compared to the past?
The use of power-driven saws, powered cranes, and automobiles has made the life of lumberjacks today less difficult than in the past, transforming lumbering into a permanent activity.
What are 1-meter logs from lumbering primarily used for in Canada?
1-meter logs from lumbering in Canada are primarily used in the manufacture of pulp and paper, with newsprint being a major product.
Besides paper and newsprint, what other industries benefit from Canada’s timber resources?
Besides paper and newsprint, Canada’s timber resources also benefit the construction and furniture industries, as well as the production of plywood, pre-fabricated building materials, and rayon textile.
Name two warm ocean currents that influence North America’s climate.
Two warm ocean currents that influence North America’s climate are the Gulf Stream and the Alaskan Current.
What makes the coastal parts of Alaska frost-free even in winter?
The coastal parts of Alaska are frost-free even in winter because of the influence of the warm Alaskan Current.
What types of vegetation are found in the Tundra region?
The Tundra region’s vegetation comprises mosses, lichens, grasses, and dwarf bushes.
What is the main occupation in the Temperate grasslands or Prairies?
Cattle rearing is the main occupation in the Temperate grasslands or Prairies.
How are animals in the Coniferous or Taiga vegetation region adapted to extreme cold?
Animals in the Coniferous or Taiga vegetation region have thick fur and layers of fat under their skin to protect them from extreme cold, and some also hibernate all through winters.
What are the key differences in leaf characteristics and wood type between deciduous and coniferous trees?
Deciduous trees have broad leaves, shed them once a year in the dry season, and yield hardwood, while coniferous trees have needle-like leaves, do not shed them seasonally (appearing green all times), and yield softwood.
Name two minerals found extensively in the Rocky Mountains and around the Great Lakes.
Copper and gold are found extensively in the Rocky Mountains and around the Great Lakes.
What type of coal is mainly found in the Appalachians?
High-grade bituminous and anthracite coal are mainly found in the Appalachians.
Why does North America import large quantities of petroleum despite being a major producer?
North America imports large quantities of petroleum despite being a major producer because its internal demand for oil is very high.
Name two rivers across which large dams have been constructed to produce hydroelectric power in North America.
Large dams have been constructed across rivers such as the Columbia and the Tennessee to produce hydroelectric power in North America.
In which two hemispheres does North America lie?
North America lies in the northern and western hemispheres.
What was unique about the European seamen who visited America as early as 986 CE?
The adventurous European seamen, such as the Norsemen and the Vikings, visited America as early as 986 CE, but their discovery remained forgotten compared to Columbus’s later voyages.
What is the lowest point in North America and its depth below sea level?
The lowest point in North America is Death Valley in California, which is 86 meters below sea level.
Name two large, often snow-covered islands located in the north of North America.
Two large, often snow-covered islands in the north of North America are Baffin Island and Victoria Island.
How long do the Western Cordilleras extend in North America, and what mountain range do they continue as in South America?
The Western Cordilleras extend for about 6,500 km in North America and continue as the Andes in South America.
What is the length and highest point of the Appalachian Mountains?
The Appalachian Mountains are 2,575 km long, and their highest point is Mt Mitchell (2,037 m).
How are lumberjacks’ log houses designed to cope with cold and snow?
Lumberjacks’ log houses have steep sloping roofs that allow snow to slide off and slightly raised floors to avoid contact with the cold frozen ground.
What specific types of wildlife are mainly found in the desert vegetation regions of North America?
The wildlife in the desert vegetation regions of North America mainly consists of snakes, lizards, scorpions, desert rats, and desert foxes.
What is the coldest place in Canada and its recorded lowest temperature?
The coldest place in Canada is Snag, in Yukon, which has recorded the lowest temperature of -63° C.
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