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Learn about North America and the Caribbean

GEOGRAPHY BEE STUDY GUIDE

North Chevy Chase Elementary School

Chevy Chase, Maryland

Your Name ______________________________ Homeroom Teacher ________________________________

North Chevy Chase Elementary School Geography Bee | North America & the Caribbean

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The Geography Bee Packet Committee:

Eva Santorini, NCC parent

Theresa Taylor, NCC parent

Sharon Mosley-Ramsey, NCC Media Specialist

Melanie Carr, NCC Staff Development Teacher

This program was developed at Woodlin Elementary School in Silver Spring, MD

and is based on content from the enchantedlearning website, Scholastic, Inc., the worldatlas website, Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition, and the Graphic Maps website.

Maps are courtesy enchantedlearning.com, GraphicMaps.com, and worldatlas.com.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

North America 4

United States 5

Reference Map of the United States 6

Did You Know? 7

Elevation Map of the United States 8

Major Mountains of the United States 9

Major Rivers and Lakes of the United States 10

The States: Alabama to Wyoming 14

U.S. State Names, Statehood and Capitols 65

Canada 67

Reference Map of Canada 68

Did You Know? 69

Country Quiz 70

Canadian Provinces and Territories 71

Mexico 85

Reference Map of Mexico 86

Did You Know? 87

Country Quiz 88

Caribbean 89

Reference Map of the Caribbean 90

Did You Know? 91

Country Quizzes 93


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NORTH AMERICA

1. What ocean lies to the east of North America? __________________________________ 2. What ocean lies to the west of North America? _________________________________ 3. What ocean lies to the north of North America? _________________________________ 4. What is the name of the gulf off eastern Mexico and southeastern North America?

________________________________ 5. What is the name of the sea north of western Canada? ___________________________ 6. If you were to walk south from the western United States, what country would you enter?

_______________________________ 7. What is the name of the huge bay in northeastern Canada? ___________________________ 8. If you were to travel from Canada to Mexico, in which direction would you travel: north, south,

east, or west? ___________________________ 9. What country in Asia is off the northwestern coast of North America?

________________________________ 10. What is the name of the group of lakes between Canada and the United States?

________________________________


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Learn about the United States of America

Mt. Rushmore, South Dakota


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REFERENCE MAP OF THE UNITED STATES

X


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DID YOU KNOW? The United States of America is the third largest country in the world in area and it is the third largest in terms of population (number of people). Capital: Washington, D.C. First state: Delaware (December 7, 1787) Most recent state: Hawaii (August 21, 1959) Most populous state: California: approximately 37 million (2008 estimate) Least populous state: Wyoming: approximately 545,000 (2008 estimate) Biggest city: New York City, New York: over 8.3 million people (2008 estimate)

U.S. GEOGRAPHY EXTREMES: Biggest state in area: Alaska: 656,425 sq. miles Smallest state in area: Rhode Island: 1,545 sq. miles State farthest north: Alaska State farthest south: Hawaii State farthest east: Maine (Note: some of Alaska’s Aleutian Islands cross the 180-degree

longitude line, and are technically farther east than the other U.S. states). State farthest west: Alaska Geographic center of the contiguous U.S.: Smith County, Kansas Geographic center of the entire U.S. (all 50 states): South Dakota Highest point: Mount McKinley, Alaska: 20,300 ft. (6194 m) above sea level Lowest point: Death Valley, California: 282 ft. (86 m) below sea level, the lowest point

in the Western Hemisphere Longest river: Missouri River: 2,540 miles (4090 km) River with the biggest volume of water: Mississippi River: 2,348 miles (3778 km) Biggest lake: Lake Superior: 31,820 sq. miles (82414 sq. km) Biggest island: Hawaii: 4,038 sq. miles (10459 sq. km) Tallest waterfall: Ribbon Falls in California: 1,612 feet (491 m) Waterfall with the greatest volume of water: Niagara Falls, New York

U.S. WEATHER EXTREMES:

Coldest city: International Falls, Minnesota, with a mean temperature of 36.4° Fahrenheit (F). Snowiest city: Blue Canyon, California, with 240.8 inches of snow each year. Hottest temperature: California 134° F. at Greenland Ranch on July 10, 1913 Coldest temperature: Alaska -80° F. at Prospect Creek on January 23, 1971 Most snow in 24 hours: Colorado: 76 inches (192.5 cm) fell in one day at Silver Lake, Colorado Most rain per year: Hawaii: 460 inches (1168 cm) fall on Mt. Waialeale, Kauai, each year Strongest wind: Mt. Washington, New Hampshire, with recorded gusts of 231 mph (372 kph)


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UNITED STATES MAP OF ELEVATION


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MAJOR MOUNTAINS OF THE UNITED STATES Use the Reference Map on page 6 and the Elevation Map on page 8 to answer the following questions.

1. The Rocky Mountains are the largest mountain range in the United States. They start in Canada,

and continue all the way down to our border with Mexico. In which six states can you find the Rocky Mountains? ___________________________, ____________________________, ____________________________, ____________________________, ____________________________, and _________________________.

2. The Appalachian Mountains, a long mountain range found in the eastern part of the United States,

features a favorite trail for hikers from all over the world. The trail winds 2,178 miles (3505 km) from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Mt. Katahdin, Maine. List three of the 17 states that the mountain range passes through. ______________________________, __________________________, and __________________________

3. At 14,505 ft. (4421 m), Mt. Whitney is the highest mountain in the contiguous United States (the

“lower 48.”) and is part of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. In what two states would you find the Sierra Nevada mountain range? ___________________ and _______________________________

4. In 1980, the volcano Mt. St. Helen erupted. It is part of the Cascade Mountain Range. In what

three states will you find this mountain range? ____________________________, ________________________, and _____________________


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MAJOR RIVERS OF THE UNITED STATES Use the Reference Map on page 6 and the map below when answering these questions.

1. From 1804-6, explorers Meriweather Lewis and William Clark paddled up the Missouri River looking for a waterway to the west coast of the United States. The Missouri River starts in Montana (see the “X” on the map on page 6) and flows through or touches seven states before flowing into the Mississippi River at St. Louis, Missouri. Use a highlighter to trace the path of the Missouri from the star in Montana where it joins the Mississippi River. Name the seven states, including Montana and Missouri. _______________________________, __________________________, ________________________________, _______________________________, __________________________, __________________________, and _______________________.

2. The Colorado River flows through or touches five states on its way to the Pacific Ocean. Along the

way, it forms the famous Grand Canyon in Arizona. Name the five states. __________________________, __________________________, __________________________, __________________________, and _______________________.

3. A major river forms the boundary between the state of Texas and our southern neighbor, Mexico.

Name the river. ____________________________. 4. What river forms the border between Washington and Oregon? ______________________. 5. What river forms the southern borders of Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio? ________________________.


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THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER

1. Identify the Mississippi River states on the map above.

Arkansas Illinois Iowa Kentucky

Louisiana Minnesota Mississippi

Missouri Tennessee Wisconsin

2. The Mississippi River flows from north to south into the Gulf of Mexico, which is part of the

Atlantic Ocean. With a highlighter, trace the north-south path of the Mississippi River.


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Fill in the names of the Great Lakes. There is an easy way to remember the lakes’ names:

Remember: “HOMES” H uron

O ntario M ichigan E rie S uperior

Did you know? Lake Superior is the largest fresh water lake in the world? Lake Huron is the third largest, and Lake Michigan is the fourth largest. Lake Superior is one of the deepest lakes in the world. The average depth of the lake is 483 ft. (147 m). At its deepest, the lake is 1,332 ft. (406 m). You could fit two Washington Monuments into the lake without reaching the surface! Four of the Great Lakes form part of the natural border between the United States and Canada. Only Lake Michigan lies entirely in the U.S.


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1. On the blank lines, write in the names of the states bordering the Great Lakes.

Illinois Minnesota Pennsylvania Indiana New York

Wisconsin Michigan Ohio

2. On the lines marked with dots, fill in the names of these major cities located on the Great Lakes.

Buffalo Cleveland Milwaukee

Chicago Detroit


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1. What is the capital of Alabama? _________________________

2. Color in blue the body of water that forms part of the southern border of Alabama. What is it called? ______________________________

3. What is the name of the river that forms part of Alabama’s eastern border? _____________________________________

4. Find the city east of Montgomery. In World War II, a famous squadron of African-American pilots trained there and took their name from that city. They were called the ______________ Airmen.

5. What state borders Alabama to the west? ___________________________

6. What state borders Alabama to the east? ____________________________

7. What state borders Alabama to the north? ___________________________

8. What state borders Alabama to the south? ___________________________


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1. What is the capital city of Alaska? ____________________________

2. What country borders Alaska on the east? ______________________________

3. The Bering Strait (a narrow waterway connecting two large bodies of water) separates Alaska from another country. Name that country. ___________________________

4. The mountain northwest of Anchorage is the tallest peak in North America. What is its name? ________________________________________

5. Which Alaskan city is farthest north? _________________________

6. The Iditarod dog sled race runs from Anchorage to a city on the southern coast of the Seward Peninsula (land nearly surrounded by water). What is the name of this city? _______________________________

7. What ocean borders Alaska on the north? ___________________________

8. What ocean borders Alaska on the south? ___________________________

9. What is the name of the river that flows from Canada, across Alaska, and into the Bering Sea? _________________________

10. What is the name of the mountain range that runs across northern Alaska? ______________________


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1. What is the capital of Arizona? ______________________________

2. What country borders Arizona on the south? _________________________________

3. What state borders Arizona on the north? _______________________________

4. The Colorado River eroded rock to form the world’s large gorge (canyon). It is protected in a national park called _____________________________

5. What two states border Arizona on the west? _______________________ and ____________________________

6. You can be in four states at once if you go to the northeastern corner of Arizona and get down on all fours. What are the other three states? _____________________________, _____________________________, and ____________________________

7. What river forms most of the western border of Arizona? _____________________________

8. The national park in southeastern Arizona located east of Tucson is named after a large cactus plant. What is its name? ______________________________


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1. What is the capital city of Arkansas? _____________________________________________

2. Trace in blue the river that forms most of the eastern border of Arkansas. Name the river. _______________________________

3. A national park protects the thermal springs (hot water coming out of the ground) that gush from an Arkansas mountain. This park is called ___________________________________. Color it green.

4. What state makes up most of Arkansas’ western border? ______________________________

5. What state borders Arkansas on the south? __________________________________________

6. What state borders Arkansas on the north? _________________________________________

7. What state borders Arkansas on the southwest? _____________________________________

8. What two states border Arkansas on the east? ____________________________ and ______________________________


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1. What is the capital of California? __________________________ 2. What ocean borders California on the west? ________________________ 3. Which country borders southern California? ________________________ 4. The lowest and hottest point in the United States is a valley in southeastern California, which is 282

feet below sea level. Circle it in brown. Name this valley. _______________________ 5. What state borders California on the north? _____________________________ 6. What two states border California on the east? ___________________________ and

_________________________ 7. The largest city in southern California is where many movies and television shows are made. What

is the name of the city? _________________________ 8. What is the name of the national park located east of San Francisco? ______________________


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1. The capital city of Colorado is known as the “Mile High City” because it is one mile above sea level. What is the name of this city? ____________________________

2. Trace in blue the four large rivers in Colorado. Name these four rivers. ______________________,

______________________, _______________________ , and __________________________. 3. What two states border Colorado on the north? ___________________ and ____________________ 4. What two states border Colorado on the east? ___________________ and _____________________ 5. What state borders Colorado on the west? ______________________________ 6. The “Four Corners,” where four states intersect, is located at the southwest tip of Colorado. What are

the three other states that touch Colorado at this point? ____________________________, ________________________, _________________________, and ________________________

7. The national park located in southwest Colorado, just west of Durango, features ancient Native

American dwellings. What is its name? _____________________________ 8. The Rocky Mountains go through Colorado. Name three mountain ranges in Colorado.

____________________________, ______________________________, and ____________________________.


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1. What is the capital of Connecticut? ____________________________

2. Color in blue the sound (large body of water that connects larger bodies of water) that borders Connecticut on the south. What is this sound called? _____________________________

3. This sound is part of which ocean? __________________________

4. The name “Connecticut” comes from an Indian word that means “long tidal river.” Trace in blue the river that runs through Hartford. Name the river. __________________________

5. What state borders Connecticut on the west? ______________________________

6. What state borders Connecticut on the east? ______________________________

7. What state borders Connecticut on the north? _____________________________


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1. What is the capital city of Delaware? ________________________________

2. Delaware earned its nickname because it was the first of the original 13 colonies to ratify the Constitution. What is Delaware’s nickname? _____________________________

3. What state borders Delaware on the west and south? _______________________________

4. What state borders Delaware on the north? _______________________________

5. What state is across the water from Delaware on the northeast? ________________________________

6. What bay (large body of water) borders Delaware on the northeast? ____________________________

7. What is the name of the river that flows into the north end of this bay? _________________________

8. This bay is part of which ocean? ________________________________

9. Delaware is the second smallest state in the United States. Using the map scale, estimate how wide (east to west) this state is at its widest point: 50 miles, 100 miles, 200 miles, or 300 miles?


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1. What is the capital of Florida? ____________________________

2. What ocean borders Florida on the east? ______________________________

3. Which large body of water borders Florida on the west? ______________________________

4. The world’s largest marsh (soft, wet land) is a national park in southern Florida. The name of this park is ____________________________________

5. What two states border Florida on the north? _____________________ and _________________________

6. What is the name of the series of islands off the coast of south Florida? ______________________________

7. Name Florida’s southernmost city. _____________________

8. The oldest city in the U.S. is on the northeastern coast of Florida. It was named for a saint. What is its name? _____________________________

9. What is the name of the large lake in south central Florida? _______________________________


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1. Civil rights leader, Martin Luther King, Jr., was born in the capital of Georgia. What is the name of this city? ____________________________

2. What ocean borders Georgia on the southeast? ______________________________________

3. What is the name of the swamp in southern Georgia, which extends into Florida? ________________________________________ Color it in brown.

4. What state borders Georgia on the northeast? ___________________________

5. What state borders Georgia on the south and west? _______________________________

6. What state borders Georgia on the west? _______________________________

7. What two states border Georgia on the north? ____________________________ and _______________________.

8. What is the name of the river that forms Georgia’s eastern border? __________________________________________


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1. What is the capital city of Hawaii? ________________________. On which island is it located?

____________________

2. In which ocean is Hawaii located? _______________________________

3. The Hawaiian Islands are the projecting tops of an undersea mountain range. Color each island a different color.

4. This island is the largest in the state of Hawaii and marks the southernmost point in the United States. What is the name of this island? ____________________

5. The city of Kaunakakai is on which island? ____________________________________

6. Which of the major islands is farthest west? _______________________________

7. The highest point on Hawaii is a volcano that is 13,796 feet tall. Circle it in purple. What is its name? _______________________________


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1. What is the capital city of Idaho? ________________________________

2. What country borders Idaho on the north? _______________________________

3. Trace all the rivers in Idaho in blue. What is the name of the river that runs by Idaho Falls? ____________________________

4. What two states border Idaho on the east? ___________________ and ______________________

5. What two states border Idaho on the south? _____________________ and _________________________

6. What is the name of the mountain range that runs along much of the eastern border of Idaho? ___________________________________

7. What two states border Idaho on the west? _______________________________ and _______________________________

8. The tallest peak in Idaho is 12,662 feet tall. What is its name? _______________________________


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1. The capital of Illinois was Abraham Lincoln’s home when he was elected president of the United States. He was buried there after his assassination in 1865. What is the capital? ____________________________

2. Color in blue the Great Lake that borders Illinois. What is it called? _______________________

3. The third largest city of the United States is located on the shore of Lake Michigan. It is sometimes referred to as “the Windy City.” Name this city. _________________________

4. What great river forms the western border of Illinois? __________________________________

5. What state borders Illinois on the north? _________________________

6. What two states border Illinois on the west? ____________________ and _____________________

7. What two states border Illinois on the east? _______________________ and _______________________

8. What river forms the southern border of Illinois? _______________________________

9. What river runs diagonally through Illinois? ______________________________________


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1. The capital of Indiana is famous for a 500-mile sports car race that is held there on Memorial Day weekend. What is its name? ________________________________

2. Which of the Great Lakes forms part of the northern border of Indiana? _______________________________. Color it blue.

3. Trace in blue the river that forms the southern border of Indiana. It is called the ___________________________.

4. Which state borders Indiana to the north? ______________________________________

5. Which state forms most of Indiana’s eastern border? _________________________

6. Which state borders Indiana to the south? ___________________________

7. Which state borders Indiana to the west? _____________________________

8. What is the name of the large city in northwestern Indiana that is on the shores of a Great Lake? _____________________________


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1. What is the capital city of Iowa? ________________________________

2. Trace all the rivers of Iowa in blue. What is the name of the river that forms Iowa’s eastern border? _______________________________

3. What is the name of the river that forms most of Iowa’s western border? _______________________________

4. What two states border Iowa on the east? ______________________ and _____________________

5. What state borders Iowa on the south? ___________________________

6. What two states border Iowa on the west? _________________________ and _______________________________

7. What state borders Iowa on the north? _______________________________

8. What is the name of the river that flows by Cedar Rapids? __________________________________

9. What is the name of the river that flows by Ottumwa? __________________________________


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1. What is the capital of Kansas? ____________________________

2. What river forms the northeastern border of Kansas? _____________________________

3. What city in Kansas is located where the Kansas River flows into the Missouri River? ______________________________ Circle it in orange. There is also a larger city in Missouri, next to this city, that has the same name. Circle it in brown.

4. What state borders Kansas on the south? ___________________________

5. What state borders Kansas on the east? _________________________

6. What state makes up most of Kansas’s northern border? _________________________

7. What river runs through Wichita? ___________________________

8. What state borders Kansas on the west? _______________________

9. What is the name of the tallest peak in Kansas? _____________________________


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1. What is the capital city of Kentucky? ____________________________

2. What is the name of the river that forms Kentucky’s northern border? __________________________

3. What state borders Kentucky on the south? _______________________________

4. What state borders Kentucky on the southeast? ___________________________

5. What two states border Kentucky on the northeast? ______________________ and ___________________________

6. What two states border Kentucky on the northwest? ________________________ and ___________________________

7. What is the name of the river that forms Kentucky’s border with Missouri? ___________________________

8. What national park is located in Kentucky? _______________________________

9. The famous horse race, the Kentucky Derby, is held every spring in the city west of Frankfort, on the Ohio River. What is the name of that city? __________________________


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1. The name of Louisiana’s capital city means “red stick” in French, because a French explorer found a pole marked with animal blood at this site. Name the city. ____________________________

2. Color in blue the large body of water that borders Louisiana on the south. It is called the _______________________________

3. This large city on the Mississippi River in southeastern Louisiana was protected from flooding by levees (dikes) that held back water, and canals that carried it away. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated the levee system and flooded the city. Name this city. ___________________________

4. What state borders Louisiana on the north? ___________________________

5. What state borders Louisiana on the east? ___________________________

6. What state borders Louisiana on the west? ___________________________

7. Name the large river that forms part of Louisiana’s eastern border and flows south through southeastern Louisiana? ________________________________________

8. What is the name of the large lake in southeastern Louisiana? _________________________


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1. What is the capital city of Maine? ____________________________

2. What country borders Maine on the north, east, and west? _______________________________

3. What ocean borders Maine on the southeast? _____________________________

4. The tallest mountain in Maine is the northern endpoint of the Appalachian Trail, a hiking trail that runs from Georgia to Maine. Name this mountain. ___________________________

5. What U.S. state borders Maine on the west? _____________________________

6. The large lake in central Maine is shaped a little like a moose head. Name the lake. ________________________________

7. What river flows through Bangor? _______________________________

8. What Canadian province borders Maine on the northwest? _______________________________


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1. The oldest capitol building in use in the United States is located in Maryland’s capital. Name the city. ________________________________

2. What state borders Maryland on the north? _______________________________

3. What two states border Maryland on the south? ______________________________ and _______________________________

4. What state borders Maryland on the east? _____________________________________

5. A large body of water cuts deeply into Maryland, dividing the state into the flat Eastern Shore and the hilly Western Shore. Color it blue. What is it called? _____________________________________

6. Trace in blue the large river that flows from Pennsylvania into the western part of the bay. It is called the ______________________________

7. What is the name of the river that flows from Pennsylvania into the northern part of this bay? _________________________________________________

8. The biggest city in Maryland is a major port (a city with a harbor where ships arrive and depart) in north-central Maryland. What is its name? ______________________________________


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1. What is the capital of Massachusetts? ____________________________

2. What ocean borders Massachusetts? ___________________________

3. Color in brown the cape (a point of land jutting into the sea) in southeastern Massachusetts. What is it called? __________________________

4. During the Revolutionary War, on the night of April 18, 1775, Paul Revere rode northwest from Boston to warn the people of approaching British troops. To which town did he ride? _______________________________. Draw a line following the route from Boston to this town.

5. What is the name of the historic city in Massachusetts that is famous for its witchcraft trials? It is located on the east coast between Boston and Gloucester. _________________________

6. What two states border Massachusetts on the north? ___________________________ and ___________________________

7. What two states border Massachusetts on the south? _____________________________ and ___________________________

8. What state borders Massachusetts on the west? ___________________________

9. What is the name of the river that runs north-south through western Massachusetts? ____________________________________


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1. What is the capital of Michigan? ________________________________

2. Michigan is a state made up of two peninsulas (land almost entirely surrounded by water). What are the two parts of Michigan called? The __________________________ and the ______________________________.

3. Which of the Great Lakes separates these two peninsulas of Michigan? _______________________________

4. Which of the Great Lakes forms the northern border of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan? _______________________________

5. What country lies north of Michigan? __________________________

6. A large city in southeastern Michigan near Lake Erie has been the site for car manufacturing for many years. What is this city? __________________________

7. What Canadian province borders the Lower Peninsula of Michigan to the east? __________________________________

8. What two U.S. states lie south of the Lower Peninsula? ____________________________________


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1. What is the capital of Minnesota? ____________________________

2. Which country borders Minnesota to the north? ___________________________

3. Which of the Great Lakes forms part of the northeastern border of Minnesota? ______________________________________

4. Minnesota has more than 12,000 lakes, which were created by glaciers (large, moving masses of ice and snow) during the last Ice Age. One of these lakes, Lake Itasca, is the source of a major river in the U.S. Circle the lake in blue and trace the river. What is the name of this river? ________________________________________

5. St. Paul and the city next to it are called “twin cities.” What is the name of the other city? ________________________________

6. What U.S. state borders Minnesota to the east? _________________________

7. What U.S. state borders Minnesota to the south? ___________________________

8. What two U.S. states border Minnesota to the west? ___________________________ and ___________________________

9. What is the name of the national park in northern Minnesota? It was named for French-Canadian canoemen-fur traders who were the first Europeans to live in this area? __________________________________


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1. What is the capital city of Mississippi? ____________________________

2. What large body of water borders Mississippi on the south? ___________________________. Color it blue.

3. What is the name of the river that forms much of Mississippi’s western border? ______________________________________ Trace it in blue.

4. What two states border Mississippi on the west? ___________________________ and _______________________

5. What state borders Mississippi on the north? _______________________________

6. What state borders Mississippi on the east? _______________________________

7. What is the name of the river that flows through Jackson? _________________________________

8. A major battle raged during the Civil War in this city located west of Jackson. Name this city. ____________________________


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1. Missouri’s capital city is named after our third president. What is its name? ____________________________________

2. What is the name of the city at the meeting place of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers? ______________________________ The city is known as the “Gateway to the West.”

3. What state borders Missouri on the north? _______________________________

4. What state borders Missouri on the south? _______________________________

5. What three states border Missouri on the east? ___________________________, ___________________________, and ___________________________

6. What three states border Missouri on the west? ___________________________, ___________________________, ___________________________

7. Name the river that forms the northwestern border of Missouri and then flows west to east through the state? ________________________________

8. What is the river that forms the eastern border of Missouri? ________________________________ Trace it in blue.

9. The Ozarks are the oldest mountains in the U.S. They have been worn down to rolling hills. In which part of Missouri are they located: north, south, east, or west? __________________________


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1. What is the capital of Montana? ____________________________

2. What country borders Montana on the north? ___________________________

3. What river meets the Yellowstone River near the Montana and North Dakota border? ______________________

4. What state borders Montana on the west? _______________________

5. What two states border Montana on the south? _________________________ and _________________________

6. What two states border Montana on the east? _________________________ and _________________________

7. Montana is the only state in the United States that has a triple divide, where water can flow into the Pacific, the Atlantic, or Hudson Bay. This divide is located in a national park in northwestern Montana. Name this park. _____________________________

8. The tallest mountain in Montana is 12,799 feet tall, and is in the Absaroka Range. What is its name? ____________________________

9. What mountains are situated south of Billings? ________________________________


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1. What is the capital of Nebraska? ____________________________

2. Trace in blue the river that forms the eastern border of Nebraska. It is called the ___________________________.

3. What is the largest city in Nebraska? ____________________________

4. What state borders Nebraska on the north? ___________________________

5. What two states border Nebraska on the south? _________________________ and _________________________

6. What two states border Nebraska on the west? _________________________ and _________________________

7. What two states border Nebraska on the east? _________________ and ______________________

8. The name “Nebraska” comes from the Indian word that means “flat water.” The flat water they were referring to is the river that flows across the state, from west to east. What is its name? __________________________________

9. What Nebraska city is located where the North and South Platte Rivers meet? __________________________________

10. What river runs west-east through the northern part of Nebraska? __________________________________


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1. What is the capital of Nevada? ____________________________

2. What is the name of the dam on the Colorado River along the Arizona-Nevada border? ______________________ Color in blue the lake formed by this dam.

3. The man-made lake formed by this dam is a reservoir (a natural or artificial lake in which water is stored for use). What is the name of this lake? _____________________

4. Circle in orange the large city in southeastern Nevada. What is its name? ____________________

5. What two states border Nevada on the east? ____________________________ and ___________________________

6. What two states border Nevada on the north? ___________________________ and ___________________________

7. What state borders Nevada on the south and west? _______________________________________

8. What is the name of the large lake on Nevada’s southwest border? __________________________

9. What is the name of the national park in eastern Nevada? ________________________________


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1. What is the capital city of New Hampshire? ________________________________

2. Trace in blue the river that forms New Hampshire’s western border. What is it called? ____________________________

3. What state borders New Hampshire on the east? _______________________________

4. What state borders New Hampshire on the south? _______________________________

5. What state borders New Hampshire on the west? _______________________________

6. What country borders New Hampshire on the north? ___________________________

7. Name the large body of water off southeastern New Hampshire? ___________________________

8. What is the name of the large lake in New Hampshire between Conway and Franklin? ______________________________________

9. The tallest point in New Hampshire is Mount Washington in the White Mountains. Is it north, south, east, or west of Berlin, New Hampshire? ____________________________________


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1. What is the capital of New Jersey? ____________________________

2. What ocean borders New Jersey on the southeast? ______________________________

3. On Christmas night in 1776, George Washington crossed a river near Trenton and defeated British soldiers. What is the name of this river, which forms New Jersey’s western border with Pennsylvania. _____________________________

4. The board game, Monopoly, features places in this resort city on New Jersey’s southeast coast. What is this city’s name? __________________________

5. Which state borders New Jersey on the northeast? ___________________________

6. What two states border New Jersey on the west? _______________________ and _________________________

7. What is the name of the bay on the southwestern shore of New Jersey? _________________________


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1. At approximately 7,000 feet above sea level, the capital of New Mexico is the highest U.S. capital. What is the city’s name? _________________________

2. Which country borders New Mexico on the south? ______________________

3. What is the name of the large river that runs north to south all the way through New Mexico? ________________________

4. What three states touch New Mexico at its northwest corner at the famous “Four Corners,” the only point where four states meet? _________________________, __________________________, and ____________________________.

5. What is the largest city in New Mexico? ____________________________

6. What state borders New Mexico on the east and south? _________________________

7. What state borders New Mexico on the northeast? _________________________

8. What is the name of the national park in southeastern New Mexico? ___________________________________________

9. Name two mountain ranges in New Mexico. _____________________________ and _____________________________


45

1. What is the capital of New York? _________________________

2. Which country borders New York to the north? __________________________

3. Color the ocean that borders New York in blue. Its name is the __________________________.

4. Circle in orange a large waterfall in western New York. What is its name? ______________________________

5. The largest city in the United States, with over 8 million people, is located at the southeastern corner of New York. What is its name? ____________________________

6. What is the name of the biggest river in New York? _________________________

7. Name the two states that border New York to the south. ______________________ and ____________________________

8. Name the three states that border New York to the east. _________________________, ______________________ and ___________________________

9. Two of the Great Lakes border New York. What are they? ______________________ and ______________________


46

1. What is the capital of North Carolina? ____________________________

2. What ocean borders North Carolina on the east? ______________________________

3. Name a mountain range located in the western part of North Carolina and color it purple. ____________________________________

4. Name the town from which the Wright brothers successfully flew the world’s first airplane in 1903. It is located on an island off the coast of northeastern North Carolina. ____________________________

5. What state borders North Carolina on the north? ______________________________

6. What state borders North Carolina on the west? _______________________

7. What two states border North Carolina on the south? _______________________ and ___________________________

8. The tallest mountain in North Carolina is situated in the Appalachian Mountains. What is its name? ___________________________

9. Name two rivers in North Carolina. _______________________ and _______________________


47

1. What is the capital city of North Dakota? ________________________________

2. North Dakota got its nickname, the “Peace Garden State,” because it is home to a beautiful garden that celebrates our peaceful border with the country to the north. What country is that? __________________________

3. What state borders North Dakota on the west? _______________________________

4. What state borders North Dakota on the south? _______________________________

5. What is the name of the river that runs through Bismarck? ___________________________________

6. What is the name of the long, winding lake located in western North Dakota? ______________________________________

7. What state borders North Dakota on the east? _______________________________

8. What is the name of the national park in western North Dakota, named after a U.S. president? _________________________________________


48

1. What is the capital of Ohio? ____________________________

2. What two states border Ohio on the south? _______________________ and _______________________

3. Name a large city in southwestern Ohio that is near the Kentucky border. ______________________ Circle it in orange.

4. Which of the Great Lakes borders Ohio on the north? ___________________________

5. What state borders Ohio on the north? ______________________________

6. What state borders Ohio on the west? _______________________

7. What state borders Ohio on the northeast? ___________________________

8. Name two rivers in Ohio. ______________________ and ______________________

9. Name a large city in northeastern Ohio that is located on one of the Great Lakes. _______________________


49

1. What is the capital city of Oklahoma? ________________________________

2. Oklahoma is made up of a large rectangle and a long panhandle (a narrow part of a state that looks like it could be grasped by a hand) on the northwest. What state borders the western end of Oklahoma’s panhandle? ___________________________

3. Trace in blue the river that forms Oklahoma’s southern border with Texas. What is it called? ___________________________

4. What two states border Oklahoma on the north? ______________________________ and _______________________________

5. What two states border Oklahoma on the east? _______________________________ and _______________________________

6. What state borders Oklahoma on the south? _______________________________

7. What is the name of the large lake on the Oklahoma-Texas border? ___________________________________________________

8. What is the large river that flows across most of Oklahoma and into Eufaula Lake? ___________________________________________________


50

1. What is the capital city of Oregon? ________________________________

2. What ocean borders Oregon on the west? ___________________________

3. The highest point in Oregon is a volcano that is 11,239 feet tall. What is its name? __________________________________

4. What is the name of the mountain range in northeastern Oregon ? ___________________________

5. What state borders Oregon on the north? _______________________________

6. What state borders Oregon on the east? _______________________________

7. What two states border Oregon on the south? ___________________________ and ___________________________

8. What is the name of the river that forms the northern border of Oregon? ______________________________________

9. What is the name of the national park in southwestern Oregon? ______________________________________


51

1. What is the capital of Pennsylvania? _________________________

2. In 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed in this large southeastern Pennsylvania city located on the Delaware River. From 1790-1800, the city was the temporary capital of the United States. Name the city. _____________________________

3. Which of the Great Lakes borders Pennsylvania on the northwest? ___________________________

4. What Pennsylvania city is located where the Ohio, Allegheny, and Monongahela Rivers meet? _____________________________

5. What river forms the eastern border of Pennsylvania? ___________________________

6. What two states border Pennsylvania on the west? _________________________ and _________________________

7. What state has the longest border with Pennsylvania on the south? ___________________________

8. What mountain range extends from Maryland and continues through Pennsylvania? _______________________________

9. What two states border Pennsylvania on the east? _________________________ and ____________________________

10. After a major Civil War battle, President Lincoln gave one of his greatest speeches in this city situated in southcentral Pennsylvania, near the Maryland border. Name the city. _____________________________


52

1. What is the capital of Rhode Island? ____________________________

2. Which ocean forms the southern border of Rhode Island? ________________________________

3. Rhode Island is the smallest state in size in the U.S. Using the map scale at the bottom of the map, estimate how many miles long is Rhode Island (from north to south). 20 miles, 40 miles, or 60 miles? _____________________________

4. What is the name of the large bay along which the cities of Warwick and Providence are located? ________________________________________ Color it blue.

5. What state borders Rhode Island to the north and east? _________________________

6. What state borders Rhode Island to the west? ___________________________

7. Rhode Island is not really an island, but contains several islands. What is the name of the large island directly south of the main state? ________________________

8. On which island is the city of Newport located? _______________________________


53

1. What is the capital of South Carolina? ____________________________

2. Circle the fort, now a national monument, located on the coast of South Carolina, by Charleston. The first battle of the Civil War took place here in 1861. What is the name of this fort? _______________________________

3. Many people travel to South Carolina to enjoy its beautiful beaches. What ocean borders South Carolina? ______________________________

4. What state borders South Carolina on the north? ______________________________

5. What state borders South Carolina on the southwest? _______________________

6. Name two islands off the southern coast of South Carolina. ______________________________ and ______________________________

7. Name a mountain range located in the northwest part of South Carolina. ___________________________

8. Name a river in South Carolina. _______________________________


54

1. What is the capital city of South Dakota? ________________________________

2. This river flows through Pierre and forms part of South Dakota’s border with Nebraska. What is the river’s name? ________________________ Trace it in blue.

3. Mt. Rushmore is the location of huge carvings of the heads of presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. In which part of South Dakota is Mt. Rushmore located: north, east, south, or west? _____________________________

4. What state borders South Dakota on the north? _______________________________

5. What two states border South Dakota on the east? _______________________________ and _______________________________

6. Name the hills in western South Dakota. ________________________________

7. What two states border South Dakota on the west? ___________________________ and _______________________________

8. What is the name of the larger of the two national parks in southwestern South Dakota, which bring to mind rugged terrain? ______________________________________

9. What is the name of the river that runs through Mitchell, South Dakota? __________________________________


55

1. Tennessee’s capital is a center of country music and music recording. What is its name? ____________________________

2. Name the mountain range that runs through eastern Tennessee. _____________________________.

3. This national park in eastern Tennessee preserves many species of trees and flowering plants found in the section of the Appalachian Mountains. Find the park and color it green. What is the name of this national park? _________________________________________________

4. What two states border Tennessee on the north? ___________________________ and ___________________________

5. What three states border Tennessee on the south? _________________________, ___________________________, and ___________________________

6. What two states border Tennessee on the west? _______________________ and ___________________________

7. What state borders Tennessee on the east? __________________________________

8. What river forms the western border of Tennessee? ____________________________________

9. What is the name of the large city in the southwestern corner of Tennessee? _________________________________


56

1. What is the capital of Texas? ____________________

2. Color in blue the large body of water that borders Texas on the southeast. What is its name? ______________________________

3. Trace in blue the river forms Texas’s border on the southwest. It is called the _________________, which is Spanish for “big river.”

4. Which country borders Texas on the southwest? _________________

5. In which city is the famous fort, the Alamo, located? ______________________

6. Which state borders Texas to the west? ______________________

7. Which state borders Texas at its far northeastern corner? ______________________

8. What is the southernmost city in Texas? ____________________________


57

1. Utah’s capital was the site of the 2002 Winter Olympics. What is the name of this city? ____________________________

2. What is the name of the large lake in northwestern Utah? ______________________________ Color it blue.

3. Name two national parks in the southwestern corner of Utah. ___________________________ and _______________________________

4. Which state borders Utah on the west? ___________________________

5. What two states border Utah on the north? _______________________ and _________________________

6. What two states border Utah on the east? _________________________ and _________________________

7. What state borders Utah on the south? _________________________

8. What three states meet Utah at its southeast corner at “Four Corner?” _____________________. _____________________________, and ___________________________.


58

1. What is the capital city of Vermont? ________________________________

2. What country borders Vermont on the north? _______________________________

3. What is the name of the river that forms the eastern border of Vermont? ________________________________________

4. Color in blue the large lake in northwestern Vermont, bordering New York, named after a French explorer. What is its name? ______________________________________________

5. What state borders Vermont on the east? _______________________________

6. What state borders Vermont on the south? ___________________________

7. What state borders Vermont on the west? ___________________________

8. Vermont’s mountains attract many skiers and snowboarders all winter long. What is the name of Vermont’s mountain range? _______________________________

9. The highest point in Vermont is 4,393 feet tall. What is it called?

______________________________


59

1. What is the capital of Virginia? ____________________________

2. What state borders Virginia on the northeast? _______________________________

3. What two states border Virginia on the south? _______________________________ and _______________________________

4. Color in blue the bay that separates the Delmarva Peninsula from the rest of Virginia. What is the name of this bay? ___________________________

5. What two states border Virginia on the west? _______________________________ and _______________________________

6. What ocean borders Virginia on the east? ___________________________

7. What is the name of the Virginia city that is situated across the border from Washington, D.C.? ___________________________

8. What mountains are located in western Virginia? _____________________________

9. What is the name of the coastal area, located east of Richmond? ___________________________


60

1. What is the capital of Washington? ____________________________

2. What country borders Washington on the north? _______________________

3. Just north of Vancouver, Washington is a volcanic mountain that erupted in 1980. Name that mountain. ___________________________

4. The largest city in Washington is located on a large bay. What is the city’s name? ______________________________ Circle it in orange.

5. What ocean borders Washington on the west? ______________________________

6. What state borders Washington on the east? ______________________________

7. What state borders Washington on the south? _______________________

8. What is the name of the large dam on the Columbia River in central Washington? ___________________________

9. What is the name of the river that forms much of this state’s southern border? ________________________________

10. Name two mountain ranges in Washington state. _______________________________ and _______________________________


61

1. What is the capital city of West Virginia? ________________________________

2. What is the name of the mountain range in eastern West Virginia? _______________________________ Color over it in purple.

3. What state borders West Virginia on the northwest? _______________________________

4. What state borders West Virginia on the southwest? ___________________________

5. What state borders West Virginia on the southeast? ___________________________

6. What two states border West Virginia on the northeast? ___________________________ and _______________________________

7. Trace in blue the river that forms part of the northeastern border between West Virginia and Maryland. What is the name of this river? _________________________

8. What is the name of the river that forms the northwestern border of West Virginia? _________________________________

9. What is the name of the river that flows by Charleston? _______________________________


62

1. What is the capital city of Wisconsin? ________________________________

2. Color the Great Lakes that border Wisconsin in blue. Which of the Great Lakes borders Wisconsin on the east? _______________________________ Which Great Lake borders Wisconsin on the north? ___________________________

3. What state borders Wisconsin on the south? _______________________________

4. What state borders Wisconsin on the northeast? _______________________________

5. What two states border Wisconsin on the west? _________________________ and __________________________

6. What is the large river that forms Wisconsin’s southwestern border? ____________________________________

7. What is the name of the peninsula by Green Bay? _______________________________

8. What is the name of the highest point in Wisconsin? ______________________________________

9. What is the name of the large lake located in eastern Wisconsin? ______________________________


63

1. What is the capital of Wyoming? ____________________________

2. What state borders Wyoming on the north? ___________________________

3. What two states border Wyoming on the east? _________________________ and _________________________

4. What two states border Wyoming on the south? _________________________ and _________________________

5. What three states border Wyoming on the west? _______________________, _______________________ and _______________________

6. What river runs through the city of Casper, Wyoming? ___________________________

7. What two national parks are located in the northwest corner of Wyoming? _______________________________________ and _________________________________

8. The tallest point in Wyoming is Gannett Peak. How tall is it? ______________________

9. Wyoming was the first state which allowed women to vote. What is this state’s nickname? ____________________________


64

The District of Columbia, also known as Washington, D.C., is not a state. It is our nation’s capital. President George Washington appointed French architect Pierre Charles L’Enfant to design the city in 1791.

1. What state borders Washington, D.C., on the north, east, and southeast? _______________________________

2. Congress (the Senate and the House of Representatives) meets in the Capitol. Is the Capitol northeast, northwest, southeast, or southwest of the White House? ________________________

3. The Washington Monument was built to honor George Washington. Is the Washington Monument north, south, east, or west from the Capitol? ____________________________________

4. What river forms the western border between Washington, D.C. and Virginia? __________________________________

5. Trace in blue the river that runs through eastern Washington, D.C. What is its name? ______________________________________

6. The White House is the residence and office of the president of the U.S. Is the White House north, south, east, or west from the Washington Monument? _____________________________________

7. The Lincoln Memorial honors President Abraham Lincoln. What Virginia city is west of the Lincoln Memorial, just across the Potomac River? ________________________________________


65

U.S. STATES AND THEIR CAPITALS, IN ORDER OF STATEHOOD Now that you’ve become acquainted with the 50 states, list each state’s capital.

1. Delaware December 7, 1787 __________________________________

2. Pennsylvania December 12, 1787 __________________________________

3. New Jersey December 18, 1787 __________________________________

4. Georgia January 2, 1788 __________________________________

5. Connecticut January 9, 1788 __________________________________

6. Massachusetts February 6, 1788 __________________________________

7. Maryland April 28, 1788 __________________________________

8. South Carolina May 23, 1788 __________________________________

9. New Hampshire June 21, 1788 __________________________________

10. Virginia June 25, 1788 __________________________________

11. New York July 26, 1788 __________________________________

12. North Carolina November 21, 1789 __________________________________

13. Rhode Island May 29, 1790 __________________________________

14. Vermont March 4, 1791 __________________________________

15. Kentucky June 1, 1792 __________________________________

16. Tennessee June 1, 1796 __________________________________

17. Ohio March 1, 1803 __________________________________

18. Louisiana April 30, 1812 __________________________________

19. Indiana December 11, 1816 __________________________________

20. Mississippi December 10, 1817 __________________________________

21. Illinois December 3, 1818 __________________________________

22. Alabama December 14, 1819 __________________________________

23. Maine March 15, 1820 __________________________________

24. Missouri August 10, 1821 __________________________________

25. Arkansas June 15, 1836 __________________________________


66

U.S. STATES AND THEIR CAPITALS, IN ORDER OF STATEHOOD (continued)

26. Michigan January 26, 1837 __________________________________

27. Florida March 3, 1845 __________________________________

28. Texas December 29, 1845 __________________________________

29. Iowa December 28, 1846 __________________________________

30. Wisconsin May 29, 1848 __________________________________

31. California September 9, 1850 __________________________________

32. Minnesota May 11, 1858 __________________________________

33. Oregon February 14, 1859 __________________________________

34. Kansas January 29, 1861 __________________________________

35. West Virginia June 20, 1863 __________________________________

36. Nevada October 31, 1864 __________________________________

37. Nebraska March 1, 1867 __________________________________

38. Colorado August 1, 1876 __________________________________

39. North Dakota November 2, 1889 __________________________________

40. South Dakota November 2, 1889 __________________________________

41. Montana November 8, 1889 __________________________________

42. Washington November 11, 1889 __________________________________

43. Idaho July 3, 1890 __________________________________

44. Wyoming July 10, 1890 __________________________________

45. Utah January 4, 1896 __________________________________

46. Oklahoma November 16, 1907 __________________________________

47. New Mexico January 6, 1912 __________________________________

48. Arizona February 14, 1912 __________________________________

49. Alaska January 3, 1959 __________________________________

50. Hawaii August 21, 1959 __________________________________


67

Learn about Canada

Lake Banff, Alberta, Canada


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REFERENCE MAP OF CANADA


69

DID YOU KNOW? Canada is a huge country in the continent of North America. After Russia, it is the second-largest country in the world. The name Canada is from the Saint-Lawrence Iroquoian word kanata, which means village, settlement or land.

Canada borders the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, the Arctic Ocean, and the United States of America. Canada has over 151,480 miles (243791 km) of coastline. Most of Canada’s human population lives along its southern border.

Capital: Ottawa, Ontario

Largest City: Toronto, Ontario. Population: 33 million (July, 2008 estimate)

Geography: Canada’s land ranges from fertile agricultural plains in the south to freezing tundra in the north. The southwest of Canada (British Columbia) has a mild climate. Cold winters characterize most of the rest of Canada. The magnetic North Pole is within Nunavut.

Area: 3,849,675 sq. miles (9976140 sq. km)

Mountains: Mount Logan, 19,850 feet (6050 m) in the Yukon Territory. Canada has many mountain ranges, including the Appalachians, Torngats, and Laurentians in the eastern regions; the Rocky, Coastal, and Mackenzie ranges in the western regions; and Mount St. Elias and the Pelly Mountains in the northern country.

Lakes: Canada has about two million lakes, which cover about 7.6% of its land. The biggest lakes are (in order by their surface area): Lake Huron (60% of Lake Huron’s 23,010 sq. mi (59600 sq. km) are in Canada) Great Bear Lake, 12,028 sq. mi (31328 sq. km) Lake Superior (about 33% of Lake Superior’s 31,820 sq. mi (82100 sq. km) are in Canada) Great Slave Lake Canada’s deepest lake at 2,010 ft. (614 m) Lake Winnipeg Lake Erie Lake Ontario

Rivers: The longest river in Canada is the Mackenzie River, which is 2,635 miles (4241 km) long. It runs through the Northwest Territories.

Other large and important rivers: St. Lawrence River 1,900 miles (3058 km) long, connecting Lake Erie to the Atlantic Yukon River Columbia River (partly in the United States) Nelson River Churchill River Fraser River

Languages: English, French, Native American languages


70

1. What ocean forms Canada’s western border? ________________________

2. What ocean forms Canada’s eastern border? ________________________

3. What ocean lies north of Canada? _________________________________

4. What is the name of the enormous Canadian bay that almost divides Canada in two? ___________________________________

5. What is the name of the country that borders Canada to the south? ___________________________________

6. What is the name of the bay that separates part of Canada from Greenland? ___________________________________

7. What is the name of the southeastern Canadian gulf that opens to the Atlantic Ocean? ___________________________________

8. What is the name of Canada’s largest river that flows north into the Beaufort Sea? ___________________________________

9. What is the name of the tallest peak in Canada? It is located in western Canada, near Alaska. _________________________


71

ALBERTA

Canadian maps from www.worldatlas.com

1. What is the capital of Alberta? ________________________

2. What large city, situated south of Alberta’s capital, hosted the 1988 Winter Olympics? ________________________

3. What U.S. state borders Alberta to the south? ________________________

4. What province lies to the east of Alberta? ________________________

5. What mountain range is situated in the southwest of Alberta? ________________________


72

BRITISH COLUMBIA

1. The capital of British Columbia lies northwest of Seattle. What is its name?

__________________________

2. Which British Columbia city is hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics? ________________________

3. Which ocean lies to the west of British Columbia? ________________________

4. Name the islands that lie south of Juneau in the Gulf of Alaska. ____________________________________

5. What U.S. state lies to the west of British Columbia and extends south? _______________________

6. Which two provinces lie to the north of British Columbia? ________________________ and ______________________________________


73

MANITOBA

1. Name the capital of Manitoba. __________________________

2. Which large body of water is found at the northeast corner of Manitoba? __________________________

3. This landform, a generally level landscape of plains and plateaus, extends through central Manitoba. Name this landform. __________________________

4. Which province lies to the east of Manitoba? __________________________

5. Name the two mountains that lie on the western portion of Manitoba. _____________________________ and _______________________________


74

NEW BRUNSWICK

1. What is the capital of New Brunswick? ______________________

2. Name the river that flows north-south and creates the natural border with Maine. ____________________________

3. What is the U.S. state located to the west of New Brunswick? _________________________

4. What is the name of the mountain range in the far northwest of New Brunswick? ______________________________

5. Name the bay that separates New Brunswick from Nova Scotia to the south, and which has the highest vertical tidal range in the world. _____________________________


75

NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

1. Name the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador. _________________________

2. What ocean borders Newfoundland and Labrador to the east? _________________________

3. Name the province that borders Labrador to the west. _________________________

4. What is the body of water that lies west of Newfoundland? _________________________


76

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

1. What is the capital of the Northwest Territories? _______________________

2. Name the large mountain range on the southwestern border of this province. ________________________________

3. Name the island that the Northwest Territories share with Nunavut. _______________________

4. Canada’s longest river flows generally northwest into the Beaufort Sea. It extends almost the entire length of the province and is 1,200 miles (1800 km) in length. Name the river. _____________________________

5. Name the province that borders the Northwest Territories to the west. _______________________


77

NOVA SCOTIA

1. Name the capital of Nova Scotia. ____________________

2. Which ocean lies to the southeast of Nova Scotia? _______________________

3. Which province lies to the northwest of Nova Scotia? _______________________

4. Which province lies to the north of Nova Scotia? ________________________

5. What is the name of the island that is separated from the Nova Scotia mainland? ____________________________


78

NUNAVUT

1. Name the capital of Nunavut, Canada’s largest territory, which was created in 1999. _______________________________

2. Name the large body of water that separates the northeast part of the territory from Greenland. _______________________________

3. Name the ocean that borders Nunavut to the north. ___________________________

4. At 8,583 ft (2616 m), this is the highest and northernmost mountain in Nunavut and is situated on Ellesmere Island. What is its name? ___________________________

5. Which body of water lies to the southeast of Nunavut? ___________________________


79

ONTARIO

1. What is the capital of Ontario? ___________________________

2. Name the four Great Lakes that border Canada on the south. ___________________________, ___________________________, ___________________________, and ___________________________

3. What is the name of the large body of water in northern Ontario? ___________________________

4. Name the famous waterfall that lies near St. Catherines. ___________________________

5. Name the capital of Canada that is situated in the far east corner of Ontario, near the border with New York. ___________________________


80

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

1. Name the capital of Prince Edward Island. ___________________________

2. What is the name of the body of water that is situated north of Prince Edward Island? ___________________________

3. Name the structure that connects Prince Edward Island with New Brunswick. ___________________________

4. Which province lies to the south of Prince Edward Island? ___________________________


81

QUEBEC

1. What is the capital of Quebec? ___________________________

2. Name the large river that flows from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. ______________________________

3. What province lies to the west of Quebec? ___________________________

4. Name the large city east of Ottawa (Ontario) and southwest of Quebec. ______________________________

5. Name the peninsula that extends into the Gulf of St. Lawrence. ___________________________


82

SASKATCHEWAN

1. What is the capital of Saskatchewan? ___________________________

2. What province borders Saskatchewan to the north? ___________________________

3. What province borders Saskatchewan to the west? ___________________________

4. Name the U.S. state that border Saskatchewan to the south. ___________________________

5. Name the large city that is situated northwest of Regina. ___________________________

6. Which province lies to the east of Saskatchewan? ___________________________


83

YUKON

1. What is the capital of the Yukon Territory? ___________________________

2. Name the large body of water to the north of Yukon? ___________________________

3. Name the river that flows through Whitehorse, continues 2,300 miles (3700 km) across Yukon and Alaska. ___________________________

4. Name the U.S. state that borders the Yukon Territory to the west and extends south. ___________________________

5. At 19,850 ft (6050 m), this is the highest point in Canada that is located in the far southwest corner of this province. ___________________________


84


85

Learn about Mexico

Cathedral in Mexico City


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REFERENCE MAP OF MEXICO


87

DID YOU KNOW? Mexico is a large, Spanish-speaking country in southern North America. In Spanish, the name of this country is Estados Unidos Mexicanos (“the United States of Mexico”). It is the fourth-largest country in the Western Hemisphere.

Capital: Mexico City (original name: Tenochtitlan) is one of the largest cities in the world.

The metropolitan area has a population of about 20 million people.

Location: Mexico lies in both the northern and western hemispheres. It is positioned between the United States of America to the north and Guatemala and Belize to the south. At Mexico’s west is the Pacific Ocean; to the east are the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.

Area: Almost 742,485 sq. miles (ca 2 million sq. km). It has 9,330 km of ocean coastline.

Geography: The Sierra Madre Occidental and Sierra Madre Oriental mountain ranges border Mexico’s elevated high desert, or Central Plateau (altiplano). Several smaller mountain ranges divide the landscape of southern Mexico, with the Sierra Madre del Sur the most significant.

A long line of volcanoes, many still active, extends from the Pacific Ocean eastward to the Gulf of Mexico. Pico de Orizaba Volcano, the third highest mountain in North America, is located here.

The very narrow coastal plain along the Pacific Ocean coastline rise quickly into the foothills of the mountains, while the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean coastlines are wider and rise gently into the interior.

The mountainous Baja Peninsula in the west extends about 750 miles (1200 km) south from the U.S. border. The Yucatan Peninsula to the east extends into the Gulf of Mexico and features thick tropical jungles.

Rivers: The Rio Grande begins in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado and flows generally south to the Gulf of Mexico for 1,885 miles (3000 km). It forms much of Mexico’s northern border with the United States.

Mexico has nearly 150 small, unnavigable rivers. 70% drain into the Pacific Ocean. Larger rivers include the Balsas, Conchos, Grijalva, Panuco, Papaloapan, Usumacinta. (Some not shown on the map for space reasons)

Highest Point: Volcan Orizaba 18,701 ft. (5700 m)

Lowest Point: Laguna Salada - 33 ft. (-10 m)

Climate: Varies from hot deserts, forests, tropical rainforests, and some chapparal (scrub) along the northwestern coastline.

States: Mexico is divided into 32 states (Aguas Calientes, Baja California, Baja California Sur, Campeche, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Colima, Durango, Estado de México, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Michoacán, Morelos, Nayarit, Nuevo León, Oaxaca, Puebla, Querétaro, Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosí, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Tlaxcala, Vera Cruz, Yucatán, Zacatecas) plus a Federal District (Mexico City).

Language: Spanish, regional indigenous dialects


88

1. What is the capital of Mexico? _____________________________________ 2. What country borders Mexico on the north? ___________________________ 3. What two countries border Mexico on the southeast? ________________________ and

_________________________ 4. What ocean borders Mexico on the west? __________________________________ 5. What large body of water borders Mexico on the east? _______________________________ 6. Name the city in the far northwestern tip of Mexico that borders California. _____________________ 7. What is the name of the desert in northwestern Mexico? ______________________________ 8. What is the name of the long peninsula on the northwest coast of Mexico that extends south from

California? ______________________________________

9. Name the peninsula in southeastern Mexico. ________________________________


89

Learn about the Caribbean


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REFERENCE MAP OF THE CARIBBEAN


91

DID YOU KNOW? Although there are hundreds of Caribbean islands, we will explore the geography and climate of the six most populated Caribbean Islands. This section will include brief descriptions of:

1. Cuba

2. Haiti

3. Dominican Republic

4. Puerto Rico, a commonwealth of the United States

5. Jamaica

6. Trinidad and Tobago

The Caribbean is a region formerly known as the West Indies. It is a popular region for tourism due to its vast beach land and delightful climate. The largest island of the West Indies is Cuba, one of four islands that make up the Greater Antilles archipelago, along with Jamaica, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico. An archipelago is a large group or chain of islands. Its capital is Havana. Cuba is the largest island and is located roughly 90 miles south of Miami, Florida. Cuba consists of a large island and 1,600 smaller islands. Though Cuba is mountainous, it also has rivers and streams and miles of beach land. Cuba has dry and rainy seasons. The island is subject to a hurricane season that lasts from June to November. The main language is Spanish. Haiti is the second largest island in the Caribbean and is located on Hispaniola, the same island as the Dominican Republic. The capital is Port-au-Prince. Haiti’s official languages are French and Creole (a mix of French, African languages, Spanish, native Taíno, and English). Mountains make up most of Haiti and it has two peninsulas, the Northern Peninsula and the Southern Peninsula. There are many mountains where coffee and cacao beans are plentiful. Pic la Selle is the highest point on the island. Haiti has a tropical climate and is subject to hurricanes. Lake Azuei and Lake of Miragoane are the largest lakes.

A massive earthquake hit parts of Haiti in January 2010, devastating its capital and surrounding areas. The Dominican Republic takes up roughly 2/3 of the eastern end of the island of Hispaniola. Santo Domingo is the capital. The country’s official language is Spanish. The land is mountainous and includes Pico Duarte, the highest point in the Dominican Republic and in the Caribbean. The largest lake is Lake Enriquillo on the southwestern border. There are many smaller rivers and streams that run from the mountains to the sea. This island has a warm tropical climate. Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the United States. Puerto Ricans are considered U.S. citizens, but they do not pay taxes to the U.S. and do not vote in U.S. elections. Puerto Rico’s capital is San Juan. The island has rain forests. El Yunque rain forest provides a home to tropical animals such as the coquí, a tiny tree frog often no bigger than 1 inch (2.5 cm). It is believed that these islands were formed by volcanoes. There are four main land regions. They include the Coastal Lowlands, the Coastal Valleys, the Foothills, and the Central Mountains. A large mountain range called the Cordillera Central is the backbone of the island. The island includes deserts, caves, and canyons. It is a popular tourist spot as the temperature stays around between 70-80° F. year round.


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Jamaica is located south of Cuba and is part of the Greater Antilles. Its capital is Kingston. The island has three land regions: coastal plains, central hills and plateau, and eastern mountains. Much of this island is mountainous. Jamaica has a hot, humid climate. The average temperature in the winter is 75° F. and in the summer 80° F. Temperatures in the mountains can drop to 40° F. The rainy season lasts from May through June and September through November. The rainiest months are May and October. Hurricanes season is June to November. The official language of Jamaica is English. Jamaica attracts large numbers of visitors each year.

Trinidad and Tobago is a country in the southern Caribbean, which consists of two islands and is located off the coast of Venezuela. Port of Spain is both the national capital and the capital of Trinidad, the larger of the two islands. Scarborough is the capital of smaller Tobago. The highest mountain, Cerro del Aripo, which is more than 3,000 feet high, is located in the Northern Range. The average temperature is about 80° F. The official language is English, but many older people speak patois. This is a popular island for tourism.


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Caribbean maps from www.worldbookonline.com

1. What is the capital of Cuba? _____________________________ 2. What three large bodies of water surround this island country? _____________________________,

_____________________________, and __________________________________ 3. What is the closest U.S. state to Cuba? ________________________________ 4. What island is located southeast of Cuba?__________________________ 5. Name the United States Naval Base located on Cuba’s eastern side? This military base has been in

the news of late. _______________________________ 6. What island country is located due south of Cuba? _________________________________


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1. Haiti shares an island with what other Caribbean country?______________________

2. What is the capital of Haiti?________________________________

3. What happened in Haiti in January, 2010?____________________________

4. What is the highest point in Haiti? ___________________________________

5. What sea is located to the south of Haiti?_________________________________


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1. With what Caribbean country does the Dominican Republic share an island?___________________ 2. What is the capital of the Dominican Republican?_______________________________ 3. What ocean is situated to the east of the Dominican Republic? ______________________ 4. What is the highest point in the Dominican Republic? __________________________ 5. If you traveled from Puerto Rico to the Dominican Republic, what direction would you be traveling

in? ___________________


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1. What is the capital of Puerto Rico? __________________________ 2. Name the four main land regions of this country? ________________________,

_________________________, __________________________, and ________________________. 3. If you traveled from Puerto Rico to Mexico, what direction would you be traveling in?

________________________ 4. What is Cordillera Central? _______________________________ 5. What is a coqui? How big is it? ________________________________________,

________________________ 6. What ocean is located north of Puerto Rico?____________________________


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1. What is the capital of Jamaica? What part of the country is it located in? _____________________ ______________________________

2. What country is located to the north of Jamaica?_____________________________ 3. What direction is Montego Bay from Kingston? _____________________________ 4. When does Jamaica experience hurricanes? _____________________________ 5. Name the mountains located in the eastern part of the country?__________________________ 6. Name the site of the Columbus landing in 1494. _________________________


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1. Name the South American country located to the west of Trinidad? ____________________ 2. What is the capital of Trinidad-Tobago?______________________ 3. What direction is Tobago from the island of Trinidad? ______________________ 4. What is the highest point on the island? __________________________ 5. If you traveled from Florida to Trinidad-Tobago, what direction would you be traveling in?

________________________________


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