Chapter 8 Study Guide: The Physical Geography of Latin America

Chapter 8 Study Guide for Apollo Team

Chapter 8 Study Guide for Apollo Team

Chapter 8 Latin America:  The Land

This section focuses on the landforms and natural resources of Latin America.

Chapter 8, Section 1

Terms to Know

cordillera A mountain range that runs parallel to another mountain range (page 194)

altiplano A high plain (page 194)

escarpment A steep cliff or slope (page 196)

llanos Grassy plains of Colombia and Venezuela (page 196)

pampas Grassy plains of Argentina and Uruguay (page 196)

gaucho A cowhand on the pampas (page 197)

hydroelectric power Electricity generated from the energy of water (page 197)

estuary An area where the tide meets a river current (page 197)

Physical Features of Latin America

Introduction (page 193) The Amazon River is the world’s second longest river. Other important features of Latin America include mountains, islands, coastal lowlands, plains, and waterways.

1.  Why is the Amazon River an important feature of Latin America?

A Vast Region (page 193) Latin America is in the Western Hemisphere, south of the United States that was settled by Europeans who spoke Spanish or Portuguese. These languages are based on Latin, which is why the region is called Latin America.

2.  Latin America is often divided into three areas:

A.  Middle America includes Mexico and seven countries in Central America.

B.  The Caribbean consists of island countries in the Caribbean Sea.

C.  South America is a continent, the largest land area of Latin America, and has         13 countries.

Into what areas is Latin America often divided?

Mountains and Plateaus (page 194) Mountains extend the entire length of Latin America. The rugged landscape of Latin America is caused by its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire. This is where plates of the earth’s crust have collided for thou- sands of years, creating mountains, volcanoes, and earthquakes. Many people live in the mountains for the cool climate and natural resources.

The mountains of Latin America change names as you move south:

A.  The Sierra Madre Mountains are in Mexico.

B.  The Central Highlands are a chain of volcanic mountains in Central America. Many Caribbean islands are part of this range.

C.  The Andes of South America are the world’s longest mountain ranges.  They consist of cordilleras, or ranges that run parallel to each other.  The peaks in Peru and Bolivia encircle the Altiplano, or high plain.

There are four important plateaus in Latin America:

A.  Patagonia is a long plateau in Argentina.

B.  The Mexican Plateau has a mild climate, fertile soil, and plentiful rainfall.  The living conditions have attracted settlers for thousands of years.

D.  The Mato Grosso Plateau covers much of central Brazil.

E.  The Brazilian Highlands is a vast plateau in Brazil. Its eastern edge forms an escarpment, or a steep cliff or slope that plunges sharply to the Atlantic Ocean.

3.  What has caused the rugged landscape of Latin America?

Lowlands and Plains (page 196) Narrow lowland areas lie along most coasts of Latin America. Inland areas of South America have large grasslands. The llanos are vast grassy plains of Colombia and Venezuela. The pampas are grassy, treeless plains in Argentina and Uruguay. Cowhands called llaneros in the llanos and gauchos in the pampas drive herds of cattle across the plains. The pampas have fertile soil. Many crops are grown there.

4.       Where are the lowlands and plains of Latin America located?

Water Systems (page 197) Latin America’s waterways are used for transportation. The Rio Grande forms part of the border between Mexico and the United States. The Amazon River and smaller rivers that join it form the Amazon Basin of South America. Another river system is formed by the Paraná, Paraguay, and Uruguay Rivers. It provides hydroelectric power, or electricity generated from the energy of water. These rivers flow into an estuary, an area where the tide meets a river current, called the Río de la Plata.

5.       What do the water systems of Latin America provide the people of the region?

Natural Resources (page 198) Latin America’s natural resources include minerals, forests, farmland, and water. Its important minerals are oil, natural gas, gold, silver, emeralds, copper, bauxite, and tin.

6.       What important natural resources are found in Latin America?

Climate and Vegetation

This section focuses on the types of climate regions and vegetation found in Latin America.

Chapter 8, Section 2

Terms to Know

canopy A continuous layer of leaves (page 200)      

tierra templada Temperate land (page 203)

tierra caliente Hot land (page 203)      

tierra fria Cold land (page 203)

Introduction (page 199) Latin America has many climate regions. The climates and landforms affect the kinds of plants, trees, and crops that grow there.

What affects the kinds of plants, trees, and crops that grow in Latin America?

Climate and Vegetation Regions (page 199)

Much of Latin America lies between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. Therefore, large areas of Latin America have some type of tropical climate with lush vegetation. The mountains and wind patterns, however, create a variety of climates and natural vegetation in the region. There are five major climate regions in Latin America:

A.  A tropical rain forest climate has hot temperatures and large amounts of rainfall year-round.  This climate is found in southern Mexico, eastern Central America, some Caribbean islands, and parts of northern South America.  A variety of trees grow in the rain forest, including tropical hardwoods, palms, tree ferns, and bamboo.  Trees grow so close together that they form a continuous layer of leaves called a canopy. The Amazon Basin—the earth’s largest rain forest— has more types of plants and animals than anywhere else on Earth.

B.  A tropical savanna climate has hot temperatures, large amounts of rainfall and a long dry season.  This climate is found in southwestern Mexico, most Caribbean islands, and north central South America. Many tropical savanna areas have vast grasslands.

C.   A humid subtropical climate has short, mild winters and long, hot, humid summers.  This climate is found over much of southeastern South America.  The pampas of this region are covered with short grasses. Farmers plant crops in this region to hold the topsoil in place.

D.  A desert climate is dry year-round.  This climate is found in parts of northern Mexico, coastal Peru, Argentina, and Chile.  There is little vegetation in this climate region, but prickly cacti and drought-resistant plants have adapted to the harsh environment.

E.  A steppe climate has hot summers, cool winters, and light rainfall.  The vegetation is grassy or lightly forested.  This climate is found in northern Mexico, northeastern Brazil, and south central South America.

What are the five major climate regions in Latin America?  Elevation and Climate (page 202)

(The climates of Latin America are more affected by elevation than by latitude. Spanish terms are used to describe three different vertical climate zones that occur as elevation increases.)

A.  Tierra Caliente (hotland) is at the lowest elevations between sea level and 2,500 feet.  Average temperatures range from 68 to 91degrees. Vegetation includes:  rain forest, and crops including bananas, sugar, rice, and cacao.

B.      Tierra Templada (temperate land) lies between 2,500 and 6,500feet.  Temperatures range from 60 to 72 degrees.  Vegetation includes broad-leafed and coniferous evergreens. Crops include coffee and corn. More people live in this vertical cli- mate zone than the other two because of the mild climate.

C.      Tierra Fría (cold land) lies between 6,500 and 10,000 feet.  Frosts are common during winter. Potatoes and barley grow well there.

How does elevation affect climate and vegetation in Latin America?

Chapter 7 The US and Canada Today: Study Guide for Apollo Students

Chapter 7 Study Guide for Apollo Team

Chapter 7 Study Guide for Apollo

Living in the United States and Canada

This section focuses on the economies of the United States and Canada.

Chapter 7, Section 1

Terms to Know

free market economy Economic system in which people can own, operate, and profit from their own businesses (page 157)

post-industrial Emphasizing service and high- technology businesses (page 158)

commodity An agricultural or mining product (page 158)

retooling Converting old factories for use in new industries (page 161)

pipeline A long network of underground or aboveground pipes (page 162)

monopoly Total control of an industry by one person or one company (page 162)

trade deficit The difference in value when a country’s imports exceed its exports (page 163)

tariff A tax on imported goods (page 163)

trade surplus The difference in value when a country’s exports exceed its imports (page 163)

Introduction (page 157) The United States and Canada have rich resources and technological skills to place them in the world’s top 10 economic powers.

1.       Why are the United States and Canada leading economic powers?

Economic Activities (page 157) The United States and Canada have free market economies. Individuals

and companies are allowed to own, operate, and make a profit from their businesses. In Canada the government owns and manages broadcasting and health care services. Private corporations provide these services for profit in the United States. Both countries are said to have post-industrial economies because they are moving from older ways of manufacturing to service and high-tech industries.

The United States has more cropland than any other country in the world. Canada has less land suitable for farming, but still devotes millions of acres to agriculture. Most farming in the United States and Canada is commercial. Agricultural goods, (commodities), are produced by large corporations for sale. Only 2 percent of Americans and 4 percent of Canadians work in agriculture. Many people cannot afford to be farmers, for several reasons. Modern farming requires expensive machines and fertilizers. Market prices for commodities are sometimes so low that farmers do not make a profit. Natural disasters, such as floods or droughts, can wipe out entire crops or herds overnight.

The United States and Canada produce large amounts of the world’s beef, milk, eggs, corn, wheat, and other grains. They export these products to markets around the world.

2.       Why do few people work in agriculture in the United States and Canada?

Manufacturing and Service Industries (page 160) Manufacturing makes up about 20 percent of the economies of the United States and Canada. The two countries produce and export large amounts

of transportation equipment and machinery. Robotics and computerized automation have changed manufacturing in the two countries. A greater amount of goods can be produced today with fewer workers than in the past.

The post-industrial economy of the region is growing quickly. About 75 percent of the people in the United States and Canada are now employed in service industries. Both countries produce high-tech equipment for use in computer sciences, telecommunications, and biotechnology. Many cities that were heavy industrial manufacturing centers are retooling. This means that they are changing old factories for use in new industries.

3.       How are cities adapting to a post-industrial economy?

Transportation and Communication (page 161) The United States and Canada have advanced transportation and communication systems. Both countries have invested heavily in the building and maintenance of highways, roads, and bridges. Urban transportation includes subways, elevated and commuter trains, cars, and buses. The region has a busy network of airlines, railroads, and buses for long-distance travel. Railroads and long-haul trucks carry freight. Pipelines, or long networks of underground or above ground pipes, carry much of the region’s gas and oil.

Canada’s broadcasting and telephone systems are publicly owned. In the United States, the government regulates private ownership of these industries in order to make sure that monopolies do not exist. A monopoly is total control over a type of industry by one person or one company. Most people own telephones, televisions, and radios. Computer use is also high in the region.

4.       What kinds of transportation and communications systems does the region have?

Trade and Interdependence (page 162) The United States and Canada trade with other countries because they produce surpluses of certain products. They export agricultural and manufactured goods and raw materials. Canada also exports seafood and timber products. The two countries are also major importing nations. Canada has a trade surplus. This means that it earns more from export sales than it spends for imports. The United States has a trade deficit because it spends more on imports than it earns from exports.

The United States and Canada are each other’s largest trading partners. In 1988 the two countries agreed to remove tariffs and other trade restrictions between them. In 1994 this agreement, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), included Mexico. NAFTA allows the free flow of labor among the three countries.

5.       Which country is the largest trading partner for the United States? For Canada?

United Against Terrorism (page 163) On September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York City’s World Trade

Center and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., stunned the United States and the rest of the world. Americans responded quickly to aid victims and rescue workers. To show their resolve and unity, Americans put up flags, attended candlelight vigils, and participated in prayer services. Political leaders and law enforcement officials took action to hunt down terrorists and to protect Americans from further attacks.

The United States won international support for a wide-ranging response to terrorism. The first military action of this war on terrorism began in Afghanistan, which harbored Osama bin Laden, the Saudi exile believed to be responsible for the September 11 attacks.

6.       Why did the first military action of the war on terrorism take place in Afghanistan?

People and Their Environment

Chapter 7, Section 2

Terms to Know

clear cutting Taking out whole forests when harvesting timber (page 165)

acid rain Precipitation that carries abnormally high amounts of acidic materials (page 166)

smog A visible haze caused by the sun’s rays interacting with automobile exhaust and industrial pollution (page 167)

groundwater Freshwater in the earth that supplies wells and springs (page 167)

eutrophication The process by which a body of water becomes rich in dissolved nutrients, leading to overgrowth of small plants (page 168)

Introduction (page 165) Strip mining and other resource-based industries can cause damage to the

environment. Today, these industries are working to limit damage to the environment.

1.       Which industries can cause damage to the environment?

Human Impact (page 165) The United States and Canada do not always wisely manage their natural resources.  Clear-cutting, or cutting down a whole forest for its timber, has destroyed many of the region’s old-growth forests. This practice endangers wildlife and causes erosion and flooding. Fishing has depleted many freshwater and ocean fisheries. Natural resource management includes watching the impact of human activity on the environment.

2.       What are two ways that human activity has damaged the environment of the region?

Pollution (page 166) Industrial development in the United States and Canada has interfered with the natural environment to cause pollution. Four types of human- made pollution are:

A.  Acid rain- is precipitation that carries unusually high amounts of toxic chemicals. It forms when pollution from cars, power plants, factories, and oil refineries reacts with water vapor in the air. Acid rain eats away at buildings, damages plants, and pollutes water and soil. Plant life and fish cannot survive in highly acidic waters.

Winds carry acid rain far from its source. Acid rain from the coal- burning factories of the Midwest blows eastward to the Adirondack Mountains. About 26 percent of the lakes in this region are acidic. Acid rain from the United States has also polluted many provinces in Canada.

B.  Smog adds to air pollution. As the sun’s rays interact with automobile and industrial exhaust, a visible haze known as smog appears. Smog damages or kills plants and irritates people’s eyes, throats, and lungs. To prevent the effects of smog, health officials measure the air quality of cities. If they find dangerous levels of smog, they issue smog alerts urging people to stay indoors.  Authorities also may restrict driving or industrial activity. Cars are now being designed that use energy sources other than fossil fuels. Lawmakers are working on laws that would reduce the amount of emissions released into the air. People are being encouraged to use public transportation.

C.  Water pollution in the region is caused by acid rain and by industrial and agricultural wastes that are dumped into rivers and streams. Sometimes these wastes find their way into the groundwater. This is the freshwater in the earth that supplies wells and springs.  Water pollution kills marine life, birds and other animals that live in wetlands. The pollution can harm the health of humans who use polluted water supplies.

Water pollution increases the process known as eutrophication. In this process a lake or other body of water becomes rich in dis- solved nutrients, causing the overgrowth of algae.  The algae use up the oxygen in the water, leaving too little oxygen for the fish to breath. Eutrophication can, over time, turn the lake into dry land.  The United States and Canada signed the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement to reduce water pollution.  The United States has also passed the Clean Water Act to restore the quality of the nation’s waterways.

D. Global warming is a worldwide environmental concern whose causes are not completely understood. Effects of global warming include the melting of polar ice caps, thinning of sea ice, and thawing of permafrost.  When polar ice melts, ocean levels rise; this causes coastal and river flooding.  Thinning sea ice causes animals to move further north.  Thawing permafrost buckles the land and weakens the foundations of houses.  Warmer, higher seas cause changes in climate patterns, such as El Niño.

How has industrial development in the United States and Canada caused pollution of the environment?

Chapter 6 Study Guide For Apollo Team Students

Chapter 6 Geography Study Guide for Apollo

Chapter 6 Study Guide for Apollo Students

For use with textbook pages 133–151

Population Patterns

This section focuses on the population patterns of the people of the United States and Canada.

Chapter 6, Section 1

Terms to Know

immigration -The movement of people into one country from another (page 133)

Native Americans-Descendants of the first immigrants to North America who probably came from Asia (page 134)

Sunbelt - The American South and Southwest, named because of its mild climate (page 135)

urbanization -The concentration of population in cities (page 135)

metropolitan area - A large urban center (page 135)

suburb - An outlying community located near a city (page 135)

megalopolis - A chain of closely linked metropolitan areas (page 136)

mobility - The ability to move from place to place (page 137)

Introduction (page 133) The United States and Canada have been shaped by immigration. This is the movement of people into one country from another.

1.         What has shaped the United States and Canada?

The People (page 133) All the people in the United States and Canada are immigrants or descendants of immigrants. Some came to the region recently. Others have ancestors who came many, many years ago. North America’s first immigrants probably came from Asia thousands of years ago. Their descendants are known as Native Americans. Other immigrants have come from all parts of the world. This makes the populations of the United States and Canada among the most diverse in the world.

There are many reasons that immigrants have come to the United States and Canada. Some reasons include:

A.  People wanted religious or political freedom.

B.  People were fleeing wars or natural disasters.

C.  People wanted greater economic opportunities.

D.  People sought the rich natural resources of the region.

2.         Why are the populations of the United States and Canada very diverse?

Population Density and Distribution (page 134) Canada is slightly larger than the United States in land area. Canada has an average population density of 8 people per square mile. Rugged terrain and cold climate make human settlement difficult in many parts of Canada. About 90 percent of Canada’s population lives in a narrow strip of land along Canada’s border with the United States.

Population centers in Canada are located near the fertile land and industrial resources of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence lowlands. Other population centers include the farming and ranching areas of the Prairie Provinces and the Pacific coast of British Columbia.  The United States has an average population density of 75 people per square mile. The Northeast and the Great Lakes regions are the most densely populated areas. They are the historical centers of American commerce and industry. The fastest growing region is the South and Southwest United States, known as the Sunbelt because of its mild climate. This area has growing manufacturing, service, and tourism industries.

Some areas of the United States have difficult climate conditions and small populations. These areas include subarctic Alaska, the Great Basin, and dry areas of the Great Plains.

3.         In what areas do most people in Canada and the United States live? Why are these areas centers of population?

The Cities (page 135) Both the United States and Canada have experienced urbanization, the migration of population into cities. About 75 percent of Americans and 60 percent of Canadians live in metropolitan areas—large cities together with outlying communities called suburbs.

Many population centers of the United States and Canada lie in coastal areas. Along the northern Atlantic coast of the United States a chain of closely linked metropolitan areas form a megalopolis. Four of the cities that make up this megalopolis—Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, and Baltimore—are important world trade centers because of their coastal or near coastal location. Along the Pacific coast, a developing megalopolis includes the port cities of San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego in California. Vancouver is an important shipping center for western Canada.

Inland cities have developed near rivers, lakes, and other waterways. In Canada, ships use the St. Lawrence River, the Ottawa River, and the Great Lakes to reach Quebec, Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto. A developing megalopolis links the U.S. Great Lakes cities of Chicago and Milwaukee. Minneapolis, St. Paul, St. Louis, Memphis, and New Orleans are important Mississippi River cities. Winnipeg and Edmonton are important river cities in Canada.

The United States and Canada have low birth rates. Most population growth comes from immigration. Mobility, or the ability to move from place to place, is important to the people of the United States and Canada. Many people in the region frequently relocate.

History and Government

In the last section, you read about the geography of the United States and Canada. This section focuses on the history and government of these two countries.

Chapter 6, Section 2

Terms to Know

republic - A government in which the people elect their own officials (page 142)

Underground Railroad - An informal network of safe houses that helped escaping enslaved people make their way to freedom (page 143)

dry farming - Cultivating the land so that it catches and holds rainwater (page 143)

Constitution - The plan of government of the United States (page 144)

amendment - A change in the Constitution (page 144)

Bill of Rights - First 10 amendments to the Constitution guaranteeing the basic rights of citizens (page 144)

cabinet - A group of special advisers to the president (page 144)

dominion - A partially self-governing country with close ties to Great Britain (page 144)

Parliament - The national legislature of Canada made up of the Senate and the House of Commons (page 145)

Introduction (page 140) Native Americans once lived throughout North America. Then Europeans colonized the region. Finally, the region developed into the United States and Canada.

1.         Who lived in North America before the Europeans came?

History (page 140) There are two theories about the first people to settle North America. One theory is that thousands of years ago, nomads crossed a land bridge from Asia to Alaska and settled North America. Another theory is that nomads from Central and South America may have settled North America at the same time as those people from Asia.

By the late 1500s, Europeans began to migrate to North America looking for farmland, valuable minerals, or trade. Others were searching for political and religious freedom. Three main European groups came to North America:

A.  The Spanish controlled Florida and a large area west of the Mississippi River.  They set up military posts, missions, farms, and large cattle ranches.

B.  The French came for the fur trade along rivers. Some settled permanently along the St. Lawrence River and the Mississippi River near the Gulf of Mexico.

C.  The English had colonies or land along the Atlantic coast and around the Hudson Bay.  The northern colonies made their living by shipbuilding, trade, and fishing.  The middle colonies had level land and fertile soil, so English settlers raised cash crops. In the southern colonies the mild climate, rich soil, and open land encouraged plantation farming.

In 1763 France gave up much of its land in North America to Great Britain. English settlers migrated to the west, pushing out Native Americans and almost destroying their cultures. The United States was created in 1776 after the 13 British colonies fought a war for independence. The Americans set up a republic, a government in which the people elect their own officials.

Some American colonists who were loyal to Great Britain moved north to other British colonies. In 1867, four of the colonies united to form the Dominion of Canada.

During the 1800s the United States and Canada expanded into western North America. Westward expansion caused Native Americans to lose land and their way of life.

In the 1800s, industrialization changed the United States and Canada. The northeastern United States developed many textile factories, because its waterfalls and coal deposits could be used to generate power. United States and Canadian cities expanded along the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River to transport factory goods. Cotton was needed for northern textile mills, so it became the major cash crop in the southern United States.

Enslaved Africans provided most of the labor on southern cotton plantations. Many people objected to the practice of slavery. The Underground Railroad, a network of safe houses, helped many escaped enslaved people make their way north to freedom. Disputes over slavery between Northern and Southern states led to the American Civil War. The Northern states defeated the Southern states, and the practice of slavery ended.

During the late 1800s, the United States and Canada encouraged settlement of the Great Plains. Settlers on the dry lands of the Great Plains developed dry farming. This was a method of preparing the land so that it caught and held rainwater. Transcontinental railroads were completed in the United States and Canada during the late 1800s. The railroads transported goods and people from east to west.

During the early 1900s assembly lines allowed the mass production of goods. This cut the cost and time of making goods. The automobile made it easier for people to travel from place to place. Two world wars in the 1900s led to economic growth in the Untied States and Canada. After 1940 the two countries developed a close trade partnership. By the 1990s high- tech industries were important in both countries.

2.         How did technology and industrialization affect the United States and Canada?

Government (page 144) The United States and Canada are both democracies with federal systems. The national government shares power with state or provincial governments. The United States’ plan of government is called the Constitution.

Chapter 6, Section 2

Changes in the constitution are called amendments. The first 10 amendments, called the Bill of Rights, guarantee the basic rights of citizens. The United States government has three branches—the executive, legislative, and judicial. The President heads the executive branch. The heads of the executive departments make up the president’s cabinet—a group of special advisers. Congress is the legislative branch. The Supreme Court and lower federal courts make up the judicial branch.

Canada was created as a dominion, a partially self-governing country with close ties to Great Britain. Canada gained full independence in 1931. Canada’s government includes a governor-general, appointed by the British monarch who still serves as head of state. The head of Canada’s government is the prime minister. The national legislature is called Parliament. Canada’s highest court is the Supreme Court.

Cultures and Lifestyles

In the last section, you read about the history and government of the United States and Canada. This section focuses on the types of cultures and way of life of people in these two countries.

Chapter 6, Section 3

Terms to Know

bilingual - Having two languages (page 148) jazz A form of music that blends African

rhythms - with European harmonies (page 148)

socioeconomic - Based on level of income and education (page 150)

literacy rate - The percentage of people who can read and write (page 150)

patriotism - Loyalty to one’s country (page 151)

Introduction (page 146) The immigrant roots of the United States and Canada give them a respect for diversity.

1.         Why do the people of the United States and Canada respect diversity?

Cultural Characteristics (page 146) The United States and Canada share some cultural characteristics, but differ in others.

Freedom of religion has always been important in the United States and Canada. Many of the people who migrated to the region came in search of religious freedom. This right is guaranteed in both countries. Today most Americans and Canadians are Christians, but a variety of religions are practiced in both countries.

The major language in the United States is English. Canada has two official languages—English and French. Immigrants from Great Britain brought English to the United States and much of Canada. French is the official language of Quebec because most of the province’s population are descendants of French settlers.

Many people in the Southwestern United States speak Spanish. In New Mexico, communication with the government can be in Spanish or English, so the state is bilingual.

2.         Why are there many different religions practiced and languages spoken in the United States and Canada?

The Arts (page 148)

The arts of the United States and Canada reflect the culture and traditions

of Native Americans, Europeans settlers, enslaved Africans, and present- day North Americans. Native American music used drums, flutes, whistles, and voices in chant. Europeans brought folk and religious music to the region. African Americans developed jazz in the early 1900s by blending African rhythms with European harmonies. By the late 1900s, country music and rock and roll were popular.

By the early 1900s, painting and sculpture in the United States and Canada moved away from European themes to new ideas. A group of American artists known as the Ashcan School painted the realities of city life. Canadians called the Group of Seven painted landscapes of Canada’s far north. Architects in the United States and Canada developed new ideas such as the skyscraper and buildings that blend with their surroundings.

Early literature in the two countries had European historical and religious themes. Later writers wrote about life in North America. More recently, writers have focused on the region’s cultures and on the experiences of immigrants.

Today the United States and Canada strongly influence the rest of the world in the areas of popular entertainment. This includes popular fashions, movies, theater, and television programs.

3.         What themes are used in the arts of the Untied States and Canada?

Lifestyles (page 150) Most people in the United States and Canada enjoy a high standard of living. Their socioeconomic status, or level of income and education, is high. This allows them many choices and opportunities. Food is plentiful and inexpensive.

Most people in the United States and Canada can expect to live long lives. In Canada the government pays for all health care. In the United States, most people pay for their own health care through private health insurance programs. Some people who do not have health insurance are able to get help from federal and state governments. Still, many people cannot purchase insurance or cannot afford necessary care even with insurance.

Both the United States and Canada have public and private schools. The literacy rate, or the percentage of people who can read and write, is 97 percent in the United States and 96 percent in Canada.

People in the United States and Canada enjoy watching and participating in sports such as baseball, football, hockey, tennis, and golf. The landscape of North America is ideal for camping and hiking. Both the United States and Canada have large national parks.

Both countries celebrate holidays and occasions for public display of patriotism, or loyalty to one’s country.