Transcript A tour of Alabama Regions

A tour of Alabama
Regions
AL Studies Weekly
Week 1
Day 1
Alabama Geography
Alabama has two kinds of land:
• The Appalachian Area
• The Coastal Plain
These areas are separated by the fall line.
The fall line is a natural boundary named for the
falls and rapids in the streams that flow from the
Appalachian Area to the Coastal Plain
Appalachian Area
This area is divided into 4 regions:
The Piedmont region
The Ridge and Valley Region
The Cumberland Plateau
The Highland Rim
Appalachian Area
Piedmont region:
–
–
–
Located in the east
central part of the
state
Mostly rolling hills
and broad valleys
Includes the highest
point in Alabama:
Mount Cheaha
Ridge and Valley
region:
– Located between the
Piedmont region and
the Cumberland
Plateau
– Composed of ridges
and valleys
Appalachian Area
Cumberland Plateau:
– Occupies most of
Northern Alabama
Highland Rim:
• Actually part of the
Cumberland Plateau
• Consists of rolling
hills and level plains
with rich, fertile soil
The Coastal Plain
• The main difference between the Coastal
Plain and the Appalachian Area is the
elevation, or height above sea level.
• The Coastal Plain is divided into 3 regions:
– Upper Coastal Plain
– The Black Belt
– Lower Coastal Plain
The Coastal Plain
• The Upper Coastal Plain—extends from
the Fall Line to the Southwest
• The Black Belt—an area created by a
huge prehistoric ocean that left behind
rich, dark soil ideal for growing crops.
• The Lower Coastal Plain—consists of
excellent soil for growing corn, cotton,
peanuts, potatoes, and soybeans.
– Home to the Gulf Coast