Transcript Chapter 2 - TeacherWeb

CHAPTER 2
Natural Regions of Pennsylvania
Chapter 2 Vocabulary
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Atlantic Coastal Plain – natural region located in
southeastern PA, and is strip of low narrow land
Region – a large area in which places have
something in common
Transportation – a way to move people and
goods
Suburb – small community near a large city
Merchant – someone who buys and sells goods
for a profit
Vocabulary
Port – a harbor or place where ships can load
and unload cargo
 Piedmont – “foot of the mountain”
 Ridge – a line of mountains or hills
 Plateau – high area of high, almost level, land
 Canal – human-made waterway dug across
land
 Erosion – the slow wearing away of soil and
stone by wind and water
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Vocabulary
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Cavern – underground caves
Evaporate – water changes from a liquid to a gas
Mineral – material obtained by mining, such as
gold or coal
Ice age – a period of time when Earth was much
colder than it is today
Glacier- a huge sheet of ice
Landmark – something familiar or easily seen that
can be used as a guide
The Atlantic Coastal Plain Region
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The Atlantic Coastal Plain occupies a narrow strip
of low land in southeastern Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s Atlantic Coastal Plain is part of the
Delaware River Valley
People settled along the Delaware River because
it provided a means of transportation
Atlantic Coastal Plain Region
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Philadelphia is a major city in this region, and is the
state’s largest city.
Because of its location, Philadelphia is a major port
for ships to carry products throughout the world.
Today Philadelphia is a center of industry, business,
and culture.
The Piedmont Region
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The word piedmont means “foot of mountain”
The Piedmont Region is borded by the fall line in the
east and the Appalachian Mountains in the west
The Piedmont is a plateau with gently rolling hills and
valleys
The Piedmont’s soil is among the richest in the world and
makes the region ideal for farming
Piedmont Region
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The heart of Pennsylvania’s farming industry lies in this
region
Some of the farmers in the Piedmont region are Amish
The Amish are religious people who do not use modern
conveniences
Lancaster is one of the most popular towns in the
Piedmont region
Ridge and Valley Region
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The Ridge and Valley Region is located north west of the
Piedmont Region
This region has a series of ridges and valleys; including
the Great Valley
The Great Valley runs the entire length of the
Pennsylvania Ridge and Valley Region
The Great Valley is an area of rich farmland
The Allegheny Mountains, which are part of the
Appalachian Mountains, are located on the western
border of this region
Ridge and Valley
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Coal Mining is a major industry in this region
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Fruit and vegetable farming is important in this region
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Harrisburg is the state capital, and is located in this region
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The Pocono Mountains are located in this region
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This region’s many state parks and forests offer visitors
many forms of recreation such as fishing, picnicking, and
boating
The Allegheny Plateau
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The Allegheny Plateau is the largest region in
Pennsylvania
It covers most of northern and western Pennsylvania
This region contains mountains, hills, and valleys
Glaciers and streams helped carve out the
different landforms in this region
The mountaintops of the Allegheny Plateau are
about the same height; which means that the region
was once a plateau
The Allegheny Plateau
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Two famous landmarks are located in the Allegheny
Plateau, Mt. Davis and Fallingwater
Mt. Davis is Pennsylvania’s highest mountain peak
Fallingwater is a famous house that sits atop a
waterfall; designed by Frank Lloyd Wright
There are many state parks and forests that provide
forms of recreation; including hiking, camping, and
waterfalls
The Allegheny Plateau
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Coal is among the Allegheny Plateau’s most valuable
resources
Pittsburg is a major city in this region
Pittsburg was settled where the Allegheny and
Monongahela Rivers meet to form the Ohio River
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Pittsburg is a center of transportation, industry, and culture
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Pittsburg is PA’s second largest city
Erie Lowland Region
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The Erie Lowland Region is PA’s smallest region
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It is an area of low, flat land near Lake Erie
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The flat land in this region is ideal for building highways and railroads;
which makes it a center of transportation
Erie is a good location for a port, and has grown to the third largest city in
Pennsylvania
Farming, industry, transportation and recreation are all important in this
region
This region is popular with visitors because of all the wild life, water
activities, and history