WBBSE Class 8 Geography Chapter 9 North America Topic A Physical Environment Of North America Long Answer Quetions

Chapter 9 Topic A General Introduction And Physical Environment Of North America

Question 1. Discuss the geographical significance of North America.
Answer:

Geographical Significance Of North America:-

The geographical significance of North America has been discussed below- Location: The Pacific Ocean in the west and the Atlantic Ocean in the east protect North America from attacks of enemies.

This locational condition has also helped the continent to develop and retain its unique characteristics. In the south, North America is connected to South America by the Isthmus of Panama.

The Panama Canal also facilitates communication between these two continents and connects the Pacific to the Atlantic.

1. Topography:

The Central Lowland of this continent is highly suitable for agriculture.

The high Rocky Mountain range, the dissected old fold mountains of the Appalachian Range and the dissected plateau of the Canadian Shield Region as well as the vast plain lands of the Mississippi- Missouri watershed area, all have had a great impact on the agricultural pattern and the industrial development of North America.

2. Rivers:

The long, perennial rivers of the continent such as the Mississippi, Columbia, etc., facilitate irrigation as well as the generation of hydel power. Both of these have helped in the development of agriculture as well as industry.

3. Climate:

Climatic variations experienced in different parts of the continent have led to the development of agriculture, animal rearing as well as industry.

The bright and sunny weather of California which experiences the Mediterranean type of climate has contributed immensely to the growth and development of the film industry in Hollywood-a major money earner for the USA.

4. Vegetation:

The vast forests of softwood coniferous trees have helped North America to emerge as a world leader in terms of the production of newspaper pulp, artificial silk, chemical products, matchsticks, etc.

5. Animal rearing and fishing:

Commercial animal rearing is carried out in the vast grasslands of the Prairies. Based on this, a vast meat-packaging industry has developed in Chicago which is known as the ‘Slaughterhouse of the World.

6. Agriculture:

Agricultural practices for commercial production of wheat, corn, flour, soybean, tobacco, sugarcane, and sugar beet ensure that these are grown in vast quantities.

Also, this region is the world’s largest wheat grower, so it is also known as the ‘Granary of the World.

WBBSE Solutions For Class 8 Geography Chapter 9 North America Topic A General Introduction And Physical Environment Of North America Relief Features of North America

7. Mineral resources:

The continent of North America is rich in resources like mineral oil, natural gas, iron ore, copper ore, lead, zinc, manganese, gypsum, limestone etc. Technologically advanced methods of mining and resource utilisation have led to great prosperity.

8. Industry:

Iron and steel, engineering, petrochemicals, paper, and cement industries have developed greatly and have a great contribution to the economic prosperity of the region.

WBBSE Class 8 North America Long Answer Questions

Question 2. Write a note on the mountainous region of the west in North America.
Answer:

Mountainous Region Of The West In North America:-

The different aspects of the mountainous region of North America or the Western Cordilleras (as they are known) are as follows-

1. Location and extent:

A vast mountainous region extends over almost the entire western part of the Pacific coast of the continent from the northern part of the Bering Strait to the southern part of the Panama Canal in the south.

Since this region stretches to the coast of the Pacific Ocean, it is also known as the Pacific Ocean Mountainous Region.

2. Mountain ranges:

These mountains are young fold and had formed when the Pacific Ocean Plate and the North American Continental Plate had collided with one another. The middle part of this is wider than the sides.

This mountainous region consists of a chain of three almost parallel mountain ranges and the highland areas that lie between the ranges and are together known as the Western Cordilleras. Cordillera is a Spanish word which means rope or chain.

The details of the three parallel ranges are as follows-

  1. To the east is the Rockies whose northernmost section is the Brooks Range,
  2. The central range is known as the Alaska range in Alaska, as the Cascade Range in the border areas between Canada and the USA, as the Sierra Nevada in California and in Mexico as the Western Sierra Madre. Denali (Mt. McKinley, 6195 m) in the Alaska Range is the highest mountain peak in North America.
  3. The third range is known as St. Elias Range in Alaska and as the Coast Range in Canada and the USA.

The Rockies are the main as well as the longest mountains of North America, which stretches over 4800 km from Alaska in the North to southern Mexico in the south. Mt. Elbert (4339 m) is the highest peak in the range.

The Western Cordilleras extend in South America and are known as the Andes.

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3. Inter-montane plateaus:

The Yukon Plateau, Columbia Plateau and Alaska Plateau are some of the inter-montane plateaus in this region.

4. River valleys:

Various river valleys have formed in these plateaus. Notable among these are- the Yukon, Fraser, Columbia and Colorado. The rivers of this region drain into the Pacific Ocean.

Many submerged regions, gorges and other landforms have developed along the river courses.

5. Volcanoes:

There are many active volcanoes in the Western Cordilleras such as the Popocatepetl, Orizaba and Colima. They are a part of the Pacific Ring of Fire.

6. Canyons:

The rivers of this region have created several dramatic canyons-the Grand Canyon carved by the Colorado River is the longest and the deepest in the world.

7. Death Valley:

The southeastern part of California which lies in the Western Cordilleras is almost 90m below mean sea level. This is known as Death Valley.

WBBSE Class 8 Physical Environment of North America

Question 3. Discuss the Central Lowland of North America.
Answer:

Central Lowland Of North America:-

The Central Lowland exists between the Western Cordilleras and the Eastern Highlands, from the north polar region to the Gulf of Mexico in the south. So, this region is also known as Great Plains.

River basins of McKenzie, St. Lawrence, and Mississippi-Missouri are situated in these Lowlands. However, this region is not a plainland, but rather an undulating terrain consisting of mountains, knolls and low-lying plateaus.

The northern part of this plain is occupied by the Canadian Shield, which is the most ancient landmass of the world. Prolonged glacial erosion has transformed this region into a peneplain, whose height has further reduced at some places and have been transformed into lakes.

Winnipeg, Great Bear, Athabasca, etc. are few of the famous lakes. In the southeastern part of this, lies the five largest lakes which have formed due to glacial erosion.

Detailed Questions about North America’s Physical Environment

These are the Great Five Lakes.

Divisions:

Based on the local characteristics of the parts of this region, it is further subdivided into the following-

1. Plains of St. Lawrence:

The St. Lawrence river flows through the area between the Eastern Highlands and the Canadian Shield and the narrow plains formed by this river basin is known as the St. Lawrence river basin.

2. Plains of lake region:

Five great lakes named Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario flow through the northeast of North America. The regions along the southern banks of these lakes are collectively known as the Plains of the Lake region.

3. The Prairie Plainland:

The extensive grassland that stretches over a large part of North America is known as the Prairie. Located in the Central Lowlands, this is a temperate grassland with an undulating landform.

4. The plains of the Mississippi-Missouri River basin:

The Mississippi-Missouri River basin is located between the Eastern Highlands in the east and the Western Cordillera in the west. The plains are rich in silt deposition because of their location on the Mississippi River basin.

Towards the south of the plains, the Mississippi Delta has developed. It is also called the bird’s foot delta because of its shape.

Question 4. Write a note on the Eastern Highlands of North America.
Answer:

Eastern Highlands Of North America:-

The various aspects of the Eastern Highlands or the Appalachian mountain region are discussed in the given points-

1. Extent:

From Labrador in the north to Alabama in the south, the entire eastern part of the continent is considered to be part of the Eastern Highlands or the Appalachian mountain region.

The Highlands of Greenland, to the north of Labrador, are also part of this.

2. Nature:

This geologically ancient stretch of land is mostly made up of crystalline rocks. Rocks like gneiss, schist, slate, quartzite and granite are usually found here.

WBBSE Class 8 Geography Chapter 9 Notes

3. Divisions:

This entire region consists primarily of three dissected plateaus. These are-

  1. Labrador plateau in the north,
  2. New England highland in the middle and
  3. The Appalachian mountains in the south.

The Appalachian Mountain system is the most notable of the Eastern Highlands. This is a range of old, fold mountains that extends from the north to the south.

Constant erosional action by various agents has greatly reduced the elevation of these mountains. They are now lower in height than the Rocky Mountains, around or more than 2000 m. St. Lawrence river basin separates the Appalachian Mountains from the Laurentian Plateau.

Some of the subdivisions of the Appalachian Mountains are-

  1. The steep Allegheny Mountains in the western part of the Appalachians.
  2. The Cumberland Plateau lies further to the west and the Blue Ridge Mountains are in the eastern part. Mt. Mitchell (2037 m) is the highest peak in the Appalachian Mountains.
  3. To the east of the Blue Ridge Mountains is a Piedmont plateau.
  4. The eastern slope of the Piedmont plateau is abrupt and this results in a ‘fall line’.
  5. To the west of the Piedmont region lies the rugged highlands known as the Great Smoky Mountains.

Question 5. Write a note on the rivers in the USA.
Answer:

Rivers In The USA:-

Based on the places of origin and confluence, the rivers of North America have been divided into five parts. These are-

East-flowing river(s) that flow(s) into the Atlantic Ocean

WBBSE Solutions For Class 8 Geography Chapter 9 Topic A General Introduction And Physical Environment Of North America East following River flow in to the Atlantic Ocean

 

WBBSE Solutions For Class 8 Geography Chapter 9 North America Topic A General Introduction And Physical Environment Of North America The rivers and lakes of North America

 

West-flowing river(s) that flow(s) into the Pacific Ocean

WBBSE Solutions For Class 8 Geography Chapter 9 Topic A General Introduction And Physical Environment Of North America West following River flow in to the pacific Ocean

 

West-flowing river(s) that flow(s) into the Gulf of California

WBBSE Solutions For Class 8 Geography Chapter 9 Topic A General Introduction And Physical Environment Of North America West following River flow in to the California

 

River(s) that flow(s) into the Arctic Ocean

WBBSE Solutions For Class 8 Geography Chapter 9 Topic A General Introduction And Physical Environment Of North America River flow in to the Arctic Ocean

 

River(s) that flow into the Gulf of Mexico

WBBSE Solutions For Class 8 Geography Chapter 9 Topic A General Introduction And Physical Environment Of North America River flow in to the Gulf of Mexico

North America Geography Long Answer Guide for Class 8

Question 6. Mention the factors affecting the climate of North America.
Answer:

Factors Affecting The Climate Of North America:-

The factors influencing the climatic conditions of North America are as follows-

1. Latitudinal extent:

North America extends from 7°N of the equator to 84°N latitude. Apart from some regions in the north and south, North America mostly experiences temperate climates.

South Mexico and different countries in Central America and Caribbean islands experience sub-tropical climates because the Tropic of Cancer (232°N) passes through Mexico and its adjoining provinces.

As the northern part of the continent extends beyond the Arctic Circle (66%), it experiences tundra and polar climate.

2. Shape and size:

The northern part of North America is wider than the central part. So, the regions of the central part are located away from the sea and hence, experience the continental types of climate.

On the other hand, the regions of the south, being in close proximity to the sea, experience a moderate marine type of climate.

3. Location of mountain ranges:

The mountain ranges in North America stretch vertically from north to south. So, frigid winds from the North Pole blow freely towards the South and further, without facing any barrier.

Due to this, most of the regions in North America experience temperatures below freezing point. Moreover, the location of the Rocky Mountain range prevents sea winds from entering the central regions of North America.

The wet winds from the Gulf of Mexico also blow without resistance.

4. Warm and cold currents:

The warm Gulf Stream flow along the southeast coast of North America. So, the climate of this coastal region is warm and hot.

On the other hand, the cold Labrador Current flows along the northeast coast of North America, and influences the climate of this region, keeping them snow-covered throughout the year.

The cold California Current along the southwestern part of the continent also keeps the region cold.

5. Distance from the sea:

The central regions of North America are situated far from the sea and also receive very little rainfall. As a result, the atmospheric temperature range (difference between maximum and minimum temperature) is very high in these regions.

6. Effects of winds:

The southwest Westerlies blow eastward in the middle latitudes and the northeast Trade winds blow southward in the southern latitudes.

Hence, the coastal regions in the middle latitudes in North America tend to be wetter than those in the southern latitudes.

7. Others:

Some other factors also affect the climate of North America. The local moisture-laden Chinook winds blowing from the windward slope of the Rockies to its leeward slope, cause less rainfall and thus grasses and shrubs grow instead of trees.

Long Answer Questions on North America for Class 8

Question 7. Describe the different climatic regions of North America.
Answer:

Different Climatic Regions Of North America:-

The various climatic regions of North America are-

WBBSE Solutions For Class 8 Geography Chapter 9 Topic A General Introduction And Physical Environment Of North America Different Climatic Regions of north America

WBBSE Solutions For Class 8 Geography Chapter 9 North America Topic A General Introduction And Physical Environment Of North America The Climatic regions of north America

WBBSE Class 8 Geography Exercise on North America

Question 8. Describe the different types of vegetation that grow in North America.
Answer:

The different types of vegetation that grow in North America can be classified into the following seven categories. These are-

WBBSE Solutions For Class 8 Geography Chapter 9 Topic A General Introduction And Physical Environment Of North America Different types of vegetation

 

WBBSE Solutions For Class 8 Geography Chapter 9 North America Topic A General Introduction And Physical Environment Of North America Relief Features of North America

 

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