History of the Americas Map Exercise spinning globe GIF spinning globe GIF

History of the Americas
Map Exercise

Introduction

One cannot understand the history of a people without knowing the effect of geography on migratory, settlement, and productive patterns of that people. This exercise will explore the effects of geography on the peoples and civilizations of the Western Hemisphere.

Instructions

You will need to identify the following features. You should briefly explain (in 2-3 sentences) the historical significance of each feature.

Land Features

  1. Andean Cordillera
  2. Antilles: Greater and Lesser
  3. Atacama Desert
  4. Brazilian Highlands
  5. Great Plains
  6. Guianan Highlands
  7. Rocky Mountains
  8. Pampas
  9. Patagonian Plateau
  10. Sertao (Amazon Valley and Rain Forest)
  11. "Seven Valleys" of Central Mexico
  12. Sonoran Desert
  13. Sierra Madres: Occidental and Oriental
  14. Yucatan Peninsula

Water Systems

  1. Amazon River
  2. Appalachian Mountains
  3. Columbia River
  4. Great Lakes
  5. Great Salt Lake
  6. Hudson Bay
  7. Lake Maracaibo
  8. Lake Titicaca
  9. Magdalena and Cauca Rivers
  10. Mississippi River
  11. Missouri River
  12. Rio de la Plata
  13. Rio Grande
  14. Rio Orinoco
  15. Sao Francisco River
  16. St. Lawrence River

Political Boundaries

Delineate the political boundaries of all independent nations in the Western Hemisphere as of this date. It is not necessary to explain their historical significance.

Online Resources

Examine the following online resources for additional help:
Maps of the Americas [U. of Texas]

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