| A | B |
|---|
| Coastal Range | tall, rugged mountains along the Pacific Coast that stretch from Canada to California; contains fertile valleys |
| Basin and Range | area of varying elevations (mountain peaks, plateaus, canyons, and deserts) containing isolated mountain ranges and Death Valley |
| Rocky Mountains | rugged mountains stretching from Alaska to Mexico; high elevations; contains the Continental Divide |
| Death Valley | the lowest point in North America |
| Continental Divide | determines the directional flow of rivers (rivers east of it flow into the Mississippi River and then into the Gulf of Mexico, while rivers west flow into the Pacific Ocean) |
| Great Plains | flat land that gradually increases in elevation westward; grasslands |
| Interior Lowlands | rolling flatlands with many rivers, broad river valleys and grassy hills |
| Canadian Shield | hills worn by erosion and hundreds of lakes carved by glaciers; holds some of the oldest rock formations in North America |
| Appalachian Mountains | old, eroded mountains (oldest mountain range in North America) |
| Coastal Plain | broad lowland providing many excellent harbors |
| Eight | the number of regions the United States has |
| Regions | an area of the world that has similar, unifying characteristics |
