美国地理

null美国概况美国概况General knowledge of AmericaContents: Contents: Basic information American geography I. Basic information Full name National flag National emblem National anthem National day National flower Capital NicknameI. Basic information Name of the CountryName of the CountryThe full official name of the country is the United States of America, usually referred to as the U.S.A. The United State of America, with the capital of Washington D. C., is the biggest country in North America. National flag： Stars and StripesNational flag： Stars and StripesThe Star-Spangled Banner The Star-Spangled Banner made up of 13 alternating red and white stripes and 50 white stars on a blue field Stars are considered a symbol of the heavens and the divine goal the stripe is symbolic of the rays of light from the sun White: Signifies purity and innocence Red: Signifies valor and bravery Blue: Signifies Vigilance, perseverance, and justiceStar Spangled Banner 星条旗之歌Star Spangled Banner 星条旗之歌Oh, say can you see, by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming? 啊! 在 晨 曦 初 现 时， 你 可 看 见 是 甚 么 让 我 们 如 此 骄 傲? 在 黎 明 的 最 后 一 道 曙 光 中 欢 呼， 是 谁 的 旗 帜 在 激 战 中 始 终 高 扬! nullAnd the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? 烈 火 熊 熊， 炮 声 隆 隆， 我 们 看 到 要 塞 上 那 面 英 勇 的 旗 帜 在 黑 夜 过 后 依 然 耸 立! 啊! 你 说 那 星 条 旗 是 否 会 静 止， 在 自 由 的 土 地 上 飘 舞， 在 勇 者 的 家 园 上 飞 扬。National emblem： Bald eagleNational emblem： Bald eaglenullMotto:  In God We Trust  (official) E Pluribus Unum (traditional) (Latin: Out of Many, One)The Great SealOlive branch and arrows (peace and power)null 美国的国徽是由威廉·巴顿William Barton和查尔斯·汤姆逊Charles Thomson设计的，美国政府于1782年6月20日开始用这个国玺来鉴定重 要文件。 国徽的图案，正中是一只象征独立、自由精神的白头鹰，前面盾牌状的国旗，代表了1777年加入美国联邦的十三个州。白头鹰的右爪持着希望和平的橄榄枝，左爪握着决心自卫的利箭。白头鹰衔着一条用拉丁文写着“合众国” 字样的彩带，国徽顶端则是透过云雾，闪闪发光的十三颗金星。The Great Seal shows a wide-spread eagle, faced front, having on his breast a shield with thirteen perpendicular red and white stripes, surmounted by a blue field with the same number of stars. In his right talon the eagle holds an olive branch, in his left a bundle of thirteen arrows, and in his beak he carries a scroll inscribed with the motto: "E Pluribus Unum“, meaning "out of many, one" The Eagle appears in the Seals of many of our States, on most of our gold and silver coinage, and is used a great deal for decorative patriotic purposes. The eagle represents freedom. nullNational Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner 《星条旗永不落》 National Day: July 4 National flower: rose National bird: bald eagle Capital: Washington D.C. (as a memorial to George Washington and Christopher Columbus) Nickname: Uncle Sam In 1986, President Regan issued a proclamation to declare that the rose became the official flower of the America. National Bird—The EagleNational Bird—The EagleThe bald eagle was chosen on June 20, 1782 as the symbol of America, because of its long life, great strength and majestic looks. The eagle, full of the spirit of freedom, living above the valleys, strong and powerful in his might, has become the national symbol of U.S.A. nullGeorge WashingtonChristopher ColumbusUncle SamUncle Sam Uncle Sam a figure symbolizing the United States portrayed as a tall, white-haired man with a goatee often dressed in red, white, and blue, and wears a top hat “Uncle Sam” to the United States is “John Bull” to UK John BullUncle Samnull MexicoThe Pacific OceanThe Atlantic OceanII. American Geography1.Location and size 2. Topography (地形,地质) Major mountains and rivers three geographical divisions 3.Climate 4. Natural resources 5.Population 6.Geograpical regions 7.Major cities II. American Geographynull1. The United States is made up of District of Columbia and_____ states. A. 48 B. 49 C. 50 D. 51 2. What are the names of the two states of the United States which are noncontiguous? A. Alaska and Hawaii B. Alaska and Ohio C. Ohio and Kansas D. Hawaii and Kansas 48 contiguous states + 2 noncontiguous states + D.C48 contiguous states + 2 noncontiguous states + D.C 1. Location and Size 1. Location and Size 1. Continental United States lies in central North America with Canada to its north, Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico to its south, the Atlantic Ocean to its east and the Pacific Ocean to its west. 2. The 2 newest states: Alaska and Hawaii separated from continental United States Alaska borders on northwestern Canada, Hawaii lies in the central Pacific. null3. the advantages of the location of the US The US has an ideal location for its development. -Its Atlantic coast faces the developed countries of Western Europe, and its Pacific coast and Hawaii give the nation an approach to the Far East and Australasia - In the past the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans served as natural barriers between the US and the rest of the world. This allowed the US to grow and become strong with little outside interference. - And today the development of means of communication and transportation makes the U.S. well connected to the rest of the world.Size of the US Size of the US --a land area of 9.3 million square kilometers. -- stretches 2,575 kilometers from north to south and 4,500 kilometers from east to west. -- the 4th largest country in the world in size after Russia, Canada and China. --All together there are 50 states in the US. --Of all the states Alaska is the largest in area and Rhode Island the smallest. --on the mainland Texas is the largest. 2. topography: Mountains in U. S. A.2. topography: Mountains in U. S. A.Appalachian Mountains 阿巴拉契亚山脉Rocky Mountains 落基山脉nullThe Appalachian Mountains --run slightly from the northeast to southwest --old (have been worn out over millions of years) and low (the highest peak is only a little over 2,000 metres) --noted for virgin forests and mines --served as a natural barrier for westward movement during the early settlement. The Appalachian MountainsThe Appalachian Mountains the great mountain system of eastern North America; one sixth of the national territory on the continent; From province of Quebec in Canada to Northern Alabama. nullThe Rocky Mountains -- run slightly from the northwest to southeast --younger (are considered as young as China’s Himalayas) and high (with the higher peak Elbert of about 4,500 metres) -- the backbone of the North American continent and is known as the Continental Divide. --famous for lots of natural national parks --It is also known as the Continental Divide (大陆分水岭), because it separates the major river systems of the United States. Rocky Mountains----great backbone of North America Rocky Mountains----great backbone of North America the great mountain system of western North America; 5000kms from New Mexico to Canada; average altitude: more than 3000ms above sea level.Appalachian Mountains VS Rocky MountainsAppalachian Mountains VS Rocky Mountains2.Topography: Rivers in the USA2.Topography: Rivers in the USAnullThe rivers in the country are mainly lying between the Appalachian and Rocky Mountains. 1. The Mississippi --3,782 kilometres long --The Mississippi and its tributaries drain one of the richest farm areas in the world --They form a 19,000-kilometre system of waterways and serve as important means of transportation. --called “father of waters” and the “old man river” Rivers in U.S.A.Rivers in U.S.A.Mississippi River Father of all Watersnull2. The Missouri --over 6,000 kilometres and is one of the longest rivers in the world --runs 3,725 kilometres before it joins the Mississippi 3. The Ohio --about 1,500 kilometres long -- called the American Ruhr (after the Ruhr River鲁尔河in Germany), famous for its rich valuable deposits --The area is well known for its steel industry 4. On the Pacific side there are 2 great rivers: the Colorado in the south, and the Columbia rises in Canada. 5. The Hudson “father of waters” “father of waters” The most important and longest river in the U.S. The Missouri and the Ohio are two of its largest tributaries. The Great LakesThe Great LakesNiagara Falls 尼亚加拉瀑布The five Great Lakes The five Great Lakes Lake Michigan Lake Superior Lake Erie Lake Huron Lake Ontario --the world’s largest Group of freshwater lakes --They are all located between Canada and the US except Lake Michigan They are : They are : Lake Superior苏必利尔湖：the largest fresh water lake in the world. Lake Michigan密歇根湖：the only one entirely in the US Lake Huron休伦湖 Lake Erie伊利湖 Lake Ontario安大略湖 2.Topography: Three Geographic Divisions2.Topography: Three Geographic DivisionsThe Eastern PartThe Eastern Part The eastern part—the highlands formed by the Appalachian Range (阿巴拉挈亚山脉). one sixth of the territory relatively low, with an average altitude of 800 meters above sea level The Western PartThe Western Part High plateaus (高原) and mountains—extending from Canada through the western part of the United States to Mexico and further south. One third of the country’s territory Rocky mountains The Great Central PlainThe Great Central Plain Between the Appalachians in the east and the Rocky Mountains in the west. half of America’s landmass on the continent stretch from the Great Lakes in the north to the Gulf of Mexico in the south drained by the Mississippi and its tributaries five great lakes and Niagara FallsThe Great Central PlainThe Great Central PlainThe Great Central Plain is between ______ and ______, occupying about1/2 of America’s landmass on the continent. Keys: Rocky Mountains The Appalachian Mountains One second 3. Climate3. ClimateThe northern states are the coldest; The southern states are sunbelt; Temperate states are in the Pacific Northwest.Climate in the United States Climate in the United States Maritime climateContinental desert climateContinental steppe (西伯利亚草原）climateHumid continental climateSub-tropical climateSub-arctic climateTropical climateClimateClimate Mainly temperate with some mild subtropical zones with only the southern Florida and Hawaii being tropical. 50 centimeter rainfall line in the east—comparatively more rain, so easy agriculture; in the west—much less rain (less than 50 cm. a year) with the exception of the coastal areas along the Pacific. 4. Natural Resources4. Natural Resources rich in mineral resources among the countries with the greatest reserves of coal, iron ore and oil. abounds in lead, copper, zinc, aluminum, silver, and gold. one fourth of the territory—covered with forests which mainly concentrate upon three areas: the area along the north western coast of the Pacific the area in the south the area in the north rich in oil—once the largest oil producing country. oil reserve—along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma5. population5. population“Melting Pot” Among the Caucasians, the most influential people are WASP: the white Anglo-Saxon Protestants. Aborigines: the Indians 80%-90% of immigrants are from Asia and Hispanic countries. Hispanic groups mainly came from Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Cuba.nullNation of immigrationnullLanguage Spoken at Home (U.S. Census)6. Geographical Regions6. Geographical RegionsNew EnglandMiddle Atlantic statesThe American SouthThe Mid-WestThe American WestThe Pacific CoastNew StatesNew England 新英格兰New England 新英格兰 Maine                      缅因州 New Hampshire             新罕布什尔州 Vermont                    佛蒙特州 Massachusetts             马塞诸塞州(麻省) Rhode  Island                罗得岛 Connecticut                康涅狄格州 Middle Atlantic States Middle Atlantic States West Virginia              西弗吉尼亚州 New Jersey                 新泽西州 New York                   纽约州 Pennsylvania              宾夕法尼亚州 Maryland                   马里兰州 Delaware                   特拉华州 The Mid-West StatesThe Mid-West States Wisconsin                  威斯康星州 South Dakota               南达科他州 North Dakota             北达科他州 Ohio                       俄亥俄州 Illinois                   伊利诺伊州 Indiana                    印第安纳州 Iowa                        艾奥瓦(衣阿华)州 Kansas                     堪萨斯州 Missouri                    密苏里州 Minnesota                   明尼苏达州 Michigan                   密歇根(密执安)州 Nebraska 内布拉斯加州 The American SouthThe American South Virginia                   弗吉尼亚州 North Carolina             北卡罗来州 Oklahoma                   俄克拉何马州 South Carolina             南卡罗来州 Tennessee                  田纳西州 Texas                      得克萨斯州 Alabama                    亚拉巴马州 Arkansas                   阿肯色州 Florida                    佛罗里达州 Georgia                     佐治亚州 Kansas                     堪萨斯州 Louisiana                  路易斯安那州 Mississippi                密西西比州 The American WestThe American West Wyoming                    怀俄明州 New Mexico                新墨西哥州 Arizona                    亚利桑那州Idaho                      爱达荷州 Montana                    蒙大拿州 Nevada                     内华达州 Colorado                   科罗拉多州 Utah                       犹他州 The Pacific CoastThe Pacific Coast Washington                 华盛顿州 Oregon                     俄勒冈州 California                  加利福尼亚州 The New StatesThe New States Alaska                     阿拉斯加州 Hawaii                     夏威夷 The Top List : exercise The Top List : exercise The largest state: The smallest state: The most populous state: The least populous state: The largest cities: ？ 7. Major cities7. Major cities1. Washington D.C. 2. New York City (in New York) 3. Los Angeles (In California) 4. Chicago (in Illinois) 5. Houston (in Texas) 6. Philadelphia (in Pennsylvania) 7. Detroit (in Michigan) 8. San Francisco (in California) 9. Boston (in Massachusetts)null 1. In the United States, ___, which is a city of Texas, is nicknamed “ the Space City”. A. New York City B. Detroit C. Philadelphia D. Houston 2. Harvard is located in ____, which is also called “ The Athens of America” from the teaching and research carried out in over 100 colleges and universities. A. Detroit B. Houston C. Boston D. Los Angeles 3. Which of the following cities is NOT located in the Northeast U.S.? A. Houston B. Baltimore C. Philadelphia D. Boston null Washington D.C. Washington D.C. Capital Headquarters of all the branches of the American federal system: Congress (Capital Hill), the Supreme Court and the Presidency The World Bank The International Monetary Fund Lincoln Memorial nullNew York City (in New York) New York City (in New York) “The Big Apple” The largest city both in term of size and population The business and financial capital of the world. Wall Street The New York Stork ExchangeLos Angeles (In California)Los Angeles (In California) 2nd most populous city a city of fantasyknown for motion-picture, aeronautics and aerospace industriesChicago (in Illinois) Chicago (in Illinois) Windy city; the 3rd populated city Financial, transportation, cultural capital of Midwestern America the foremost transportation hub Houston (in Texas)Houston (in Texas)The largest city in Texas; The 4th largest city in USA; “the Space City” at the forefront in space technology 60年代初，美国最大的宇航中心——约翰逊宇航中心在休斯敦市建立 Philadelphia (in Pennsylvania) Philadelphia (in Pennsylvania) 5th largest city in terms of population the birthplace of the nation The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were drafted here. Detroit (in Michigan)Detroit (in Michigan)The largest city in Michigan The Motor City San Francisco (in California) San Francisco (in California) 4th largest city in California The birthplace of the United Nations Organization(1945) The Chinatown of the city is one of the largest Chinese communities in the U.S. Boston (in Massachusetts) Boston (in Massachusetts) Capital and the largest city of M. “Cradle of Liberty” “the Athens of America” null7. Major city: Major tourist attraction 7. Major city: Major tourist attraction Yellowstone National Park Grand Canyon Niagara Falls Great Salt Lake Statue of Liberty Yellowstone National ParkYellowstone National ParkThe first and oldest national park in the world the largest wildlife preserve in the U.S. Lies in three states: Wyoming (91%), Montana (7.6%), Idaho (7.4%) Grand Canyon Grand Canyon one of the great natural wonders of the world Located in Arizona Niagara FallsNiagara Fallslocated on the Canadian boundary between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.Great Salt LakeGreat Salt Lakethe largest inland salt lake in North America Statue of LibertyStatue of LibertyLocated at New York Harbornull