north america382
Great plains
the Great plains, which
stretch across the center
of north america,
were once areas of
grassland (prairie)
grazed by huge herds
of buffalo (bison).
Over-hunting wiped
out the buffaloes and,
as the frontier of pioneer
settlement moved farther
west throughout the 19th
century, the plains were settled by
farmers. today, this is one of the most
intensively farmed regions in the world,
a vast producer of both corn and wheat.Mississippi
at 3,740 miles (6,020 km) long,
the Mississippi is the main river
artery of the Us and one of the
busiest commercial waterways in
the world. it rises in northern
Minnesota, flowing south and
receives the waters of the Missouri
and Ohio rivers in its middle
reaches. it drains into the Gulf
of Mexico, where it forms a delta,
which is moving the shoreline out
to sea at a rate of nearly 6 miles
(10 km) every 100 years.Urban life
Much of the north american continent,
such as the drier south and west, is sparsely
populated, but there are great concentrations
of population and industry in urban areas—
especially in the temperate regions along the
coasts and along the shores of the Great lakes.
new York City (right) lies at the center of a
vast conurbation of cities, which stretches from
boston to Washington D.C. accessible to both
the atlantic Ocean and the Hudson river, new
York developed as a major port. today, it is the
Us’s main financial, commercial, and cultural
center. toronto is the largest urban area
in Canada. it is a key industrial center.flOriDa everGlaDes
the everglades (left) is a vast area
of semi-tropical marshland that
stretches across the southwestern
part of florida. a series of low
islands, called “hammocks,”
are home to a great variety of
trees, ranging from tropical
hardwoods, such as mahogany,
to bay trees, eucalyptus, and
mangroves. Over 400 species of
birds are found in the everglades,
and other animals such as
alligators, tree frogs, and otters
thrive in the swampy conditions. the
everglades’ unique ecosystem is supported
by a cycle of dry winters and wet summers.Manatees grow to an
average length of 10 ft
(3 m). These huge, gentle
creatures are found in Florida’s
shallow coastal waters.A barn and yellow canola crop on
the Great Plains just east
of WashingtonThis male American bison’s
thick hair and beard
accentuate its size.This satellite image (above) shows the Mississippi
and Missouri rivers converging near Saint
Louis during flooding in 1993.aMeriCan bisOn
the american buffalo that used to roam the
Great plains of north america is actually a bison.
a fully grown bison stands 6.6 ft (2 m) high and
weighs more than 1,985 lb (900 kg). traditionally
the bison provided food and clothing for the
native americans living on the plains. Up until the
18th century, the bison population flourished as the
native american method of hunting had little effect
on numbers. it was not until the “white man” arrived
with rifles that the herds were dramatically reduced.
During construction of the railroads in the 19th century,
whole herds were shot to feed the rail workers. today,
only 30,000 bison remain. Most live in reserves,
protected by federal and state regulations.US_382_NORTH_AMERICA_2.indd 382 22/01/16 4:45 pm