north america383
oil rig
The US has an abundance of
natural resources, including
oil, coal, and minerals. oil was
found along the coast of East
Texas in 1901. Texas is the
US’s main oil-producing
state. oil is transported to
refineries on the gulf Coast
by pipeline, tanker, and train.
Houston is the capital of the
oil business, although it is
also the center of high-tech
industries and home to the
space shuttle program.CHiCHÉn-iTzÁ
The history of Mexico’s
urban civilizations dates back to c. 1150 bce, and the
elaborate ritual centers of the olmec. The Maya built
monumental cities and temples in the jungles of the
Yucatán from c. 200 ce. They are thought
to be the first American civilization to
develop a writing system. The Mayan
pyramid-temple at Chichén itzá
dates to the 12th century ce.native americans
The first people to settle north America
crossed into the continent from Asia more
than 25,000 years ago. As they settled,
they adapted to many different climatic
conditions, resources, and terrain. Today,
after centuries of conflict with European
settlers, many native Americans now live
on government reservations. The navajo
are the largest tribe in the US. Most of
them live on a large reservation in the
Southwest. The tribe is famous for weaving
and silverwork, and many of their hand-
made artifacts are sold to tourists.bAld EAglE
The bald eagle, the only eagle native to
north America, has been the US national
bird since 1782. it has a wingspan of
7 ft (2 m), and is found mainly
along the coasts. it is a
protected species in
the US.dESErT
The barren deserts of the
Southwest are harsh and arid
places, swept by fierce winds
and baked by searing heat.
only the hardiest animals,
such as snakes, lizards,
and reptiles, can survive
these conditions. Spiny-
leaved Joshua trees
thrive in the desert,
and can live for up to
1,000 years.Find out more
Canada
Mexico
native americans
United states of americanATUrAl HAzArdS
A chain of volcanoes
stretches from the
US-Mexican border
to the southern end
of South America.
Popocatapetl, one
of Mexico’s many
dormant volcanoes,
is 17,888 ft (5,452 m)
high, with a crater
500 ft (152 m) deep.
Central Mexico is also
vulnerable to earthquakes,
which often hit the country’s
most heavily populated regions. in 1985, an
earthquake in Mexico City killed some 9,500 people.Joshua trees grow
in the higher and
cooler parts of
California’s desert.El Castillo, the temple-
pyramid at Chichén-Itzá, is
73ft (22m) high. It stands in
the main plaza of the city.Rugged formations of
pink and gray rocks
and boulders form a
stark desert vista.US_383_North_America_3.indd 383 22/01/16 4:45 pm