Geographic Features of the United States

To better understand the geographical regions of North America, it is important to be able to

recognize key geographic features when they appear on maps, diagrams, and in pictures and
photographs. Both ​land and water features influenced the course of events in United States
history.

There are two categories of geographic features: w

​ ater related​ and ​land related​.

Water Related Features

● Lakes – bodies of water which are completely surrounded by land

● Rivers – large streams of water that flow along a certain path

● Tributaries – rivers or streams that flow into larger bodies of water

● Gulfs and bays – areas of ocean or sea that are partially surrounded by land

Land Related Features

● Mountains – large masses of land that rise above the surrounding land

● Hills – area of land, usually rounded in shape, that is higher than the surrounding land
but not as high as a mountain

● Plains – large flat areas of land with very few trees

● Plateaus – areas of flat land rising above the surrounding land

● Islands – bodies of land which are completely surrounded by water

● Peninsulas – pieces of land that are mostly surrounded by water or that extend into a
body of water

These land and water features shaped and influenced the history of the United States in
different ways. ​Trade routes were established along rivers and other waterways because that
was the easiest way to transport products. ​Cities and towns quickly sprang up along these
trade routes. As the westward movement progressed in the 1800s, settlers also followed
waterways as they made their way across the frontier. ​Agricultural regions were developed
as people found the land suitable for farming. ​Major fishing industries were made possible
by the rivers and oceans located on both the eastern and western coasts.