7th Standard, Social science, Geography CHAPTER 13
NORTH AMERICA
EXERCISES
I Fill in the blanks with suitable word:
1 The Continent of North America is called the recently discovered Continent.
2 In Canada, the people whose occupation is to cut trees are called lumberjacks.
3 World’s wheat Basket is Prairies.
4 Coniferous forest is called as Taiga.
II Answer the following:
1 Mention the location and extent of N A.
Answer: North America is located entirely to the north of the equator. It extends from 7° N to 84° N latitudes. The tropic of cancer (23½° N.L) passes through the continent in the
South and the Arctic Circle (66 ½° N Arctic circle) in the north.
North America is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean in the east, the Pacific Ocean in the west and the Arctic (North cold) Ocean in the north. It is separated from the continent of Asia by the Bering Strait. It has a land link with South America by the Isthmus of Panama.
2 Make a list of important countries of North America.
Answer: The important countries of North America are as follows.
1. Canada 2. United States of America (USA) 3. Mexico 4. Guatemala
5. Cuba 6. Honduras 7. Nicaragua 8. El Salvador 9. Costa Rica
10. Panama 11. Jamaica 12. Trinidad and Tobago 13. Bahamas 14. Puerto Rico
15. Belize 16. Guadeloupe 17. Martinique 18. Haiti 19. Barbados
20. Dominican Republic
3 How are the Grand Canyon of Northern America formed?
Answer: The Colorado river has caused the formation of the ‘Grand Canyon’ through its massive erosion. The Colorado river drains into Colorado plateau and forms the Grand Canyon. It is a centre for scenic beauty and tourism. The Grand Canyon is called ‘Natural wonder of the world’.
4 Name the important plants and animals of NA.
Answer: The important plants and animals of NA are as follows.
The trees: Cypress, Oak, ash and chestnut, coniferous and deciduous trees, hardwood trees like mahogany and logwood, birch, beech, maple, oak, Cactus and thorny bushes etc.
The animals: Beaver, Black Bear, Polar Bear, Silver fox, Musk rat, Lynx, Sable and Porcupine.
5 Make a list of important rivers of NA.
The important rivers of NA are as follows.
- The Mississippi,
- Missouri,
- Colorado,
- St. Lawrence,
6 Mention the majority of the people and their languages found in North America.
Answer: Most of the North Americans are Europeans, American Indians and Africans. Most of them speak Spanish, English, French or American language and Indian languages.
Additional Questions and Answers:
- What causes helped North America to become one of the richest and economically dominant continent?
Answer: North America’s abundant resources are the basis for the development of science and technology. A large domestic market, international trade relationship, development of good means of transportation etc., have helped North America to become one of the richest and economically dominant continent.
2. North America has a land link with South America by the Isthmus of Panama.
3. North America is the third largest continent in area (16.46%) in the world after Asia and Africa.
4. There are 24 countries in North America.
5. Mention the physical divisions of North America.
Answer: The Continent of North America is divided into four major physical divisions. They are:
1. The Western cordilleras or the Rocky Mountains
2. The Great Central plains
3. Canadian shield
4. The Appalachian Highlands
6. The Colorado river has caused the formation of the ‘Grand Canyon’ through its massive erosion.
7. Mention the lakes in North America.
Answer: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior are the important Lakes in NA. Together they are called HOMES. Lake Superior is the largest of the Great lakes and is the largest fresh water lake in the world.
8. What is crop Belt?
Answer: Regions specialized in the production of specific crops, are called Crop belt. For ex: Corn belt, Wheat belt, Cotton belt, Tobacco belt etc.
9. Wheat is one of the popular cereals grown in North America, especially in Canada and USA.
10. Cuba is popularly called the Sugar bowl of the world.
11. Why California is called the “Wine Country”?
Answer: California produces 90% of the wine by using grapes in North America. Therefore California is called the “Wine Country”.
12. The city of Pittsburgh is called the ‘Steel city’
13. Chicago is famous for plastic industry.
Activities:
1 On the outline map of North America, mark the important mountains, rivers, great lakes and plains with the help of the Atlas.
2 Make a list of important plants and animals. Found in NA and Collect their pictures.
