UNITED STATES GEOGRAPHY

INTRODUCTION

METHODS OF STUDYING

1. The object here is to prepare the student in the subject of Geography, as laid down by the United States Civil Service Commission at Washington, D. C., and to outline a clear method of studying this subject. For convenience, the states have been grouped in their natural divisions and a short description of each group and each state in the group is given. These descriptions are followed by some questions. for home study, which should be answered after the descriptions and principal features of the states of each division have been familiarized, but the answers are not to be mailed to the Schools for correction.

2. When studying this subject, first memorize the definitions given. Then, spreading the map on a flat surface, study the general descriptions of the river and mountain systems and the Great Lakes as given in the text. Trace each statement on the map, noting carefully the principal rivers of each system, the general direction of their flow, the area drained by each, and the states included within the area. When studying the mountain systems, note the general direction in which they extend, the principal ranges and peaks, and the states through which each system extends. Note carefully the position, comparative size, and shape of each of the Great Lakes, also their connection with one another, their outlet, and the states and country by which they are

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bounded. As each state is studied, note its position, comparative size and shape, boundaries, capital, principal cities, and rivers. Trace on the map each boundary and interior river its entire length, at the same time reading the description of it that is given in the text; also locate the mountains, lakes, cities, etc. that are named. If this work is done thoroughly and each physical feature is traced on the map until it forms a clear picture in the mind, there should be no difficulty in answering the Examination Questions.

3. When locating places on the map, it is a help to have on the map a drawing similar to that shown in Fig. 1. This should be placed so that the arrow at N points toward the

W

NW

S.W

S

FIG. 1

N.E.

S.E.

E

top of the map. Then, to find any direction, start from the center of the drawing and follow the line in the direction indicated. If the place is in the east from the center of the drawing, follow the line that leads to the east. If it lies halfway between the

north and east, the direction is northeast; or if half way between the east and south, If it is desired to find what state

it is southeast; and so on. is in the extreme northeastern part of the United States, find the center of the drawing and follow the line that points northeast; then find the center of the United States on the map, and from that point follow the same direction as on the drawing, when the state of Maine will be found.

When locating a city or town, the part of the state in which it is situated should be definitely located with regard to the cardinal points of the compass according to the directions. above given. For example, Dover is in the central part of Delaware; Prescott is in the west central part of Arizona. If the city or town is situated on a river or some other body of water, the name of such river or body of water should also

be given. For example, Augusta is in the southwestern part of Maine, on the Kennebec River; Austin is in the southeastern part of Texas, on the Colorado River; Duluth is in the northeastern part of Minnesota, on Lake Superior; St. Augustine is in the northeastern part of Florida, on the Atlantic Ocean.

DEFINITIONS

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4. Geography is a study of the surface of the earth. map is a drawing or representation of the whole or a part of the surface of the earth.

5. Divisions of Land.-A continent is one of the great bodies of land; there are six continents: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. An island is a body of land, smaller than a continent, that is entirely surrounded by water. An archipelago is a large

body of water studded with islands.

A peninsula is a body of land almost surrounded by water. A cape is a point of land extending out into the An isthmus is a narrow neck of land connecting

water.

two larger bodies of land.

A desert is a tract of land that is nearly or wholly barren. A mountain is an elevation of land that rises considerably above the general surface. A mountain range is a chain of mountains. A mountain system consists of a number of mountain ranges extending in the same general direction.

6. Divisions of Water. An ocean is the largest body of water. A sea is a large body of water nearly shut in by land. A lake is a body of water surrounded by land. A bay or a gulf is a body of water extending into the land. A strait is a narrow body of water connecting two larger bodies of water. A channel is a wide strait.

A river is a stream of fresh water that flows into the sea or other body of water. The source of a river is the place where it rises; its mouth is the place where it flows into some other body of water. A river system is a large river with all its tributary rivers.