NORTH AMERICA 



4255 



NORTH AMERICA 



Questions 



Mention two physical features in which North America surpasses all the other 

 continents. 



How can it be said with truth that Columbus would have found America had he 

 traveled north instead of west? 



How would the climate of the "Great American Desert" be affected if the Rocky 

 Mountains could be removed? 



What was the very first name, so far as is known, that was ever bestowed on 

 North America by the white men? 



For what was Columbus searching when he discovered this continent? What 

 land did he think he had reached? 



About how large a part of the world's population lives on this continent? 



Name four important substances of which North America furnishes nearly or 

 more than half of the world's supply. 



When were the western boundaries of the continent discovered? When were the 

 northern boundaries discovered? 



Show by the map that it is not correct to say that ships sail "straight south from 

 New York to Buenos Aires." 



In what respect does North America resemble in shape all the other great land 

 masses? Which ones does it most closely resemble? 



What is the chief difference between the eastern coast of North America and the 

 western? 



Is the continent wider or narrower at the line of its greatest breadth than is South 

 America? Make a similar comparison with Africa. 



Is it longer or shorter from north to south than is Asia? Europe? South Am- 



What resemblance is there, broadly speaking, between the relief features of North 

 America and those of Europe? 



What does the word Cordillera mean? To what is it applied? 



How does North America compare in average elevation above sea level with 

 Europe? 



How did the rivers and lakes of the continent aid the early explorers? 



What is the "Father of Waters," and what distinction has it? 



Where are the most important river systems of North America located? Why 

 are the rivers of the northwestern part of the continent of. so little importance? 



How do the rivers of the Great Basin differ from those of the rest of the con- 

 tinent ' 



What may be said with reference to the rivers of the tropical part of North 

 America? 



Why is it fortunate that the early explorers and settlers of the continent ap- 

 od it from the east rather than from the west? 



Why is the average temperature of the Labrador coast so much lower than that 

 <>f the corresponding latitude on the Pacific coast? 



In what part of the continent would you find moss and lichens as the character- 

 istic vegetation? Where would you find cactus? Mahogany? 



What animals, of which then- pen formerly great herds in North America, are 

 now to be seen only in parks or reserves? 



How many nationalities have at various times held large possessions on the conti- 

 nent? 



After English, what language constitutes the native tongue of the largest Dumber 

 of people in North Amen 



