General Information for 7th Grade Social Studies
Course Outline
Unit
1. Looking at the Earth Water, Climate, and Vegetation The World's People 2. The United States Canada 3. Mexico Central America and the West Indies Brazil and It's Neighbors The Andean Countries The Galapagos Islands 4. Western Europe Southern Europe Northern Europe Eastern Europe Europe 1/4 Europe 2/4 Europe 3/4 Europe 4/4 5. Russian - A Eurasian Country Russian - Past and Present 6. North Africa Southwest Asia The Caucasus Central Asia 7. West Africa Central Africa East Africa South Africa and Its Neighbors 8. South Asia China Japan and the Koreas Southeast Asia 9. Australia and New Zealand Oceania and Antarctica |
Summary of Unit
Geography is the study of the earth and its people. Maps and globes are some of the tools used to study the physical and human characteristics of our planet. LANDSAT photos and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) help geographers provide information used by government and business leaders as they plan and make decisions. Our planet, Earth, is part of a solar system made up of a sun, nine planets, and thousands of smaller bodies. Life on Earth could not exist without the heat and light provided by the sun or the atmosphere of gases that surrounds the planet. The earth's rotation creates a twenty-four hour day and night, while its orbit around the sun and 23 ½ degree tilt produce the seasons. Inside the earth are layers of varying thickness and composition: the inner core, outer core, mantle, and crust. Scientists theorize that volcanoes, earthquakes, and continental drift are caused by the movement of tectonic plates that float on top of the liquid rock in the mantle. The forces of weathering and erosion also continually change the earth's surface. People have adapted in order to live on various landforms. Mountains, plateaus, valleys, and other landforms are found on land and under the oceans. About 70 percent of the earth's surface is water. Water covers about 70 percent of the earth's surface. The earth's water is continually moving though the processes of evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection. Together these steps are known as the water cycle. In order to survive humans need freshwater, but the vast majority of the water on Earth is the saltwater found in the oceans. Climate is the usual pattern of weather in an area over a long period of time. A combination of factors creates climate. Wind and ocean currents, the sun, latitude, and elevation all contribute to climate. People's actions can also affect climate. The burning of fossil fuels and the destruction of the rainforest are human actions that are causing concern. Geographers divide the world into different climate zones. Each zone shares common characteristics and has particular kinds of vegetation. The five major climate zones are tropical, mid-latitude, high latitude, dry, and highland. Culture is the way of life of a group of people who share similar beliefs and customs. Culture includes eight elements or traits: social groups, language, religion, daily life, history, arts, government systems, and economic systems. Cultures change over time as new ideas and technologies are introduced. New knowledge and skills also spread to other cultures in a process called cultural diffusion. Geographers divide the world into culture regions. The decline in the death rate and increase in the birthrate have led to a rapid rise in the world's population. As the population has grown, problems such as famine and scarcity of resources have challenged governments in many parts of the world. Many factors, such as availability of resources or religious beliefs, affect where people live. Today people are moving in large numbers from rural areas to cities. Natural resources can be described as renewable or nonrenewable. Because of the uneven distribution of resources around the world, people have engaged in trade. The terms "developed country" or "developing country" are determined by the resources, manufacturing, and wealth of each nation. The world's growing population threatens the delicate balance of life on earth. Issues such as pollution, land use, and scarcity of freshwater create the need for policies to protect the environment. As the world's fourth-largest country, the United States is made up of many landforms and climate types. Geographers divide the United States into five main physical regions: the Coastal Plains, the Appalachian Mountains, the Interior Plains, the Mountains and Basins, and the Pacific Coast. With its wealth of resources and hardworking, inventive people, the United States has built the world's largest economy. Each of the country's five economic regions is known for its distinctive resources, goods, and services. In the twenty-first century Americans must handle the challenges of pollution, new technology, and trade. The United States is sometimes called a "Nation of Immigrants." Since the earliest people crossed the land bridge from Asia, Americans have come from every part of the world. After winning their independence from Great Britain in 1781, early leaders created a representative democracy. By the second half of the twentieth century the United States had become a world leader. America's culture reflects its diverse heritage. Canada, the world's second-largest country in land area, is divided into ten provinces and three territories. The newest territory—Nunavut—was created in 1999. It is the homeland of the Inuit, a Native American people. Geographers divide Canada into six physical regions. Most of Canada has a cool or cold climate. Manufacturing, farming, and service industries are Canada's major economic activities. Like the United States, Canada has a strong, free market economy. Economic challenges include settling regional differences, working out Canada's relationship with the United States, and solving environmental problems. Native Americans and the Inuit were the first Canadians. French and British settlers later built homes in Canada. It was a colony of Great Britain until the Dominion of Canada was established in 1867. Canada's government is a parliamentary democracy, headed by a prime minister. Its culture reflects the country's diverse ethnic heritage. Some people in French-speaking Quebec want independence from the rest of Canada. Mexico forms part of a land bridge that connects North and South America. It is made up of three mountain ranges, a large central plateau, and coastal lowlands. Earthquakes and volcanic activity affect the land and people of Mexico. Due to differences in latitude and altitude there are a variety of climate zones in Mexico. Landforms and climate combine to create three economic zones. Mexico's Native American and European heritage shapes the country's culture. The Mayan and Aztec civilizations were the best known of Mexico's early people. A Spanish colony, Mexico won its independence in 1821. Today Mexico's government is a federal republic. More than 70 percent of Mexicans live in urban areas. Beautiful plazas and important buildings are located in the center of these cities. In the poorer sections, people make houses out of whatever material they can find. Farming is still important in Mexico, but manufacturing, service industries, and oil refining play larger roles in the economy. Mexico must find ways to handle its growing population, pollution, and foreign debt. The seven countries that make up Central America are Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. A chain of volcanic mountains runs through inland Central America with lowlands on both sides. Most of Central America has a tropical climate. Farming, on plantations or subsistence farms, is the major economic activity of this region. The plants and animals of the rain forest are important resources. The Panama Canal provides employment for nearly half of that country's people. Most countries in Central America have a blend of Native American and Spanish cultures. The West Indies includes three different island groups: the Bahamas, the Greater Antilles, and the Lesser Antilles. Volcanoes formed many of the islands. These islands lie within the tropics and most have a tropical savanna climate. Tourism and farming are the most important economic activities in the West Indies. The cultures of the West Indies mix Native American, European, African, and Asian influences. Brazil, the largest country in South America, has many different types of landforms and a variety of climate regions. A large basin in the northern half of Brazil is drained by the world's second-longest river, the Amazon. Agriculture, mining, and forestry make up a large part of Brazil's economy. Although the economy has brought prosperity to many Brazilians, others continue to live in poverty. Brazil's people have a mixed heritage that includes Native Americans and Portuguese. The Portuguese were the first and largest European group to colonize Brazil. The Andes mountain ranges border Argentina on the west. The Patagonian Plateau, the plains of the pampas, and the forests of Gran Chaco provide the resources for farming and ranching. Argentina is also one of South America's most industrialized countries. Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana make up the countries of Caribbean South America. Coastal plains give way to highlands as you move inland in each of these countries. Oil is Venezuela's most important natural resource, while sugarcane is a major product in Guyana and French Guiana. Rice and bananas flourish in Suriname. Uruguay and Paraguay have large areas of grass-covered plains that support ranching and industries that depend on raising livestock. Colombia—named after Christopher Columbus—sits astride the Andes mountain ranges at the northwestern edge of South America. Most of Colombia's people live in the valleys and plateaus of the Andes. Petroleum, coal, gold, and emeralds are only some of the natural resources found in Colombia. Colombia's government is a republic with an elected president. That government is struggling to combat the power of drug dealers who make huge fortunes from selling cocaine. Almost all of Colombia's people are mestizos—people of mixed European and Native American or African backgrounds. Peru and Ecuador have narrow coastal plains with mild temperatures; the high Andes in the center; and hot, rainy lowlands in the interior. Peru's largest exports are copper and fish. The Inca, a powerful Native American civilization, lived in Peru during the 1400s. They were conquered by the Spanish in the early 1500s. Today's Peruvians share a heritage from both of those groups. Although the Equator runs through the country of Ecuador, its climate is not completely hot and tropical. The cold Peru Current and the Andes have a moderating effect on the climate. Ecuador's economy is focused on agriculture. Bolivia is a landlocked country near the center of South America. Most Bolivians live on the altiplano, a high plateau surrounded by the Andes. Although rich in minerals, Bolivia is a poor country. Its people are mainly Native Americans or mestizos. Chile is a long, narrow country along the Pacific coast of South America. Eighty percent of Chile's land is made up of the Andes. Mining and agriculture are both important to Chile's economy. The United Kingdom is made up of four regions—England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Winds blowing across the warm North Atlantic Current bring a moderate climate to the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom has a strong economy and is rich in energy resources. From the 1500s until the mid-1900s the United Kingdom was one of the world's most powerful nations. Known as the Emerald Isle because of its green meadows and trees, Ireland is a country with a growing economy. The Irish trace their ancestry to Celts who settled there around 500 B.C. The Irish today live mainly in cities and towns. France is the largest country in Western Europe. Agriculture and manufacturing are the major economic activities. In fact, France produces more food than any other nation in Europe. Ruled by kings until the French Revolution of 1789, France's government is now a republic. Germany is a global economic power and a leader in the European Union. Following World War II, the Allies divided Germany. Although the two parts were reunited in 1990, the eastern region still lags behind the western region economically. The Alps form most of the landscape in Switzerland, Austria, and Liechtenstein. Although it has few natural resources, Switzerland is a thriving industrial nation. Austria's economy is strong and varied. Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg are known as the Benelux countries. They are small nations with long histories of international trade. Spain, Portugal, and Andorra make up the Iberian Peninsula. People there enjoy a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot summers. Although agriculture is still important to Spain and Portugal, most people now work in manufacturing and service industries. Spain has several distinct cultural regions, each with its own language or dialect. The Italian peninsula is shaped like a boot. It extends out from Southern Europe into the center of the Mediterranean Sea. The Po River valley, in the north, is Italy's main agricultural region and its principal industrial center. The capital city of Rome was once the heart of the Roman Empire. In the 1300s the Renaissance began in Italy. The mainland of Greece sits on the southern tip of the Balkan Peninsula. Another peninsula, the Peloponnesus, extends from the mainland farther south into the Mediterranean Sea. There are also 2,000 islands surrounding the mainland. Shipping and tourism are vital to Greece's economy. Ancient Greece laid the foundation for western civilization. Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland make up the region of Scandinavia. The Scandinavian Peninsula is occupied by the countries of Norway and Sweden. Most of their people live in the southern areas of these two countries. North Sea oil and gas have made Norway a wealthy nation, and Sweden also is a wealthy industrial country. With its thick forests, Finland is a major producer of wood and paper products. Denmark lies on the Jutland Peninsula and the 500 islands that surround it. With some of the richest farmland in Northern Europe, Denmark exports many agricultural products. Denmark's citizens enjoy a high standard of living. Because of its location on top of a fault in the North Atlantic, Iceland is a land of hot springs and geysers. The country's economy depends heavily on fishing. The end of communist rule in 1989 brought many changes to Eastern Europe. Poland is a large country with southern mountains and northern plains. In 1989 Poland began to move from a communist state to a free market society. Most Poles are Roman Catholic and are strongly influenced by their religion. Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are small republics that border the Baltic Sea. From 1940 until 1991 they were controlled by the Soviet Union. Today these countries are working to increase manufacturing and service industries. Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia are located in the center of Eastern Europe. The Great Hungarian Plain in eastern Hungary has excellent soil for farming and grazing animals. Most Hungarians are Magyars, descendants of nomads who came to the Danube River valley about 1,000 years ago. Compared to other countries of Eastern Europe, the people of the Czech Republic enjoy a high standard of living. Because of corruption by some government officials, Slovakia has had difficulty moving to a free market economy. The Balkan Peninsula lies between the Adriatic Sea and the Black Sea. Romania, which lies at the northeastern edge of the Balkans, faces many challenges left over from the Soviet era. Despite abundant resources, the country still struggles. Ethnic conflict has torn apart the former Yugoslav Republics. Until 1991, Ukraine, Belarus, and Moldova were part of the Soviet Union. The rich soil of Ukraine has earned it the name "breadbasket of Europe." Belarus maintains a Communist government and close ties to Russia. Moldova suffers from disagreements among different ethnic groups. Stretching across two continents—Europe and Asia—Russia is the world's largest country. The Ural Mountains separate two large plains in the western half of Russia. In the east the land rises to a large plateau and mountains. Although Russia has many resources, its economy continues to struggle. Moscow is the country's economic, political, and cultural center. As Russia's government has changed, its manufacturing has shifted from heavy to light industry. Modern Russians descend from early groups of Slavs who settled along the rivers of what are today Ukraine and Russia. Following a period of conquest by the Mongols, a series of Russian rulers began to expand their control over the land we now know as Russia. These emperors, called czars, ruled Russia from 1480 to 1917. In 1917 Vladimir Lenin led the Russian Revolution and set up a communist-style state, which later became known as the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 and Russia again became an independent country. The change to a democracy and free enterprise economy has been a challenge for Russians. The most important feature of North Africa is the Sahara. Egypt lies in Africa's northeast corner. The Nile River, which supplies 85 percent of the country's water, is Egypt's lifeline. Most of the people live along the river or in its delta. About 40 percent of Egypt's people are farmers. Egypt's industry has grown in recent years. Ancient Egyptians developed a complex civilization and built some of the world's best known structures—the Pyramids. Today's Egyptians are part of the Arab culture region that stretches across North Africa and into Southwest Asia. The other countries of North Africa are Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco. The landscape of these countries is mostly desert and mountains. Libya, Tunisia, and Algeria all border the Mediterranean Sea. Morocco has coasts on both the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean. Oil, natural gas, and phosphates are important resources in these countries. The country of Turkey bridges the continents of Asia and Europe. The main part of Turkey lies in Asia and is a broad plateau rimmed by mountains. From the mountains low-lying plains curve on three sides along the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea, and the Turkish Straits. Turkey is becoming more industrialized, particularly in the areas of textiles and clothing. Israel is a small, narrow country at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea. The modern state of Israel was founded in 1948 as a homeland for Jews. Since that time there have been numerous violent conflicts with its Arab neighbors. The city of Jerusalem is a holy place for people of three religions—Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Today Israel is a democratic republic with the most modern economy in Southwest Asia. Some of the world's oldest civilizations developed in the areas of present day Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan. Although large parts of Syria are desert, farming is still the main economic activity. The country of Lebanon was torn apart by a civil war that lasted from 1975 to 1991. Today the Lebanese are working to rebuild. For most of its history, Saudi Arabia was a poor, desert country. The discovery of oil in the twentieth century, however, has helped to boost the standard of living. Several million Muslims travel to the city of Makkah every year as part of a religious pilgrimage. The prophet Muhammad first preached the religion of Islam in the cities of Arabia. Several small countries, known as the Persian Gulf States, have strong economies based on oil. The world's first known cities were built between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in the present day country of Iraq. Oil is Iraq's major export. Its people have suffered through several recent wars and an international trade embargo. Oil rich Iran is ruled by Muslim religious leaders. Afghanistan is a landlocked mountainous country. Throughout its history is has been invaded by foreign armies. Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan lie between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. They are dominated by the Caucasus Mountains. Until 1991 these small republics were part of the Soviet Union. Armenia and Georgia both have a Christian heritage, while Azerbaijan is a Muslim country. Agriculture is important in all three countries. Azerbaijan has made agreements with foreign companies to develop deposits of oil and natural gas that lie under the Caspian Sea. The five nations of Central Asia—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan—were all part of the former Soviet Union. Kazakhstan has rich deposits of oil and other mineral resources. The country, however, must find solutions for environmental problems caused by rapid industrialization. Most of the countries are poor, and most people are farmers. Nigeria is a large country with a coastline on the Gulf of Guinea. It takes its name from the Niger River. Its climate moves from tropical rainforest to savanna and then steppe as you travel from south to north. Although it is one of the world's major oil producing countries, most of its people work and live on small subsistence farms. With more than 300 ethnic groups, there have been long periods of ethnic conflict. The government is working to build greater national unity. Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Chad are located in the Sahel. From the A.D. 500s to 1500s three great African empires arose in this region. Today the people of the Sahel face a continuing struggle to keep grasslands from turning into desert. Most of these people are subsistence farmers or livestock herders. West Africa also includes eleven countries that stretch along the Atlantic coast and the Gulf of Guinea. These countries have a good climate for agriculture and most people are farmers. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has rich natural resources that are largely undeveloped because of civil war and poor government decisions. The Congo, Africa's second-longest river, winds through Central Africa until it empties into the Atlantic Ocean. A large rain forest covers most of the country. The Congo region was first settled about 10,000 years ago. Today people from 250 different ethnic groups live there. There are six other countries in Central Africa. Rain forest covers much of these other countries. Agriculture is the main economic activity. Kenya's coastal plain borders the Indian Ocean. As you move west there is an upland plain and then the Great Rift Valley. Because of its location on the Equator, Kenya has a climate that is warm year-round. Although Kenya has a developing economy, many of its people remain poor. They are subsistence farmers or nomadic herders. Kenya won its independence from the British in 1963. Tanzania, with landforms and climates similar to Kenya, has a large mainland and three islands. Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest point in Africa, is located in the north. Farming and tourism are the main economic activities in Tanzania. The country is too poor to develop its mineral resources. Scientists believe they have found remains of some of the earliest human settlements in the country of Tanzania. To the west of Kenya and Tanzania lie the landlocked countries of Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi. Subsistence farming is the main economic activity in all three countries. They have also suffered from violent conflicts in recent years. Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, and Somalia are located in the Horn of Africa. All have suffered from drought and violent conflict. Sudan is the largest country in Africa. Most of the people live along the Nile River or one of its tributaries. A civil war between the people of the north and the south broke out in the 1980s. The government is still searching for ways to end this conflict. Scientists have found what they believe to be the remains of the oldest known human ancestors in Ethiopia. In 1993, after 30 years of war, Eritrea won its independence from Ethiopia. Djibouti, one of the hottest, driest places on Earth, is located at the northern tip of the Great Rift Valley. In Somalia fighting among different clans continues today. Somalia has no real government. The Republic of South Africa is located at the southern end of the African continent. It is the most developed country in Africa. South Africa is the world's largest producer and exporter of gold. There are also large deposits of other mineral resources. In 1994 South Africa held its first democratic elections in which people from all ethnic groups could vote. Angola and Namibia have long coastlines on the Atlantic Ocean. The Namib Desert runs along the coast of both countries. Most of Angola's people are farmers. The country's major export, however, is oil. Namibia has rich mineral deposits. Unfortunately, most of Namibia's people continue to live in poverty. The Zambezi River flows across the country of Zambia. Zambia also has large deposits of copper. Zimbabwe takes its name from an ancient African city and trading center—Great Zimbabwe. Botswana lies in the center of southern Africa. The Kalahari Desert spreads over the southwestern part of the country. The Indian Ocean countries of Mozambique, Madagascar, Comoros, Mauritius, and Seychelles are mostly farming nations. These countries are struggling to develop more varied economies. The mountains of the Karakoram Range and the Himalaya separate the South Asian subcontinent from the rest of Asia. These mountains form the northern border of India, the world's most populous democracy. The climate of India is affected by the Himalaya and monsoons. Agriculture and industry are equally important economic activities. About 4,000 years ago one of the world's first civilizations developed along the Indus River. The religion of Hinduism developed in India and is still practiced by about 80 percent of India's people. Once a single nation, Pakistan and Bangladesh today are separate Muslim countries that border India on the west and east. Pakistan claims the northern territory of Kashmir. This has led to conflict with India. Even though it has fertile soil and sufficient energy resources, Pakistan has a struggling economy. The Ganges and Brahmaputra Rivers form a huge delta in Bangladesh. It is one of the poorest and most densely populated countries in the world. Nepal and Bhutan both lie in the Himalaya. Mt. Everest, the world's highest mountain, is located in Nepal. The economies of Nepal and Bhutan are based largely on farming. Sri Lanka lies about 20 miles (32 km) off the southeast coast of India. Agriculture has long been important here, but there are many new and growing industries. The Maldives are a chain of about 1,200 islands to the south of India. Tourism is the largest industry. China is a country with many landforms and climate zones. Between the Himalaya and Kunlun Shan lies the world's largest plateau—the Plateau of Tibet. The Taklimakan and Gobi are harsh deserts. The major rivers—the Yangtze, the Yellow, and the Xi—flow through the plains and highlands of eastern China. In 1949 China became a communist state. In recent years government leaders have allowed some features of the free enterprise system to develop in China. This has resulted in rapid economic growth. China has the world's largest population and one of the world's oldest civilizations. As their civilization developed, the Chinese tried to keep out foreign invaders. One way they did this was by building the Great Wall of China. The ancient teachings of Kongfuzi, Daoism, and Buddhism still influence the people of China today. Taiwan is an island close to China's mainland. After their defeat by the Communists in 1949, one million Chinese refugees fled to Taiwan and established a democracy. Today, Taiwan has one of the world's most prosperous economies. Mongolia, located to the north of China, has rugged terrain and a harsh landscape. Japan is an archipelago off the coast of eastern Asia. The mountains of Japan are volcanic, but many are no longer active. Japan also suffers from frequent earthquakes because of its location on the Ring of Fire. Despite its lack of mineral resources, Japan has developed a strong industrial economy. Most of its citizens live in crowded cities. The Korean Peninsula juts out from northern China, between the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea. Following World War II it was divided into two countries—Communist North Korea and non-Communist South Korea. South Korea has a strong industrial economy. The Communist government of North Korea has spent money and devoted resources to its military. As a result the country is economically poor. Thousands of islands and a long arm of land make up Southeast Asia. Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam lie entirely on the mainland. These countries have highland areas and lowland river valleys with fertile soil. Myanmar has a socialist government established by military leaders. Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam are all poor countries that have been affected by recent conflicts. The island countries of Southeast Asia are Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Malaysia is rich in mineral resources. It also produces palm oil and rubber. Its capital, Kuala Lumpur, is a commercial center. The port of Singapore is one of the world's busiest trading centers. Brunei has rich deposits of oil and natural gas. The Philippines is the only Christian country in Southeast Asia. Indonesia is an archipelago of more than 13,600 islands. It is the world's fourth most populous country. It also has a strong economy based on large reserves of oil and natural gas, many mineral resources, and agriculture. Islam is the major religion. Australia is a country and a continent. The Great Barrier Reef lies off Australia's northeastern coast. This dry continent is covered by plains, plateaus, and a few low mountain ranges. Because it has been separated from other continents for millions of years, unique plants and animals have developed there. An abundance of mineral resources, cattle and sheep ranching, and a growing manufacturing sector have produced a strong economy. Australia has relatively few people, most of whom live along the coasts. New Zealand lies in the Pacific Ocean, about 1,200 miles (1,931 km) southeast of Australia. It contains two main islands and several smaller islands. New Zealand's economy is built on trade. Sheep herding is an important activity, and wool and lamb meat are major exports. Oceania is a culture region that includes about 25,000 islands in the Pacific Ocean. The three main island regions are Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. Papua New Guinea is the largest and most populous country. The main economic activities are agriculture and tourism. The continent of Antarctica sits at the southern end of the earth. A thick ice cap covers a landscape of mountains, valleys, and plateaus. Although it is the coldest place on Earth, it is considered a desert climate due to the lack of precipitation. Scientists believe that Antarctica contains a wealth of minerals. A treaty allows scientific research, but not the removal of those minerals. |