Relief and Minerals of North America

Mainland North America covers a significant area. In size, it is the third in the world. Due to this, the relief and minerals of North America are characterized by great diversity. This will be discussed further ...

Geographical position

The mainland is located in the northern and western terrestrial hemispheres. It is washed by the waters of the Pacific and Atlantic, Arctic Oceans, represented by many bays and seas. The Panama Isthmus separates the continent from South America; in the west with Eurasia it is divided by the Bering Strait.

The continental part of North America is an area of ​​20.36 million square meters. km The mainland islands include Greenland, the West Indies, the Canadian Arctic archipelago, and others. The length of the continent is 7326 kilometers from north to south, and 4700 kilometers from west to east.

The territory of the mainland is located in almost all geographical zones. The United States and Canada, together with the Bahamas, Bermuda and Greenland, make up the North American region. The southern part, which is located in tropical latitudes, is part of the Central America region.

Relief

The relief and minerals of North America are striking in diversity. The surface of the mainland is represented by contrasts - there are mountains and canyons, plains and hills. Most of the territory is occupied by plains, on both sides they are bordered by mountains. The height of the plains can vary within a few hundred meters, which makes the relief quite wavy.

In the northern part is the Lavrentian Upland, bordered in the south by a chain of large lakes. The influence of the glacier ensured the smooth forms of rocks and hills, the formation of basins. To the south are the hilly Central Plains, and immediately beyond them is the Mississippi Lowland.

In the western part are the Great Plains - the foothills of the Cordillera. They reach up to 1500 meters in height. The cordillera are the most folded zone, the highest height is the top of the McKinley 6193 meters. The eastern part consists of the Rocky Mountains (up to 4200 m) and the Cascade Mountains.

In the east are the Appalachians, represented by medium-high hills with individual high arrays up to 2000 meters. In the south of the mainland are the Mexican and Atlantic lowlands, not exceeding two hundred meters. Off the coast, they are represented by bars, terraces, lagoons, braids.

Geotectonic structure

The mainland is the North American platform, most of which is occupied by the Canadian shield formed in the early Precambrian. Its edges are omitted, there are deposits of lead, nickel, gold, cobalt ores and other minerals of North America.

From the east, the Appalachian Mountains overlap the Canadian Shield. In these folded-block mountains , destruction occurs. Blurred areas turned into valleys, and more persistent rocks remained in the form of hills.

In the western part of the mainland is the Cordillera region of medium folding, formed by a collision of tectonic plates. This process continues now. The formation of the Cordillera was also influenced by the glacier. Therefore, both sedimentary and igneous minerals of North America are located in this area.

The great plains are located on the border of the platform and the Cordillera. They are formed by marine and continental sedimentary rocks. The Central Plains have a similar origin. In their southeastern part, karst rocks emerge, creating deep labyrinths - the Mammoth Caves. Sedimentary rocks formed and the Mexican lowland.

North America: Minerals (Briefly)

The geological structure is of paramount importance for the formation of certain mineral resources. Due to the special structure, minerals of North America are located almost throughout the mainland.

Significant deposits of uranium and iron ores, molybdenum, nickel, and copper are located in the Canada Shield area. In coastal lowlands, as well as in the Cordilleras and Alaska, there are fossil fuels. North American minerals such as oil and natural gas are mined here.

In the central regions and depressions of the Appalachians are deposits of coal. In the Cordillera are various sedimentary and igneous minerals, for example, gold, non-ferrous metal ores, mercury. Large deposits of phosphorites are located on a peninsula called Florida.

North America Minerals: Table

For a better perception, we decided to compose all the information and present it in the form of a table, which is presented below.

Conclusion

Mainland North America is located in the northern and western hemispheres of our planet. Its geographical location, natural conditions and geological structure influenced the formation of mineral resources.

The main mineral resources of North America are non-ferrous metal ores, non-metallic ores and combustible minerals. Among them are natural gas, oil, coal, phosphorites, uranium, lead, zinc, nickel, silver ores, gold, platinum and others.

Due to the large number and variety of resources, the two main states on the mainland are able to provide for themselves and not be dependent on other countries.