The Northeastern United States
I. NEW ENGLAND
A. Includes the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and
Connecticut
B. Landforms
1. Northern New England is mainly situated in the Appalachian Mountains.
a. Major ranges are the White Mountains in New Hampshire, The Green Mountains in Vermont, and
the Longfellow Mountains in Maine.
b. Highest peak in the region is Mount Washington in the White Mountains.
2. Southern New England is primarily a glaciated hilly region.
a. The Berkshires of western Massachusetts form the highest hills in the region.
b. The only plains are along sections of the Atlantic coast and in the lower Connecticut River valley.
3. The coastline varies greatly from north to south.
C. New England has a humid-continental climate.
1. Occasionally, during the late summer, hurricanes strike coastal areas.
2. Winter storms called northeasters are common.
D. Agriculture
1. New England has a short growing season.
2. The Connecticut River valley is the region’s leading agricultural area.
3. Swampy lowlands of Cape Cod grow more than half of all the cranberries produced in the United
States.
4. The Aroostook Valley in northern Maine produces about 10 percent of the country’s potatoes.
5. Dairy farming is the region’s most important agricultural activity.
a. The region has thousands of lakes and thin rocky soil.
E. Natural resources.
1. The shallow waters off the coast are among the world’s most productive fishing grounds.
a. New England’s fisheries supply about 7 percent of the nation’s total fish catch.
b. Cod and lobster are the region’s most valuable seafood.
2. Nearly all forests in New England are second-growth forests.
3. The region’s only major mining resource is building stone--granite and marble.
F. Industrial growth
1. New England became the nation’s first industrial area.
a. Textiles and shoe manufacturing were the earliest industries.
b. Swift streams provided power for the mills.
c. Labor force was abundant.
d. Boston served as a gateway city for imports and exports.
2. By the twentieth century, textile and shoe industries in New England had declined.
3. Future growth will be in biotechnology.
4. New England is a leader in higher education.
5. Service industries and tourism are important to New England’s economic growth.
G. Protecting New England’s environment from the effects of urbanization, acid rain, other forms of
pollution, and dense coastal development will be major challenges.
Work on your assignments. (10-05)
What is an estuary?
What is the fastest growing industry in the United States?
Why would you think New England is a leader in Education?
Why did this region become an industrialized area?
What three types of secondary landforms have been observed in this region?
I. Six states comprise the area.
A. Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island.
B. Maine - “The Pine Tree State”
1. Capital - Augusta
2. Largest of the N. E. states.
3. 39th of the 50 in size.
4. Eastern most city in the U.S. (East Port)
5. Eastern most point in the U.S. (West Quoddy Head)
6. It is noted for its beautiful shore line - light houses, sandy beaches, quiet fishing villages, and
thousands of off-shore islands.
7. Acadia National Park is located here. (Lafayette Park (1929))
8. Forest covers 90% of the state and forms the backbone of the major economic activity of the state.
(Wood Processing Industry)
a. Wood Processing
i. paper
ii. pulp
iii. leads the nation in toothpick production.
9. Fishing, clams and lobster industries flourish.
10. Tourism is a fast growing industry.
11. Agriculture: produces potatoes, chickens, dairy products in the Aroostook Valley. (Only
Washington and Idaho produce more potatoes.)
12. Diversified industries are also numerous.
C. New Hampshire - “The Granite State”
1. It is named after the large granite deposits that are in the state.
2. It is ranked 44th in size of the states.
3. Capital-Concord
4. 3rd largest of the New England States.
5. Noted as a vacation paradise: Natural beauty, mountains, lakes, sandy beaches, quiet villages, ski
resorts.
6. Only thirteen miles of coast line: This is the shortest of any state bordering an ocean.
7. Portsmouth: The U.S. navy’s first shipbuilding yard. (1800)
8. The highest peaks in New England are located in the Presidential range of the White mountains.
Mt. Washington is the highest. Other peaks include: Adams, Eisenhower, Jackson, Jefferson,
Madison, Monroe, Pierce.
9. Forest covers 90% of New Hampshire.
10. Dairy farming is the major agricultural activity.
11. Manufacturing-diversified industries
a. electric and electronic equipment.
b. plastics.
c. leather products.
d. paper products.
WORK ON YOUR ASSIGNMENTS (10-06)
Why is Maine the “Pine Tree State”?
What is the origin of the name “Maine”?
What is the major agricultural activity of these states and why?
What is the highest peak in the White Mountains?
Why is New Hampshire the “Granite State”?
What is the largest New England State?
What is the origin of the name Hampshire?
What is an estuary?
What is the fastest growing industry in the United States?
Why would you think New England is a leader in Education?
Why did this region become an industrialized area?
What three types of secondary landforms have been observed in this region?
D. Vermont: “The Green Mountain State”
1. Vert Mont = French for Green Mountains.
2. Capital: Montpelier (Smallest populated capital city)
3. Second largest of the New England states. 43rd among the 50 states.
4. Also noted as a vacation paradise.
5. Only New England state without a coastline.
6. Forest covers 3/4ths of the state.
7. Agriculture
a. The leading agriculture is Dairy production.
b. Potatoes, apples, hay, oats.
8. Mining
a. white marble (Land of Marble, Milk and Honey)
b. granite: the largest U.S. quarry is located near Barre.
c. asbestos: one of the nations largest deposits are mined near Lowell.
E. Massachusetts: “The Bay state”
1. The Puritans founded their colony on Massachusetts bay.
2. Capital: Boston
a. Boston is the largest city in New England and the largest seaport of the area.
3. 4th largest of New England States.
(45th of 50)
4. It has a huge tourist industry: (historical areas, landmarks, revolutionary war sites)
5. Diversified manufacturing
a. electric/electrical products.
b. textile machinery.
c. radio/turbines/televisions.
d. instruments.
6. Agriculture-leads the nation in Cranberry production.
7. Agriculture
a. Dairy farming: more hay produced than any other crop
b. Beef cattle
c. eggs
d. Hogs
F. Connecticut: “the Constitution State”, “the Gadget State”.
1. Capital: Hartford
2. 3rd smallest state
3. Insurance center of the United States.
4. Leads the nation in the production of helicopters, jet engines, and submarines.
7. Agriculture: dairy, poultry and vegetables.
8. Tobacco: leading field crop.
9. Apples are also important.
G. Rhode Island: “Ocean State”
1. The smallest state in the union. Nicknamed “Little Rhody”.
2. Naragansett bay almost cuts Rhode Island in two.
3. Capital - Providence
4. Agriculture
a. Dairy
b. Nursery products
5. Fishing Industry
a. flounder and lobsters.
6. Manufacturing
a. jewelry and silverware.
7. The state bird is the chicken.(Rhode Island Red)
8. Forests cover 60% of the state.
9. Minerals
a. granite, sand and gravel.
In French, Vermont means what?
Who named Rhode Island?
Who founded Rhode Island and why?
What states name means “Great Mountain place”?
What is the smallest US state?
What state is called the “Insurance center of the US”?
Why is Connecticut called the “Constitution State”?
What is an estuary?
What is the fastest growing industry in the United States?
Why would you think New England is a leader in Education?
Why did this region become an industrialized area?
What three types of secondary landforms have been observed in this region?
Why is Maine the “Pine Tree State”?
What is the origin of the name “Maine”?
What is the major agricultural activity of these states and why?
What is the highest peak in the White Mountains?
Why is New Hampshire the “Granite State”?
What is the largest New England State?
What is the origin of the name Hampshire?
New England notes are finished. (10-07)