Target 1-A: I can compare and contrast the geography and climate of the Northeast and the
South.
In this activity you will be using geography, the physical features of an area and climate, the average weather
pattern over an extended period of time to decide the best place to locate a business.
Northeast (New England)
Use the data packet to answer the following questions.
1. Does Massachusetts have a high or low population density?
How do you know this?
2. What is the average high and low in Boston, MA in January?
3. What is the average high and low in Boston, MA in July?
4. Looking at the map to the right, is New England mountainous or
flat?
How do you know?
5. Read about the climates, which one best describes Boston, MA
the New England states?
and
6. Describe this climate in a few words.
7. How much annual rainfall does this type of climate receive?
South
1. Does Charleston, SC have a high or low population density?
How do you know this?
2. What is the average high and low in Charleston, SC in January?
3. What is the average high and low in Charleston, SC in July?
4. Looking at the map at the right, is South Carolina by the ocean,
mountainous or flat?
How do you know?
5. Read about the climates, which one best describes Charleston, SC and
South Atlantic States?
6. Describe this climate in a few words.
7. How much annual rainfall does this type of climate receive?
the
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19 Century (1800s) Cotton and Textile Business
Two big businesses in the 1800s were cotton farming and the textile, or cloth making industry. Use the packets and the
information below to answer the questions.
How Cotton was Grown and Processed
The process of growing cotton begins with climate. Cotton is grown in a band that stretches around the world between
latitudes 45 North to 30 South. It requires warm temperatures and regular rainfall. In most regions extra water must be
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supplied by irrigation. During the 19 century, the cotton was harvested (picked) by hand. Then the cotton was ginned to
remove the sticky seeds from the cotton fibers. The cotton was bailed and sent by ship to textile factories in the
northeastern U.S. and England.
How a Textile Mill Processed Cotton into a Cloth
When the bailed cotton arrived at the textile mills, it was unpacked, cleaned, and spun into thread. The thread was then
woven into cloth (textiles). Many workers were needed to run the machines and watch for errors in the weaving process.
The first textile mills used water power from fast moving mountain rivers to run the spinning and weaving machines. This
required them to be built next to fast moving rivers. Later, factories used steam power which still required a water supply
but not one that moved. Wood or coal were used to heat water and create steam to power the factory.
Where would the best place be to build a water powered textile mill, Massachusetts or South Carolina?
I chose __________________________ as the location for textile mill.
A geographic reason (physical features of the land) I chose this is because ________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
A climate (weather) reason I chose this is because ___________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
An economic (business/financial) reason I chose this is ________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Where would the best place be to build a cotton plantation that will grow and gin the cotton, Massachusetts or South
Carolina?
I chose _______________________________
as the place for a cotton plantation.
A geographic reason is I chose this is because _______________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
A climate reason I chose this is because ____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
An economic (business/financial) reason I chose this is because ________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Climates of the Eastern United States
Humid Subtropical Climate
Where is it Usually Located?
The humid subtropical climate is found on the east coast of continents between 20o and 40o north and south of
the equator.
What Seasons Does it Have?
Temperatures usually stay high (above 70) throughout the year, but cool down for a few months, so there are
really only two seasons here: summer and winter. However, the winter season is not a cold winter. The
summer season lasts longer, since humid subtropical areas are nearer to the equator.
What are the Temperatures Like?
Humid subtropical climates are known for hot humid summers and mild winters. During the summer the
average temperature is between 70 and 80 degrees. The coldest month usually averages 45-50 degrees. Since
humid subtropical climates are found between 20o and 40o latitude, they receive direct sunlight for a large part
of the year.
How Much Precipitation Does it Receive?
Most humid subtropical areas receive about 48 inches of rain each year. The rain falls throughout the year. The
regularly high temperatures evaporate water which causes humidity and precipitation. The high humidity in this
region makes summer temperatures feel even hotter. Humid subtropical areas usually experience strong storms
such as tornadoes and hurricanes.
Humid Continental Climate
Where is it Usually Located?
Humid continental climates are found in the interior of continents between the 30 and 60 degrees latitude, but
usually above the 40 degree line. This means there is less direct sunlight and therefore less warmth. This climate
is mainly found in the northern hemisphere.
What Seasons Does it Have?
A humid continental climate is one of the few climates with four seasons. Warm and humid summer, cool and
dry autumn (fall), cold and harsh winter, and a warm and wet spring makes living in a humid continental climate
a unique experience of weather that will keep you guessing.
What are the Temperatures Like?
Similar to a subarctic climate, a humid continental climate has a wide range of temperatures, which means low
cold temperatures and high warm temperatures. Summer month temperatures average about 71 degrees and
winter months usually average 25 degrees. However, summer days can reach over 100 and winter months often
reach below zero, which produces a 100 degree temperature range. The main reason for the temperatures of
humid continental is latitude. The distance from the equator results in less direct sunlight and less warmth.
How Much Precipitation Does it Receive?
Humid continental climates have a misleading name. It is not always humid here, but there is enough
precipitation to not be considered arid or semiarid. Between 20 and 50 inches of rain falls in this climate
zone. Almost all regions with this climate experience snow. The moisture is evaporated from the land at a slow,
regular pace, which explains why precipitation falls regularly throughout all four seasons.
Climate Information for Massachussetts and South Carolina
Population in the United States 1860