The United States has a broad range of
climates, varying from the tropical rain-forest of Hawaii
and the tropical savanna of S Florida (where the
Everglades are found) to the subarctic and tundra climates
of Alaska. East of the 100th meridian (the general
dividing line between the dry and humid climates) are the
humid subtropical climate of SE United States and the
humid continental climate of NE United States. Extensive
forests are found in both these regions. West of the 100th
meridian are the steppe climate and the grasslands of the
Great Plains; trees are found along the water courses.
In the SW United States are the deserts
of the basin and range province, with the hottest and
driest spots in the United States. Along the Pacific coast
are the Mediterranean-type climate of S California and,
extending north into SE Alaska, the marine West Coast
climate. The Pacific Northwest is one of the wettest parts
of the United States and is densely forested. The Rocky
Mts., Cascades, and Sierra Nevada have typical highland
climates and are also heavily forested. In addition to the
Grand Canyon in Arizona and Great Salt Lake in Utah,
widely publicized geographic marvels of the United States
include Niagara Falls, on the New York-Canada border; the
pink cliffs of Bryce Canyon National Park, in Utah; and
the geysers of yellowstone National Park, primarily in
Wyoming. |
