Learning, Exploring and Discovering: Our Homeschool Life: California History Lesson 3 (Geography)

California History

Geography of California

Lesson 3

Part Three: The Regions of California

Mountains

*Over half of the land in California is covered by mountains

*There are two major ranges of mountains in California: The Sierra Nevada and the Coast Ranges.

*The Coast Ranges are located along the western part of California and include the San Andreas Fault

*The Coast Ranges of California average less than 4,000 feet in height. They follow an 800-mile course which begins in the northwest corner of Del Norte County and continues south to the Mexican border.

*The Cascade Mountains in northern California are made up of lava and volcanic material

*This mountainous area has a strong influence on California's climate. The storms that originate over the Pacific Ocean bring significant amounts of rainfall to the western slopes. The eastern slopes remain relatively dry. Some of California's major industries benefit from the climatic conditions created by the coastal mountains.

*The evergreen trees that the north coast timber industry relies on thrive are nourished by the increased rainfall.

*The coastal fog cools hot inland valleys that are located east of the coastal mountains. This benefits the cultivation of wine grapes and fruit and nut trees.

*The California Coastal Mountain range runs parallel to the coastline. The ocean side of the range experiences cool, foggy and moist weather conditions due to the humid air that flows off of the Pacific Ocean. The eastern slopes of this mountain range tend to be drier and warmer.

*The Sierra Nevada Range is about 500 miles long, 70 miles wide, and between 7000 and 15,000 feet high

*It covers one fifth of the state and is the largest mountain range in California.

*Snow falls heavily throughout the winter. Water from the melted snow in the spring provides water to the central valley growing region by way of the California Aqueduct

*The Sierra Nevada Mountain range is the largest and easternmost range in California. The eastern foothills of this mountain range experience desert-like weather, while the peaks experience arctic-like conditions that cause them to contain varying amounts of snow year round. The majority of the Sierra Nevada range experiences cool to cold and wet winters and hot dry summers.It produces snowfall throughout the year, the majority of which occurs during the winter months.

*The two largest California peaks in the Sierra Nevadas are Mount Shasta and Mount Whitney.

*Mount Shasta is a Volcano is situated at the northern extremity of the Sierra Nevada.

*The highest point of the Mount Shasta Volcano stands at approximately 14,440 feet above sea level

*Mount Whitney is also located in the Sierra Nevada. It is14, 491 feet, the highest point in the lower continental United States.

*Yosemite covers an area of 747,956 acres (1,168.681 sq miles) and reaches across the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain chain

*Southern California contains several mountain ranges, including the San Bernardino, San Gabriel and Tehachapi ranges. The Southern California mountain ranges experience similar weather patterns to the Sierra Nevada range, but do not experience as much snowfall in the upper regions due to their lower elevations. As with the state’s other mountain ranges, the eastern and interior sides of these mountains experience warmer and drier weather patterns throughout the year, while the sides facing the ocean experience cooler and damper winters.

*The Los Angeles Ranges run in an east-west directions

*Animals: chipmunk, coyote, gopher snake, grey fox, grizzly bears, mountain lion, mule deer, raccoons, racer, raven, red-tail hawk, southern rubber boa, stellar’s jays, striped skunk, western fence lizard, western rattler, woodpecker, bald eagle, beaver, bighorn sheep, black bear, California ground squirrel, California mountain kingsnake,

*Special places/cities in the mountain region: Lassen Peak (erupted in 1921), Yosemite Valley, Tahoe, Big Bear

*How does this area provide for our needs? (water, timber)

Foldable book

Fold paper in half.

Inside write 5 facts about the region.

On the outside, draw a picture of the region. (Directed draw)