Beach Hotels and Resorts in USA

USA or United States of America is one of the countries located in the Western Hemisphere. There are more than eighty four states, which are located in North America, Alaska, an archipelago and Hawaii. Apart from this, there are many other states, which are located in the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean. Geography of USA is vast and huge, with diverse landscapes and varied climate. A brief overview regarding the geography of the region is given below.

About Geography of USA

The phrase “United States” includes the entire region of USA, Hawaii, Alaska, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Guam. The country on the other hand shares its territorial boundary with Mexico and Canada.

Total Area

The total area of the country is 9, 826, 675 kilometer square as per the CIA World Fact book. This entire area includes both the land and water bodies. The area of USA varies from one organization to another, so it might be different in some other place.

If you compare the land area only, United States of America is the third largest country, which is after China and Russia.

Climate

USA is a huge and vast country, with varied geographical features. The main element which influences the climate of the region is the polar jet stream. This stream is responsible for formation of large pressure belt, in the northern part of the Pacific Ocean.

The entire region on the other hand experiences temperate climate, but there are variations in climatic conditions in different regions. USA is influenced by the following types of climate:

• Deep South- Sub Tropical
• Alaska- Polar
• Hawaii and Southern Florida- Tropical
• Great Plains- Semi Arid
• Great Basin- Arid
• Coastal California- Mediterranean

Extremes in Climate

The states, which are in the western part of the mountains, receive most of the snowfalls. The regions near Mount Rainier, located in Washington, receive the maximum rainfall. The other places, which receive a maximum rainfall, are Sierra Nevada and Wasatch Mountains. While the former is situated near the Great Salt Lake, while the later is located near Lake Tahoe.

Regions situated near northern Alaska, arctic and tundra regions experiences extreme cold temperatures. On the other hand, regions like Death Valley and California, had very high temperatures that of 134 degree F.

Tornadoes on the other hand are pretty common on the central regions of US. The geography of USA is characterized by sudden attack of Tornadoes, which causes great damage and disruption to normal life.

Some of the other extremes in climate that the region faces are mentioned below:

• Volcanoes
• Earthquakes
• Floods
• Tsunamis
• Forest Fires
• Mud Slides

Physical Divisions

The vast region of USA is divided into various physical divisions. The entire region is divided into eight different physical divisions, and it is further divided into smaller areas. The major division of which the entire region is divided into is mentioned below:

• Atlantic Plain
• Pacific Mountain System
• Laurentian Upland
• Interior Plains
• Intermontane Plateau
• Appalachian Highlands
• Interior Highlands