The two most important geographic features of the region are the Appalachian Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. The region's economy is tied to the mountains and to the sea. Fisherman harvest fish and seafood from the sea. The sea forms the natural harbors that help the region lead the world in shipping and trade. The Atlantic Ocean is also used for recreational purposes. Inland, the mountains are covered with forests that supply lumber and paper, mines and wells that supply coal, oil, and natural gas.

Compared to the mountains in the western part to the United States, the Appalachians are not very high. The peaks are rounded rather than jagged and covered in green forests. The Appalachians are made up of several smaller mountain ranges. The White Mountains of New Hampshire, the Green Mountains of Vermont, the Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts, the Catskill Mountains of New York, and the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania are all part of the Appalachian system. The Adirondack Mountains, in northern New York, are close to the Appalachians, but they are actually part of a different, older mountain system. Every year thousands of backpackers and other nature lovers visit the mountains.

The Middle Atlantic region has two plains. Just above sea level is the Atlantic Coastal Plain. It is large and flat. Most of the land along the Atlantic Coastal Plain has been taken up by cities and suburbs. But there is still land that has been left open for farming. The soil in the Atlantic coastal plain is rich and fertile. It is perfect for farming.

The other plain is The Lakes Plains. It is located around the Great Lakes. The land is low and rolling. It also has rich soil that is good for farming.

Water forms many of the borders of the Middle Atlantic region. The Atlantic Ocean forms the region's eastern border. There are many islands and bays along the Atlantic coast. The shoreline jags in and out, forming deep bays. The Chesapeake Bay is a popular bay in the Middle Atlantic region. Rivers empty into the bays. Many big cities of the region are located at the places where the rivers and bays join. The St. Lawrence River forms the northern border. The western part of the region touches Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. They are two of the Great Lakes.

Most of the rivers flow from the Appalachian Mountains down to the Atlantic Ocean. The Hudson River is an important river in this region. Other important rivers are the Mohawk and Delaware Rivers. The rivers are natural water highways for boat travel inland from the coast. In the 1820's the Erie Canal was built to connect the Hudson River and the Great Lakes. In between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario lies one of the world's greatest natural wonders, Niagara Falls.
 

Activity 2: Physical Features of the Middle Atlantic Region