How does the physical geography of North America divide continent?

The Great Basin Divide is a continental divide that runs through the Western United States. It separates the Great Basin, which drains internally to the Great Salt Lake, from the Pacific Ocean drainage basin. The divide extends from the Sierra Nevada mountains in California to the Bitterroot Range in Idaho and Montana.

The Laurentian Divide

The Laurentian Divide is a continental divide that runs through Canada. It separates the drainage basins of the Arctic Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. The divide extends from the Rocky Mountains in Alberta to the Labrador Peninsula in Quebec.

The Mississippi River Basin

The Mississippi River Basin is the largest drainage basin in North America. It covers an area of over 1.2 million square miles and includes parts of 31 states and two Canadian provinces. The Mississippi River flows from its source in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico.

The Great Lakes Basin

The Great Lakes Basin is a large drainage basin that includes the five Great Lakes and their connecting waterways. The basin covers an area of over 950,000 square miles and includes parts of eight states and two Canadian provinces. The Great Lakes are the largest freshwater lakes in the world.

The Atlantic Coastal Plain

The Atlantic Coastal Plain is a low-lying coastal plain that stretches from New York to Florida. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Appalachian Mountains on the west. The coastal plain is home to many major cities, including New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.

The Rocky Mountains

The Rocky Mountains are a major mountain range that extends from Alaska to New Mexico. The Rockies are the highest mountain range in North America, with several peaks over 14,000 feet tall. The range is home to many national parks and ski resorts.

The Sierra Nevada

The Sierra Nevada is a major mountain range that extends from California to Nevada. The Sierra Nevada is home to some of the highest peaks in the contiguous United States, including Mount Whitney, which is the highest mountain in the lower 48 states. The range is also home to many national parks and ski resorts.

The Cascade Range

The Cascade Range is a major mountain range that extends from British Columbia to California. The Cascades are home to many volcanoes, including Mount Rainier, which is the highest mountain in the state of Washington. The range is also home to many national parks and ski resorts.