People, Land, and Environments
Study Guide
1. Be able to describe and compare the physical characteristics of various regions of Louisiana. (Standard 3.4.1)
a. Region – a large land area with special features that make it different from other areas
b. Mississippi River Plain – follows the path of the Mississippi River
c. West Gulf Coastal Plain – covers the land west of the Mississippi River Plain
d. East Gulf Coastal Plain – covers the land east of the Mississippi River Plain and north of Lake Pontchartrain. This is the smallest region.
2. Be able to identify and describe the human characteristics of places in Louisiana. (Standard 3.4.5)
a. Human characteristics are things that people have added to a place. Examples include towns, cities, farms, bridges, houses, and even traffic lights.
3. Describe how people and the physical environment have changed over time. Identify and explain ways in which people modify the physical environment to meet basic needs and achieve certain purposes. (Standard 3.4.4)
a. Examples: clearing trees to build cities and towns, building bridges, constructing dams and levees, building airports, roads, cities, and manufacturing plants to meet people’s needs.
4. Identify examples of physical processes affecting Louisiana. (Standard 3.4.1)
a. Coastal erosion – the slow wearing away of land by water, wind, and other natural forces. This has changed Louisiana’s coastline.
b. River changes – A river may change its course over time. For example, the Mississippi River slowly changes its path every few years. These changes can be caused by natural erosion, dams, and levees.
5. Locate, describe, and compare urban, suburban, and rural communities in Louisiana. (Standard 3.4.6)
a. Urban – cities and towns; houses and apartments are close together. There are many jobs.
b. Rural – sometimes called “the country”; few people live here. Farms and homes are far apart. There are few jobs.
c. Suburban – areas just outside a city or town; sometimes called the suburbs. People live in neighborhoods. Many who live here drive to work in urban areas.
6. Identify and compare customs, celebrations, and traditions of various cultural groups. (Standard 3.1.6)
a. Cajun – known for their special spicy foods and their lively music. They have a special Mardi Gras tradition of wearing costumes and running from house to house gathering food which is then used for a special meal shared with the community.
b. Creole – descendents of early Spanish or French settlers and African slaves. They are known for their music, called “zydeco”, which is sung in Creole French and uses accordions and rub boards.
c. Native American – Their culture includes sharing traditional stories, weaving baskets, and using Spanish moss to make dolls.
7. Identify the relationship between geography and economic activities in Louisiana. (Standard 3.4.7)
a. Seafood is harvested along Louisiana’s coast.
b. The shipping industry is also important in this area. Many ships come in and out of the Port of New Orleans.
c. Central Louisiana is mostly flat, grassy plains that are excellent to raise cattle.
d. The weather in southern Louisiana is warm and the soil is wet, so rice grows well there.
e. Louisiana is one of the top producers of oil and natural gas in the United States.
8. Explain how humans have adapted to the physical environment of Louisiana. (Standard 3.4.4)
a. Warm humid temperatures – build homes with big porches
b. Learned to eat Louisiana’s plentiful seafood.
c. Build raised homes to protect them from flooding.
9. Identify natural resources in Louisiana and describe their uses and importance. (Standard 3.4.7)
a. Natural resource – something we use that is provided by nature
b. Examples:
i. Sugarcane –used to produce sugar and molasses
ii. Cotton – clothing and cloth items
iii. Rice – food; exported to other countries
iv. Oil – used to make gasoline; Louisiana is #1 oil-producing state in the US.