North America: Growth of a Continent facts for kids

North America: Growth of a Continent was an educational TV show. It was made by TVOntario in Canada. The show aired from 1980 to 1981. It taught viewers about how North America was formed. It also showed how the continent changed over time. The famous actor Gordon Pinsent narrated the series. This means he was the voice that guided viewers through each episode.

Exploring North America's Past

This TV series was made up of 13 episodes. Each episode was about 15 minutes long. The show took viewers on a journey. It explored the natural history of North America. It also looked at how humans have shaped the land.

How the Continent Formed

The show started by looking at Earth's very beginning. It explained how continents like North America were created. This included learning about plate tectonics. This is the idea that Earth's outer layer is made of huge moving plates. These plates crash into each other or pull apart. This movement creates mountains, valleys, and even earthquakes.

Mapping the Land

The series then helped viewers understand North America's geography. It showed how to read maps. It also highlighted important landforms. These include huge mountain ranges like the Rocky Mountains. It also covered vast plains and many rivers.

Climate and Ecosystems

The show also explored different climates across North America. It explained why some areas are hot and dry. Others are cold and snowy. It also looked at how these climates affect plants and animals. Viewers learned about different ecosystems. An ecosystem is a community of living things and their environment. Examples include forests, deserts, and grasslands.

Humans and the Land

A big part of the series focused on people. It showed how humans arrived in North America. It also explained how they started to use the land.

Early Human Impact

The show taught about early human settlements. It explained how people first lived off the land. They hunted animals and gathered plants for food. Over time, people learned to farm. This changed the land a lot.

Using Natural Resources

The series also looked at how people used natural resources. These are things found in nature that people use.

• Farming the Land: People learned to grow crops. This is called agriculture. They tilled the soil to plant food.
• Logging Forests: Trees were cut down for wood. This wood was used to build homes and make tools.
• Harvesting the Sea: People fished in oceans, lakes, and rivers. This provided food for many communities.
• Mining for Minerals: The show explored how people dug for valuable minerals. These included metals and other useful materials found underground.
• Finding Energy: It also covered the search for power sources. This included things like coal, oil, and natural gas. These resources help power our homes and cars.

The Man-Made World

Finally, the series looked at modern changes. It showed how cities grew. It also explored how roads and bridges were built. This part of the show highlighted how much humans have shaped the continent. It showed how we deliver goods and connect places.

Episodes

• "From the Beginning"
• "Mapping the Land"
• "Patterns and Climates"
• "Vegetation and Soil"
• "Then Came Man"
• "Tilling the Land"
• "Logging the Land"
• "Harvesting the Sea"
• "From the Ground Up"
• "The Fossil Storehouse"
• "The Search for Power"
• "The Man-Made World"
• "Delivering the Goods"