Plains and Valleys
Plains are wide, flat landscapes with little elevation. The size of plains can vary between a few hectares to hundreds of thousands of square kilometers. Being wide and flat also make plains suitable for farming.
Many plains were formed over time by the erosion of the land from nearby hills or mountains. Other plains were formed by the deposition of sediment by water or wind.
One of the largest plains on Earth is the West Siberian Plain in Russia. It stretches for more than 2,400 kilometers and covers an area of more than 2.6 million square kilometers.
Another well-known example of a plain is the Great Plains in the United States. Spanning across multiple states from Texas to Montana, it’s a large flat area of land, known for its rich soil suitable for extensive agriculture.
A valley is a low-lying area between mountains or hills. Often, water flows through a valley as streams or rivers. Some valleys are formed by the weathering and erosion of glaciers and have a u-shape. Others are formed by running water such as a river or stream and have a v-shape.
The Napa Valley in California, United States, is a low-lying area situated between hills and is shaped by the flowing Napa River. This river has, over a long time, worn away the land, causing erosion and weathering that have given the Napa Valley its distinctive v-shape, which is common among valleys formed by running water.
Related Printables.
Earth’s Landforms
Comprehension – Earth’s Landforms
Local Land and Water Features
Modeling the Earth’s Features
The Ocean
Earth’s Fresh Water
Using Maps
Map Features
Map Patterns in the United States
Comprehension – Ocean Patterns
Observing Ocean Patterns
Review – Mapping the Earth’s Surface
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