Unit 7: Life in the United States

The geography, economy, and government of the United States play an important role in our everyday lives. The regions of the United States—five total—have a distinct set of geographic features. Lowlands, mountains, prairies, and waterways cover the nation. In addition to varied landscape, each region has its own climate and natural resources.

The natural resources in a region impact the types of jobs people have, the cost of living, and the overall economy. Although each region is unique, they work together as a whole to build the nation's market economy. The country is part of a system of global interdependence among nations that allows countries to exchange goods. Individuals make economic decisions everyday as they earn incomes, pay taxes, decide what to buy, and budget their money.

Much like the way our market economy promotes choice, so does the representative democracy of the United States. While the political party in power has changed many times, the framework of the government remains the same. The Constitution separates powers between three branches and outlines a federal system. The Constitution guarantees freedoms such as speech and religion. Citizens have responsibilities to the government, including obeying the law and voting.