MAP 1.2 NATIVE NORTH AMERICAN CULTURES

Environmental conditions defined the boundaries of the broad zones of cultural similarity among ancient North Americans.

READING THE MAP What crucial environmental features set the boundaries of each cultural region? (The topography indicated on Map 1.3, “Native North Americans about 1500,” may be helpful.)

CONNECTIONS How did environmental factors and variations affect the development of different groups of Native American cultures? Why do you think historians and archaeologists group cultures together by their regional positions?