MAP ACTIVITY 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?