9781422286104

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Lower Atlantic: Florida, Georgia, South Carolina

has a higher elevation. Florida is most- ly green year-round. Many Floridians take trips to Georgia and the Carolinas to enjoy autumn colors. Major rivers are the St. Johns, St.

Florida has hills and mountains in the north but overall the state is rela- tively flat. Britton Hill, its highest point, is only 345 feet (105 meters) above sea level. Every other U.S. state

Words to Understand in This Chapter

aerospace industry— factories that produce vehicles for space flight and their parts and related businesses. cede— to turn over a territory to another controlling power. civil case— a court case that involves charges of individual rights violations. criminal case— a court case that involves charges of criminal law violations. high-tech— relating to sophisticated technology, such as electronics and computer science. immigrant— person who arrives in a country to establish a new residence. investor— someone who buys something with the hope of selling it later for a profit. land speculation— buying cheap property, expecting it to increase in value. New World— the term early European explorers and settlers had for the Americas. panhandle— the narrow western extension of Florida. peninsula— a fingerlike part of coastal land projecting into the water. phosphate— a chemical compound used in fertilizers, carbonated drinks, and many other products. service sector— industries and businesses that provide services, ranging from lodging to food preparation. sinkhole— a cavity in the earth’s surface; it may be covered by deep layers of surface soil before eventually collapsing. subtropical— a warm southern region with year-round mild weather, as in most of Florida. tropical— a warm, frost-free climate, typical of regions near the equator.