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Exploring New York: Land and People
Handout
Grade 4
English
Exploring New York: Land and People
Exploring New York: Land and People
New York is a state filled with natural beauty and a rich history that began thousands of years ago. From the towering mountains in the north to the wide rivers that flow to the sea, the geography of New York has always shaped how people live, travel, and thrive.
New York’s Natural Wonders
New York isn't just made of city streets and buildings. It is home to diverse landforms that have existed for ages:
- The Adirondack Mountains: These are massive, ancient peaks located in the northern part of the state.
- The Hudson River: This famous river acts like a "watery highway," connecting the northern mountains all the way to the Atlantic Ocean.
- The Great Lakes: New York borders Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, which are some of the largest freshwater lakes in the world.
- Fertile Valleys: The state has many areas with rich, dark soil that is perfect for farming and growing food.
How Geography Shaped New York
Early people chose to settle in New York because the land provided everything they needed to survive.
- Travel: Rivers and lakes were the first "roads." People used canoes to travel quickly and trade goods with other groups.
- Resources: The thick forests were like a "nature’s grocery store," filled with animals for hunting and berries for gathering.
- Strategic Settlements: Most early villages were built near water. This provided a fresh supply of drinking water and plenty of fish to eat.
The First New Yorkers
Long before European explorers arrived, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and Algonquian peoples lived across the land.
- The Algonquians lived primarily near the Atlantic Coast and the Hudson Valley.
- The Haudenosaunee lived in the central and western parts of the state. Both groups had a deep respect for nature. They believed that everything in the environment—from trees to rocks—had a spirit, and they only took what they needed to survive.
Living with the Land
Native Americans used New York’s resources in clever ways. The Haudenosaunee built longhouses made of wood and elm bark, where many families lived together. They also practiced sustainable farming by planting the "Three Sisters": Corn, Beans, and Squash. These three plants helped each other grow and kept the soil healthy for many years.
Sources:
- Exploring New York: Land and People (Reference Curriculum Material)