HO CHI MINH CITY OPEN UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES

What Are Most Impressive Geographical Features

Between
The United Kingdom And The United States Of America?

Submitted for the course

BRITISH-AMERICAN CULTURE

Group members:

1. Phạm Nguyễn Ngọc Oanh

2. Lâm Bảo Yến
3. Nguyễn Đỗ Hoàng Kim
4. Bùi Cẩm Tú
5. La Hồng Ngân
6. Huỳnh Hiếu Liêm

Instructor: Hồ Đặng Tường Nguyên

Semester 3
Academic year 2023-2024
 OUTLINE
OUTLINE ............................................................................................................... i
INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................. 1
CHAPTER 1: GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES ..................................................... 2
1. The similarities in the coastal systems and the erosion ............................... 2
a. The coastal systems ................................................................................. 2
b. The erosion .............................................................................................. 3
2. The diversities in each country ..................................................................... 4
CHAPTER 2: CULTURE AND CLIMATE ........................................................... 5
1. The similarities in each season and the ocean currents ............................... 5
a. Distinct Seasons ......................................................................................... 5
b. Influences of Ocean Currents ..................................................................... 7
2. The differences due to the regions and positions............................................ 8
CHAPTER 3: CONCLUSION ............................................................................... 9
REFERENCES .................................................................................................... 10

i
 INTRODUCTION

The geography of the United Kingdom and the United States shares both
similarities and differences due to their respective sizes and locations, which shapes
their landscapes, climates, and cultural identities. These variables influence not only
each nation's landscapes and weather but also its cultural identity. While both countries
experience four different seasons, their climates are influenced by changing seasons
and ocean currents, resulting in unique weather patterns. The larger size of the US,
compared to the UK, allows for a wider range of geographical features, resulting in
major differences between the two.

The enlarged geography of the U.S. highlights a remarkable array of geographical

features from the West area to the East area (Hirsch). In fact, this remarkable diversity
not only depicts breathtaking landscapes, but also requires adaptability from its
inhabitants (Martinez, 2015). That is, different regions, such as the arid deserts of the
Southwest and the snowy conditions of the Midwest, have unique environmental
challenges and opportunities. This variety of landscapes contributes to the rich and
varied natural environment of the U.S.A.

Even though both Britain and the United States experience four seasons, the U.K.
is a small island, called British Isles (Spencer & Frere, 2024), placing between warm
tropical air and cold polar air, and the U.S. is the fourth largest country in the world
(Gupta, 2024). With a smaller landmass, the U.K. results in a more uniform landscape
and climate. Its geography is characterized by rolling hills, low mountain ranges, and
coastal areas, with a temperate climate that is milder compared to the extremes found
in the U.S.A. The climate and geography of the U.K. are less pronounced, though
ocean currents play a role in moderating its weather. Therefore, the variation in the
shifting seasons and ocean currents influences their climates, and creates unique
weather patterns (Dash, 2024) (NASA Science Editorial Team, 2024).

This research aims at the geographical resemblances and divergences between

two places and investigates the impact of geography on civilizations and cultures of
each nation. Let us delve into geographical elements associated with each country's
diverse growth, including the distinct landforms and temperature variables that
differentiate natural ecosystems.

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 CHAPTER 1: GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES

1. The similarities in the coastal systems and the erosion

The United Kingdom and the United States are both located in the Northern
Hemisphere (Jamie Kiffel-Alcheh)(Natalie Cooke), which is an important
geographical similarity. The U.K. is situated in Western Europe, with islands -
including the northern one-sixth of the island of Ireland - between the North Atlantic
Ocean and the North Sea, northwest of France (World Atlas). Geographical diversity
is one of the significant factors for both countries, and they boast a variety of
landscapes, including mountains, hills, plains, and coastlines to contribute to the
uniqueness for each country. This advantage contributes to their rich ecosystems and
cultural landscapes and also creates a unique landscape that is different from other
countries.

a. The coastal systems

Coastal systems are complex and naturally respond to sea-level rise by migrating
landward, involving erosion in the lower nearshore areas and deposition in upper
regions (National Academies, 2012). This roll-over model applies to various
environments of the U.S.A., such as estuaries and tidal flats. Rocky coasts typically
erode regardless of sea-level stability. In areas with engineering protections, intertidal
profiles often steepen (Xu & Liu, 2022). On the other hand, the coastal systems in the
U.K. are affected by destructive waves, constructive waves, mechanical weathering,
chemical weathering and mass movement. They affect directly on the rocks or the
movement of rocks by the coast and create erosion (Oaklands Catholic School).
Ultimately, the response of coastal areas to sea-level rise is heavily influenced by
specific local factors, and both countries have similar geological processes that shape
their coastlines.

Figure 1- The coastal systems in the Figure 2- The coastal systems in the
U.K. 1 U.S.A. 2

(1)
Source: https://www.climatechange.ie/ccc-englands-coastal-defences-need-urgent-rethink-to-cope-with-climate-
change/
(2)
Source:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Figure_1_Coastal_States_Participating_in_the_National_Coastal_Zon
e_Management_Program_(14497343859).jpg
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 b. The erosion
The similar erosion patterns in both countries U.S.A. and U.K., relating to waves,
tides, and storms shaping cliffs, beaches, and estuaries in similar ways. Statistically, a
large portion of the coastline of the U.K. and Ireland is currently suffering from erosion,
with 17% in the U.K. and 20% in Ireland. Furthermore, nearly 30% of the 3,700 km
coastline of England and Wales is experiencing erosion greater than 10 cm per year
(Masselink & Russell, 2013). In the U.S.A., erosion rates and potential impacts are
highly localized. Average coastline recession rates of 25 feet per year are common on
some barrier islands in the Southeast, and rates of 50 feet per year have occurred along
the Great Lakes. Severe storms can remove wide beaches and substantial dunes in a
single event. In undeveloped areas, these high recession rates are not likely to cause
significant concern, but in heavily populated locations, one or two feet of coastal
erosion may be considered catastrophic (U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit, 2021).

Figure 3- The soil erosion in the U.K. 3 Figure 4- Crumbling Cliffs in Pacifica,
the U.S.A. 4

(3)
Source: https://www.protect.earth/blog/soil-erosion-is-a-problem-in-the-uk-there-are-simple-ways-to-combat-it
(4)
Source: https://www.usgs.gov/centers/pcmsc/news/local-research-global-effects-coastal-scientists-study-el-nino-northern

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 2. The diversities in each country
According to Worldometers, the U.S. is located in North America, with the total
area is more than 9.800.000 km2 and the population is approximately 342.000.000
people in 2024. The United States of America is the world's third largest country in
size and population (Worldometers- US population, 2024). In contrast, the U.K. is
located in the north-west of mainland Europe with a total area more than 241.000
km2 and the population is more than 67.900.000 people in 2024, which make The
U.K. rank 21st in the world in terms of population and territories of countries
(Worldometers-U.K. population, 2024).

The vast difference in size means that the U.S. has a more diverse geography,
from high mountains like Rocky or Appalachian to big desert, such as Sonoran,
Mojave or Great Basin, plains, jungles and even long coastlines. However, the
coastline of the U.S. is mostly long sandy beaches or coastal hills. On the other hand,
its area goes through the Pacific
Ring of Fire, so a strong geological
activity and many volcanoes are
still active, for instance in Hawaii
and Alaska. Last but not least,
many long and large rivers stretch
across the extensive land of the
U.S. like Mississippi, Colorado, or
Missouri. They also possess the
Great Lakes system, which is one
of the largest freshwater lakes in
Figure 5- The region of the U.S.A. 5 the world (Briney, 2020).

Compared to the U.S.A., Britain is much

smaller, so the terrain is less varied.
Geographically, it has mostly low mountains as
the Pennines; highlands like the Scottish, plains
and no desert. Its area does not go through the
boundaries of major tectonic plates so is rarely
affected by earthquakes and has no active
volcanoes. It has many spectacular cliff coasts, for
example the White Cliffs of Dover, or the Jurassic
Coast in Dorset and Devon. These coasts often
combine steep cliffs with small beaches. Finally,
due to the terrain of small islands and many hills,
rivers in the United Kingdom are generally short.
The most popular rivers include the Severn,
Figure 6- The region of the U.K. 6
Thames and Mersey (Briney, 2019).

(5)
Source: https://geology.com/world/the-united-states-of-america-satellite-image.shtml
(6)
Source: https://geology.com/world/united-kingdom-satellite-image.shtml

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 CHAPTER 2: CULTURE AND CLIMATE

1. The similarities in each season and the ocean currents

a. Distinct Seasons
Based on the NC State University, Britain and the U.S.A. experience four same
seasons: spring, summer, autumn or fall, and winter. It shows the weather changes
throughout the year in both countries and affects the activities, clothes and food of the
population throughout the year.

Firstly, spring is around March to May, making both countries start to get warmer.
Flowers bloom and trees grow new leaves. While daffodils might be popping up in
Britain (National Trust), cherry blossoms are famous in Washington D.C. in the U.S.A.
(Polishuk, 2024). It is a suitable time for travelers and tourists to explore and travel.

Figure 7- Daffodils in Cornwall, Britain 7 Figure 8- Cherry blossoms in Washington,

D.C., the U.S.A. 8

Secondly, summer is from June to August and is the warmest season in each
country (Bicha, 2024) (May, 2024). At this time, outdoor activities like picnics and
going to the beach are the best choices of every family. In Britain, summer camps are
famous for kids with multiple activities, such as kayaking, climbing, ice-cream making
or Cluedo (Dixon, 2024). Otherwise, summer in America brings holidays like the 4th
of July with fireworks, parades and classic car shows (Monsen, 2024).

Figure 9- Kayaking in summer Figure 10- Fireworks in 4th of

in the U.K. 9 July in the U.S.A. 10

(7) Source: https://www.protect.earth/blog/soil-erosion-is-a-problem-in-the-uk-there-are-simple-ways-to-combat-it

(8) Source: https://www.usgs.gov/centers/pcmsc/news/local-research-global-effects-coastal-scientists-study-el-nino-northern
(9) Source: https://discovermagazines.co.uk/summer-camps-activities-for-all-the-kids-to-enjoy/
(10) Source: https://www.rd.com/article/4th-of-july-history/

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 In addition, autumn or fall occurs from September to November bringing cooler
air for the citizens. Leaves on trees turn beautiful colors like bright red or purple
(anthocyanins), orange (carotenoids), and yellow (flavonols) before falling off. This is
especially famous in New England, the U.S.A., where people take trips to watch and
collect colorful leaves (Perry, Casey, Whittle, 2024).

Figure 11- Autumn in the U.K. 11 Figure 12- Autumn in

New England, the U.S.A.12

Last but not least, from December to February, winter is considered to be the
coldest time of the year. In both countries, people celebrate holidays like Christmas
Eve and New Year. In several parts of the U.S.A., winter means snow and ice, while
snow in Britain is less common in most areas.

Figure 13- Winter in Chicago, the U.S.A. 13

Figure 14- Winter in the U.K. 14

(11) Source: https://www.kayak.co.uk/news/best-places-to-see-autumn-leaves-in-the-uk/

(12) Source: https://vi.alongwalker.co/nhung-dia-diem-ngam-la-mua-thu-o-new-england-de-thay-nuoc-my-ruc-ro-s382718.html
(13) Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/new-york-hits-23-chicago-turns-as-cold-as-the-north-

pole/articleshow/67806026.cms
(14) Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kyletaylor/3315887653/in/photostream/

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 b. Influences of Ocean Currents
Both countries are affected by big rivers that flow through the oceans, called
ocean currents, making places become warmer or cooler. Let's take the Gulf Stream as
an example. It is a warm current that flows from the Gulf of Mexico across the Atlantic
Ocean, and keeps Britain warmer than you might expect for a country so far north.
Without the Gulf Stream, Britain might be as cold as Canada in winter!

Furthermore, the Gulf Stream also affects the east coast of the U.S.A., helping
keep places like New York City a bit warmer in winter. On the west coast of the U.S.A.,
the California Current brings cooler water down from the north, keeping places like
San Francisco cooler in summer. As a result, these ocean currents are a "thermal
battery" for these countries; not only do they affect temperature, but also influence
how much rain or snow is in one place. (NOAA Education, 2011) (Mars, 2024)

Figure 15- The ocean currents of the U.S.A. and the U.K. 15

(15) Source: https://ghsearth.weebly.com/oceans.html

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2. The differences due to the regions and positions
Besides these mentioned similarities in part II.1, the differences between climate and
weather are marked, due to the vast size of the U.S.A., allowing for a wide variety of
geographic features and climates. The U.S. has continental, desert, and polar regions with
its vast size. This diversity leads to significant seasonal variations across the country, from
arctic to tropical weather and arid desert. For example, the Midwest has harsh winter
storms which are carried in by the polar jet stream with heavy snowfall (Wall, A. F., &
Parrish, J. T., 2014), while much of the Southeast is classified as a warm temperate zone
with humid, rainy and warm summers, winters are moderately cold with snow is not
especially uncommon (Zabel, I. H. H., Parish, J. T., & Haas, D., 2016). In contrast, Britain's
smaller size results in more uniform climates. The U.K. has a temperate, moist climate
along with cool winters and warm summers. It rarely has the extremes of temperature,
drought or wind that are common in other regions. (Ebrahimi, 2022)
What's more? There are some differences in the weather patterns between the U.S.
and Britain. In America, weather events are common, and become more and more intense.
There were extreme hurricanes such as Katrina in 2005 or Milton in 2024 which occurred
a few weeks ago. In contrast, Britain's weather is less severe, although it often has overcast
skies and drizzle. Compared to the U.S.A., winter storms or flooding are rare in Britain.
When they occur, such as the winter storms in 2013-2014 causing significant flooding in
parts of England (McCarthy, 2015), they did not damage as intensity as those seen in the
U.S.A.

Figure 16- The position the U.S.A. 16 Figure 17- The position the U.S.A. 17

Consequently, there are some contrasts between these two regions. The size of the
United State of America allows for many different landscapes and climates, from deserts
to forests. This leads not only to a variety of weather patterns but also to extreme events
like hurricanes and tornadoes. In contrast, Britain’s smaller size creates a quite the same
environment, mainly featuring a mild maritime climate.

(16) Source: https://geology.com/world/the-united-states-of-america-satellite-image.shtml

(17) Source: https://geology.com/world/united-kingdom-satellite-image.shtml

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 CHAPTER 3: CONCLUSION
The climates, landscapes, and lifestyles in the United States and the United
Kingdom are significantly different by geographical diversity in each nation. By
understanding these distinctions, they will help us appreciate the richness and variety
of both nations. The limitless expanse of the U.S.A. allows for a striking variety of
environments, from Arctic-like winters in Alaska to the warm, hurricane-prone
climate of Florida, and the arid deserts of the Southwest. These inconsistencies
demand unique adaptations, for example specialized housing, water management,
and disaster preparedness, creating diverse habitats and lifestyles. They emphasize
the distinct habitats and lifestyles that emerge from the geographical diversity of the
U.S.A. Conversely, the United Kingdom, though smaller, features rolling hills and
temperate weather, influenced by ocean currents like the Gulf Stream. Based on
above information, the elements contribute to milder conditions, limiting the
extreme climate variations seen in the U.S. Through how to adapt to extreme
climates, the life condition is deeply connected to the land they inhabit. While
America showcases a broad spectrum of environments and extreme conditions,
Britain’s landscape reflects them in a more moderate scale. Eventually, geography
in each country not only defines the physical environments but also influences their
cultural identities and daily life.

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