Final answer:
Major landforms of North America, such as the Rocky Mountains, Great Plains, Canadian Shield, Appalachian Mountains and various coastal regions, along with varying climates, from arctic to tropical, have significantly shaped human settlement patterns. Fertile and temperate regions attracted agricultural settlers, while rugged and colder regions saw sparse population unless strategic or resource-rich.
Step-by-step explanation:
North America has a diverse range of major landforms and climate regions that have significantly influenced patterns of human settlement. Broadly, the major landform regions include the Rocky Mountains, the Great Plains, the Canadian Shield, the Appalachian Mountains, and the varied coastal regions.
The climate ranges from arctic in areas of Northern Canada and Alaska to tropical in Southern Florida and Mexico. Each landform and climate has shaped human settlement. The fertile soil and temperate climate of the Great Plains, for example, made it ideal for agriculture and thus attracted significant settlement.
In contrast, the Rocky Mountains' rugged terrain and colder climate have attracted fewer settlers, often leading to sparse population except in certain strategic or resource-rich areas. Coastal regions, with their access to the sea, have been crucial for trade and development and thus have also seen significant settlement.
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