Final answer:
The topography of North America varies from west to east, with mountain ranges in the west and plains in the interior. The Canadian Shield is a sparsely populated area with poor soils.
Step-by-step explanation:
The topography of North America varies from the west coast to the east coast. In the western part of the continent, there are north-south mountain ranges such as the Rocky Mountains and Pacific Mountains. Between these ranges, there are intermontane basins and plateaus. Moving eastward, there is the ancient Appalachian Mountains in the eastern portion of the United States. The interior of North America is characterized by plains, such as the Interior Lowlands and the Great Plains. To the north is the Canadian Shield, which is an area with poor soils and low population. Finally, at the southern and eastern edge of the continent, there is the Atlantic Coastal Plain, which is a relatively flat zone.