Chapter 1
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21
Erie Plain
O
ur last region is a very narrow plain
near Lake Erie. Long ago, this level
plain was part of the lake bed. This
region has rich sandy soil for growing fruit.
Farms that grow fruit are called
orchards
.
The soil is especially fit for growing grapes.
Near the center of the plain lies our fourth
largest city. Erie is also known as a port city.
Lake ships can be seen bringing inmaterials
and transporting finishedproducts. Lookat a
map of the United States. Notice that ships
can travel through the Great Lakes.
Travelling northeast through Lake Ontario,
the St. Lawrence River empties into the
AtlanticOcean.
Because Erie is located near a large lake, it
gets more snowfall in the winter. This is
called a
snowbelt
area. Your author is from
the port city of Oswego, New York. It is
located just off Lake Ontario. Oswego is also
in a snowbelt area. While growing up, two
separate, huge storms dumped more than
100 inches of snow on the city.
There are many water activities such as
sailing and fishing at Erie. Because of the city’s
location, there aremanymanufacturing plants
making products. These products are shipped
throughout theGreat Lakes and theworld.
Two rivers meet in Pittsburgh, forming a third river.
