This classic text retains the superb scholarship of the first edition in a thoroughly revised and accessibly written new edition. With both new and updated essays by distinguished American and Canadian authors, the book provides a comprehensive historical overview of the formation and growth of North American regions from European exploration and colonization to the second half of the twentieth century. Collectively the contributors explore the key themes of acquisition of geographical knowledge, cultural transfer and acculturation, frontier expansion, spatial organization of society, resource exploitation, regional and national integration, and landscape change.

Michael P. Conzen, professor of geography at the University of Chicago Louis De Vorsey is professor emeritus of geography, University of Georgia Carville Earle is Carl O. Sauer Professor of Geography at Louisiana State University Ronald E. Grim specializes in the study of historic maps and cartography with the National Archives of the United States in Washington, D.C. Paul A. Groves is deceased. He was an associate geographer at the University of Maryland Jeanne Kay Guelke is professor of geography at the University of Waterloo Cole Harris is professor of geography at the University of British Columbia Richard S. Harris, professor of geography at McMaster University David Hornbeck, professor of geography at California State University, Northridge John C. Hudson is professor of geography at Northwestern University Anne Kelly Knowles, a writer living in Washington, D.C., has taught at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, and at Wellesley College James T. Lemon, professor emeritus of geography, University of Toronto Peirce Lewis is emeritus professor of geography at Pennsylvania State University Kenneth C. Martis is professor of geography at West Virginia University Thomas F. McIlwraith is professor of geography, University of Toronto David R. Meyer is professor of sociology and urban studies at Brown University Robert D. Mitchell, a retired professor of geography at the University of Maryland Edward K. Muller is professor of history and director of the urban studies program at the University of Pittsburgh Richard L. Nostrand is David Ross Boyd Professor of Geography at the University of Oklahoma Thomas A. Rumney, professor of geography at Plattsburgh State University David Ward is president of the American Council on Education in Washington, D.C. David. J. Wishart is professor of geography at the University of Nebraska Graeme Wynn is professor and head of geography, University of British Columbia