Regions of the United StatesMidwest Region

MidwestMidwest Included States: Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Included States: Michigan, Ohio, Indiana,

Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. and South Dakota.

State Capital

Indiana Indianapolis

Illinois Springfield

Iowa Des Moines

Kansas Topeka

Michigan Lansing

Minnesota Saint Paul

Missouri Jefferson City

Nebraska Lincoln

North Dakota Bismark

South Dakota Pierre

Ohio Columbus

Wisconsin Madison

Midwest States and Midwest States and Capitals: Capitals:

Climate of the Midwest: Climate of the Midwest:

No Dry Season-No Dry Season- this area receives this area receives precipitation throughout the year.precipitation throughout the year.

Continental-Continental-Cold, snowy winters and Cold, snowy winters and warm summers. warm summers.

Moderate growing seasonModerate growing season that that decreases as you go north.decreases as you go north.

Vegetation is mixed forests with Vegetation is mixed forests with deciduous and coniferous trees.deciduous and coniferous trees.

Agriculture, Agriculture, AgricultureAgriculture, Agriculture, Agriculture

Major Landforms of MidwestMajor Landforms of Midwest

Flat landscape, with river basins. Flat landscape, with river basins. Plains, small and rolling hills. Plains, small and rolling hills. Distinctive Distinctive Great Lakes, which Great Lakes, which

provide for provide for shipping.shipping.

Major Rivers of MidwestMajor Rivers of Midwest

Ohio River

Mississippi River

Major Mountains of MidwestMajor Mountains of Midwest

The Midwestern states are

mostly flat with no mountains. The

Appalachian Mountains do

touch a portionof Ohio though!

Major Cities in the Major Cities in the MidwestMidwest

Large cities include Chicago, Indianapolis, Large cities include Chicago, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Cleveland, St. Louis, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Cleveland, Milwaukee, and DetroitMilwaukee, and Detroit

The region is evenly distributed.The region is evenly distributed. Population is dense along the Great Lakes. Population is dense along the Great Lakes.

Chicago, IllinoisChicago, Illinois

Indianapolis, IndianaIndianapolis, Indiana

Detroit, MichiganDetroit, Michigan

Minneapolis, MinnesotaMinneapolis, Minnesota

St. Louis, MissouriSt. Louis, Missouri

(Cubs are better!!!)

Major Industry-Major Industry-AGRICULTURE!AGRICULTURE!

Dairy FarmingDairy Farming in Wisconsin and in Wisconsin and MinnesotaMinnesota

Fruit OrchardsFruit Orchards in Michigan in Michigan CornCorn in Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa in Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa CattleCattle in most Midwest states in most Midwest states ManufacturingManufacturing in urban cities along in urban cities along

Great Lakes, like Cleveland, Great Lakes, like Cleveland, Detroit and Chicago Detroit and Chicago

ShippingShipping on the Great Lakes on the Great Lakes & Mississippi River & Mississippi River

Historical Geography of the Historical Geography of the MidwestMidwest

The Mid-west was considered the The Mid-west was considered the “Western Frontier”, hence the name.“Western Frontier”, hence the name.

Historically known as the “breadbasket” of Historically known as the “breadbasket” of the U.S., as this is also an agricultural the U.S., as this is also an agricultural region.region.

Also known as a manufacturing, blue-collar Also known as a manufacturing, blue-collar hub of the U.S. Auto industryhub of the U.S. Auto industry

Breadbasket of the USABreadbasket of the USA Corn is most notably grown, but Corn is most notably grown, but

soybeans, wheat, and fruits orchards soybeans, wheat, and fruits orchards are also commonly found throughout are also commonly found throughout the Midwest.the Midwest.

Dairy products are famous in Dairy products are famous in WisconsinWisconsin

Cultural GeographyCultural Geography Home to various immigrant groups, which causes Home to various immigrant groups, which causes

ethnic, racial, and religious diversity in the cities.ethnic, racial, and religious diversity in the cities. Rural areas are largely populated by Rural areas are largely populated by Anglo Anglo

Christian farmersChristian farmers.. Sometimes the Mid-West is known as the “Bible Sometimes the Mid-West is known as the “Bible

Belt”Belt” Cuisine reflects the cultural and physical Cuisine reflects the cultural and physical

diversity: Chicago style pizza, Polish bakeries, diversity: Chicago style pizza, Polish bakeries, Wisconsin cheese, and Michigan’s apple cider Wisconsin cheese, and Michigan’s apple cider mills and fruit orchards.mills and fruit orchards.