The MidwestThe MidwestIncluded States: Michigan Included States: Michigan (MI), Ohio (OH), Indiana (IN), (MI), Ohio (OH), Indiana (IN), Illinois (IL), Iowa (IA), Illinois (IL), Iowa (IA), Wisconsin (WS), Minnesota Wisconsin (WS), Minnesota (MN), and(MN), and

Missouri (MO). Missouri (MO).

Regions of the United Regions of the United States States

Physical Geography of Physical Geography of MidwestMidwest Flat landscape, with river basins. Flat landscape, with river basins.

Distinctive Distinctive Great Lakes, which provide for Great Lakes, which provide for shipping.shipping.

Climate of the Midwest: Climate of the Midwest: Humid Continental climateHumid Continental climate No Dry Season-No Dry Season- receives receives

precipitation throughout the year.precipitation throughout the year. Cold, snowy winters & hot summers. Cold, snowy winters & hot summers. Moderate growing seasonModerate growing season Vegetation is mixed forests Vegetation is mixed forests

with deciduous and with deciduous and coniferous trees.coniferous trees.

Historical Geography of the Historical Geography of the MidwestMidwest

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

Also known as a manufacturing, blue-collar hub of the U.S.Also known as a manufacturing, blue-collar hub of the U.S. Immigrant groups from:Immigrant groups from:

– Scots PresbyteriansScots Presbyterians settled in Pennsylvania settled in Pennsylvania– Dutch Amish and QuakersDutch Amish and Quakers settled in Ohio and Indiana settled in Ohio and Indiana– German LutheransGerman Lutherans settled in Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois and Eastern settled in Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois and Eastern

MissouriMissouri– Swedes and NorwegiansSwedes and Norwegians settled in Wisconsin and Minnesota settled in Wisconsin and Minnesota– Poles, Hungarians, German Catholics, and Jews settled in Poles, Hungarians, German Catholics, and Jews settled in

Midwestern citiesMidwestern cities

PopulationPopulation 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.

Economic GeographyEconomic Geography Dairy FarmingDairy Farming in Wisconsin and Minnesota in Wisconsin and Minnesota Fruit OrchardsFruit Orchards in Michigan in Michigan CornCorn in Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa in Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa ManufacturingManufacturing in urban cities along in urban cities along

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

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

Breadbasket of the USABreadbasket of the USA Corn, soybeans, wheat, and fruit orchards Corn, soybeans, wheat, and fruit orchards

are common throughout the Midwest.are common throughout the Midwest. Dairy products are famous in WisconsinDairy products are famous in Wisconsin

Cultural GeographyCultural Geography Urban centers settled by many Urban centers settled by many

immigrant groups, creating immigrant groups, creating ethnic, racial, and religious ethnic, racial, and religious diversity in cities.diversity in cities.

Rural areas largely populated Rural areas largely populated by by Anglo Protestant farmersAnglo Protestant farmers..

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

Regions of the United StatesRegions of the United States

The Great PlainsThe Great Plains Includes: Kansas (KS), Includes: Kansas (KS),

Nebraska (NE), South Dakota Nebraska (NE), South Dakota (SD), & North Dakota (ND).(SD), & North Dakota (ND).

Physical Geography of the Great Physical Geography of the Great PlainsPlains

Also called the High Plains *Elevation increases gradually as you go west.

Generally flat with some rolling hills.

Major River Basins: Red R., Arkansas River, Platte River, and the Missouri River.

Mostly Steppe climate (Grasslands).

Receives little rainfall. *less than 18” a year on avg *Irrigation important for crops

Cold Winters, especially in the northern areas.

Historical Geography of the Great Historical Geography of the Great PlainsPlains Originally home to several Indigenous cultures, most Originally home to several Indigenous cultures, most

notably the Sioux, the Cheyenne, and the Arapaho. notably the Sioux, the Cheyenne, and the Arapaho. The site of conflict between the native people and the The site of conflict between the native people and the

American settlers.American settlers. The Great Plains was also used for cattle grazing and The Great Plains was also used for cattle grazing and

cattle drives.cattle drives. Many of the cities in this area were founded as Railroad Many of the cities in this area were founded as Railroad

hubs for cattle.hubs for cattle.

Homestead Act of 1862Homestead Act of 1862

This act provided each settler with This act provided each settler with 160 acres of land, as long as he 160 acres of land, as long as he cultivated the land.cultivated the land.

This caused a rush of settlers to the This caused a rush of settlers to the Great Plains region in the 1800s.Great Plains region in the 1800s.

Ironically, the Great Plains has lost a Ironically, the Great Plains has lost a third of its population since 1920. third of its population since 1920. Kansas has 6,000 ghost towns. Kansas has 6,000 ghost towns.

Population of the Great Population of the Great PlainsPlainsTwo words: Rural and declining.Two words: Rural and declining.

Economic ActivityEconomic ActivityWheat – an important cropWheat – an important crop

– spring wheat major in the northspring wheat major in the north– winter wheat (Kansas)winter wheat (Kansas)– Also corn, sunflowers, oats,Also corn, sunflowers, oats,

sorghums, barley, and livestock sorghums, barley, and livestock Cattle are also a primary economic Cattle are also a primary economic

activity in the Great Plains. activity in the Great Plains.

Ogallala (High Plains) Ogallala (High Plains) AquiferAquifer

Because there is little rainfall, farmers Because there is little rainfall, farmers use the Aquifers to irrigate crops. The use the Aquifers to irrigate crops. The Ogallala is one of the largest in the U.S., Ogallala is one of the largest in the U.S., but it is be depleted at a high rate.but it is be depleted at a high rate.

The Aquifer runs from the Texas The Aquifer runs from the Texas panhandles to Nebraska. Almost the panhandles to Nebraska. Almost the entire state of Nebraska lies on top of entire state of Nebraska lies on top of the Aquifer.the Aquifer.