American Midwest Flashcards
What makes up the Midwest?
It combines the Great Lakes states and the Plains states
Where’s the Midwest region located with respect to other things?
The Midwest is bordered by
the Ohio river and Great Lakes to the east
the Rocky Mountain to the west
Canada and the Great Lakes to the north
the Ohio river, Arkansas and Oklahoma to the south
What are the Great Lakes states, capitals and important cities?
Ohio capital Columbus imp city Cleveland
Illinois capital Springfield imp city Chicago
Indiana capital Indianapolis
Michigan capital Lansing imp city Detroit
Minnesota capital Saint Paul imp city Minneapolis
Wisconsin capital Madison imp city Milwaukee
What are Plains states capitals and important cities?
Kansas capital Topeka imp city Kansas city
Missouri capital Jefferson City imp city st Louis
Nebraska capital Lincoln imp city Omaha
Iowa capital Des Moines
North Dakota capital Bismarck imp city Fargo
South Dakota capital Pierre imp city Rapid City
What are some of the regions geographic terms?
Some are
prairie
badlands
plains
Does the Midwest have a nickname
Because the Midwest region produces so much wheat it’s sometimes referred to as the nation’s “breadbasket”
What are some of the region’s physical features
Landforms: prairies great plains badlands black hills
Water features: great lakes: H.O.M.E.S. Ohio river Mississippi River Missouri river Illinois river
What’s the climate like
Winter - cold and harsh “lake effect” snow
Summer - hot humid with adequate rainfall and occasional droughts
it’s susceptible to strong thunderstorms and tornadoes during summer months
How have natural resources contributed to the economic development of the Midwest?
Natural resources such as: fertile soil Minerials: coal, granite, iron, ore, limestone, gold, lead Oil Natural gas Forests
Have led to: ranching: dairy, beef, hog farming: wheat, corn, soybeans mining automotive industry service industry shipping
What are culture characteristic of the Midwest?
The Midwest is a large farming and agricultural region due to wide open spaces and fertile soil. Urban centers grew up along railroad centers and waterways
Who shaped the Midwest region
Early settlement Lakota, Cheyenne, Pawnee, Shawnee (examples of native people in this area) French trading posts and missions established along the Mississippi river system and Great lakes (1600s-1700s)
What events have made a significant impact on this region
Louisiana purchase (1803) Lewis and Clark expedition (1804-1806) Homestead act of 1862 Transcontinental Railroad completed (1869)
What significant features and representative landmarks could you visit to learn more about the importance of the Midwest today
Representative landmarks and significant features are Great lakes recreational areas Rock and roll hall of fame ( Cleveland Ohio) Mall of America( bloomington Minnesota) Mt. Rushmore ,badlands, black hills south Dakota crazy horse south Dakota Gateway arch ( st Louis Mo) Land of Lincoln IL
