Regions of the United States Midwest Region Midwest

Regions of the United States Midwest Region

Midwest n Included States: Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

Midwest States and Capitals: State Capital 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

Climate of the Midwest: n n n No Dry Season- this area receives precipitation throughout the year. Continental-Cold, snowy winters and warm summers. Moderate growing season that decreases as you go north. Vegetation is mixed forests with deciduous and coniferous trees. Agriculture, Agriculture

Major Landforms of Midwest Flat landscape, with river basins. n Plains, small and rolling hills. n Distinctive Great Lakes, which provide for n shipping.

Major Rivers of Midwest Mississippi River Ohio River

Major Mountains of Midwest The Midwestern states are mostly flat with no mountains. The Appalachian Mountains do touch a portion of Ohio though!

Major Cities in the Midwest n n n Large cities include Chicago, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Cleveland, Milwaukee, and Detroit The region is evenly distributed. Population is dense along the Great Lakes.

Chicago, Illinois

Indianapolis, Indiana

Detroit, Michigan

Minneapolis, Minnesota

St. Louis, Missouri (Cubs are better!!!)

Major Industry-AGRICULTURE! n n n Dairy Farming in Wisconsin and Minnesota Fruit Orchards in Michigan Corn in Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa Cattle in most Midwest states Manufacturing in urban cities along Great Lakes, like Cleveland, Detroit and Chicago Shipping on the Great Lakes & Mississippi River

Historical Geography of the Midwest n n n The Mid-west was considered the “Western Frontier”, hence the name. Historically known as the “breadbasket” of the U. S. , as this is also an agricultural region. Also known as a manufacturing, blue-collar hub of the U. S. Auto industry

Breadbasket of the USA n n Corn is most notably grown, but soybeans, wheat, and fruits orchards are also commonly found throughout the Midwest. Dairy products are famous in Wisconsin

Cultural Geography n n Home to various immigrant groups, which causes ethnic, racial, and religious diversity in the cities. Rural areas are largely populated by Anglo Christian farmers. Sometimes the Mid-West is known as the “Bible Belt” Cuisine reflects the cultural and physical diversity: Chicago style pizza, Polish bakeries, Wisconsin cheese, and Michigan’s apple cider mills and fruit orchards.