Midwest and West Regions
Get ready for an exciting journey across America! We will explore the heartland farms of the Midwest and the towering mountains of the West. From golden wheat fields to the Grand Canyon, these regions are full of amazing places and interesting people!
The Two Regions
From Prairies to Mountains!
The United States has five main regions. Today we are learning about the Midwest (the heartland) and the West (land of mountains and coastlines). Each region has its own special geography, weather, and ways of life!
The Midwest Region
🌾 America's Heartland
The Midwest is often called "America's Heartland" because it is in the middle of our country. This region is famous for its flat prairies, rich farmland, and friendly people. The Great Lakes, the largest group of freshwater lakes in the world, are found here!
The 12 Midwest States:
Midwest Climate and Geography
Four Seasons
Hot summers and cold, snowy winters. Spring and fall are mild and beautiful.
Great Lakes
Five huge freshwater lakes: Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario.
Flat Plains
Wide, flat land perfect for farming. You can see for miles and miles!
Tornado Alley
Some Midwest states get many tornadoes in spring and summer.
Fun Fact: The Great Lakes contain about 20% of the world's fresh surface water! That is enough water to cover all of North and South America in one foot of water!
Midwest Farming and Industries
Corn
Iowa and Illinois grow more corn than any other states. Corn is used for food, animal feed, and fuel!
Wheat
Kansas is called the "Wheat State." Wheat is made into bread, pasta, and cereal.
Dairy Farming
Wisconsin is called "America's Dairyland." It produces lots of milk and cheese!
Cars
Detroit, Michigan was once called "Motor City" because so many cars were made there.
The West Region
🏔️ Land of Mountains and Coastlines
The West is the largest region in the United States. It has towering mountain ranges, vast deserts, beautiful coastlines, and even tropical islands (Hawaii) and frozen tundra (Alaska). The West is a land of amazing contrasts!
The 11 Western States:
West Climate and Geography
Rocky Mountains
A huge mountain range stretching from Canada to New Mexico. Great for skiing and hiking!
Pacific Coast
Beautiful beaches along California, Oregon, and Washington.
Deserts
Hot, dry deserts in Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico. The Mojave and Sonoran deserts are famous.
Many Climates
From Alaska's cold to Hawaii's tropical weather - the West has it all!
Fun Fact: Mount McKinley (Denali) in Alaska is the tallest mountain in North America at 20,310 feet! That is almost 4 miles high!
Famous Western Landmarks
Grand Canyon
Arizona - A mile-deep canyon carved by the Colorado River
Yellowstone
Wyoming - America's first national park with geysers and hot springs
Golden Gate Bridge
California - Famous orange bridge in San Francisco
Hawaii Volcanoes
Hawaii - Active volcanoes that created the islands
Mount Rushmore
South Dakota - Four presidents carved in stone (near the West)
Redwood Forest
California - Home to the tallest trees on Earth
West Industries
Technology
Silicon Valley in California is where many computers and apps are made!
Movies
Hollywood, California is the movie capital of the world!
Farming
California grows more fruits and vegetables than any other state.
Fishing
Alaska has one of the largest fishing industries. Salmon is very popular!
Comparing the Regions
| Feature | Midwest | West |
|---|---|---|
| Land Type | Flat plains and prairies | Mountains, deserts, coastlines |
| Climate | Four seasons, cold winters | Varies from tropical to arctic |
| Main Industry | Farming (corn, wheat) | Technology, movies, farming |
| Water Feature | Great Lakes | Pacific Ocean |
| Nickname | America's Heartland | The Last Frontier (Alaska) |
Region Sorting Activity
Click on each item and then click the correct region box to sort it!
Sort the Items by Region
Score: 0 / 0Midwest Region
West Region
State and Capital Matching
Match each state to its capital city! Click a state, then click its capital.
Match States to Capitals
Matches: 0 / 5States
Capitals
Practice Questions
Test your knowledge of the Midwest and West regions!
Question 1: Which region is called "America's Heartland"?
Question 2: Where is the Grand Canyon located?
Question 3: Which state is called "America's Dairyland"?
Question 4: Which mountain range is in the West region?
Question 5: What are the Great Lakes known for?
Check Your Understanding
Why is the Midwest called the "Breadbasket of America"?
What industry is Silicon Valley famous for?
Which state has the most people in the United States?
Name the five Great Lakes. (Hint: Think HOMES)
What We Learned
Midwest
Flat prairies, Great Lakes, farming, and four seasons.
West
Mountains, deserts, coastlines, and diverse climates.
Farming
Both regions grow important crops for our country.
Landmarks
Amazing natural wonders like the Grand Canyon and Great Lakes.
Next Steps
- Review the states in each region and practice finding them on a map
- Learn more about the landmarks we discussed, like the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone
- Think about how geography affects the way people live and work
- Compare all five US regions and think about where you would like to visit!