The West
The West region of the United States is bordered by the Rocky Mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is bordered by Canada to the North and Mexico to the south.
The West region is divided into the Pacific states and Mountain states.
Pacific states Washington (Olympia, Seattle) Oregon (Salem, Portland) California (Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Francisco) Alaska (Juneau, Anchorage) Hawaii (Honolulu)
Mountain states Nevada (Carson City, Las Vegas) Utah (Salt Lake City, Provo) Montana (Helena, Billings) Idaho (Boise) Wyoming (Cheyenne, Jackson Hole) Colorado (Denver, Aspen)
Alaska and Hawaii Alaska and Hawaii are non- contiguous states that are included in the West. Alaska is bordered by Canada and the Arctic Ocean.
Alaska and Hawaii Alaska and Hawaii are non-contiguous states that are included in the West. Hawaii is a group of islands located in the Pacific between North America and Asia.
What are some of the region’s physical and climate characteristics? The West region of the United States is characterized by vast mountain ranges, basins, deserts, plateaus, and rivers.
What are some of the region’s physical and climate characteristics? Geographic Terms: Glacier – A large body of ice moving slowly down a slope or valley or spreading outward on a land surface.
What are some of the region’s physical and climate characteristics? Geographic Terms: Basin – A bowl-shaped landform surrounded by higher land.
What are some of the region’s physical and climate characteristics? Geographic Terms: Volcano – A vent in the Earth’s crust through which molten lava, ash, and gases are ejected.
What are some of the region’s physical and climate characteristics? Physical Features - Mountain States Rocky Mountains (Continental Divide) Sierra Nevada Mountains Mt. McKinley (highest point) Glaciers Aleutian Islands
Continental Divide On the western side of the Continental Divide rivers and streams flow to the Pacific Ocean; on the eastern side, rivers and streams flow to the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico.
What are some of the region’s physical and climate characteristics? Physical Features - Mountain States Death Valley (lowest point) Great Basin Volcanic Islands Cascade Mountains (Mount. St. Helens)
What are some of the region’s physical and climate characteristics? Water Features Pacific Ocean Columbia River Missouri River Colorado River Great Salt Lake Snake River
What are some of the region’s physical and climate characteristics? The climate of the West ranges from extremely hot and dry to extremely cold and wet.
What are some of the region’s physical and climate characteristics? Climate - Mountain states Winter- snowy, cold, blizzards, long season Summer- mild, short season
What are some of the region’s physical and climate characteristics? Climate - Pacific states Mild throughout the seasons
How have natural resources contributed to the economic development of the West? The geographically diverse West region offers a wealth of natural resources and wide-ranging economic activities.
How have natural resources contributed to the economic development of the West? Natural Resources Forests Fish, shellfish Fertile soil
How have natural resources contributed to the economic development of the West? Natural Resources Minerals- gold, copper, zinc, uranium, lead, coal, iron, silver Oil and natural gas
How have natural resources contributed to the economic development of the West? Economic activities Logging Fishing Ranching Farming
How have natural resources contributed to the economic development of the West? Economic activities Mining Technology Entertainment industry
How have natural resources contributed to the economic development of the West? Economic activities Military (federal government) Tourism Service industry
Who are the people who have shaped the West region? Much of the West was settled by ranchers, miners, immigrants, pioneers, and cowboys moving to the region in search of opportunity, land and adventure.
Early Settlement Nez Perce, Eskimo, Piute, Chumash, Hawaiians
Early Settlement Spanish missions and forts (1500s- 1800s)
What events have made a significant impact on this region? Historically Significant Events and Places California Gold Rush (1849) Alaska Klondike Gold Rush ( ) Nevada Comstock Lode -Silver Rush ( )
California Gold Rush
Alaska Klondike Gold Rush
Nevada Comstock Lode -Silver Rush
Cultural Characteristics Boom towns developed wherever gold or silver was discovered.
Cultural Characteristics Ghost towns- once the gold or silver mines were depleted, the towns were deserted.
Cultural Characteristics Wild, wild west - cowboys and adventurers became a part of American folk lore.
What significant features and representative landmarks could you visit to learn about the importance of the West today? The wide diversity of the land and climate of the West attracts people for a variety of different activities.
What significant features and representative landmarks could you visit to learn about the importance of the West today? *Representative Landmarks & Significant Features Yellowstone National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO Lake Tahoe, CA
What significant features and representative landmarks could you visit to learn about the importance of the West today? * Representative Landmarks & Significant Features Las Vegas, NV Hoover Dam, NV Yosemite National Park, CA
What significant features and representative landmarks could you visit to learn about the importance of the West today? *Representative Landmarks and Significant Features Hollywood, CA Space Needle, WA Denali National Park, AK
What significant features and representative landmarks could you visit to learn about the importance of the West today? * Representative Landmarks and Significant Features Waikiki Beach, Honolulu Kilauea Volcano
The West