Lesson 3: Midwest Region Essential Questions: 1) What are the geographical features of the Midwest region and their effect on the natural resources/economy? 2) How has migration to the Midwest influenced the cultural identity of that region?

Lesson 3: Midwest Region Vocabulary 1) Plains- a flat area 2) Tributaries- a body of water flowing into a larger body of water 3) Tornados-a twirling funnel of wind with speeds of 100-300 mph 4) Political region- a region that shares a government and leaders

Lesson 3: Midwest Region 5) Economic region- an area in which particular types of businesses take place. 6) Cultural region- a section of land that has common cultural traits 7) Geographic region- areas with common geographic characteristics

Midwest Region- Land and Water 1) Central Plains are flat, gently rolling land with very few trees with grass covering much of the land. The soil is extremely fertile. Great Plains- the soil is not very fertile and there is less rainfall. The land is higher, drier, and rockier.

Lesson 3: Midwest Region Central Plains Great Plains

Midwest Region- Land and Water 2) The Badlands is an area of the Great Plains that is very hot and dry. The land is useless for farming and many human purposes.

The Great Lakes 1) Four out of Five of the Great Lakes are in the Midwest Region.

Mississippi River Key Facts 1) Largest river system in the United States. 2) It collects water from 31 of the 50 states. 3) It is the fourth largest river system in the world.

Midwest Region- Climate 1) People are always watching the weather. The winters are long and harsh. 2) Spring brings hailstorms instead of rain. People must watch out for tornados and be prepared for these very dangerous storms. Buildings have to be built very strong. People have storm cellars and neighborhoods have warning sirens.

Products and Natural Resources 1) There are many farms in this region. In Iowa, farms cover almost every inch of the state.

Products and Natural Resources 2) Detroit, Michigan is a major center for the automobile industry because of the amount of iron ore deposits. Most of the steel produced in the region is used to make cars and trucks.

Products and Natural Resources 3) There are three “belts in the Midwest Corn Belt- Central Plains Wheat Belt- Great Plains Dairy Belt- Northern grasslands of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota

Landmarks 1) George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.

Here is a picture of Crazy Horse!! Landmarks Here is a picture of Crazy Horse!!

Landmarks 2) A transportation hub is a center for moving goods and people by way of railroads, highways, airports and waterways.

This is Mr. Fisher’s ice shanty!! Culture 1) An ice shanty is small shelter used by ice fisherman to protect them from the cold and blowing snow. This is Mr. Fisher’s ice shanty!!

Culture 2) Popular foods include pancakes, cornbread, caramel popcorn, chicken pot pie, pot roast, Chicago style pizza and Coney dogs.