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Midwestern United States

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The Midwestern United States is a massive census region. It occupies the north central part of the country. People often call it the Midwest or the Heartland. It sits between the Northeastern and Western United States. Canada is to the north. The Southern United States is to the south.

Midwestern United States subdivisions
Midwestern United States subdivisions

The region consists of twelve specific states. These are Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. The U.S. Census Bureau divides these into two groups. These are the East North Central and West North Central states.

Midwestern United States subdivisions
Midwestern United States subdivisions

Geography plays a huge role in the region's identity. Most of the land lies on the Interior Plain. This broad area sits between the Appalachian Mountains and the Rocky Mountains. Major rivers flow through this landscape. You can find the Ohio River in the east. The upper Mississippi River and the Missouri River flow toward the west.

Efmo View from Fire Point
Efmo View from Fire Point
Rome Waterfront, on the Ohio River
Rome Waterfront, on the Ohio River

These rivers help shape the land and the economy. The central location makes the Midwest a transportation crossroads. Goods move via river boats, railroads, autos, trucks, and airplanes. This connectivity links different parts of the continent.

The economy of the Midwest is very diverse. It relies on a mix of heavy industry and agriculture. Large parts of the region form the United States' Corn Belt. This area is famous for growing vast amounts of corn. However, the economy is changing over time. Finance and services are becoming much more important. These services include medicine and education.

Standard Oil Company 1889 CP04381 - DPLA - 032e381bb16b1a45abecfd1a6a86ae3a (cropped)
Standard Oil Company 1889 CP04381 - DPLA - 032e381bb16b1a45abecfd1a6a86ae3a (cropped)

This shift shows how modern Midwestern cities evolve.

Many large cities drive the region's growth. Chicago is the most populous city in the Midwest. It is also the third-most populous city in the United States.

Chicago Skyline (44908380294)
Chicago Skyline (44908380294)

The Chicago metropolitan area has 9.4 million residents. This makes it the fourth-largest metropolitan area in North America. Other large cities include Detroit, Indianapolis, and St. Louis.

Detroit Skyline (26907335841)
Detroit Skyline (26907335841)
Minneapolis Skyline looking south
Minneapolis Skyline looking south

According to the 2020 census, the total population is 68,995,685. This large population makes the region a major part of American life.

Native American cultures have deep roots here. Paleo-American cultures were present from 12,000 BCE to 8,000 BCE. Later, the Mississippian Period lasted from 900 to 1500 CE. These people were skilled farmers. They lived along rich, flat river floodplains. They grew a complex diet of maize, beans, and squash.

Monks Mound - Summer 2024
Monks Mound - Summer 2024

Maize, or corn, was their primary crop. They were also known for building large earthworks. Monks Mound is a famous example of this culture.

Monks Mound - Summer 2024
Monks Mound - Summer 2024

Different tribes developed unique ways of life. In the Great Lakes, tribes like the Huron and Ojibwe lived. Many belonged to the Algonquian language family.

Winnebago wigwam
Winnebago wigwam

Some tribes lived in wigwams, which were easy to move. In the Great Plains, life was different. Some tribes were fully nomadic. They followed huge herds of buffalo, also called bison.

Oglala girl in front of a tipi
Oglala girl in front of a tipi

These people lived in teepees for easy travel. Others were semi-sedentary. They lived in villages and raised crops like tobacco and corn.

Cumulus Clouds over Yellow Prairie2
Cumulus Clouds over Yellow Prairie2

The Plains Indians used bison for almost everything. They used the flesh for food. They used the hide and bones for tools and clothing.

Scotts bluff national monument
Scotts bluff national monument

The Sioux were a very powerful tribe in this area. Their territory stretched from the Great Plains into Minnesota. They occupied prime buffalo ranges. They also traded furs with French and American traders. This trade included goods like guns. This history shows how the land shaped the people who lived there.

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🖼️ Images & Media (63)
File:Monks Mound - Summer 2024.jpg
Monks Mound - Summer 2024.jpg
File:Winnebago wigwam.jpg
Winnebago wigwam.jpg
File:Oglala girl in front of a tipi.jpg
Oglala girl in front of a tipi.jpg
File:Cumulus Clouds over Yellow Prairie2.jpg
Cumulus Clouds over Yellow Prairie2.jpg
File:Marquette and jolliet map 1681.jpg
Marquette and jolliet map 1681.jpg
File:Nanfan.svg
Nanfan.svg
File:Kaskaskia Bell 3321.jpg
Kaskaskia Bell 3321.jpg
File:United States land claims and cessions 1782-1802.png
United States land claims and cessions...
File:Northwest-territory-usa-1787.png
Northwest-territory-usa-1787.png
File:Louisiana Purchase.png
Louisiana Purchase.png
File:LittleWhiteSchoolhouse.jpg
LittleWhiteSchoolhouse.jpg
File:Rome Waterfront, on the Ohio River.jpg
Rome Waterfront, on the Ohio River.jpg

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