Download Midwest Info Sheet

Midwest Info Sheet
States:
North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin,
Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio
History:
See United Streaming video, “Middle West Region, The People and Heritage”, for
background information on settlement, migration, culture, growth, and the Midwest
region today.
Economics:
One of the Midwest’s nicknames, “America’s Breadbasket” pertains to farming in the
Midwest (see farming below).
Other industries in mass production, specifically assembly lines in factories. Detroit, MI
is a pioneer in assembly line, dating back to Henry Ford. Today, Detroit, MI is known as
the Motor City.
The Midwest region has another nickname, “Heartland of America”. This nickname
pertains to transportation in the Midwest that enable the “life flow” of America’s
economic system. O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, IL is one of the busiest
airports in the world. The Great Lakes serves as a waterway that reaches many port cities
(Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago) and has access from the East Coast.
Farming in the Midwest:
corn, dairy, and wheat
Other regions within the Midwest
Great Lakes States: Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota
Great Plains States: North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas
Energy and Minerals: Copper, iron, and silver (U.P. Michigan, Northern Wisconsin,
Northern Minnesota)
Landforms: Mississippi River, Great Lakes, Black Hills, Missouri River
Points of Interest: Mount Rushmore, Mall of America, Soo Locks