The West: Home Sweet Home

Americans have long regarded the West as the last frontier. Yet California has a history of European settlement older than that of most midwestern states. Spanish priests founded missions along the California coast a few years before the outbreak of the American Revolution. In the 19th century, California and Oregon entered the Union ahead of many states to the east.

The West is a region of scenic beauty on a grand scale. All of its states are partly mountainous, and the ranges are the sources of startling contrasts. To the west of the peaks, winds from the Pacific Ocean carry enough moisture to keep the land well-watered. To the east, however, the land is very dry. Parts of western Washington State, for example, receive 20 times the amount of rain that falls on the eastern side of the state's Cascade Range.

The Southwest

The Southwest differs from the adjoining Midwest in weather (drier), population (less dense), and ethnicity (strong Spanish-American and Native-American components). Outside the cities, the region is a land of open spaces, much of which is desert. The magnificent Grand Canyon is located in this region, as is Monument Valley, the starkly beautiful backdrop for many western movies.

Texas, one of the four states in the Southwest, is the second largest state, second to Alaska.

The Middle West: The Heartland

With a total population of more than 64 million, the Midwest comprises North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. Rolling hills and farmland, as well as large metropolitan areas such as Chicago, Cleveland, Kansas City, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Detroit, Indianapolis, and Milwaukee, characterize these states.

The region also includes the Great Lakes, the Mississippi River, and many smaller lakes and rivers that provide a variety of recreational opportunities. The area's population is concentrated in and near the large cities, with the states in the western portion of the region having far fewer people than those in the eastern portion.

The Midwest is also known as America's Heartland and is famous for its friendly, outgoing people, small towns, and variable weather. Winters are quite cold, and snow is common. Temperatures at or even below freezing are not unusual during the winter months of December, January, and February, particularly in the northernmost states. Summer, on the other hand, is hot and humid, with temperatures often above 90 degrees F (32 degrees C).

The Southeast Region

The Southeast Region includes a dozen states: West Virgina, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Louisiana, and Arkansas. The Atlantic Ocean borders the far east of this region and the Gulf of Mexico is the the south. Other states border the west and north sides of this region. Georgia is the largest state in the Southeast. Florida, however, has the most people.

The Southeast Region of the United States is home to the oldest permanent settlement, and has played an important part in the history of our nation. It hosts endangered animals, the largest known cave system, and the largest granite sculpture carved on a mountain.

The Northeast Region

Welcome to the Northeast Region, the starting point of our journey across our land. The Northeast Region includes the New England states (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut) and New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland.

Journey Across Our Land

During the next few months, we will be focusing on the five regions of the United States. We will be learning about the geography, climate, industries, landmarks and attractions, cuisine, and traditions of each region. As part of the unit, students will be learning how to identify and name (spelled correctly) states on a map. Stay posted for more information!