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