Midwest USA: description, industry, resources and characteristics

Midwest - this name can often be heard in many films and books. Indeed, this place has a special charm and charm. In fact, this is a fairly large region, which boasts of great achievements. They are manifested in scientific and cultural life, as well as in industry and economics. The middle West of the USA also occupies an advantageous geographical position. The article will consider the features of this region, its composition, industry, population and much more.

Midwest USA - general information

America, like many other countries, is divided into several regions. There are 4 of them, but we will talk about one of them - the Midwest. It is worthwhile to talk separately about its composition. It is divided into 2 large parts. One of them is called the Great Lakes Region, the second is called the Great Plains Region. The first region includes five states: Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan. The second consists of 7 states - Missouri, North and South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas and Nebraska.

Characteristics of the Midwest USA includes many different facts. For example, this region has made excellent progress in employment. Here, the lowest number of unemployed in the whole country is recorded. Also in the area is actively developing such an important industry as agriculture. If we talk about industry, then there is something to boast about. In these places are the largest production centers of the country. Among them, you can especially mention Chicago, Detroit and some others.

The middle West of the USA is also a major transport hub. There are many important ways in which the supply of goods and freight are moving.

Economic and geographical position of the region

So, we learned what is in the Midwest and what role it plays in the life of the whole country. Probably, many were interested in the question of why this region is so developed? There is a fairly simple explanation. In the area there are many favorable factors that contributed to this growth. It is worthwhile to tell in more detail why the Midwest of the USA occupies a leading position in the sphere of economy and industry. EGP (economic-geographical position) of this region really contributed to its formation. This manifests itself in several directions. First, the natural conditions and climate contribute to the development of agriculture here, allowing to obtain rich crops. In addition, the local soil is extraordinarily fertile. Favorable for such conditions and for livestock. Secondly, huge reserves of natural resources are concentrated in the region. Here, iron ore and coal are mined in large volumes.

Of course, such favorable conditions bear fruit. Among the special achievements, it can be noted that the Midwest USA supplies the whole country with dairy products - butter, cheese and milk.

Population

Of course, we can not say about the inhabitants of this region. It was inhabited relatively long ago, in the XIX century. Now here live about 67 million people - such a significant figure boasts the Midwest USA. The population of the region is about 22% of the total population of the country.

Here, as elsewhere, there are leaders in terms of the number of inhabitants. For example, the state of Illinois boasts a really large number of residents - more than 12 million people. He takes the 5th place in the whole country.

On the second place in the region is another state - Ohio. Here the number of residents is about 11.5 million people. In the ranking of all the states of the country he is on the 7th place.

Thus, we met with the population of the Midwest. From the data given, it can be seen that the region is quite large, and also a really large number of people live here.

Climate and nature

Once we have already touched on the issue of climatic conditions. They have already been told that they are favorable for agriculture. However, it is worth talking about them in more detail.

The region lies in the zones of the humid continental climate (warm and hot). Usually there is a hot summer and a cool winter. The warmest months in this area are July and August. The average temperature in July is about +22 ... +25 ⁰ C. In January, the average temperature is usually at -4.5 ⁰ C. However, as elsewhere, there are significant deviations from the mean values.

If we talk about the nature of the Midwest, it strikes with its unusual and beautiful. It is no coincidence that these places are called the Land of Great Lakes. Here is a whole system of fresh water lakes. There are 5 reservoirs in total. This is the world's largest such system. All lakes are connected by rivers, which facilitates navigation and fishing in these places.

Also sometimes these places are called the Edge of the Great Plains. This name is connected with the fact that there is a large plateau here.

Industry

So, we talked about the population, nature and climate of such an interesting region as the Midwest of the USA. The industry of this region is also interesting for consideration. For example, Illinois is a major center for coal mining. The deposits that are located here are known from the middle of the XIX century. Now, according to experts, there is a stock of 211 billion tons of coal.

Also in this region there is an active processing of oil. In addition, it is also mining. It is necessary to note the energy industry in the Midwest. It is believed that here it appeared in the state of Illinois. Now in this place there are 6 nuclear power plants, each of which employs 2 reactors.

In the region, the automobile industry is also developed. The center of this industry was the state of Michigan. It is here that the largest plants are located - Chrysler, Ford and General Motors. Also here are the military industry and furniture production.

Particularly worth noting is agriculture, as the region is distinguished by the variety of products produced and supplied.

Large states in the region

Now that we have talked about the economy, industry and nature, we must pay attention to the composition of the region. Many territorial units can boast an area such as the Midwest USA. The states that are part of it deserve a separate story.

The most developed of them is Illinois. We already talked about its economy and production. However, this is not all that can be said about it. Particularly interesting is the fact that Illinois is the largest transport hub of the whole country.

Another state, not far from Illinois, is Michigan. He, as already mentioned, is known for the account of the automobile industry.

You can also note the state of Ohio. Most of it is on a flat terrain, so it is remarkably adapted for conducting successful agricultural activities. In addition, the state has an automobile and aerospace industry.

The biggest cities

So, we met some states of the region. It is worthwhile to talk separately about the largest cities located here. Especially from all cities of the Midwest is allocated Chicago. It is on the third place by the number of inhabitants (after such megacities as New York and Los Angeles) and is considered a major business center of the country. Also, this city is a cultural, economic and transport center of the whole region.

In second place is Detroit. Its population is about 681 thousand people. The city was founded in the beginning of the XVIII century. Now it is the largest center of the automobile industry, there are several factories known throughout the world. The city is on the border with the neighboring country - Canada, which makes it an important transport hub.

Resources of the region

As it became clear, many things can boast such a region as the Midwest of the United States. Resources are no exception. As already mentioned, there are many mineral deposits on the territory of this region. For example, in the state of Michigan there are natural gas sources, which are being actively developed. In addition, limestone (in Indiana), lead, coal and crushed stone (in Missouri), sand and gravel (in Minnesota) are mined in the region .

Thus, we got acquainted with the reserves of various minerals in the area. The middle West of the United States is rich in resources, which significantly influenced its development as a major industrial center of the country.