Social Studies - Ch. 7 L. 1 (In the Heart of the Nation)

The Great Plains

The land is higher and drier, located in the western part of the Midwest.

The Central Plains

Located in the eastern part of the Midwest.

Prairie

Level or gently rolling land covered in grasses, with few trees.

Moraine

A mound or ridge of rock and gravel left behind from a glacier.

Mississippi River

A river that is 2,350 miles long and its waters drain into the Gulf of Mexico.

Missouri River

A river that is 2,315 miles long, beginning in Montana and running through North and South Dakota.

Ohio River

A river that is more than 981 miles long and begins in Pennsylvania.

Great Lakes

Five major lakes including Lake Erie, Lake Superior, Lake Huron, Lake Ontario, and Lake Michigan, four of which are in the Midwest.

Blizzard

A heavy snowstorm with powerful winds.

Tornado

A destructive column of spinning air with winds that can exceed 300 miles per hour.

Eastern Midwest Climate

Receives more rain and snow due to moist air from the Gulf of Mexico meeting cool Canadian air.

Western Midwest Climate

Drier than the eastern part, receiving less rain due to the Rocky Mountains blocking moisture.

Badlands

An area of rough land in western South Dakota with light vegetation and few trees.

Black-footed ferret

One of North America’s most endangered animals that has been brought back to Badlands National Park.