Great Plains
Definition
The Great Plains is a broad expanse of flat land, much of it covered in prairie, steppe and grassland, that lies west of the Mississippi River and east of the Rocky Mountains in the United States and Canada.
Analogy
Think of the Great Plains as a giant football field. It's vast, flat, and stretches out for miles. Just like how a football field is marked with yard lines, the Great Plains has its own markers - rivers, hills and valleys.
Related terms
Prairie: A type of ecosystem characterized by large areas of grassland without trees or tall vegetation.
Steppe: A large area of flat unforested grassland in southeastern Europe or Siberia.
Grasslands: Areas where the vegetation is dominated by grasses. Grasslands occur naturally on all continents except Antarctica.
"Great Plains" appears in:
Subjects (1)
Practice Questions (3)
- What type of lifestyle did tribes living on the Great Plains generally lead?
- What effect did the Dust Bowl have on farming communities in Great Plains during the Great Depression?
- Which technological innovation had a significant impact on farming practices in the Great Plains during the late 19th century?
Resources
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