The Diverse Geography of the American Midwest

The American Midwest is a vast region that encompasses 12 states, including Illinois, Ohio, and Indiana. The Midwest conjures images of rolling plains and endless cornfields. While these landscapes are undeniably characteristic, the Midwest’s topography boasts a surprising degree of variety, defying the stereotype of a monotonous flatland.

The Midwest can be broadly divided into two regions based on their historical origins. The eastern half, encompassing the “Old Northwest” states like Ohio and Michigan, was carved by glaciers during the Ice Age. This glacial origin manifests in rolling hills, sculpted valleys, and the Great Lakes, the world’s largest freshwater reserve.

The Great Plains dominate the western half, formed from the Louisiana Purchase. This vast expanse stretches from Missouri and Nebraska northward, characterized by sweeping grasslands and fertile plains that are ideal for agriculture. Although the Great Plains are mostly flat, the rise of the Black Hills of South Dakota provides variation in the middle of this grassland expanse.

The eastern Midwest, particularly near the Appalachian foothills and the Great Lakes basin, showcases many landforms. In Wisconsin, Minnesota, and parts of Iowa, the glacial influence is evident in the numerous lakes, bogs, and rocky outcrops interrupting the rolling plains.

Southern Missouri contains the Ozark Mountains, a heavily forested highland region that provides a welcome change from the open grasslands. Similarly, the southern tip of Illinois extends into the “prairie peninsula,” where tallgrass prairies transition into deciduous forests, creating a unique ecological blend.

Rainfall patterns play a significant role in shaping the different types of prairies found across the Midwest. As precipitation decreases from east to west, the tallgrass prairies of the wetter eastern regions gradually shift to mixed-grass prairies in the central Great Plains. Towards the Rocky Mountains, where rain is lowest, shortgrass prairies dominate the landscape.

Today, these prairie variations roughly correspond to agricultural zones, with corn and soybean dominating the wetter east, wheat flourishing in the central belt, and rangelands ideal for grazing animals composing most of the drier west. However, climate change presents a complex challenge for the Midwest’s agricultural landscape. While initial benefits like a longer growing season and increased carbon dioxide might boost soybean yields, long-term problems could overshadow these gains. Rising temperatures also threaten corn production, stress livestock, and can stimulate the development of many diseases.

While forests were once prominent in the Midwest, extensive logging in the late 19th century drastically reduced their presence. Today, much of the land is dedicated to agriculture or urban development. However, pockets of undeveloped wilderness remain, particularly in the northern forests of Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin and along the scenic Ohio River Valley.

The American Midwest is far from a homogenous landscape. It offers a captivating tapestry of geographical features. From the glacial-sculpted terrains of the east to the vast grasslands of the west, from the Ozark Mountains to the Great Lakes, the region’s topography reveals a surprising level of diversity. This unexpected richness adds another layer to the cultural and historical tapestry that defines the American Midwest.