The Physical Geography of the Great Plains
University of the Philippines Diliman
College of Social Sciences and Philosophy
Department of Geography
Final Paper in Geography 155
THE GREAT CENTRAL PLAINS
Mary Angelie A. Pasion
PHYSICAL BACKGROUND OF THE GREAT CENTRAL PLAINS
General Information and Physical Background
The North American Plains include the area from the Canadian boreal forest in the north to central Texas in the south and from the Rocky Mountain in the west to the Missouri River and the eastern boundaries of the states of Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma in the east.
This region is almost continuous open grassland, interrupted by more forested locales along the major river valleys and in those areas, such as the Black Hills of eastern Wyoming and western South Dakota, where the expanse of open plains was interrupted by isolated mountainous areas.
Located at 40° 19' N; 99° 25' W, Great Central Plains’ is a geographically-defined sub-range with Bald Mountain (7881 ft/2402 m) as its highest point. The area it covers that includes the lowland areas is 225,440 sq. mi/ 583,890 sq.km. It extends 631 mi from the North to South and 774 mi from the East to west. It covers 34% of Nebraska, 29% of Kansas, 13% of Colorado, 8% of South Dakota, 8% of Wyoming, 5% of Missouri and 3% of Oklahoma.
Climate
The Plains climate is extremely unpredictable, but is generally characterized by summer-dominant rainfall. There is a steep east to west decrease in precipitation, and cold winters. In general, it has a wide variety of weather throughout the year, with very cold winters and very hot summers. Wind speeds are often high.
In general, the Great Plains have a wide variety of weather throughout the year, with very cold winters and very hot summers. Wind speeds are often high. The prairies support abundant wildlife in undisturbed settings. Humans have converted much of the prairies for agricultural purposes or pastures.
The 100th meridian roughly corresponds with the line that divides the
College of Social Sciences and Philosophy
Department of Geography
Final Paper in Geography 155
THE GREAT CENTRAL PLAINS
Mary Angelie A. Pasion
PHYSICAL BACKGROUND OF THE GREAT CENTRAL PLAINS
General Information and Physical Background
The North American Plains include the area from the Canadian boreal forest in the north to central Texas in the south and from the Rocky Mountain in the west to the Missouri River and the eastern boundaries of the states of Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma in the east.
This region is almost continuous open grassland, interrupted by more forested locales along the major river valleys and in those areas, such as the Black Hills of eastern Wyoming and western South Dakota, where the expanse of open plains was interrupted by isolated mountainous areas.
Located at 40° 19' N; 99° 25' W, Great Central Plains’ is a geographically-defined sub-range with Bald Mountain (7881 ft/2402 m) as its highest point. The area it covers that includes the lowland areas is 225,440 sq. mi/ 583,890 sq.km. It extends 631 mi from the North to South and 774 mi from the East to west. It covers 34% of Nebraska, 29% of Kansas, 13% of Colorado, 8% of South Dakota, 8% of Wyoming, 5% of Missouri and 3% of Oklahoma.
Climate
The Plains climate is extremely unpredictable, but is generally characterized by summer-dominant rainfall. There is a steep east to west decrease in precipitation, and cold winters. In general, it has a wide variety of weather throughout the year, with very cold winters and very hot summers. Wind speeds are often high.
In general, the Great Plains have a wide variety of weather throughout the year, with very cold winters and very hot summers. Wind speeds are often high. The prairies support abundant wildlife in undisturbed settings. Humans have converted much of the prairies for agricultural purposes or pastures.
The 100th meridian roughly corresponds with the line that divides the