Instructions
Read each section carefully and answer the questions to the best of your ability. This worksheet explores the diverse geography of the American heartland and its neighboring mountainous regions. You will compare landforms, climates, and unique features of several states.
Part 1: Match the Feature
Draw a line or write the correct letter next to the state that contains the famous geographical feature or city. Some states may be used more than once.
Features & Cities
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States
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Part 2: Plains vs. Peaks
The states listed in this worksheet represent two very different types of American landscapes: the relatively flat plains of the Midwest and the rugged mountains of the West. Fill in the table below to compare the two regions.
| Characteristic | The Plains States (e.g., Kansas, Iowa, Illinois) | The Mountain States (AZ, CO, MT, UT) |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Topography (Landforms) | ||
| General Climate | ||
| Major Industries (Give one example) |
Part 3: State Facts Challenge
Unscramble the capital city for each state, then answer the multiple-choice question.
1. MONTANA
Capital: N A H E L E →
Montana is sometimes called the "Treasure State" because of its rich mineral reserves. Which of the following is NOT a major resource found there?
- Gold
- Silver
- Petroleum
- Diamonds
2. ARIZONA
Capital: X I P H O E N →
Arizona is famous for its desert climate, but it also has mountains and forests. Which "C" is one of the "Five C's" that historically drove Arizona's economy?
- Cars
- Corn
- Copper
- Chemicals
3. COLORADO
Capital: V E D R E N →
Colorado has the highest average elevation of any state. Its highest peak, Mount Elbert, is part of which major mountain range?
- Appalachian Mountains
- Rocky Mountains
- Sierra Nevada
- Cascades
4. UTAH
Capital: T L A S E K L A Y I T C →
Utah is home to a unique geological feature that gives its capital city its name. The Great Salt Lake is notable because it is:
- The deepest lake in the world
- A freshwater lake
- An endorheic (terminal) basin, meaning water flows in but not out
- Located entirely below sea level
Part 4: Critical Thinking Corner
Geographers typically classify Arizona, Montana, Utah, and Colorado as part of the "Mountain West" or "Southwest" regions, not the Midwest. Based on what you've learned in this worksheet, why do you think this distinction is made? Use at least two specific examples (e.g., climate, landforms, economy) from the exercises above to support your answer.
Answer Key
Part 1: Match the Feature
- D. Colorado (CO)
- A. Arizona (AZ)
- E. Illinois (IL)
- C. Utah (UT)
- B. Montana (MT)
- F. Missouri (MO)
- A. Arizona (AZ)
- B. Montana (MT)
Part 2: Plains vs. Peaks
(Answers may vary but should be similar to the following.)
| Characteristic | The Plains States (e.g., Kansas, Iowa, Illinois) | The Mountain States (AZ, CO, MT, UT) |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Topography (Landforms) | Mostly flat, plains, rolling hills, few mountains. | Dominated by high mountains (e.g., Rockies), canyons, deserts, and plateaus. |
| General Climate | Humid continental with four distinct seasons; hot summers and cold, snowy winters. | Mostly arid or semi-arid; varies greatly with elevation. Hot deserts to cold alpine climates. |
| Major Industries (Give one example) | Agriculture (corn, soybeans, wheat), manufacturing. | Mining, tourism/recreation, ranching, technology. |
Part 3: State Facts Challenge
- MONTANA
Capital: HELENA
Answer: d. Diamonds - ARIZONA
Capital: PHOENIX
Answer: c. Copper (The other C's are Cattle, Cotton, Citrus, and Climate) - COLORADO
Capital: DENVER
Answer: b. Rocky Mountains - UTAH
Capital: SALT LAKE CITY
Answer: c. An endorheic (terminal) basin, meaning water flows in but not out
Part 4: Critical Thinking Corner
(Student's answer should reflect the core differences identified in the worksheet. A good answer would look something like this.)
The distinction is made because the geography is fundamentally different. For example, landforms in Midwestern states are mostly flat plains ideal for farming, while the Mountain West states like Colorado and Utah are defined by the massive Rocky Mountains. This affects everything from industry to lifestyle. Another example is climate. The Midwest has a fairly predictable four-season climate, whereas the Mountain West has diverse climates ranging from the hot, arid deserts of Arizona to the cold, snowy mountain peaks of Montana, making large-scale agriculture of the Midwestern type impossible.