Geography of the Western United States

How do the states west of the Mississippi River generally compare to the states in the East?

• They are smaller in size with more people.

• They are larger in size with more spread-out populations.

• They have more rainfall and flatter landforms.

• They have higher populations and smaller land areas.

Which region was historically covered in wild grasses and bison but is now dominated by farms and ranches?

• The Rocky Mountains

• The Great Plains

• The Sierra Nevada

• The Colorado Plateau

What is the primary cause of the dry climate in the interior of the Western United States?

• The rain shadow effect and evaporation

• Heavy tropical storms from the Gulf of Mexico

• The high elevation of the Great Plains

• The lack of any major mountain ranges

Besides ethanol, what other major energy resources are found in the Western United States?

• Only wind and solar power

• Only coal and timber

• Oil, natural gas, and hydroelectric power

• Ethanol is the only major energy source

Why is irrigation often necessary to grow crops in the Western United States?

• The soil is too rocky to hold water.

• The area is dry due to the rain shadow effect.

• The rivers flow too fast for natural farming.

• The land is located below sea level.

How do physical features like mountains and extreme climates affect human settlement in the West?

• They make the entire region uninhabitable.

• They have no impact on where people live.

• They influence where people choose to live and build cities.

• They cause everyone to live in the mountains for protection.

What do the states of Alaska and Hawaii have in common regarding their physical geography?

• Both are influenced by the Pacific Ocean and have active volcanoes.

• Both are located in the Great Plains and have flat land.

• Both have extremely cold climates with 200 inches of snow.

• Both are landlocked states with no access to the ocean.

What types of severe weather are common in the Great Plains region?

• Glaciers and volcanic eruptions

• Thunderstorms and tornadoes

• Tropical rainforest storms and tsunamis

• Dust storms and blizzards only

Which states are major producers of hydroelectric power because of dams built on the Columbia River?

• California and Nevada

• Texas and Louisiana

• Washington and Oregon

• Utah and Colorado

What is the term for a region of parallel mountain ranges, such as the Rocky Mountains?

• Archipelago

• Basin

• Cordillera

• Plateau