Lesson 31:
Natural Resources and Economy
of theMidwest Region
ACTIVITY 1:
After you read each paragraph, go to each belt to fill in themain idea and two supporting facts.
TheMidwest Regionof theUnitedStates is loadedwithnatural resources
(LLB=Lesson15)
.The
most dominant landform in the Midwest Region is plains! Some of the best soil and farmlands are
located in this region. It is called the “breadbasket of theUnited States.” Remember, this is where the
Central andGreat Plains are found. Farms and agricultural products are themajor primary industries
that come from the soil.Much of the foodwe eat comes from theMidwest.
Climateandprecipitation influencewhat is grown. Part of a regionwherea crop is grown is called
a
belt.
For example, corn is grown widely throughout this region. This is called the Corn Belt.Wheat
is also heavily grown in this area, sowe have theWheat Belt aswell. There is plenty of room for both
crops to be grown on the prairie grasslands. If you had a bread product or cereal with any of your
meals, chancesare theproduct came from theMidwest.Farther north, we find theDairyBelt.Milkand
cheese products come fromWisconsin, the leading dairy state.
There are plenty of other crops grown in the Midwest. Besides wheat and corn, this region pro-
ducesmuch hay, oats, rye, and soybeans. Some crops are used to feed livestock such as cattle and
pigs. Other crops are used for making different types of products for people. Look up soybeans and
see howmany products can bemade from this crop!
COPYRIGHT
55
PENNSVALLEY
Midwest Region
main idea:
two supporting facts:
main idea:
two supporting facts:
main idea:
two supporting facts:
