PENNSVALLEY
70
COPYRIGHT
Lesson 37:
Natural Resources and Economy
of the RockyMountainRegion
The Rocky Mountain Region can be divided into three geographical areas that have very differ-
ent kinds of vegetation. Each area plays an important part in the natural resources and economy of
the region.
The eastern area of Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado are part of the Great Plains. The grass-
lands of theGreat Plains support large farms and ranches that raise beef cattle and sheep. Farmers
raise wheat, corn, hay and barley. Fossil fuels, including oil, natural gas, and coal reserves, are pro-
duced byMontana andWyoming.The nation’s largest coal reserves are found inWyoming.
The rangesof theRockyMountainsdominate the central part of the region.Highmountains, thick
forests, andwilderness areas offer a spectacular setting for millions of visitors each year. Themoun-
tains, lakes, and streamsmake this area a popular destination for hunting and fishing. Colorado’s ski
resorts are some of themost famous in theworld.Themountains are a source of lumber andminer-
als. The forest products industry is important toMontana and Idaho. There are rich deposits of gold,
silver, and lead in Colorado.Oil and natural gas are produced throughout this part of the region, and
uranium, used to power nuclear power plants, ismined inUtah.Although Idaho is thickly coveredwith
mountains and forests, it is oneof thenation’s leadingproducers of potatoes.Most of thepotato farm-
ing is limited to theSnakeRiver Plain, a small area of the state that follows theSnakeRiver.
Much of the western part of the region is made up of dry, rugged canyon formations and low
ranges of mountains that extend from theRockies. During the 1800s, large deposits of gold and silver
werediscovered.Today,mining is not as profitable, but Nevada is still the leadingproducer of goldand
silver in our nation. Like the central area, thewestern area is known for its scenic beauty.Thismeans
tourism. National parks and forests have been established to protect the scenic beauty.The parks are
open all year long, and they attract visitors from all over the country, and even theworld. In addition to
the natural beauty, tourists are attracted to the popular resorts of Reno, LakeTahoe, and LasVegas.
Tourism is now the biggest income producer inNevada. The dry climate limitsmost of the agricultur-
al activity in thewestern area. Cattle and other livestock are raised, and through irrigation, some hay
crops andwheat are grown.
RockyMountain Region
Nevada is
the driest, or
most arid, state in
our nation. Nevada
averages less than 9
inches of precipita-
tion per year
.
Hoover Dam, near LasVegas, Nevada, generates hydroelectric
power for the area.
