Our Country's Regions: Missouri’s Land and People

Big Idea Activity: How does geography affect the way people live?
Plan a Road Trip

Plan a trip with your family through the regions of our country. Choose the sites you would most like to visit because of the surrounding geography. Mark your destinations on a map of the United States. As you learn about other regions, think about how a state’s landforms affect its citizens’ lives. Make plans to visit a state in three regions besides the Midwest.

Research Links

The Six Regions of the United States
The United States has endless sites, sounds and attractions waiting to be discovered. Visit this site to learn more about them.

The Northeast
America’s first immigrants arrived on the shores of the Northeast region. This region has a long Atlantic coastline, plains and mountains. Families planning a vacation in this region have many options. They can go camping, fishing, climbing or enjoy a relaxing weekend on a lake.

The Southeast
People living in the Southeast region of the United States enjoy its waterways and wetlands. The Mississippi River, one of the largest rivers in the region, offers transportation and recreational activities.

The Midwest
The flat plains and prairies of the Midwest are ideal for farming. The same flat land can be hazardous when winds pick up and form tornadoes in the summertime. Besides farming, other big industries in the Midwest are manufacturing, mining and the service industry.

The Mountain States
The states in this region are named for the Rocky Mountains. Surrounding these mountains are dry valleys. The Mountain States have many national parks and forests and a rich Native American culture.

The Southwest
The Southwest region is home to the Grand Canyon, a site President Theodore Roosevelt said every American should see. Aquifers and aqueducts have been built to conserve water because of this region’s dry climate. The culture of the Southwest has Spanish, Mexican and Native American influences.

The West
Long sandy beaches and thick forests are some of the attractions in the Western states. Nearly every landform and climate can be found there. Volcanoes are responsible for forming some of the land in the West. Earthquakes have also done serious damage in California and Alaska.

More To Explore

Missouri’s Geography

Regions of Missouri
Missouri has a varied geography. It is surrounded by land on all sides and has rivers, plains and mountains. Find out more about the location and elevation of Missouri’s regions.

Our State’s Climates and Resources
Eagle watching is a popular pastime in Missouri. The habitat of this national symbol is now safe because of conservation efforts. Other resources and pastimes have also been preserved through conservation and regulation.

Activity Tools

Topic Finder

Need help finding a topic? Explore these ideas for research…America’s Regions

Case Study

Here's an example of a topic you could choose for the Big Idea Activity: One way to see America’s historic sites and attractions is to travel its highways and byways. The geography of a region does not always allow for a straight path from one spot to another. Sites you’ll find on the way to your destination might just draw you in for a visit. Look up the states you will be traveling through for some ideas on where to stop during your trip.

Fun Facts

Missouri was home to writer Samuel Clemens, also known as Mark Twain. Much of Twain’s writing centered around life on the Mississippi River.

History & You

What did America look like before it was settled? What was different about the geography of our country thousands of years ago? How did it change as people began to live here? Think about how these changes effect the lives of Americans and the landscape of our country.

Prehistoric States

A Changing World