With a total population of more than 64 million, the Midwest
comprises North Dakota, South
Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. Rolling hills and
farmland, as well as large metropolitan areas such as Chicago,
Cleveland, Kansas
City, St. Louis, Minneapolis,
Detroit, Indianapolis,
and Milwaukee,
characterize these states.
The region also includes the Great Lakes, the Mississippi River, and many smaller lakes and rivers that provide a variety of recreational opportunities. The area's population is concentrated in and near the large cities, with the states in the western portion of the region having far fewer people than those in the eastern portion.
The Midwest is also known as America's Heartland and is famous for its friendly, outgoing people, small towns, and variable weather. Winters are quite cold, and snow is common. Temperatures at or even below freezing are not unusual during the winter months of December, January, and February, particularly in the northernmost states. Summer, on the other hand, is hot and humid, with temperatures often above 90 degrees F (32 degrees C).
Major Cities of the Midwest
Chicago,
Illinois
With more than eight million residents in the metropolitan
area, the “ City”
is the most populous city in the Midwest.
Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, the
city boasts ethnic restaurants, famous architecture, distinctive neighborhoods,
shopping, beaches, parks, and museums. Chicago's
Navy Pier, restored in 1995, is a world-class recreation and exposition center
with gardens, a museum, a Ferris wheel, and other attractions.
Cleveland,
Ohio
Cleveland is located in
northeast Ohio on the shores of Lake Erie and has a population of nearly three million.
The city's popular Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum features exhibits that
trace the history of rock and roll music and musicians. Another well-known Cleveland attraction is the Flats, an old industrial area
that has been revitalized to include entertainment attractions, many of which
overlook the Cuyahoga
River.
Minneapolis,
Minnesota
Minneapolis, in conjunction
with its neighboring city, St. Paul,
has a population of more than two million. Known as the Twin Cities, Minneapolis and St. Paul
serve as the financial and cultural center of Minnesota.
St. Louis,
Missouri
Located on the Mississippi River, which separates from Illinois, St. Louis is known as the
Gateway to the West. This heritage is symbolized by the city's famous Gateway
Arch, which was built in 1965 and is 630 feet high. With a population of
approximately 2.6 million, St. Louis
offers a vibrant waterfront area, a zoo, and art and history museums.
