Midcontinent

Midcontinent is a geographic term for the central portion of North America. In common usage it covers much of the United States’ Midwest and Great Plains and may extend into southern Canada, depending on the context. The term is not fixed by political borders; rather it reflects climatic, topographic, and cultural characteristics that distinguish central North America from the coasts and the far west.

Geology: The Midcontinent Rift System is a major ancient structure in this region. Formed about 1.1 billion years ago during an aborted continental rift, it extends from Lake Superior toward Kansas. The rift left thick basaltic rocks and sedimentary basins, influencing later mineral resources and the distribution of basins across the central United States. Although the rift failed to split the continent, its remnants are still exposed in rocks that inform regional geology.

Climate and economy: The midcontinent is characterized by a mostly continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. Its broad prairies and river basins support extensive agriculture and a diversified economy including manufacturing and services in urban centers. The region also features important transportation corridors and serves as a cultural bridge between the eastern and western parts of the continent.

Related topics include the Midwest, the Great Plains, North American geography, and the Midcontinent Rift.