Midwest

The Midwest, also known as the American Midwest, is a region of the United States located in the north-central part of the country. It is one of the four Census Bureau regions and comprises twelve states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. The exact boundaries vary by source, but the region generally includes the Great Lakes states in the east and the agricultural Great Plains in the west. It is bordered by the Great Lakes to the northeast and east, the Mississippi River to the southeast, and the Missouri River and surrounding plains to the west.

Geography and climate in the Midwest include the Great Lakes and a broad inland plain. The landscape ranges from urban river valleys and forested areas in Michigan and Wisconsin to rolling plains in the Dakotas, Nebraska, and Kansas. The climate is mostly humid continental, with cold winters and warm to hot summers; some areas experience severe weather, including snowstorms and tornadoes.

Economy and demographics: historically centered on agriculture and manufacturing, the Midwest is a major producer of corn and soybeans and a hub for vehicle assembly and related industries. Major cities include Chicago, Detroit, Columbus, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Milwaukee, Minneapolis–Saint Paul, Kansas City, St. Louis, and Omaha. The region features a mix of large urban centers and extensive rural areas, with diverse population densities and economies that combine industry, services, and advanced manufacturing.

History and culture: the region’s development was shaped by Indigenous peoples, European settlement, and later industrialization around railroads and Great Lakes shipping. It played a pivotal role in the United States’ industrial growth in the 19th and 20th centuries. Culturally, the Midwest is associated with agricultural roots, tight-knit communities, and pragmatic political and social attitudes.