Midwestern

Midwestern, or Midwestern United States, is an umbrella term for the central-northern region of the United States. As an adjective, Midwestern describes things related to the Midwest, including its people, culture, geography, and dialect. The region commonly encompasses twelve states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Some classifications vary, with occasional inclusion or exclusion of adjacent areas.

Geographically, the Midwest lies between the Great Plains to the west and the Great Lakes to the east, and between the Ohio River and the Missouri River boundaries in broad definitions. Its economy includes agriculture, manufacturing, services, and energy; major urban centers include Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis–Saint Paul, Cleveland, Columbus, Indianapolis, and Kansas City. The region has historically been a hub of farming, steel production, automotive industry, and transportation.

Demographically, the Midwest is diverse, with large metropolitan areas and extensive rural regions. The people are commonly called Midwesterners. The region is linguistically associated with dialects that are broadly categorized as General American, with subregional varieties in Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit, and the Twin Cities.

Historically and culturally, the Midwest has played a prominent role in American literature, music, and politics; its landscapes—prairie, lake shores, and urban cores—shape its identity. In media and discourse, "Midwestern" is often used as a broad descriptor for the region's typical climates, cuisine, and values.