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The Western Plains, also known as the Great Plains, is a broad expanse of flat land located in North America, west of the Mississippi River and east of the Rocky Mountains. It covers parts of the United States (US) including Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming, and extends into Canada including Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.
This region is usually characterized by its relatively flat terrain with minimal vegetation, and a semi-arid to arid climate. The terrain is primarily composed of grassland and prairie, interspersed with rivers, streams, and lakes.
It has a rich history associated with Native American tribes such as the Sioux, Cheyenne, and Comanche, and later was the site of the 19th-century westward expansion of European-American settlers following the Louisiana Purchase.
Economically, the Western Plains are known for their agricultural production, particularly of wheat, corn, and livestock. It also has significant deposits of oil and gas.
The region is also home to several national parks, wildlife refuges, and other protected areas that offer a variety of outdoor recreational activities, like hunting, fishing, hiking, and bird watching. It is known for its diverse wildlife, including bison, pronghorns, coyotes, and various bird species, and it's also a critical migration path and habitat for many bird species.