Central plains: geographical position, climate, features

Central Plains is a region located in the center of North America. It is a low relief composed of plains of different types: moraine, lake, loess and zandra. In the north-east, they border on the Appalachian mountain range, in the southeast - with the Laurentian Upland. The southern border reaches the Lower Lowlands. In the north, they collide with the Great Sushi.

Plains stretched across the US and Canada. Here you can find large agglomerations that are known for their rural economic activities. This sphere is very well developed. This is facilitated by the relief and climatic conditions. 75% of the entire territory goes under populated areas and fields. The most famous city, located here, is Chicago. So, let's take a closer look at the peculiarities of this territory.

Features and Relief of the Central Plains

The average height of the Central Plains is 150-500 m. They are composed of rocks of the Upper and Lower Paleozoic period, which are horizontally and partly inclined in the north. In the north-east, where the plains reach the Great Lakes, the terrain is presented in the form of gently sloping ridges with asymmetrical slopes - cuestas. They are composed of Carboniferous, Silurian and Devonian sediments. The most pronounced Cuestas formed by Silurian deposits. One of them, when it crossed the Niagara River, formed one of the most famous sights of North America - Niagara Falls.

The central plains are mostly covered with layers of glacial deposits. Under them are the bedrock. This suggests that this territory was repeatedly covered by glaciers, more likely during the Pleistocene.

This area is the most densely populated region of North America. This fact has developed historically. Fertile lands attracted people here, and this region has long been used for agriculture. Currently, more than 90% of all native vegetation is destroyed, and forest-steppe and forest are replaced by cultivated plants.

The central plains have a hilly relief, rugged by river valleys. They are composed of sedimentary rocks - limestones. Only on the southern part of the surface of the rock outcrops - the Boston Mountains, which are the spur of the Appalachian system. The average heights reach 600-800 m.

Climate

Climatic conditions in the region vary in latitudinal direction. It is worth noting that they are quite favorable. The cold and warm currents coming from the Atlantic have a great influence on climate formation. Summer in the Central Plains is warm, average temperatures are +20 ... +22 ° С. In the southern region, the thermometer can rise to +28 ° C. Winter in this region is cold and frosty. Virtually throughout the period, minus temperatures are kept. The average isotherm of January is -12 ... -16 ° С. The average annual rainfall is 750-900 mm. A significant part of them falls in the summer, but in winter it often snows, forming a steady snow cover. The Great and Central Plains have a fairly similar climate.

Natural resources

This territory is of great economic importance. Deposits of coal, gas and oil were discovered in the Central Plains. It also produces salt and barite. The deposits of coal are in the northeast, closer to the Appalachian mountain range. And large oil fields are located in the north of the Central Plains.

Flora and fauna

The Central Plains region belongs to the zone of deciduous and mixed forests. However, indigenous vegetation was preserved only in small areas that separate agricultural lands and pastures. The fields are planted with cereal crops, corn. Of the representatives of the flora are common only rodents.

Central Plains - the most important agro-industrial region of the United States. 85% of all agricultural products are produced in this region.