Corn Belt facts for kids

The Corn Belt is a special part of the Midwestern United States. It's called the Corn Belt because corn has been the most important crop grown there since the 1850s. Before that, tall native grasses covered the land. This area includes states like Iowa, Indiana, and Illinois entirely. Parts of southern Minnesota, eastern Nebraska, Missouri, and Kentucky are also included. The land in the Corn Belt is mostly flat and has very rich, fertile soil, which is perfect for growing corn.

What is the Corn Belt?

The Corn Belt is a large region in the central United States. It's known for its huge farms that grow a lot of corn. This area is like a giant food factory, producing much of the corn used in the country and around the world.

Where is the Corn Belt Located?

The Corn Belt stretches across several states in the Midwestern United States. The main states fully within the Corn Belt are Iowa, Indiana, and Illinois. Other states that are partly in the Corn Belt include:

• Southern Minnesota
• Eastern Nebraska
• Parts of Missouri
• Parts of Kentucky

Why is Corn So Important Here?

Corn became the main crop in the Corn Belt around the 1850s. Farmers found that the flat land and deep, rich soil were ideal for growing corn. This region's climate, with warm summers and enough rain, also helps corn grow very well. The corn grown here is used for many things, like:

• Feeding farm animals
• Making food products for people
• Creating biofuels

Images for kids

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  A map of the states in the corn belt.

See also

In Spanish: Cinturón maicero estadounidense para niños