Great American Desert facts for kids
The Great American Desert was a name used in the 1800s. It described a huge area in the western part of the Great Plains. This land was east of the Rocky Mountains in North America. It stretched to about the 100th meridian.
Today, this same area is usually called the High Plains. Sometimes, the old term "Great American Desert" is still used. It can refer to the dry regions of North America. This includes parts of northwestern Mexico and the American Southwest.
Contents
What Was the Great American Desert?
In the early 1800s, many people in the eastern United States thought this land was a true desert. Explorers like Stephen H. Long described it as dry and empty. They believed it was not good for farming or living.
This idea came from early maps and reports. These reports often focused on the lack of trees and rainfall. They did not fully understand the unique environment of the plains.
Why Was It Called a Desert?
The explorers who first saw this land were used to forests and rivers. The Great Plains looked very different to them. It had vast grasslands and few trees. The rainfall was also less than in the East.
They did not know that the deep, rich soil was good for farming. They also did not realize that the grasses supported huge herds of buffalo. This led them to call it a "desert."
The High Plains Today
The area once called the Great American Desert is now known as the High Plains. It covers parts of states like Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, and Texas. It is a very important farming region.
Farmers grow crops like wheat and corn there. Ranchers also raise cattle. Modern farming methods and irrigation have helped make this land productive.
Related pages
Images for kids
-
"Great American Desert," mapped by Stephen H. Long in 1820
