US Geography and Regions — Answer Key
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. The Great Plains are large flat grasslands found in the Midwest and West regions.
The Great Plains are huge, flat, grassy lands that stretch across the middle of the country, covering parts of both the Midwest and the West regions.
2. The Midwest region of the US is known for its many farms and flat land.
Flat land, rich soil, and a long growing season make the Midwest perfect for farming, which is why it is famous for its many farms and fields of crops.
3. Mount Denali in Alaska is the tallest mountain in North America.
Towering above the Alaska wilderness at over 20,000 feet, Mount Denali is the tallest peak on the entire continent of North America.
4. The Gulf of Mexico borders the southern coast of the United States.
Below states like Texas, Louisiana, and Florida lies the Gulf of Mexico, a large body of water that borders the southern coast of the United States.
5. The Southeast region has a warm climate with lots of rain.
Because the Southeast is closer to the equator and gets ocean moisture, it has a warm climate with plenty of rain — perfect for forests, swamps, and beaches.
6. A low area of land between two mountains or hills is called a valley.
When two mountains or hills sit side by side, the low strip of land that dips down between them is called a valley, and it often holds a stream or river.
7. The Colorado River begins in Colorado and flows to the Gulf of California.
Starting high in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, the Colorado River travels southwest until it reaches the Gulf of California in Mexico.
8. The Northeast region is the smallest of the five US regions in land area.
Compared to the wide Midwest, the huge West, and the long Southeast, the Northeast covers the smallest amount of land of all five regions.
9. Lake Michigan and Lake Huron are two of the five Great Lakes.
Lake Michigan and Lake Huron actually connect to each other and are two of the five Great Lakes, along with Superior, Erie, and Ontario.
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each item to its correct answer.
Rocky Mountains
→ West
Midwest
Mississippi River
→ Midwest
Southwest
Great Lakes
→ Northeast/Midwest border
Northeast/Midwest border
Grand Canyon
→ Southwest
West
The Rocky Mountains rise up in the West, the Mississippi River winds through the Midwest, the Great Lakes lie along the Northeast/Midwest border, and the Grand Canyon is found in the Southwest.