Human geography
The Great Plains and Prairies region makes up about 1/3 of the entire United States territory, and yet only about 3% of the whole population resides in the area. A lot of the natural grass land that used to cover the great plains has been changed into agricultural land or used as pasture for cattle and other animals. Most of the land used for pasture is heavily overgrazed. This has caused grave damage to plant species that used to grow in the area, and it has created an increase in cactus species.
The main crops grown in the area are corn (maize), cotton, sorghum, hay, and wheat. Sorghum is an African grain that grows better in the region because it is dry season tolerant. In the northern plains major food crops are barley, oats, flax seed, and sunflowers. Main animals raised for meat are cattle and sheep. The eight states leading in wheat production are Colorado, Dakota, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Kansas, North Dakota and South Dakota. All within the Great Prairies region. It is the same in Canada with the Prairie Provinces leading in wheat production. Most farm income comes from livestock in the plains.
There are many minerals mined in the region too. Most minerals are mined from Texas; natural gas and petroleum. The largest coal reserves in the U.S. are located in Colorado, North Dakota, Wyoming and Montana. Wyoming ranking the lowest in production. In Canada, you'll find the largest reserves of petroleum, natural gas, and tar sands in Alberta. All these areas being mined causing many changes to the natural geography.
Other changes to the natural geography were the construction of the Missouri dams after WWII. These dams provided flood control for the area, brought hydroelectric power to the area, and irrigation. A source of groundwater was discovered called the Ogallala Aquifer. It was tapped into to be used for irrigation. It extends from Nebraska and runs into the Texas panhandle.
3/5 of the population of the Great Plains is urban, and there a few large cities. The largest cities in the region are Calgary and Edmonton in Alberta and Denver, Colorado. A few of the more popular smaller cities are Regina and Saskatoon in Saskatchewan, Amarillo, Odessa, and Lubbock, Texas, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The rural populations have remained sparse.
Ranchers consider their land to be what's left of the "Old West," and enjoy their remoteness away from the cities. These people tend to be introverted and appreciate their privacy, and tend to have high individualistic political perspectives.
Farmers are more on the gregarious side, and are given credit for creating economic cooperation strong within the region.
Unfortunately for farmers and ranchers, there has been heavy migration out of rural areas and into urban due to the growing need for larger ranches and farms to produce feasible economic units. It has caused much demoralization for ranchers, farmers, and businessmen who remain in the rural areas. Businesses, schools, churches, and other trading centers are struggle due to the continued depletion of the population in the rural areas. Those services able to survive are located within small business centers that require long drives to get to. This has caused some farmers to move into towns and commute back to their farms instead to work.
Rodeos and horseman has been a huge part of the culture in the Great Prairies and Plains region since the end of WWII. Both ranchers and farmers are passionate about the rodeo, and believe that is a major symbol for the tradition and lifestyle that evolved from the region. Since a major food source of beef comes from the region, a favorite food in the area is barbecue. Most popular would be beef, but there's also pork, lamb and chicken barbecue. Favored sides would be corn, mashed potatoes, potato salad, and ranch style beans.