The Wonderful West

Tour Guide by:Caroline Leary

“We’ll go through the west faster than you ever have!!!”

Abbreviations & Locations• WA - 47N, 123W…(Washington)• OR - 45N, 124W…(Oregon)• CA - 38N, 123W…(California) • NV - 39N, 120W…(Nevada)• ID - 44N, 116W…(Idaho)• MT - 47N, 112W…(Montana)• WY - 42N, 105W…(Wyoming)• CO - 35N, 105W…(Colorado)• UT - 35N, 105W…(Utah)• AK - 58N, 146W…(Alaska)• HI - 21N, 158W…(Hawaii)

MAP

LANDFORMS

• One landform in the West region is the Rocky Mountains. The Rocky Mountains form a line called the “continental divide.” On the east side of the divide streams and rivers empty into the Atlantic Ocean, and to the west side streams and rivers empty into the Pacific Ocean. This divide is important because it divides the waterways.

OTHER LANDFORMS

• One other landform is called “Lake Tahoe” and that is located in Nevada.

• Another landform is called “Death Valley” and that is located in California. Death Valley Is the lowest point in North America.

• Lastly, another landform in the West region is called Mt. McKinley and it is in Alaska! It is special because it’s the highest mountain in North America!

LANDMARK #1

One landmark in the West is called Jurassic Park. Between 1909-1924 a scientist named Earl Douglass found

thousands of dinosaur fossils at a site in northeastern in Utah. Dinosaur National Monument has some of the

largest finds of Jurassic Period dinosaurs in the world. The Jurassic Period lasted from 208 million to 144

million years ago. Remains of different Jurassic dinosaurs have been found there. Large dinosaurs roamed the area and has now offered attractions.

LANDMARK # 2

• Yellowstone National Park - It is a place where you come for more than just the size of it! It was established in 1872. Yellowstone National Park is the oldest park in the world! Yellowstone is home to natural wonders and fascinating wildlife. Visitors come to see “Old Faithful”… this is the worlds most famous geyser . Every 80 minutes Old Faithful gushes steam (a plume) 180 feet in the air. Yellowstone is a home to elk and buffalo (others too) and they are the largest animals. And most of all…Bears ROAM FREE!!!!!

• What’s a plume?: A plume is a natural hot spring that shoots out steam & boiling water.

Pictures

• Lake Tahoe Mt. McKinley

•Death Valley Continental Divide

TIMELINE (1500-1862)• In 1500 -Native American’s have been living in the west for

many, many thousands of years. • 1540-Spanish explores reach the western region.• 1743- French explorer, Pierre De La Verendrye discovered

the Rocky Mountains while he was searching for a western sea.

• 1803- United States buys Louisiana from France, it includes the Dakota's, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and a little part pf Idaho in what is called “The Louisiana Purchase.”

• 1804-1806- Lewis and Clark explore the western region as they go from the Missouri to the Pacific Ocean.

• 1862- The homestead act gives free land for building homes in the West!

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING

The West Region!!!

The End