Western United States
The Western United States, commonly referred to as the American West or simply the West, traditionally refers to the westernmost states of the United States. As the country expanded westward since its founding, the definition of the West has changed over time.
In the 18th and the early 19th centuries, the Appalachian Mountains were considered to be the boundary. of the West. However, the Mississippi River is now often considered to be the easternmost possible boundary. The West played a large role in American history, and the American Old West is an important part of the country's folklore.
The region is divided into the Mountain States and the Pacific States subregions. The United States Census Bureau defines the Western United States as the following:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- Oregon
- Utah
- Washington
- Wyoming
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While the West is defined by many occupations, the American cowboy is often used as an icon of the region, here portrayed by C. M. Russell.
The West, as the most recently settled part of the United States, is often known for broad highways and open space. Pictured is a road in Utah to Monument Valley on the Navajo Nation.
Ofu Beach on Ofu Island in American Samoa
Ethnic origins in the Western U.S.
These maps from the 2000 US Census highlight differences from state to state of three minority groups. Most of the American Indian, Hispanic, and Asian population is in the West.
The Western United States is subdivided into three major physiographic regions: the Rocky Mountains (16–19), the Intermontane Plateaus (20–22), and the Pacific Mountains (23–25)
Zion National Park in southern Utah is one of five national parks in the state.
The Mojave Desert covers much of the Southwestern United States.
