There are many ways to define the Midwest. It is home to some of America’s iconic cities, such as Chicago and Saint Louis, and it has a shared history as a primary destination for 19th-century immigrants looking for work in factories and fields. Today, there is no shortage of articles from trusted publications like The New York Times and The Washington Post that describe states like Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and even Minnesota as being part of the “Midwest.” The problem? None of those states are actually in the Midwest. That’s right; every state listed above resides in a different region than the one commonly known as the Midwest—even though some of them share names with states that are. Confused? Let us explain…
Is Colorado The Midwest?
No, Colorado is not the Midwest. The Midwest is a region of the United States defined by the Midwestern Census Bureau (MMCB). It is one of the nine regions defined by the MMCB, which is a joint venture of the private-sector Census Bureau and the public-sector Council of Regional Governments.
Why Is Not Colorado The Midwest?
1. The MMCB is a joint venture between the public and private sectors.
In the United States, the public sector is represented by the federal government and the states, while the private sector is represented by businesses. For example, in order to define a region of America called “The Midwest,” it was decided that one of the best ways to do this would be to have both federal and state representatives come together with business representatives to create a common definition. This joint effort gives us an accurate definition of what constitutes “The Midwest” because it incorporates both sides of American society.
2. Colorado has no representation on the MMCB.
Colorado was not invited to join with other states in order to create this definition for “the Midwest.” In fact, Colorado is not even an official member of this group (even though it is listed as such on their website). The only way that Colorado could become part of this group would be if members had frostbite).
3. The MMCB is not a governmental entity.
While it may be surprising that Colorado does not have representation on the MMCB, the fact that they are not a governmental entity helps to explain why they have no authority to create a definition for “the Midwest.” This means that Colorado has no voice in determining what is and what is not part of “The Midwest,” which means that there will never be a definitive answer to the question. website).
4. Colorado is not a state in the Midwest.
Colorado is located in the West, not the Midwest. The states that make up the Midwest are Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, and South Dakota. The MMCB defines “the Midwest” as a region of America consisting of those states plus Arkansas and Oklahoma (which are both states in the West).
5. There is no common history for these states to share.
There is no shared history between these states other than they all have a large amount of land area that is bounded by large bodies of water on three sides (the Great Lakes in the east; the Mississippi River in the north; and a border with Canada or Mexico in several cases). In fact, there isn’t even any common culture between them; each state has its own unique cultural background (and even its own official language).
6. The MMCB is not an official government body.
The MMCB is a joint venture between the private and public sectors, and this means that it is not an official organization in which states are represented. It is not even a part of the federal government or the Council of State Governments (COSG).
7. The MMCB’s definition of “The Midwest” does not include Colorado.
Colorado may be geographically located in “the Midwest,” but because Colorado was not invited to join with other states in order to create this definition of “The Midwest,” its inclusion or exclusion from this region has no bearing on what constitutes “the Midwest.” It does not matter whether Colorado is included or excluded from the region; it will still be considered part of the region regardless of its inclusion or exclusion because it was included in the definition that was created by state and federal representatives who represent both sites). Colorado is a state, but it is not a state in the Midwest.
History Of Colorado
1) “Colorado was a steamboat that carried passengers and freight between the towns of Raton, New Mexico, and Canon City, Colorado. The vessel was constructed in 1894 by the Inland River Transportation Company of Raton, New Mexico. It operated on the Rio Grande River between northward to Chama and southward to Socorro, New Mexico. On July 16, 1895, Colorado made its first trip between Raton and Canon City; this voyage took two days to complete. The ship later began making trips on the Arkansas River as well.”
2) “On September 12, 1895, it collided with a train near Wharton Springs in northwest Texas killing all but one of its 12 crew members. The boat’s wreckage was found in February 1895 at Chitwood Lake just southwest of Wharton Springs State Park.”
3) “Colorado’s wreckage was salvaged and reassembled at the New Mexico State Fairgrounds in Raton, New Mexico from where it was hauled to its final resting place at the National Park Service’s Wharton State Historic Site.”
4) “Colorado was the first steamboat to operate on the Arkansas River. It was also the first steamboat on the Gila River, and it was the first boat to operate on both rivers.”
5) “Colorado’s last voyage was in 1926 when it carried a load of coal from Raton to Santa Fe. This trip lasted only two days because of mechanical problems with its paddle wheels. The boat then burned and sank at its mooring at Wharton Dam.”
6) “Colorado is one of many historic vessels that were salvaged from the waters of New Mexico and Texas, including steamboats such as the Inland, Rancheria, Tom Horn, Red Deer, Idaho Chief, and others.”
Final Words
The Midwest is made up of the states listed above and is a large, expansive region that covers much of the middle of the continental United States in a massive stretch of states from the east coast all the way to the Rocky Mountains. The Midwest can be broken down into three sub-regions: the Mid-South, the South, and the West.
FAQ’s
What is the Midwest?
The Midwest is a region of the United States that covers the states of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The Midwest is made up of a large swath of land that runs from east to west and extends across most of the middle of the country.
What is its climate like?
The climate in the Midwest varies greatly depending on where you are in it. The northern parts are very cold and snowy while the southern parts are much warmer and more humid. The central parts have a more moderate climate that varies during different seasons. There are also several different ecosystems in this region including forested areas along with agricultural lands. This creates a variety of landscapes that make up this unique region.
How do I get to the Midwest?
The Midwest can be reached by flying into Chicago or Indianapolis and taking a bus to your destination in one day.
What are some popular cities in the Midwest?
The Midwest is a large region and many people choose to visit smaller cities like Madison, Wisconsin, and Des Moines, Iowa. Other popular cities are Chicago and Indianapolis
What is the best way to get around in the Midwest?
Many people choose to rent a car throughout their stay in the Mid-South. Others opt for public transportation such as buses and trains.
