Chapter Notes: The Prairies (Temperate Grasslands)

Introduction

• Grasslands are vast plains covered with grass.
• Found in warm and dry places with low rainfall.
• Most are in the Temperate Zone, in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
• Different names in different continents: Prairies in North America, Steppes in Russia, Pampas in South America, Velds in South Africa, and Downs in Australia.

The Prairies

• Location: Interior of North America, from Canada to Mexico.
• Size: Cover approximately 1.4 million sq. miles.
• Boundaries: West - Rocky Mountains, East - Great Lakes and Ohio River.
• Cities: Chicago, Dallas, Texas, Colorado, Minneapolis, and Oklahoma.

Land Features

• Terrain: Western part is hilly, eastern part is flat.
• Rivers: Mississippi and Missouri drain the region.

Climate

• Winters: Cold and dry.
• Summers: Hot with moderate rainfall.
• Rainfall: 50-70 cm during summers.
• Climate Type: Continental climate.
• Wind: Chinook - hot winds in spring.
• Rain Shadow: Prairie region is in a rain shadow area.

Vegetation

• Grasses: Tall to short, covering most of the land.
• Growth: Quick in spring, dry up and turn into hay by autumn.
• Trees: Sparse, found along riverbanks (alder, willow, poplar).

Wildlife

• Adaptation: Animals adapt to harsh climate.
• Examples: Deer, antelope, prairie dog, jackrabbit, coyote, fox, badger, mice, snakes.
• Endangered Species: Bison populations reduced.

Life of the People in the Prairies

• Population: Sparsely populated.
• People: Mostly descendants of European settlers.
• Occupations: Farmers and cowboys.

Economic Activities

Agriculture

• Farms: Huge and extensive.
• Activities: Ploughing, sowing, harvesting, threshing, and storing done with machines.
• Crops: Wheat (known as 'wheat basket of the world'), maize, barley, rice, oats.
• Storage: Silos for foodgrains.

Cattle Rearing

• Ranches: Estates or farms for rearing cattle.
• Products: Milk, meat (beef).
• Dairy Farms: Modern facilities for milk production.
• Industries: Meat packing, flour mills, ore-crushing factories, oil refineries.

Conclusion

• The Prairies are vital for agriculture and cattle rearing.
• The region's climate, geography, and wildlife have shaped the lifestyle of its people.