Ch 8. The Great Lakes and Corn Belt

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          The Great Lakes and Corn Belt refers to the area located near the geographic center of North America (Hardwick 151). The states in this region includes Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin  Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, and small portions of several adjacent states. Much of southern Ontario in Canada is also a part of the Great Lakes and Corn Belt. 

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          There is a geographical barrier between the Great Lakes and Corn Belt region and Solvang, but both share a similarity in that both areas has a river nearby. There is a river south of Solvang called the Santa Ynez River, although it cannot compare to the many lakes and river networks in the Great Lakes and Corn Belt. The two regions are characterized by different climates; unlike Solvang, this particular region has a humid continental climate where winters are cool to cold and summers are hot with rainfall evenly distributed throughout the year (Hardwick 153). Also, the climate of the Great Lakes and Corn Belt is affected by the Great Lakes, but Solvang's climate is affected by the Santa Yvez Mountain.

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          The Great Lakes and Corn Belt region's economy is based on agriculture, whereas Solvang relies heavily on tourism. However, two can be related in that Solvang is well-known for its wine from more than 80 vineyards in the Santa Barbara County. Also, the first inhabitants of both areas were Native Americans. 

          Generally speaking, the two regions do not share a lot of similarities. Solvang is not as populated and much smaller in size in comparison.