Ch 11. The Great Plains

http://www.imusgeographics.com/map-of-united-states

     The Great Plains includes all or part of the following 12 states: Minnesota, Iowa, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. Parts of Canadian Provinces such as Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta also falls into the category.

     Many areas of this region have experienced population loss over the years due to young people moving our to urban and suburban areas in search for economic and cultural opportunities. Solvang, although a beautiful city, is also mostly characterized by retired elderly rather than young people.

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/16384961  

     The Great Plains is generally well-known as a agricultural region, especially because of the wheat being a major crop (Hardwick 216). Solvang is also heavily influenced by agriculture in that there are a plethora of wineries; in fact, when I visited Solvang last December, the only places that were open after 10 p.m. were wineries. The reason for these wineries are due to the various vineyards near Solvang.

     Also, both Solvang and many Great Plain states have low rates of crime and social disruption. The owner of a used book shop in Solvang that my friend and I visited, Bill, told me that the most recent crime that occurred was a few months ago when someone put a soap in the water fountain, causing a lot of bubbles.