High Plains (United States)

The High Plains are a subregion of the Great Plains in the heart of the USA. They include the western part of the Great Plains, which end at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. The High Plains are located in the eastern part of the U.S. state of Colorado, western Kansas, Nebraska in the west, in central and eastern Montana, in the eastern part of New Mexico, west of Oklahoma, in northwestern Texas and in southeastern Wyoming. In certain cases even parts of South Dakota and North Dakota to High Plains are counted. From east to west the height of the High Plains of about 750 m grows (2500 ft ) to over 1800 m (6000 ft).

The High Plains are a semi-arid region in between 250-500 mm per year (10-20 in ) falling precipitation. Due to low humidity and their altitude exist in most regions of extreme temperature fluctuations, which can be ( 59 degrees F) between day and night, 33 degrees Celsius. Furthermore, occur in the High Plains resistant and sometimes intense, coming from the west winds. Due to such hard conditions, the High Plains, especially in the northern and western areas, one of the lowest population densities of the United States. For instance, the U.S. state of Wyoming behind Alaska via the lowest population density of the entire country. Exceptions are cities such as Amarillo and Lubbock in West Texas, which already have more than 200,000 inhabitants.

The short- grass prairies of the High Plains are mostly covered with prickly pear cactus and scrub. The agricultural use includes cattle and the cultivation of wheat and sunflowers. Other economic activities include the degradation of natural gas, crude oil and the use of wind energy.