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Great Plains Cross-Section

An interactive cross-section visualization showing how the land slopes from the Rocky Mountains across the Great Plains to the Mississippi River.

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About This MicroSim

Explore America's breadbasket through an elevation profile:

  • See how elevation changes from mountains to river
  • Understand why the Great Plains are excellent for farming
  • Learn about the geography that shaped American agriculture

Learning Objectives

After using this simulation, students will understand:

  • The gradual slope from the Rockies eastward
  • Why the Great Plains are called "America's Breadbasket"
  • The relationship between geography and agriculture