US Midwest Map

US Midwest Map

About US Midwest Map

Explore midwest states map to see the states located in the Midwestern United States of America.



United States Maps in our Store - Order High Resolution Vector and Raster Files



States in the Midwestern United States

State Capital Population (2023 est.) Area (sq mi) Major Cities Statehood Year Nickname
Illinois Springfield 12,549,689 57,914 Chicago, Aurora, Naperville 1818 Land of Lincoln
Indiana Indianapolis 6,833,037 36,420 Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville 1816 The Hoosier State
Iowa Des Moines 3,219,171 56,273 Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport 1846 The Hawkeye State
Kansas Topeka 2,934,582 82,278 Wichita, Overland Park, Kansas City 1861 The Sunflower State
Michigan Lansing 10,037,261 96,716 Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren 1837 The Great Lakes State
Minnesota Saint Paul 5,787,008 86,936 Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Rochester 1858 The North Star State
Missouri Jefferson City 6,168,187 69,707 Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield 1821 The Show-Me State
Nebraska Lincoln 1,967,923 77,348 Omaha, Lincoln, Bellevue 1867 The Cornhusker State
North Dakota Bismarck 781,137 70,698 Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks 1889 The Peace Garden State
Ohio Columbus 11,833,678 44,825 Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati 1803 The Buckeye State
South Dakota Pierre 919,318 77,116 Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen 1889 The Mount Rushmore State
Wisconsin Madison 5,935,064 65,498 Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay 1848 The Badger State


Midwestern United States


The Midwestern United States stands as one of the four major geographic regions which the U.S. Census Bureau defines. Twelve states make up the Midwest including Illinois together with Indiana and Iowa and Kansas and Michigan and Minnesota and Missouri and Nebraska and North Dakota and Ohio and South Dakota and Wisconsin. The United States' north-central area contains the Midwest which extends from Canada in the north through the Great Plains to the west and the Northeastern U.S. to the east and the Southern U.S. to the south. The country considers the Midwest its "Heartland" because of its central position and historical significance together with its distinct cultural heritage based on farming and manufacturing and conventional social norms.

Geography and Climate

The Midwest contains varied geography which includes North Dakota and South Dakota plains alongside Iowa and Illinois farmlands and Michigan and Ohio Great Lakes shoreline and Minnesota and Wisconsin forested highlands. The Mississippi River together with the Missouri River and Ohio River shape the natural terrain of the region while also playing a significant role in its historical growth. The Great Lakes consisting of Superior, Michigan, Huron and Erie form a distinctive geographical landmark which positions the Midwest as the world's largest freshwater lake region by surface area. The lakes function as a vital part of the regional shipping operations while maintaining essential roles in maintaining local ecosystems.

The region has a continental climate with cold winters and hot summers. The Midwest is vulnerable to large swings in weather because it lacks mountains and oceanic buffers, resulting in blizzards in the winter and tornadoes in the spring and summer, particularly in areas that are part of “Tornado Alley.” The yearly precipitation is fairly uniform, although eastern Kansas and western Missouri are drier.

Historical Background

Native American tribes such as the Sioux, Shawnee and Ojibwe inhabited the Midwest before European settlers arrived. French explorers Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet led the way in the 17th century when they explored the Mississippi River and its tributaries as part of the fur trade. The region became French territory before becoming British territory and eventually U.S. territory through treaties and the Louisiana Purchase of 1803.

During the 19th century, the Midwest underwent a significant transformation due to the influx of European immigrants, especially Germans, Scandinavians, and Irish, and the agricultural boom due to the rich soil and the introduction of the steel plow. The construction of canals and the expansion of the railroad system made Chicago, St. Louis, and Cincinnati into major industrial and transportation centers. The Midwest was also important during the Civil War, providing both manpower and manufacturing capabilities to the Union.

During the twentieth century the area gained fame as the symbol of American industrial power through its automotive and steel sectors. Detroit in Michigan received its “Motor City” title because it served as the origin point of automobile manufacturing in America. The second part of the century introduced economic difficulties because deindustrialization caused many urban areas to lose jobs and experience population decreases which people called the "Rust Belt" emergence. The region continues to exert significant economic power together with cultural influence across the United States.

Modern Significance

The Midwest remains essential for American life in the present day. The population of the twelve Midwestern states reached more than 68 million according to the 2020 U.S. Census results. The economic and educational and cultural centers of the United States operate through major cities including Chicago which ranks as the third largest city and Minneapolis-St. Paul and Columbus and Indianapolis and Milwaukee. The regional economy depends on agriculture because Iowa and Illinois produce the most corn and soybeans while Wisconsin maintains its position as the leading dairy-producing state.

The Midwest holds economic significance but also functions as a political indicator because its urban and rural mix serves as a presidential election predictor. The region contains several major universities and research institutions which include the University of Chicago Northwestern University the University of Michigan and Ohio State University that drive national academic and scientific progress.

  1. US Map
  2. Detailed US Map
  3. US State Map
  4. Blank Map of US
  5. US States and Capitals Map
  6. USA Karte
  7. Mapa de Estados Unidos
  8. Carte des États-Unis
  9. Mapa dos Estados Unidos
  10. USA Time Zone Map
  11. US National Parks Map
  12. US Regions Map
  13. US Rivers Map
  14. USA World Map
  15. USA on World Map
  16. US Cities Map
  17. US State Abbreviation Map
  18. US Road Map
  19. US Travel Map
  20. US Rail Map
  21. US Territory Map
  22. US Zip Code Map
  23. US Physical Map
  24. US County Map
  25. Blank US County Map
  26. US Population Map
  27. Richest Cities in US
  28. US International Airports Map
  29. US Flag Map
  30. US Map Upside Down
  31. US Temperature Map
  32. US Latitude and Longitude Map
  33. East Coast Map
  34. West Coast Map
  35. Western US Map
  36. US Interstate Map
  37. USA Seismic Zones Map
  38. US Canada Map
  39. US Mexico Map
  40. Southern US Map
  41. US Elevation Map
  42. US Map Black and White
  43. US Midwest Map
  44. US Northeast Map
  45. Amtrak Map
  46. 13 Colonies Map
  47. Washington DC Map
  48. Best Places to Visit in Summer in USA
  49. US on North America Map
  50. Southeast US Map
  51. US Mountain Ranges Map
  52. Southwest US Map
  53. Northwestern US Map
  54. US Map without Names
  55. US Canada Border Map
  56. US Area Code Map
  57. American Civil War Map
  58. US Road Trip Map
  59. US Volcano Map
  60. New England Map
  61. US Satellite Map
  62. US Desert Map
  63. US Map 1860
  64. US Map 1800
  65. US Map 1850
  66. US Lakes Map
  67. Where is Niagara Falls
  68. Where is Grand Canyon
  69. Where Mount Rushmore
  70. Where is Statue of Liberty
  71. Where is White House
  72. Where is Hoover Dam
  73. Where is Golden Gate Bridge
  74. Where is Hollywood Sign
  75. Where is Empire State Building
  76. Where is Monument Valley
  77. Where is Lincoln Memorial
  78. Where is Gateway Arch
  79. Where is Great Smoky Mountains
  80. Where is Sears Tower
  81. Where is Independence Hall
  82. Where is One World Trade Center
  83. US Climate Map
  84. Where is Rocky Mountains
  85. Where is Old Faithful Geyser
  86. US Capital
  87. US Map in Gujarati