USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -In the spring of 1804, Lewis, Clark, and dozens of other men left St. Louis, Missouri, by boat. They traveled westward through what is now Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota. In November they reached Knife River Village in present-day North Dakota.

Detailed explanation-2: -They are flatlands that rise gently as you travel from east to west (toward the Rocky Mountains.) It is a dry area with low rainfall. Because it is so dry and often windy, dust storms are common. Over many years the land has been eroded by wind and water from storms that blow or wash away topsoil.

Detailed explanation-3: -On 30 March 1805, Clark wrote “The Plains are on fire in view of the fort (Mandan) on both sides of the river.” Frequent fires would help explain the prevalence of grasslands void of trees and shrubs on the northern plains. Wild game was abundant to the expedition.

Detailed explanation-4: -Stretching from Canada to Texas, the Great Plains region was too dry to support large groups of people around 10, 000 years ago. But over time the climate became warmer and rainier, allowing grasses to grow. That brought herds of bison-and people weren’t far behind.