9781422286173

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Rocky Mountain: Colorado, Utah, Wyoming

with a unique tourist attraction: With the “Four Corners” borders, and with strategic feet placement, it is possible for a visitor to stand in four states at the same time. Colorado is noted for its high ele- vation. Its capital city Denver is called the “Mile High City,” due to its eleva- tion 5,280 feet (1,609 m) above sea level. To the city’s left is a mountain- ous territory that boasts high-rising

plateaus , buttes , and forests. When you look at Colorado on a map, you see an almost-perfect rec- tangular shape. One of its corners is part of the famous “Four Corners,” meaning that it meets a common geo- graphic location with Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. This corner is con- sidered the heart of the “American Southwest.” This geographic place- ment provides the state of Colorado

Words to Understand in This Chapter

butte— an isolated high hill with a flat top and very steep sides that is usually found in the southwestern region of the United States. climate— relating to the prevailing weather conditions (temperature, precipitation, storm patterns) in a specific geographic area. ecologic— pertaining to ecology, or the relationship between organisms and their environment and how natural forces affect this relationship. extinct— no longer in existence. foothills— low hills that are situated at the base of higher geographic terrain such as mountains. hub— a center of business activity in a region. plateau— a large, flat area of land that rises higher than the surrounding areas. pueblo— a communal structure, where many people lived, erected by agriculture-based Native American tribes in the southwest.