The Majestic Mountain West
An exploration of the diverse geography, climate, and culture of the Mountain States region of the United States.
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Defining the Mountain West
Geographic Designation
The Mountain States, officially recognized as one of the nine geographic divisions by the United States Census Bureau, represent a significant subregion of the Western United States. This designation encompasses states characterized by their prominent mountainous terrain, primarily the Rocky Mountains.
Core States
The officially recognized Mountain States include Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. These states collectively form the core of the region often referred to as the Mountain West or the Interior West.
Growth Dynamics
Notably, the Mountain West is the fastest-growing region in the United States. States such as Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Colorado, and Arizona consistently rank among those experiencing the most rapid population increases nationwide.
Regional Geography
Defining Boundaries
The broader geographic area often associated with the Mountain West extends from the High Plains in the east to the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Range in the west. However, regional definitions can vary, with the northern parts (Idaho, Montana) sometimes grouped with the Northwest or termed the "Northern Rockies," and the southern parts (Arizona, New Mexico) often considered the Southwest.
Subregions
Within this expansive region, several distinct subregions are recognized:
- Southwest: Primarily Arizona, New Mexico, southern Nevada, and parts of West Texas.
- Intermountain West: Encompassing Utah, Nevada, Idaho, and adjacent areas of neighboring states.
- Front Range: Typically includes northern New Mexico, Colorado, and southeastern Wyoming, characterized by the eastern slopes of the Rockies.
Land Area
The combined land area of the eight official Mountain States spans approximately 855,767 square miles (2,216,426 km²), highlighting the vastness and scale of this diverse region.
Varied Terrain
Deserts and Plains
The region's physical geography is exceptionally diverse. It includes significant desert landscapes such as the Great Basin Desert (Nevada, western Utah, southern Idaho), the Mojave Desert (southern Nevada, California), the Sonoran Desert (Arizona), and the Chihuahuan Desert (New Mexico). Eastern portions feature the High Plains, characterized by rolling terrain, buttes, and canyons.
Mountainous Landscapes
Central to the region's identity are the Rocky Mountains, which traverse states like Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico. These ranges contain some of the highest peaks in the continental United States, including Mount Elbert in Colorado, the highest point in the Rockies.
Elevation Extremes
The Mountain States boast the highest mean elevations among all U.S. states. Colorado leads with a mean elevation of approximately 6,800 feet, followed closely by Wyoming, Utah, and New Mexico, underscoring the region's predominantly high-altitude character.
Climate Characteristics
Arid and Semi-Arid Dominance
The prevailing climate across the Mountain West is semi-arid to arid, punctuated by alpine climates in higher elevations. Precipitation patterns vary significantly, with mountainous areas receiving substantial snow and rain, while lower elevations can be extremely dry.
Seasonal Variations
Winter conditions can be severe, especially in the northern states and high mountain ranges, with significant snowfall. Summers are typically hot and dry, particularly in the desert areas. The High Plains experience moderate snowfalls and generally drier conditions.
Daylight Saving Time
Most of the Mountain Time Zone observes Daylight Saving Time (DST). However, Arizona (except for the Navajo Nation) and parts of New Mexico do not observe DST, creating a time difference for much of the year between these areas and the rest of the Mountain West.
Elevation and States
Highest Mean Elevations
The eight Mountain States are distinguished by their high average elevations, reflecting the dominance of the Rocky Mountains and other ranges. Colorado holds the distinction of having the highest mean elevation, followed by Wyoming, Utah, and New Mexico.
The table below details the highest and lowest points, along with mean elevations for each state in the region.
| Rank | State | Highest Point | Highest Elevation | Lowest Point | Lowest Elevation | Mean Elevation | Elevation Span |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado | Mount Elbert | 14,440 ft 4401 m |
Arikaree River at Kansas border | 3,317 ft 1011 m |
6,800 ft 2073 m |
11,123 ft 3390 m |
| 2 | Wyoming | Gannett Peak | 13,809 ft 4209 m |
Belle Fourche River at South Dakota border | 3,100 ft 945 m |
6,693 ft 2040 m |
10,709 ft 3264 m |
| 3 | Utah | Kings Peak | 13,518 ft 4120 m |
Beaver Dam Wash at Arizona border | 2,180 ft 664 m |
6,100 ft 1859 m |
11,338 ft 3456 m. |
| 4 | New Mexico | Wheeler Peak | 13,167 ft 4013 m |
Red Bluff on Texas border | 2,842 ft 866 m |
5,700 ft 1737 m |
10,325 ft 3147 m |
| 5 | Nevada | Boundary Peak | 13,147 ft 4007 m |
Colorado River at Sonora border | 479 ft 146 m |
5,500 ft 1676 m |
12,668 ft 3861 m |
| 6 | Idaho | Borah Peak | 12,668 ft 3861 m |
Snake River at Washington border | 710 ft 216 m |
5,000 ft 1524 m |
11,958 ft 3645 m |
| 7 | Arizona | Humphreys Peak | 12,637 ft 3852 m |
Colorado River at Sonora border | 70 ft 21 m |
4,100 ft 1250 m |
12,567 ft 3830 m |
| 8 | Montana | Granite Peak | 12,807 ft 3904 m |
Kootenai River at Idaho border. | 1,800 ft 549 m |
3,400 ft 1036 m |
11,007 ft 3355 m |
| Mountain states | Mount Elbert | 14,440 ft 4401 m |
Colorado River at Sonora border. | 70 ft 21 m |
5,400 ft 1646 m. |
14,370 ft 4380 m. |
|
Demographic Landscape
Major Metropolitan Centers
The region is home to several significant metropolitan areas, with Phoenix, Arizona, being the most populous. Other major centers include Denver, Colorado; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Salt Lake City, Utah, all experiencing substantial growth.
The table below ranks the most populous cities within the Mountain States based on the 2020 Census.
| Rank | City | State | 2020 Pop. | 2010 Pop. | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phoenix | Arizona | 1,608,139 | 1,445,632 | +11.24% |
| 2 | Denver | Colorado | 715,522 | 600,158 | +19.22% |
| 3 | Las Vegas | Nevada | 641,903 | 583,756 | +9.96% |
| 4 | Albuquerque | New Mexico | 564,559 | 545,852 | +3.43% |
| 5 | Tucson | Arizona | 542,629 | 520,116 | +4.33% |
| 6 | Mesa | Arizona | 504,258 | 439,041 | +14.85% |
| 7 | Colorado Springs | Colorado | 478,961 | 416,427 | +15.02% |
| 8 | Aurora | Colorado | 386,261 | 325,078 | +18.82% |
| 9 | Henderson | Nevada | 317,610 | 257,729 | +23.23% |
| 10 | Chandler | Arizona | 275,987 | 236,123 | +16.88% |
| 11 | Gilbert | Arizona | 267,918 | 208,453 | +28.53% |
| 12 | Reno | Nevada | 264,165 | 225,221 | +17.29% |
| 13 | North Las Vegas | Nevada | 262,527 | 216,961 | +21.00% |
| 14 | Glendale | Arizona | 248,325 | 226,721 | +9.53% |
| 15 | Scottsdale | Arizona | 241,361 | 217,385 | +11.03% |
| 16 | Boise | Idaho | 235,684 | 205,671 | +14.59% |
| 17 | Salt Lake City | Utah | 199,723 | 186,440 | +7.12% |
| 18 | Peoria | Arizona | 190,985 | 154,065 | +23.96% |
| 19 | Tempe | Arizona | 180,587 | 161,719 | +11.67% |
| 20 | Fort Collins | Colorado | 169,810 | 143,986 | +17.94% |
| 21 | Lakewood | Colorado | 155,984 | 142,980 | +9.09% |
| 22 | Surprise | Arizona | 143,148 | 117,517 | +21.81% |
| 23 | Thornton | Colorado | 141,867 | 118,772 | +19.44% |
| 24 | West Valley City | Utah | 140,230 | 129,480 | +8.30% |
| 25 | Arvada | Colorado | 124,402 | 106,433 | +16.88% |
| 26 | Meridian | Idaho | 117,635 | 75,092 | +56.65% |
| 27 | Billings | Montana | 117,116 | 104,170 | +12.43% |
| 28 | West Jordan | Utah | 116,961 | 103,712 | +12.77% |
| 29 | Westminster | Colorado | 116,317 | 106,114 | +9.62% |
| 30 | Provo | Utah | 115,162 | 112,488 | +2.38% |
Metropolitan Areas
When considering broader metropolitan and combined statistical areas (CSAs), the population figures increase significantly. The Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale MSA remains the largest, followed by Denver-Aurora-Lakewood and Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise.
The table below highlights the population trends in the largest Combined Statistical Areas (CSAs) within the region.
| Rank | CSA | 2014 Pop. | 2010 Pop. | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ CSA | 4,845,832 | 4,192,887 | +15.57% |
| 2 | Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO CSA | 2,963,821 | 2,543,482 | +16.53% |
| 3 | Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV CSA | 2,265,461 | 1,951,269 | +16.10% |
| 4 | Salt Lake City-Provo-Orem, UT CSA | 1,257,936 | 1,124,197 | +11.90% |
| 5 | Tucson, AZ CSA | 1,043,433 | 980,263 | +6.44% |
| 6 | Albuquerque-Santa Fe-Las Vegas, NM CSA | 916,528 | 887,077 | +3.32% |
| 7 | Boise City-Mountain Home-Ontario, ID-OR CSA | 764,718 | 616,561 | +24.03% |
| 8 | Colorado Springs, CO CSA | 755,105 | 645,613 | +16.96% |
| 9 | Ogden-Clearfield, UT CSA | 694,863 | 597,159 | +16.36% |
| 10 | Provo-Orem, UT CSA | 671,185 | 526,810 | +27.41% |
| 11 | Reno-Carson City-Fernley, NV CSA | 490,596 | 425,417 | +15.32% |
| 12 | Fort Collins-Greeley, CO CSA | 359,066 | 299,630 | +19.84% |
Political Leanings
Historical Voting Patterns
Historically, the Mountain West has shown a strong tendency towards the Republican Party in presidential elections, particularly from the mid-20th century onwards. However, certain states like Colorado and Nevada have demonstrated more competitive voting patterns in recent decades.
The table below illustrates presidential election outcomes in the Mountain States since 1864.
| Year | AZ | CO | ID | MT | NV | NM | UT | WY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1896 | Democrat | Democrat | Democrat | Democrat | Democrat | No Election | Republican | Democrat |
| 1936 | Democrat | Democrat | Democrat | Democrat | Democrat | Democrat | Democrat | Democrat |
| 1968 | Republican | Republican | Republican | Republican | Republican | Republican | Republican | Republican |
| 2000 | Republican | Republican | Republican | Republican | Republican | Democrat | Republican | Republican |
| 2020 | Democrat | Democrat | Republican | Republican | Democrat | Democrat | Republican | Republican |
| 2024 | Republican | Democrat | Republican | Republican | Republican | Democrat | Republican | Republican |
Navigating Time Zones
Mountain Time Dominance
The majority of the Mountain States observe Mountain Time (MT). This includes most of Arizona, Colorado, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming.
Pacific Time Exceptions
However, Nevada (with the exception of West Wendover) and the Idaho Panhandle observe Pacific Time (PT). This temporal distinction is crucial for coordinating activities across state lines.
Daylight Saving Time Nuances
Arizona's adherence to Daylight Saving Time is unique within the region. While most of the state does not observe DST, the Navajo Nation, located in the northeastern part of the state, does. This results in Arizona being on the same time as Pacific Time during DST periods, while observing MST year-round otherwise.
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References
References
- Welcome - High Plains Regional Climate Center. Hprcc.unl.edu (June 13, 2013). Retrieved on 2013-07-17.
- Private Tutor. Infoplease.com. Retrieved on July 17, 2013.
- North American Deserts. DesertUSA. Retrieved on July 17, 2013.
- See the List of U.S. states by elevation.
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Important Considerations
Disclaimer
This content has been meticulously crafted by an AI, drawing information from publicly available data sources, primarily Wikipedia. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and comprehensiveness, the information presented is intended for educational and informational purposes only.
Geographic and Statistical Data Advisory: Regional definitions, population figures, and elevation data can vary depending on the source and methodology. The data presented here is based on the provided source material and may not reflect the absolute latest statistics or universally agreed-upon boundaries.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any interpretations or actions taken based on the information provided herein. Always consult official government data and reputable geographic resources for definitive information.