In the past we have used assignments in the course to gather feedback about our lessons and as I've already mentioned we are told by some students that the physical landscapes, so like the topography, the soils, and the climate is boring. So if you're one of the students. You're going to need to suck it up for the Great Lakes and Corn Belt. And embrace the physical geography of this region. It plays a huge role. If you were to ask many Americans who live outside of the Midwest what defines this region. I would be willing to bet that many would answer farming or farms. Clearly farming does not have quite the impact on the landscape. And population as it once did. But this is the nation's Heartland when it comes to big commercial crops like corn, soybeans, and wheat. And other industries related to farming have also thrived here as a result. The physical landscape as I have said played a big role in this region. So we have to devote ample time to talking about it. The region's glacial past literally paved the way for mechanized farming. And not only smoothed out the topography. But it also deposited the materials necessary for rich fertile soils. The region's climate also has done its part. There is just enough rain fall and spring and summer months to limit the costs associated with irrigation. And the summer heat and the growing season are sufficient as well. But farming isn't the only activity that has shaped the cultural and economic landscape. The steel industry was booming in the late eighteen hundreds and early nineteen hundreds. And again we see physical geography, site and situation, all coming together perfectly. The Great Lakes provided transportation networks for the bulky low value iron ore from northern Michigan. And coal from Appalachia. Where they met, in places like northern Indiana, steel was king. Pittsburgh also owes its early success to iron and steel. However it wasn't just site and situation and glacial legacy that facilitated settlement growth in the interior. The acquisition of the land and two acts, the Pacific railway act and the Homestead act. Provided Americans in the east just pushing they needed and the means to move westward. The opening of the Erie canal was also a fortuitous event for both east and west. Allowing agriculture to thrive in the interior and reducing its importance in the east. More recently we see the effects of post industrialism on the landscape. Including vacant factories and out migration. Some cities like Pittsburgh have done an amazing job of transforming their cities into those equipped for the modern global economy. Diversified and not so reliant on manufacturing while others like Detroit are still grappling with the decline. And trying to stage a comeback. We hope you enjoy learning a little bit more about the region that many of you likely call home. And at the very least to the home of Michigan State University. Which I doubt I need to remind anyone that began as a Michigan Agricultural College. If you need a reminder of its farming roots. Maybe make a stop at the dairy store and reconnect with some ice cream.