The Great Plains is a large region of flat to gently rolling land in central North America, stretching from the Rocky Mountains eastward across parts of the United States and Canada. It is best known for its grasslands, prairies, ranching, farming, and wide-open landscapes.

Quick Scoop

  • Where it is: Between the Rocky Mountains and the central interior of North America.
  • What it looks like: Mostly grassland and prairie, with some areas of high plateau and low hills.
  • How big it is: Britannica describes it as about 1,125,000 square miles, or roughly one-third of the United States.
  • Why it matters: It is an important agricultural region and also a major habitat for wildlife and native ecosystems.

In simple terms

If you picture a huge open stretch of land with few trees, long horizons, and lots of grass, you’re picturing the Great Plains. It runs from southern Canada down toward the U.S. southern border and includes parts of many states and provinces.

Bottom line

The Great Plains are one of North America’s biggest natural regions: broad, grassy, and historically central to farming, ranching, Indigenous cultures, and wildlife.