Forest, Prairie, and Desert
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Place names in the United States have diverse origins, ranging from indigenous languages and early European settlements to historical events, geographic features, and even the names of individuals.
But, I am particularly intrigued by settlements whose names are derived from the characteristics of their surrounding geography. So, I tried to create a toponymic biomes map of the United States, inspired by amazing toponymic maps of the United States created by Mapmaker John Nelson.
The occurrence of place names that contain the word “Forest”
Toponyms with the word “forest” are found throughout the U.S., except for parts of the southwestern states like Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico, as well as certain areas in the Great Plains region.
The occurrence of place names that contain the word “Prairie”
Settlements with the word “prairie” in their name are mostly located in the central part of the country. Prairies in the U.S. are primarily stretching from the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains to the Mississippi River and from Canada’s border to parts of Texas.
The occurrence of place names that contain the word “Desert”
Desert landscapes are most commonly found in the southwestern regions of the United States. States such as Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, and parts of Utah and Texas are known for their arid climates and distinctive desert ecosystems. This fact is confirmed by the place names.
The occurrence of place names that contain the words, “Forest”, “Prairie”, and “Desert”
The final toponymic biomes map of the United States will look as follows.
You can learn more about the geographic features of the United States from the following maps:
- Superior Mapping Company United States Poster Size Wall Map
- USA Classic Elite Wall Map Mural Poster
- Scratch Off Map of The United States
Related posts:
– Mountain, Peak, Ridge, Plain, and Field
– Lake, River, Spring, Pond, Bay, and Swamp
I assume this is cities / County / municipalities named something something forest, and not actual forests? Mainly because I don’t see the Mark Twain National Forest marked on the map
The Chicagoland area has been taken over by towns with Forest, Park, and Lake in the name. At least we manage to sound all natural and outdoorsy, I guess.
Run Forest, run!
TIL of Mount Desert Island, Maine and Lac Vieux Desert, Wisconsin. Thanks!
Both places have names derived from French. The French explorer, Champlain, named MDI as the island of deserted mountains, meaning bare mountains, as most of MDI’s mountains are not forested. What’s the story of of Lac Vieux Desert?
This nicely illustrates the prairie peninsula that extended eastward into Illinois and Indiana, with fingers of isolated stretches into Michigan and Ohio. Likewise, one can easily make out the Black Belt prairie of Mississippi and Alabama.
I’m in right now.
You mean OA?