Its cost of living is high, compared to middle America. Covering four states and a total area of 285,616 square miles, it is a relatively small region, but it makes up for size with spirit. Together, these states represent the leading agricultural producers in the country. Tall limestone monoliths, red buttes, rich forests, rolling hills, fast flowing rivers and bottomless springs dot the region's landscape. It is also the home to the Gateway to The West, the City of Fountains, and the state with more caves than any other in the United States.
Endless skies are an innocent blue, and can send havoc to a peaceful scene.
Blizzards, tornadoes, hail, and a relentlessly burning sun can ride in on the wind, destroying crops as quickly as an Old Testament curse. But when it's right, it's right. Solid gold sunsets, pleasant warms days, and cool nights make Spring and Fall weather almost perfect. It is home for good hearted, hard working, honest people, the world's best barbecue, and the blues. Largely perceived as urban, its cities and suburbs are often expensive places to live and work, yet they also offer easy access to other metropolitan advantages, as well as to more rural areas with mountains, beaches and streams.