Western United States

The Western United States, commonly referred to as the American West or simply the West, traditionally refers to the westernmost states of the United States.  As the country expanded westward since its founding, the definition of the West has changed over time.

In the 18th and the early 19th centuries, the Appalachian Mountains were considered to be the boundary. of the West.  However, the Mississippi River is now often considered to be the easternmost possible boundary. The West played a large role in American history, and the American Old West is an important part of the country's folklore.

The region is divided into the Mountain States and the Pacific States subregions. The United States Census Bureau defines the Western United States as the following:

 Alaska
 Arizona
 California
 Colorado
 Hawaii
 Idaho
 Montana
 Nevada
 New Mexico
 Oregon
 Utah
 Washington
 Wyoming


Category:Census Regions of the United States