In this groundbreaking work of historical geography, Schermerhorn and Mills provide a detailed description of the American West and its potential for settlement and economic development. The authors explore the natural resources, geography, and climate of the region, and make a compelling case for its potential as a new frontier for American expansion. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in the history of the American West or the development of American geography and cartography. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.