Why the Western States of the USA Are Neatly Spread Out While the Eastern States Are Cluttered and Smaller

The striking differences in the layout and size of states in the western and eastern United States can be attributed to a complex interplay of historical, geographical, and political factors.

Historical Context

Colonial Origins

The eastern states were among the first territories settled by European colonists. As a result, state boundaries were often defined by natural features, land ownership, and colonial charters, leading to irregular and varied shapes and sizes. These early settlements established a legacy of diverse and complex state borders.

Westward Expansion

As settlers moved westward, new lands were surveyed and divided into more uniform parcels, resulting in the creation of western states with more regular shapes and sizes. The Public Land Survey System (PLSS) established a grid system for land division, contributing to the orderly appearance of western states. This uniformity was partly driven by the need to facilitate governance and resource management in sparsely populated areas.

Geographical Influences

Natural Boundaries

In the eastern United States, natural features such as mountains, rivers, and other geographical landmarks influenced state borders. These natural barriers created more complex and irregular shapes for states. In contrast, the western states often feature large expanses of open land, allowing for more straightforward and rectangular boundaries.

Topographical Features

The diverse geography of the eastern United States, including the Appalachian Mountains and coastal areas, led to states that conform more closely to the natural landscape. In the west, the vast plains and deserts permitted larger, more uniform state shapes. This topographical diversity played a significant role in shaping the state boundaries of the western regions.

Political Decisions

Statehood Process

When territories in the west were organized into states, there was often a desire to create larger states to accommodate governance and resource management. This led to the formation of larger and more evenly spaced states, in contrast to the smaller, historically established eastern states. The political decision to favor larger states in the west was partly influenced by the need to manage and govern vast territories effectively.

Population Density

Eastern states generally have higher population densities, necessitating the establishment of more states to accommodate local governance needs. In contrast, western states, especially in rural areas, have lower population densities, allowing for larger state sizes. This demographic distinction further contributed to the differences in state boundaries between the two regions.

Cultural and Economic Factors

Settlement Patterns

The patterns of settlement and economic development in the eastern and western United States varied significantly. The east developed around established cities and trade routes, while the west was often settled based on resource availability and land grants, leading to a different approach to state boundaries. These differing settlement patterns influenced the eventual shape and size of the states.

Conclusion

In summary, the neat and evenly distributed nature of western states compared to the cluttered and varied shapes of eastern states is the result of a combination of historical settlement patterns, geographical features, political decisions, and cultural and economic factors. Each of these elements played a crucial role in shaping the diverse and complex landscape of the United States.