What is Western United States?
[[File:Map of USA highlighting West.svg|thumb|upright=1.35|Regional definitions vary according to source. This map reflects the Western United States as defined by the [[United States Census Bureau|Census Bureau]]. Theregion is divided into the [[Mountain States]] and the [[Pacific States]] subregions.]] The '''Western United States''', commonly referred to as the '''American West''' or simply the '''West''', traditionally refers to the westernmost [[U.S. state|states]] of the [[United States]]. As the country [[Manifest Destiny|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 [[History of the United States|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 (state)|Washington]] * [[Wyoming]] {{US-geo-stub}} {{authority control}} [[Category:Western United States| ]] [[Category:Census Regions of the United States]]