The prairies in North America are on the Great Plains in the central U.S. and in Canada in ...?

Question

The prairies in North America are on the Great Plains in the central U.S. and in Canada in southern Alberta, Saskatchchewan, Manitoba. Similar grassland are found in Argentina in South America, in South Africa, and in middle latitudes of Eurasia. What are these grasslands called on each continent? To what agricultural uses are such grasslands put?

Answer 1

In South America(Argentina and southern Brazil), they are called the pampas. In Europe(southern Ukraine and southwest Russia) they are called the steppe(sometimes spelled step'). The steppe also extends into Central Asia. In South Africa, similar grasslands are called the Veld(also spelled veldt).
In Ukraine and southwest Russia, the grasslands were put to use for farming crops such as wheat and corn, hence why Ukraine was dubbed "Breadbasket of Europe."
South Africa's veld is mainy livestock and grazing economy.
The pampas of South America are mainly livestock and grazing as well.

Answer 2

The Prairies Of North America

Answer 3

It is odd that the same geographic and biological areas in adjoining parts of Canada and the United States have a different regional name, but that's the way in history has evolved.

In Canada and the North-central United States, these grasslands have either been tilled for farming (grain, canola, oats, flax and many specialized crops) or, if they are quite dry, they are used for grazing cattle. Sheep and goats are quite rare in central North America.

Since the Second World War, substantial quantities of oil have been found under these grasslands. And speaking of energy, there are a few "wind power farms" in these areas as well, as they tend to have pretty strong winds blowing across them.

Answer 4

Generally speaking, these are lee grasslands, where there are mountains or high hills upwind (with respect to prevailing wind) and separating the grassland from the ocean.

The mountains are partially responsible for the dry climate in these areas. (and subsequent lack of forest)

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Answer 5

The Argintinian ones are called "pampas" You'll find info here:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/images/pampas_location_map.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/pampas.htm&h=221&w=363&sz=6&hl=en&start=4&tbnid=vZK02v1f9DcDIM:&tbnh=74&tbnw=121&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpampas%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26rls%3DSUNA,SUNA:2006-47,SUNA:en%26sa%3DN

And here's a general site for all the "seas of grass":

http://www.pbs.org/journeytoplanetearth/about/seasofgrass.html