This catagory includes everything that is West of the Misissippi River, but not California. That is a separate catagory under California North and Calfornia South. The American West is a vast, beautiful and always facinating area. I first saw it on a trip when I was 19 years old. Looking out from a dome car on a long but amazing train ride from Cincinnati to San Francisco. I was a geology major at the time and didn't want to fly and miss the scenery. I had never been west of Chicago before and wanted to see the landscape. What an incredable sight it was. I suppose it made a big impression on me because I have now lived in the West for 30 years... and I love it!