Looking at Soils
Go the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Soils page at soils.usda.gov/. Click on "Soil Education" to read about soil types and soil classification. Then go to the Photo Gallery page to find the "State Soil" for your area. (If you live outside the United States, look at a place familiar to you.) Is that soil widespread or localized? Do you suppose climate conditions or geology help explain the formation and distribution of that soil type? What color is it? Why? Can you distinguish the different horizons? What are the distinguishing characteristics of the soil, according to the descriptive text? What influence do you think the presence of this soil type may have had on agricultural and economic development in your area? Under Dominant Soil Orders, on the Photo Gallery page, you can see soil maps. How widespread is the order of your state soil?
