On a simple east/west basis, Western Oklahoma is popularly considered that part of the state west of I-35.[1][2] I-35 creates a north/south line through the approximate center of the main body of the state (i.e., without regard for the Oklahoma Panhandle), passing through Oklahoma City, the state capital.[3]

However, other definitions are possible. For tourism purposes, the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department breaks the state into six regions.[4] The 14 counties of Southwest Oklahoma, called Great Plains Country, do all fit west of I-35, including the easternmost counties in the grouping, Stephens and Jefferson.[4][5][6] But, while most of the 16 counties of Northwest Oklahoma, called Red Carpet Country, are also west of I-35, the two easternmost in that grouping, Kay and Noble, each have some land area east of I-35.[4][7][8] Then, the department includes 12 counties in Central Oklahoma, called Frontier Country, around Oklahoma City.[4] Portions of that grouping, like Canadian County, are entirely west of I-35.[9] And, the department has established a South Central grouping of 7 counties, called Chickasaw Country, some of which, like Carter County, have more land west of I-35 than east.[4][10]

Differences from Eastern Oklahoma

Generally speaking:

The western part of the state has greater elevation than the eastern part, with the highest elevation occurring at Black Mesa in the northwest corner of the Panhandle--about 4,973 ft-- and the lowest near the southeast corner of the State—about 287 ft.[11]

The western part of the state receives less precipitation, with long-term measurements of inches of its annual rainfall ranging from the mid-teens into the 30’s, while in the east averaging from the 30’s to the mid-50’s.[12] Ironically, however, the higher elevations in the west produce greater annual inches of snowfall, ranging from the low 30’s in the Panhandle to single digits in the east.[13]

The state has a pronounced difference from west to east in terms of plant cover. West of I-35 is predominantly western prairie-type vegetation while east of that line is the beginning of deciduous forests.[14] Even grasslands vary, going from shortgrass in the west transitioning to mixed grass in the central part of the state and on to tallgrass in the east.[15]

Western Oklahoma is known for Port Silt Loam—commonly known as Red Dirt—which is Oklahoma’s official state soil.[16][17]

References

  1. ↑ "How to Find the Meteorological Dryline". ALCA. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Jobs Grant Facilitates REI Office in Alva". REI Oklahoma. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Oklahoma". Google Maps. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Regions and Counties". Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Stephens County". Google Maps. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Jefferson County". Google Maps. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  7. ↑ "Kay County". Google Maps. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Noble County". Google Maps. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  9. ↑ "Canadian County". Google Maps. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Carter County". Google Maps. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  11. ↑ "Topographic Map of Oklahoma" (PDF). Oklahoma Geological Survey. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Normal Annual Precipitation". Mesonet. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Normal Annual Snowfall". Mesonet. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  14. ↑ "What lies beneath Oklahoma flora and fauna?". Red Dirt Ramblings. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  15. ↑ "Flora". Oklahoma Historical Society. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  16. ↑ "Soil Map of Oklahoma" (PDF). Oklahoma Geological Survey. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Port Silt Loam, Oklahoma's State Soil" (PDF). Oklahoma Conservation Commission. Retrieved July 6, 2026.

35°30′N 99°00′W / 35.5°N 99.0°W / 35.5; -99.0

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Oklahoma