The Lakota territory was, overall, fairly uniform.
Climate
There were two main climate zones in the Lakota territory, determined by the two different land areas, one in North Dakota and one in South Dakota. In North Dakota, the tribe occupied the badlands, low-lying plains drained by the Missouri and Red Rivers, full of rugged terrain and surrounded by colored cliffs. The badlands received and average of 15-17 inches a year, and the temperature there ranged from -60 degrees to about 120 degrees (Fahrenheit).
The second land area and climate zone of the was the Black Hills of South Dakota. Rising 3,500 feet above the badlands, the Black Hills were the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The area was bisected by the Missouri River. One fifth of the land west of the river was semiarid plain, receiving little to no rain. During winter and spring, there was nearly constant precipitation, blizzards in winter and thunderstorms in spring. Winter temperatures below zero degrees were not uncommon. In the summer, it was hot and dry, temperatures generally in the 70s and 80s, but occasionally rising into the 90s. Autumn was cool and dry, and short, the first snow often coming in October.
Plantlife
The Lakota territory had a wide variety of plantlife, which the tribe would gather for food. In the badlands region, plants only grew in some areas. In these areas, plants such as wildflowers, sagebrush, yucca, and buffalo grass were prominent. The Black Hills were covered with black pine trees, as well as having an abundance of edible plants, such as wild turnips, and many varieties of wild berries, including currants, chokecherries, plums, and buffalo berries.
Wildlife
Bison were the main reason that the Lakota lived where they did. Herds of the animals migrated all around the territory, and the Lakota would follow. However, bison were not the only animals that lived in the Lakota territory. The badlands were home to animals such as rattlesnakes, jackrabbits, prairie dogs, and coyotes. In the Black Hills, forest animals such as porcupines flourished. In addition, the Missouri and Red rivers provided fish, chiefly trout, catfish, and bass.
There were two main climate zones in the Lakota territory, determined by the two different land areas, one in North Dakota and one in South Dakota. In North Dakota, the tribe occupied the badlands, low-lying plains drained by the Missouri and Red Rivers, full of rugged terrain and surrounded by colored cliffs. The badlands received and average of 15-17 inches a year, and the temperature there ranged from -60 degrees to about 120 degrees (Fahrenheit).
The second land area and climate zone of the was the Black Hills of South Dakota. Rising 3,500 feet above the badlands, the Black Hills were the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The area was bisected by the Missouri River. One fifth of the land west of the river was semiarid plain, receiving little to no rain. During winter and spring, there was nearly constant precipitation, blizzards in winter and thunderstorms in spring. Winter temperatures below zero degrees were not uncommon. In the summer, it was hot and dry, temperatures generally in the 70s and 80s, but occasionally rising into the 90s. Autumn was cool and dry, and short, the first snow often coming in October.
Plantlife
The Lakota territory had a wide variety of plantlife, which the tribe would gather for food. In the badlands region, plants only grew in some areas. In these areas, plants such as wildflowers, sagebrush, yucca, and buffalo grass were prominent. The Black Hills were covered with black pine trees, as well as having an abundance of edible plants, such as wild turnips, and many varieties of wild berries, including currants, chokecherries, plums, and buffalo berries.
Wildlife
Bison were the main reason that the Lakota lived where they did. Herds of the animals migrated all around the territory, and the Lakota would follow. However, bison were not the only animals that lived in the Lakota territory. The badlands were home to animals such as rattlesnakes, jackrabbits, prairie dogs, and coyotes. In the Black Hills, forest animals such as porcupines flourished. In addition, the Missouri and Red rivers provided fish, chiefly trout, catfish, and bass.